PRESS KIT 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 2 INTRODUCTION ...... 3 LEADERSHIP ...... 4 Capital City Theatre: PRODUCTION LIST ...... 5 QUICK FACTS & LINKS ...... 9

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INTRODUCTION

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LEADERSHIP

ANDREW ABRAMS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Andrew Abrams has worked Off-Broadway, regionally and on tour as a professional director, musical director, conductor, composer and Equity actor. Off-Broadway: Between The Lines, (York Theater), Pirates of Penzance ( Gilbert and Sullivan Players). Tours: Cinderella (with Eartha Kitt), State Fair (with John Davidson), Cabaret (with Andrea McCardle), Kiss of the Spider Woman, Fiddler on the Roof (with Theodore Bikel); Regionally: Masterclass (with Rosemary Prinz), Mikado (Theatre Virginia) and numerous others. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Music degree from UW-Madison and a Master of Arts, in , from University of London-Goldsmiths. He is also a graduate of the advanced year of the BMI Musical Theatre Writing Workshop in where he wrote But I’m a Cheerleader, the Musical, which had a reading in London in December, 2013 directed by Tony-Award winner Jerry Mitchell. This show previously headlined the New York Musical Theatre Festival in September 2005. In Madison, Andrew was seen in the Nutcracker as Herr Drosselmeyer in 2017 with the Madison Ballet, and he has also worked with CTM ( and Tuck Everlasting) as well as the Palace Dinner Theater in the Dells. He has also worked as a vocal coach, voice teacher, and Acting through Song coach at NYU, New York Film Academy, AMDA, Mountview Academy (in London), Hofstra University, privately in New York City and Madison and he will be teaching at Edgewood College starting in 2019. [email protected]

GAIL BECKER, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Gail Becker was born and raised in a western suburb of . She is a seasoned Cabaret performer and actress now making Madison her home. For the past 20 years, she has made it a priority to further the careers of aspiring musical theatre artists by working independently as a Music Director and Instructor. Now in its sixth year, Gail also directs the Overture Center’s Jerry Ensemble. Gail has had numerous Cabaret engagements in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Naples, etc and her Performing credits include - Tour: Babes in Toyland. Chicago: High Society (Sunny), Chicago (June), Sunday in the Park with George (Frieda/Mrs.), Merrily We Roll Along (Gussie), Pirates of Penzance (Edith). Madison: Gypsy (Mazeppa) with Capital City Theatre; Tuck Everlasting (Mae) and James and the Giant Peach with Children’s Theatre of Madison (CTM). Her music directing credits in Madison include work with Edgewood College, CTM, and Madison Country Day School. In Chicago, Gail music directed and choreographed over 25 productions at local theatres and high schools. Instruction credits include: Capital City Theatre Conservatory, UW Madison Theatre Department, UW Summer Music Clinic, Overture’s Jerry Awards, CTM Academy, and TYA Director for MadCap. She has numerous private students who are either working in theatre or attending colleges and university for musical theatre. Gail also works as a freelance voice over artist. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Miami University. Learn more at www.gailbeckertalent.com and www.gailbeckerstudio.com. [email protected] [email protected] www.capitalcitytheatre.org 4 PRESS KIT 2019

Capital City Theatre: PRODUCTION LIST

2018 – 2019 SEASON

On The Town

Music: Leonard Bernstein; Book & Lyrics: Betty Comden, Adolph Green; Director/Choreographer: Josh Walden; Musical Director: Andrew Abrams. Starring: Eddie Gutierrez, Joshua K.A. Johnson, Nicolas Dromard, Abby Nichols, Lizzie Cutrupi, Paige Sabo. May 30 – June 2, 2019

Carrie, The Musical Based upon a novel by Stephen King; Music: Michael Gore (Academy Award Winner for Fame, Terms of Endearment); Book: Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic film); Lyrics: Dean Pitchford (Academy Award Winner for Fame, Footloose.) August 9 – 11, 2019

A Masterclass with Adam Pascale

Tony Award nominee, best known for his role as Roger in , on Broadway and in the 2005 film. September 26, 2018

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2017 – 2018 SEASON

The Hunchback of Notre Dame A musical based upon the 1831 novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo with songs from the 1996 Walt Disney Animation Studios film adaptation. Director Brian Cowing; Musical Director, Andrew Abrams; Starring Julian Decker, Syndee Winters, Ryan Knowles, Travis Leland. June 1-3, 2018

“Capital City Theatre’s Hunchback is a Triumph!” ~Isthmus

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss. Directed by: Andrew Abrams & Gail Becker Starring Tom Vendafreddo, Jake Morrissy, Steven Mooney, & Meagan Lee Hodson. September 22 – October 1, 2017

“The book won a Tony and a Drama Desk Award. It’s a production of the excellent Capital City Theatre, which only does a few shows a year — and does them right.” ~Isthmus

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2016 – 2017 SEASON

Gypsy

Music by Jule Styne, lyrics by , and a book by Arthur Laurents; Artistic Director/Musical Director, Andrew Abrams; Director, Stephen Nachamie; Choreographer, W. Earle Smith. Starring Michele Ragusa, Liz Griffith, Sean Thomas, and Sarah M. O’Connor. June 17-18, 2016

“Michele Ragusa dazzles the audience in Capital City Theatre’s production. Her singing voice is reminiscent of Judy Garland in her prime”. ~Isthmus

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

by Lanie Robertson Directed by Stephen Nachamie. Starring Kenney M. Green and Tracey Lee. March 31-April 8, 2017

“…a beautiful and mesmerizing performance to watch…” ~Broadway World

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2015 PREMIERE SEASON

Violet

Music by Jeanine Tesori and libretto by Brian Crawley based on the short story "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts. Directed by Stephen Amato, Musical Director, Andrew Abrams. Starring Leigh Ann Larkin, Kevin McAllister, & Corey Mach.

“A year ago, Capital City Theatre promised Madison a big show with Broadway talent, and they’ve definitely delivered… The quality of voices here is outstanding.” ~Madison Magazine

Capital City Theatre has indeed entered the Madison Arts community embracing its mission: presenting cutting edge works, employing top national and local talent and grooming young, future stars." ~Isthmus

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QUICK FACTS & LINKS

Our vision is that people will travel from down the street and from around the world to experience Capital City Theatre. Area residents, students who attend classes, and vacationing audience members will immerse themselves in the world of Madison’s imagination. News Room: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/news-1

COMPANY & MAINSTAGE: Visit full Media Resources page: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/media

1. Founded in 2014, Capital City Theatre produced its first show in 2015. Capital City Theatre is organized under Federal Tax Code 501(c)(3) as a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

2. Only 40-50% of an Arts organization’s funding comes from ticket sales. The rest comes from angels, patrons, and incredible humans who love what we do.

3. From Arts funding organizations, to corporate sponsors, to other Arts organizations in Madison, we are committed to strong working relationships to help make the Madison an inspiring place to live and visit. Arts Partners: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/current-partners Madison Arts Scene: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/rapport

CONSERVATORY

1. Over 250 students have taken a CCTC class, many of whom have graduated from college degree programs and who now have professional careers. Over 30 have gone on to perform in a Capital City Theatre production as professionals. Student testimonials: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/student-testimonials

2. Capital City Theatre Conservatory donors create scholarships for deserving conservatory students. Each year, a certain set of monies are set aside for student scholarships.

3. The Conservatory is beginning to expand its class offerings to include an outreach program to schools around Wisconsin who do not have access to a musical theatre program.

4. The popular “Find Your Light” performance intensives run every year with a fully produced Conservatory production. Students receive on-the-job training with the rigors of a professional, regional production, working with directors, designers, choreographers, and stage managers, who mentor performers through the entire process. Find Your Light Intensives: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/find-your-light

5. Regular instructors are talented Madison area professionals. Guest instructors come from top colleges and universities (i.e. Kaitlin Hopkins), New York casting agents (i.e Michael Cassara, CSA) and (i.e. Telly Leung, Andrew Keenen-Bolger, Jim Weitzer, Adam Pascal.) Instruction: https://capitalcitytheatre.org/about-conservatory

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