TAGLines The Newsletter of the Theatre Arts Guild, Inc. – July 2006

Mary Carrick, President Daena Schweiger, Chair/Editor www.theatreartsguild.com

I’ve Got a Golden Ticket

TAG An interview with Sara & Gary Planck

N IGHT O UT With the TAG Awards Banquet a little over a month away, we thought this would be a good time to check in with the first recipients of the TAG “Golden Ticket” as their dream theatre season comes to a close.

Hot Flashes So, how many shows did you catch? Thursday, July 6 We saw about 20-25 shows. We saw everything. Not as many dramas, but lots of good 8:00 PM comedy/dramas, along with 6 fine musicals (some being excellent) and a lot of the shows that BroadStreet Theatre Co. @ BLT were part of a theatre's regular season. What a deal! And we enjoyed shaking up the crowd sometimes by roaring in on the Harley. ☺ Velvet Thursday, July 6 A lot of people have “date nights.” Did you have “date weekends?” We were able to attend on Thursdays, Fridays, some Saturdays, a few Sunday afternoons and 8:00 PM many Sunday evenings which worked out nicely for our schedule. We were so fortunate to have a Baby D Theatre babysitter who charged us reasonable prices, and with the Golden Ticket we were able to many evenings of wonderful entertainment for not a lot of money. We saw terrific shows that we normally Eating Raoul – The Musical would not think to go to because of cost, such as Boston Marriage, Crossing Delancey, True West, Thursday, July 13 The Dresser and of course all of the lovely productions at the Playhouse. We did have a difficult 8:00 PM time fitting in special late night things at the Blue Barn and we were not able to get to a lot of The Shelterbelt Theatre shows there, which was sad for us because I know that we missed a lot of good things.

______How’s that TAG Ballot coming along? I started the ballot last week and got so overwhelmed that I had to put it away. It definitely is a lot harder to go through everything and nominate, mostly because I am worried that I will miss T HIS I SSUE someone who was great. I have all of the programs in a stack downstairs and we have to wade through them tomorrow evening to finish the ballots. What incredible talent we saw. It makes me almost give up on auditioning because there are so many great actors, singers, and dancers out On Stage News there. The Green Room / Auditions Where do you keep your Golden Ticket? Other Good Stuff Our Golden Ticket is next to our calendar in the kitchen.

Theatre Planning Calendar Your dream theatre season is drawing to a close. Will you buy raffle tickets at this year’s

banquet? We sure will miss not having the access to theater that we had this year. We were so surprised when we won. And we will buy tickets again, though I don't think our luck will hold out. Our children last year were 7 and 11 years old and we said that we had a lucky year. But now that they are 8 and 12 we may not have as much good luck.

Final thoughts? It has been a great year and I hope that Gary and I find a way to continue to see many of the fine shows that will be coming next season.

Editor’s note: I had the fortune of running into Sara and Gary at a Sunday evening performance of

Ragtime at the Omaha Community Playhouse. And while this editor only remembered afterwards on the drive home that she was to chat with them for an article, Sara was kind enough to answerPage a 1

hastily written email later that night. Thanks Sara!

On Stage News

five-woman cast shows that you can skid sideways into the * The Mills Masquers Presents “Dangerous Age” -- chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, Oliver! screaming, "Woo-hoo!". After all, fabulous doesn’t end with “the July 1 – July 9, 2006 change” – it just begins! Through a series of scenes and The Mills Masquers community theater in Glenwood, Iowa, will monologues, the play attempts to answer the burning mid-life present the musical classic "Oliver!" Ben Umberger heads the cast questions: "Are we having fun yet?" and "How did this happen to us?" as Oliver, with Brett Borden as the Artful Dodger, Ron Hines as Witness a pair of ovaries celebrating their retirement with a “last Fagin, Jeanette Stogdill as Nancy, Ken Whitacre as Bill Sykes, Jon hurrah”, a woman commemorating menopause with a bizarre ritual, a Coover as Mr. Bumble and Amy Storz as the Widow Corney. Show bevy of mature femme fatales flaunting what they’ve got, and more dates and times Saturday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 2, at 2 hilarity during this sizzling laugh-fest. Hot Flashes stars stage p.m.; Friday and Saturday, July 7 and 8, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, veterans Kay Clark, Sherry Josand Fletcher, Melissa Jarecke, Sue July 9, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Glenwood State Bank, by Mullin and Barb Ross. Director/Set & Sound Design: Roxanne calling the Barton Theater at 712-527-3600 and leaving a message, Wach; Producer: Mary Carrick; Stage Manager: Melissa Linn; or online at www.millsmasquers.org. Lighting Design: Liz Kendall; Properties: Connie Fowler. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and TAG members. Reservations * Ralston Community Theatre presents: may be made by calling (402) 301-1370. Tickets may also be purchased online at BroadStreetTheatre.com. A TAG Night Out will CHICAGO be held on Thursday, July 6th. July 1 – July 15, 2006 th Presented at the Ralston Performing Arts Centre (90 & Park Drive) * Baby D Theatre presents: Directed by Todd Uhrmacher, Choreography by Michelle Garrity, Music Direction by Keefer Peterson. Performance dates are July 1, 7, Velvet 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 PM, and July 2, 9, and 16 at 2:00 PM. Tickets July 7 – August 5, 2006 are $15 for adults, $12 for Seniors and Students. Reservations can Baby D Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of VELVET, a be made by calling 898-3545. Box office hours are 11:00 AM – 3:00 neo-burlesque romp from the mind of Kevin Lawler. Filled with ribald PM Tuesdays through Fridays, at 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon on comedy, striptease, dance and songs, with original music by Bill Saturdays. The box office is closed Sundays, Mondays, and Hoover, and choreography by Jennifer Krayneski, VELVET promises Tuesday, July 4th. Leading the cast as Roxie Hart is Angela Frey and to be an evening to remember! Bringing these naughty characters to as Velma Kelly is Melanie Walters. Additional cast include Gloria life is an all-star cast, led by Ron Osborn as Velvet, and including Goodwin, Ryan Pivonka, Gene Hinkle Mary Kay Desjardins, Kyle Erika Hall, Teri Fender, Audrey Fisher, Dan Chevalier, Aaron Wilhoft, Avery, Deb Kelly, Susan Hinkle, Debbie Cline, Amanda Miller, Sarah and Andy Niess. Lorie Obradovich will direct. VELVET will run from Lietzen, Rachel Lien, Jackie Adams, Jenna Briggs, Fiamma Taylor, July 7 through August 5. Performances are: Thursdays through Courtney Stein, Amber James, Corey McKenna, Brian Zealand, Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $17.00 Thomas Gjere, Jordan Goodman, Ruben Sanchez, Jim Buchanan, for general admission and $15.00 for students and seniors. Or, wear Jacob Olson, Justin Potter, Terry Schmidt, Rachel Adams, Jordan lingerie to the show (keep it legal!) and receive a $5.00 discount! Brayfield, Jenna Catlett, Erika Flores, Casey Gilreath, Mackenzie Baby D is located at 601 South 16 Street (the corner of 16 and Goodwin, Bob Hokanson, Michael Njus, Bret Norton, Amanda Jackson). For reservations call: (402)345-8166 or visit us on-line at Parget, Kari Procopio, Teresa Whitehead. In the razzle dazzle, www.babyd.org. PLEASE NOTE: Velvet is rated NC-17 for nudity, roaring twenties of Chicago, married chorine Roxie Hart murders a sexual situations, and smoking. There will be a TAG night out faithless lover. Roxie and another murderess on death row, Velma preview on Thursday, July 6. Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, hoping the publicity will catapult them to fame, freedom and successful stage careers. This is * B & D Productions Presents a sharp edged story of murder, exploitation and treachery and features a dazzling and memorable score. Parental guidance is Oklahoma suggested for children under the age of 13. July 14 – July 30, 2006 B & D Production’s summer musical, “Oklahoma”, with direction by * BroadStreet Theatre Company Presents Dwayne Ibsen, music direction by Jerry Gray and choreography by David Catherall, will open July 14 at Chanticleer Community Theater Hot Flashes: Revelations of the Dangerous Age in Council Bluffs. Other staff positions include: David Clark/Orchestra July 7 – July 23, 2006 consultant, Dave Podendorf/Light Design, Kris Rutz/Sound Design, BroadStreet Theatre Company announces its upcoming summer Jane Keller/Stage Manager, Rhonda Hall/Props Manager, Tim production and inaugural show, Hot Flashes: Revelations of the DiBlasi/Accompanist and Ibsen Costume Gallery/Costume Design. Dangerous Age by Dori Appel and Carolyn Myers. Hot Flashes will Performances will run Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday be presented July 7 – 23, 2006 at the Bellevue Little Theatre. matinees at 2:00 p.m. through July 30. For ticket reservations and Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 information, please call 322-9126 or email to [email protected]. p.m. Hot Flashes is a hilarious, zany, and fast-paced comedy delving Ticket prices are: Adults: $18.00, Seniors: $ 15.00 and into the frequently forbidden subjects of menopause and aging. The Children/Students: $ 10.00 Included in the cast are Andy King as

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Curley, Sarah Porter as Laurey, Dustin Hillman as Will Parker, John TNO for Eating Raoul on Thursday, July 13. Gallop as Jud Fry, Denise Putman as Aunt Eller, Brad Tucker as Ali Hakim and Amanda Rounds as Ado Annie. Also in the cast are Alex ^ Blue Barn's Witching Hour presents Cass, Brad Chapin, Sam Clemens, Rose Daugherty, Tim Daugherty, Grimm Reaping- a modern fairy tale Terry DeBenedicitis, Cindy Frank, Joey Galda, Garret Higginbotham, John Schmidt, Ariel Ibsen, Amy Keller, Paul Keller, Louann July 20-30, 2006 Mayberry, Sarah Podendorf, Jessica Richstein, Alisha Rodasky, Beth New times! BB's Witching Hour is descending on prime-time with a Rutz, Lindsay Scarpello, Sarah Smith, Ron Wilson, Jenn Witt, bedtime story about surviving bedtime stories. In Grimm Reaping the Kathryn Zukaitis and Lucy Zukaitis. world is thin and permeable. The path you never saw before leads where it's always led and the black woods close in. If you turn around here, we will think no less of you. A poison apple. A spinning * The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents wheel. A mirror. A glass coffin. A slipper. A needle. A thorn. A Jukebox Journey (a special summer event) rose. Out of these objects and the Brothers Grimm fairy July 14 – August 6, 2006 (Mainstage) tales, Witching Hour weaves a fantastic adventure that could only happen at the Blue Barn Theatre. Join us as we use music, “Jukebox Journey” is a high energy musical revue from the historic movement, and myth to journey through the stuff of your childhood Savannah Theatre in Savannah, Georgia – the oldest continuously dreams and nightmares. It just might save your life, but then again, operating theatre in the United States. These are the folks who you just might lose your way. Starring: Sarah Brown, Sean Carlson, brought “Lost in the 50s” to the Playhouse in July 2005. The show’s Vince Carlson, Angela Horchem, Amie James, Laura Langan and music and dancing will evoke memories of the 1950s through the Nick Zadina. Directed by Susann Suprenant. Photography by Skyelar 1970s. Reserved seat tickets for this special summer event are Hawkins. Soundscape by Molly Welsh. July 20th-30th, Thursdays $35.00 for adults and $20.00 for students. Tax is included. There will through Saturdays at 9:30pm, Sundays at 7:30pm. If you've never be NO performance on Saturday, July 22. Half-price tickets will not been to a Witching Hour show because its always past your bedtime, be available for this production and 2-for-1 coupons will not be then this is your show! Don't miss your chance to see what all the accepted. Call 553-0800 for reservations or other information. fuss is about. Let us tuck you in.

* The Shelterbelt Theatre Presents * The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents Eating Raoul The Omaha Big Band (a special summer event) July 14 – August 5, 2006 July 21- July 23, 2006 (Howard Drew Theatre) Eating Raoul, the cult film classic, has new life as a zany musical. Local area musicians jam together to provide a tour of the history of Paul and Mary Bland want to open a restaurant but they need cash. Big Band music. From Count Basie and Duke Ellington to Maynard Suppose they lure degenerates to their apartment to kill and rob Ferguson and Doc Severinson, this entertaining show features them? Soon they are a financial success but disposing of the bodies classic and classy “big band” music like “Take the A-Train,” “Satin is a problem. Enter Raoul, their devious apartment superintendent, Doll,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “In the Mood,” and other familiar favorites of with a proposition: he will take care of the corpses - for a cut. Quirky, time gone by. Add in humor, multimedia, and dancing – you have the campy, even a shade kinky, it begs the question…what could be ingredients for a terrific summer evening. There will be only THREE more fun in the summertime than a musical about sex, cannibalism, performances. General admission tickets are on sale now at $25.00 and the American Dream? Starring Jennifer Gilg as Mary Bland, for all seats. Tax is included. Half-price tickets will not be available for Scott Fowler as Paul Bland, and Tim Vallier as Raoul. Featuring this production and 2-for-1 coupons will not be accepted. Call 553- Mark Barta, Denise Chevalier, Sean Lomax, Todd Maxwell, Mallory 0800 for reservations or other information. Rennels, and Therese Rennels as Donna the Dominatrix. Produced by Liz Heim, directed by Daena Schweiger, with music direction by Nancy Curry and choreography by Patrick D. Roddy. Production Broadway In Omaha presents stage managers are JoAnn Goodhew and Liz Kendall. Scenic design Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Adam Nathan; Light Design by Tom Reardon, and Costume July 27-30, 2006 (Orpheum Theater) Design by Gary F. Bosanek and Kevin Steward, with props by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Patrick Connie Fowler. Musicians include Fred Goodhew on keyboard, Bob Cassidy, is a rainbow ride through biblical Egypt on the wings of Roose on bass, D. J. Coonfield on guitar, and Trey Warnhoff on Andrew Lloyd Webber's (Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and percussion. Performances run Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sunset Boulevard) uplifting music and the humor and poetry of and Sundays at 6:00 PM. Due to the TAG Awards, there will be no lyricist Tim Rice (Oscar®-winning lyricist of Disney's Aladdin). This Sunday, August 6th performance. Tickets: $15 for Adults, $12 for irresistible musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's Students / Seniors / TAG Members. Tickets opening weekend are 2 favorite son, paints a picture of betrayal and hardship, prophecy and for 1! There will be NO credit card sales for this production. The forgiveness. Don't miss Joseph! Tickets available through Ticket Shelterbelt Theatre is located at 3225 California. Reservations are Omaha, 402-345-0606 strongly recommended and can be made by calling 341-2757 or visiting our website: www.shelterbelt.org. The Shelterbelt will hold a

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TADA Productions presents map of the building's location on the campus can be found on CSM's website. (Go to csm.edu--click on "Contact Us"--type the words Forever Plaid campus map in the search window--then click on the appropriate link July 13-July 30, 2006 which will appear.) Cathy Kurz will be directing both of these TADA's most requested show returns! The heavenly hit, Forever productions. Please email any questions (after June 26th) to the Plaid is back to begin our sixth season! This is the deliciously funny Theatre at the following address: [email protected] and charming story of "The Plaids," a classic 1950's all-male singing group, who return to earth (thanks to a hole in the ozone layer) to * SNAP! Productions sing in that one big gig that they never got a chance to perform in life! It's a toe-tapping evening of music and comedy, featuring a hit Harold & Maude parade of favorite tunes, including "Three Coins in the Fountain," July 10 and July 11 @ 7:00 PM "Rags to Riches," "Cry" and many more. July 13-16 / 20-23 / 27-30 SNAP! Productions will hold auditions for the comedy Harold & The Loft at the Mill Theatre & Gallery in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket. Maude by Colin Higgins on Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11 at Tickets now on sale 402-438-TADA or on line at 7:00 PM at North Side Christian Church, 5555 Larimore Avenue, www.tadaproductions.info Omaha, NE 68104. Todd Brooks will direct. Needed 4 women-1 woman capable of playing 80 years old; 1 woman age 40-50; 1 woman early 20sand 1 woman age 30-60. Needed 4 men-1 man early 20s; 3 men ages 30-60. Performance dates are August 24- September 17, 2006, Thursday-Saturday, 8:00 PM and Sundays Auditions & More Auditions 6:00 PM except the final Sunday, September 17 is at 2:00 PM. For more information please contact Todd Brooks at 968-5543. ______

* Brigit St. Brigit * Chanticleer Community Theater The Lark July 2 and July 3 @ 7:00 PM Bye Bye Birdie Translations July 9 and July 10 @ 7:00 PM July 15 @ 9:00 AM and July 16 @ 7:00 PM Brigit Saint Brigit will be holding auditions during July for two of the Chanticleer will be having auditions for their Children’s Theater plays in its upcoming season. Readings for The Lark will be held on production of “Bye Bye Birdie”. Audition times are Saturday, July 15 Sunday and Monday, July 2nd and 3rd, at 7 p.m. The play, based on at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. the life of Joan of Arc, was written by Jean Anouilh and adapted by Lillian Hellman, and can be checked out from the public library, as * Bellevue Little Theatre well as from the libraries at UNO, the College of Saint Mary, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Creighton. Actors required include 2-4 women (age-range-played July 30 and 31 @ 7:00 PM 30s-40s) and 6 to 8 men (varying in age-range-played from 20s Bellevue Little Theatre will hold auditions for the lively though 70s). Many cast members will be performing multiple roles. musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", the opening (Suzanne Withem will be playing the part of Joan.) The production production of its 38th season, on Sunday July 30 at 4pm will open March 23rd, 2007, and run for a total of 4 weekends (2 and Monday July 31 at 7 pm. A large cast of cast of consecutive weekends, no performances Easter weekend, then 2 singers and dancers, ages 16--45, is needed for this more consecutive weekends); rehearsals will begin in February. production, which will run week-ends between Sept. 15

and Oct. 1. Some roles do not require singing and Readings for BSB's production of Translations are slated for Sunday dancing. Bridget Robbins will be director/choreographer and Monday, July 9th and 10th, at 7 p.m. The play was written by for this production, and Keith Hart will serve as musical Brian Friel and can be checked out from UNO and Creighton libraries director. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a (not sure about the public library). It will be the Theatre's annual Irish musical selection, and to be prepared to dance. An offering in the 2006-2007 season. Actors sought include 1 woman accompanist will be provided. For questions, please call (any age-range-played from late teens through 30s), 1 woman producer Bette Swanson at 292-1920. (playing late teens/20s), 4 men (age-range-played 20s-40s), and 2 men (50s-60s). (The roles of Owen and Maire will be played by Scott Kurz and Laura Leininger.) Translations will open February 9th and run for 4 consecutive weekends. Rehearsals begin in January. Submissions for TAGLines must be turned in All auditions will consist of readings from the script (no need to use by the 14th of every month: any dialects when auditioning) and will take place at the Theatre in [email protected] the Gross Conference Center, located in the Science Bldg., on the campus of the College of Saint Mary, 7000 Mercy Road. Due to construction, the campus must be entered on the 72nd Street side. A

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give the writers input on how to improve their scripts. The reading will & Other Good Stuff be held at the Shelterbelt Theatre, located at 3225 California Street. ______

Chanticleer Community Theater unveils new website SNAP! Productions Chanticleer is announcing our change in website and email addresses. We are now: www.chanticleertheater.com for our new 2006-2007 Season Titles and Dates website and [email protected] for our email. Check it out! ______Harold & Maude by Colin Higgins TAG Speakers Bureau August 24-September 17, 2006 "To speak or not to speak, that is the question!" We have a fabulous presentation about TAG and theatre in Omaha all prepared, but we Directed by Todd Brooks need groups of people to inform. So, if any of you know of any group, Auditions July 10 & July 11 large or small, who needs a program this upcoming year - even this summer - please contact Pegi Georgeson at [email protected] OR call 330-7762 (H) or 319-5546 (C). Elaine Jabenis and I had a very When Pigs Fly successful program at Westside Middle School's Career Day this by Howard Crabtree & Mark Waldrop past May. We'd like to keep the ball rolling, so "to speak!" Music by Dick Gallagher ______November 16-December 10, 2006 Bellevue Little Theatre Fireworks Stand Needs Volunteers Directed by Roxanne Wach Don't forget the BLT Fireworks in the No Frills parking lot on Harvel Dr., just off the Kennedy. Curtis Leach will be glad to sell you sparklers or to give you a job helping out. For info, call 291-3809 or I Am My Own Wife email [email protected] by Doug Wright

March 8-April 1, 2007 Urban Prairie Puppet Company Happenings Directed by Kevin Lawler July finds the Urban Prairie Puppet Company out and about in the Featuring Nick Zadina state of Nebraska performing at parties, celebrations, libraries and other festive places. Here's what's happening so far: July 4th we're helping the town of Alma Nebraska celebrate with Aesop’s Doubt (subject to rights approval) Fables/Just So Stories in their lovely park at 1 p.m. July 5th Trish by John Patrick Shanley will be performing and leading a puppet making workshop at the Lincoln Children's Museum. The show is at 1 p.m. followed by an May 31-June 24, 2007 hour long puppet making workshop. July 18 Brian Henning and Directed by Michelle Phillips student puppeteers will present "The Emperor's New Clothes" at the Bellevue Public Library at 2 p.m. Free to the public! July 25 Brian Henning and student puppeteers will travel to the Willa Cather Library in Omaha to present "The Emperor's New Clothes" at 2 p.m. ______

Check out our Theatre Hotline! Shelterbelt to hold public reading July 29th (402) 334-4567 Wonder what new horrors The Shelterbelt is serving up for Shelterskelter this fall? Here's your chance for a sneak peek! The Call for current show information Shelterbelt will hold a public reading of the scripts under including show dates and times! consideration for this year's production on Saturday, July 29th at 3:00 PM. The reading is FREE and open to anyone. Find out which scripts (note: this is an announcement only service) will be considered, scout out the roles you want to audition for, and

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OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Maria Perez and Nancy Brink Opera Omaha Ryan Dinning 2006-2007 Season Titles and Dates Benjamin D. Divis

Steve Douglas Jessica Evertson Giacomo Puccini Aubrey & Tracy Fleming TOSCA Keith Holmes & Alice George September 27 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. Gloria and Mackenzie Goodwin Shirley Harrel and October 1 at 1:30 p.m.*, 2006 Dustin Hillman Kelsey Johnson Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall 409 S. 16th St. Melissa Kahl (Sung in Italian with English translations ) Cheyne King * Please note early curtain due to start Annie Labs of Yom Kippur that evening Jenny Lassley Brandy Lively Eddie McGonigal Conductor: Stewart Robertson Linda Mead Director: David Gately Natalee & Ardyth Nelson Kate Nickols Andy Niess Katie O'Brien World Premiere Production Kevin Olsen Celeste Pille Composer: Anthony Davis Kevin Queen Librettist: Yusef Komunyakaa Jerri Revenaugh WAKONDA’S DREAM Bridget Robbins Rachel Shelton March 7 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Mary Sorensen and March 11 at 2 p.m., 2007 Levi "JD" Stroebel Tyler Swain Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall 409 S. 16th St. Sheri Swanson (Sung in English with text projected above the stage) Travis Wilcox

Joyce Torchia Annette Wemhoff Conductor: Stewart Robertson The Polivka Family Director: Rhoda Levine Set Design: Peter Harrison BroadStreet Theatre Company Costume Design: Paul Tazewell Rep. Mary Carrick Lighting Design: Stephen Strawbridge Cider House Theatre Reps Shelli Eyman & Jim Frerichs

Florentine Players Giacchino Rossini Reps Laura Hayden & Risk Quistad THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Fremont Community Players April 25 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. Rep David Hartmann and April 29 at 2 p.m., 2007 Kountze Memorial Theatre at Mahoney Orpheum Theater, Slosburg Hall 409 S. 16th St. Reps Mary Alice Wagner & Brian Schmidt (Sung in Italian with English translations)

Rusty Horse Productions Fran Sillau & Tom Whiteman Conductor: J. David Jackson Director: Renaud Doucet Lincoln Community Playhouse

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Talking Broadway by Christopher Violett Marguerite, informing her that her beloved brother, Armand, has been arrested in Paris as a member of the Pimpernel's League. He A look into Musical Theatre’s unknown and forgotten treasures insists she spy for him at the Royal Ball that night. If she fails to come up with information about the Pimpernel, Armand will be guillotined. I kept thinking to myself that I wanted to write something in TAGLines Marguerite, Chauvelin and Percy eye one another warily, as all three about productions that are not well known but are really great shows. wonder who exactly can be trusted in this slippery world. So now that school’s out I found time to actually do it! ☺ This month I’m focusing on Nan Knighton and ’s The Scarlet That night, at the Royal Ball, Percy continues his public disguise as Pimpernel. England's greatest fool, joking about the elusive Pimpernel and mocking the stony-faced Chauvelin. Undeterred, Chauvelin Original Stars: Douglas Sills, and Terrance Mann. commands Marguerite to uncover the identity of the Pimpernel, and Also included Omaha’s own Kevyn Morrow and Broadway star she persuades one of Percy's men to have the Pimpernel meet her Sutton Foster in the ensemble. outside on the footbridge. When Percy arrives, disguising his voice and keeping in the shadows, Marguerite confesses her sins to the

Scarlet Pimpernel: yes, she has tried to expose him and, yes, she History: 772 performances while playing the Minskoff Theatre and has spied, but it all has stemmed from Chauvelin's coercion and later the Neil Simon Theatre. blackmail. Percy instantly sets off for France with his men to try to save Armand, but Marguerite also secretly travels to Paris. Tony Nominations: Three including Best Book, Best Musical and Disguising herself as a French tart, she tries to cajole information Best Leading Actor (Sills) about her imprisoned brother from two soldiers. Chauvelin, however, is nearby, and instantly seeing through her disguise, he orders both Armand and Marguerite to be sentenced to the guillotine. Highlighted Songs: “Into the Fire,” “Falcon in the Dive,” “,” “When I Look at You,” “She Was There,” “Only Love,” In prison, Marguerite tries hard not to think of Percy. She prepares to and “You Are My Home” meet her death, but Chauvelin has a subtler torture in mind. Resolved to catch the Pimpernel, he allows Marguerite and Armand Licensed Through: Tams Witmark to escape and sets a trap for all of them. As everyone converges on stage at the now abandoned Comedie Francaise, Marguerite finally learns that the Scarlet Pimpernel is none other than her own Synopsis: At the bloody peak of the French Revolution, the husband, Percy. Percy and Chauvelin confront each other in the beautiful actress, Marguerite St. Just, falls in love with an ultimate swordfight and showdown, and although Percy seems Englishman, Sir Percival Blakeney. After a whirlwind courtship, she certainly doomed to death, he manages to outwit Chauvelin one last announces her engagement to Percy during her farewell time. Finally, Percy and Marguerite are reunited and able to trust one performance at the Comedie Francaise. Chauvelin, a high-ranking another. revolutionary official and Marguerite's former lover, is furious. Editor’s Note: Chris Violett is a former TAG Teen Rep and TAG In England, Percy and Marguerite are married. He has apparently Scholarship recipient. He is obtaining a theatre degree from the married a French spy, and sending a confused Marguerite off to bed University of Arizona. alone on their wedding night. Determined to somehow right the wrong his wife has done, Percy gathers his friends around him and persuades them to join him in a "private war" against the inhumanities of the bloody French regime. They will call themselves Wednesday, July 5th The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel” and work through disguise and TAG Nominations Night diversion to save as many innocent lives as they can. Chauvelin Rick’s Boatyard Café – 7 PM vows to find The Scarlet Pimpernel and kill him. Back in England, Percy and his men have now become virtual caricatures of their Thursday, July 6 dandified, foppish selves in order to deflect suspicion from their Final TAG Ballot Mailed heroic activities in France. Thursday, July 20th Chauvelin arrives in England and pays a visit to Marguerite. He asks Final TAG Ballot Due her to work with him again and help discover the identity of The Scarlet Pimpernel. She angrily refuses, but realizing that Marguerite Sunday, August 6th is unhappy in her marriage, Chauvelin tries to win her to his side, TAG Awards Banquet reminding her of the passions they shared early in the revolution. Holiday Inn Central Marguerite sends Chauvelin away, determined to never fall into his 72nd & Grover clutches again. Meanwhile, Chauvelin meets secretly with

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Dreaming up your TAG Award Acceptance speech but are Thanks to the following people who contributed to TAG stuck on an opening line? Consider the following… (scholarship, endowment, general operating, or publicity) from January 1 – June 16, 2006

“I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't $250 and up Dorothy Tuma deserve that either.” – Jack Benny Liz Heim Gary A. Emenitove Pegi Georgeson “My hormones are just too way out of control to be $100 and up John & Nora Gibson dealing with this.” – Catherine Zeta Jones Darrel Frisch Sara & Gary Planck Fr. Al Salanitro "I hope I'm as religious the rest of the year as I've been $50 and up Diane Watson the last two months." – Lili Zanuck Tom Liefer Linda Whitesides Sandy Thompson Clara Sue Arnsdorff "I accept this on behalf of the sixty-odd thousand people Melissa Jarecke Eddith Buis who worked on this show." – producer Mike Todd Karen Cordes $5 and up Andrea Lang "I hope this isn't a mistake, because I won't give it back Piere De Funk David Mainelli for anything in the world.” – Yul Brynner Eddie McGonigal Linda Mead Warren Francke Lois Nemec "Right now, I'm so happy I want to thank all the members John Rosman Bridget Robbins who didn't vote for me” – Burt Lancaster Judi Radek BroadStreet Theatre Company David Sindelar Dan Wach

Theatre Arts Guild Donations Thank you, membership, for ‘Getting Real’ and ‘Experiencing Live Theatre”’ in our community. Be it onstage, backstage, or in the house, we couldn’t do it without you! We thank you for your continued support of TAG. You, our members, have made our organization thrive.

Over the years our board of directors has developed many fine programs that are beneficial to our theatrical community. We ask for your continued support to keep them going strong.

Please consider making a donation to TAG in any of the following areas. Indicate area (s) you would like to support on this slip, cut it out, and send it in. Please make checks payable to Theatre Arts Guild (TAG) and send to Theatre Arts Guild, P.O. Box 24008, Omaha, NE, 68124-0008

Scholarship (High School) Amount Enclosed:

Scholarship (Post - Grad) Amount Enclosed:

Endowment Amount Enclosed:

Operating Funds Amount Enclosed:

Publicity Campaign Amount Enclosed:

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Theatre Planning Calendar

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July 2006 SA SU M T W TH F SA SU M T W TH F SA SU M T W TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA SU M

* Member Theatres * Mills Masquers – Oliver * Ralston – Chicago * BroadStreet – Hot Flashes tno * Baby D Theatre - Velvet tno * B & D – Oklahoma * OCP – Jukebox Journey * Shelterbelt – Eating Raoul tno * Witching Hour – Grimm Reaping * OCP – Omaha Big Band

Non-Member Theatre Broadway in Omaha – Joseph TADA – Forever Plaid

Auditions * Chanticleer – Bye Bye Birdie * BSB – The Lark * BSB – Translations * SNAP – Harold & Maude * BLT – Seven Brides…Brothers

Page 11 PRESORTED STANDARD Theatre Arts Guild, Inc. U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 24008 PAID Omaha, NE 68124-0008 OMAHA, NE www.theatreartsguild.com PERMIT NO 1024

Your newsletter is sent bulk mail and not forwarded. Keep your address current!

Send changes to:

TAG c/o Barb Ross 9035 Raven Oaks Drive Omaha, NE 68152 [email protected]

July 2006

TAG Board of Directors & General Information

Jerry Abels (2008) (712) 329-9066 Liz Heim, Awards Chair (2006) 552-9326 Allison Botkin (2008) 672-0806 Rachel Lien (2004-2005), Teen Rep. 330-6862 Deb Beck (2007) 558-7985 Ted Roche (2006), Treasurer 292-3781 Tom Bertino, Webmaster, Ex-officio 572-7971 Barb Ross (2006), Membership Chair 571-8311

Mary Carrick (2006), President 344-3257 Amanda Rounds (2004-2005) Teen Rep. (712) 323-4510 Gary Emenitove, TAG E-Broadcast, Ex-officio Les Schultz, Finance (2008) Pegi Georgeson, Speakers Bureau (2007) 330-7762 Daena Schweiger (2006), Newsletter Chair / Editor 677-4076

Fred Goodhew (2007), TAG Night Out Chair 391-2270 Diane Watson, Corresponding Secretary (2007) 346-0949 JoAnn Goodhew, Educational Workshops (2008) 391-2270 Jim Watson, Historian (2008) 346-7598

• The next Board of Directors Meeting will be held Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Board meetings are held the second Saturday of each month. All TAG Members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please call Mary Carrick at (402) 344-3257 if you plan to attend. • The final DEADLINE for items, articles and advertisements for the July Newsletter is Friday, July 14, 2006. • To submit newsletter information/articles, send via email to [email protected] or mail to Daena Schweiger, 15123 Patterson Drive, Omaha, NE 68137-5119. • To advertise in TAGLines contact us. Our rates cover both inserted flyers (which you supply) and printed advertisements. Check out our advertising rates at www.theatreartsguild.com. Non-members may only advertise theatre-related business. • To sign up for members-only access at www.theatreartsguild.com, send an email to [email protected]. • An e-broadcast service is available for newsworthy information that is not included in the TAGLines or urgent information pertaining to date changes, cancellations and/or auditions. For questions regarding TAG E-broadcasts, contact Daena Schweiger.

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