SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE Presents

Based on Little House on the Prairie By Laura Ingalls Wilder Adapted by James DeVita

Directed by Alison Eliel Kalmus

Presented by arrangement with the copyright owner, Little House Heritage Trust

PLACE and TIME: The Upper Great Plains – Christmas 1870’s

The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. No food or beverages (other than water) are permitted in the seating areas. Please turn off all electronic devices.

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance)

Laura ...... Isa Eisenberg* Sofia Naccarato Mary ...... Katie-Grace Hansen Ma ...... Rachel McLaughlan Pa ...... Rich Cassone Mrs. Oleson ...... Valerie Gould Nellie Oleson ...... Samantha Salamoff* Amy Stapenhorst* Mr. Edwards ...... Thomas Colby Nick ...... Adam Simon Krist* Peter...... Patrick Geringer* Evan Klein Uncle George ...... Barry Schwam

*AKT Academy at Sierra Madre Playhouse

A Note on the Music in this Production

Opening of show: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Praetorius, 15th Cent.

Group Christmas Carol; Curtain call song: “Merry, Merry Christmas” by Mrs. T.J. Cook

Family sings “Christmas Song” by Grieg, arranged by R. Lord

Uncle George and Laura: “Silent Night”, by F. Gruber (traditional)

Square dance: instrumental version of “Devil’s Dream” (traditional)

Reel: “Arkansas Traveler” by Joseph Tasso References: Little House in the Big Woods – “Christmas”, “Dance at Grandpa’s”; Little House on the Prairie – “The House on the Prairie”

Jig: “Irish Washerwoman”, traditional References: Little House in the Big Woods – “Dance at Grandpa’s”; Little House on the Prairie – “The House on the Prairie”

End of Act One: “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” by Ira D. Sankey

Ma and girls: “The Star of Bethlehem” by White and Zeuner Reference: These Happy Golden Years – “The Night Before Christmas”

Fiddle song transition: “Christmas Day Ida Morning” (traditional)

Curtain Call: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (traditional) From the Artistic Director

The Holiday Season is a wonderful time of year - a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate the most important things in life. We plan parties and feasts and seek out those very special gifts which will tell those we love that we are thinking of them. I am so happy that we are remounting A Little House Christmas this holiday season – the Playhouse’s gift to our audiences! This play is perfect for the entire family and perfect for this season. After a very successful production in 2014, it became clear to me that Little House could be SMP’s very own A Christmas Carol and so we are bringing it back this year.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic tales of growing up on the frontier have spoken to generations of Americans. This adaptation by James DeVita (a classmate of mine in conservatory) speaks to a time when the holidays were much less commercial – though not necessarily simpler. Imagine the backbreaking preparations needed to get a family through a winter on the prairie. The play features the beloved characters we’ve come to know so well from the books and the long-running television show. When the original director was not available, I approached Alison Kalmus to remount the play for us. She has brought her own special talents to recreating this beloved world. It is a truism that certain plays draw particular actors and we couldn’t be luckier in the cast we’ve assembled for Little House – so talented and so committed to telling this story.

If you were ever to see this play produced elsewhere you would note that our version has much more music. When I originally got the rights, I knew adding period music would make it more festive. Lindsey Strand- Polyak, our original music curator, with permission from the Little House Trust, incorporated period songs that the Ingalls family would have known, but that are probably new to our audiences.

From all of us here at the Playhouse, we wish you the happiest of Holidays and the best of everything in the New Year. I hope that the Playhouse will continue to be your other home – filled with good memories of time spent with family and friends -- and one to which you return often.

Christian Lebano PRODUCTION TEAM

Director...... Alison Eliel Kalmus Musical Director ...... Ron Barnett Choreography ...... Kelsey O’Keeffe

Stage Manager ...... Kelsey O’Keeffe Assistant Stage Manager ...... Jen Gies

Producer ...... John Sparks Executive Producers...... Estelle Campbell, Christian Lebano

Scenic Designer ...... Stephen Gifford Lighting Designer ...... Shara Abvabi Costume Designer ...... Tanya Apuya Sound Designer ...... Christopher Moscatiello Asst. Sound Designer ...... Will Mahood Props Master ...... Emily Hopfauf Music Curator ...... Lindsey Strand-Polyak Lobby Exhibit ...... Diane Siegal

Technical Director ...... Todd McCraw Set Construction ...... Red Colgrove, Grove Scenic Electricians ...... Jeff Pardee, Sam Slosburg

Graphic Design ...... Kiff Scholl Production Photography ...... Gina Long Publicist ...... Philip Sokoloff Program ...... Christian Lebano

FOR THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

Artistic Director ...... Christian Lebano Managing Director ...... Estelle Campbell Operations Director ...... Ward Calaway Technical Director ...... Todd McCraw Lobby & Special Events Curator ...... Diane Siegel Website Designer ...... Daniel Pelletier Artistic Associate & AKT Director...... Alison Eliel Kalmus “Off the Page” Reading Series Coordinator ...... DJ Harner House Manager ...... Penny Arroyo Box Office Manager ...... Mary Baville Administrative Asst...... Emily Hopfauf

Board Members ...... Estelle Campbell (President) Louise Calaway, James Harnagel, Christian Lebano, Joan Riback, Randy Ruppart, Paul Van Dorpe

A Note from the Director

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

After a fraught and angry political season, directing this play about the humble delights of the 19th-century frontier, with its fusion of Christmas pioneer experience, was an escapist joy.

A simpler but certainly not easier time in our history, the description of Ingalls’ life, portrayed so lovingly in the details of the books, contrast with the realities of blizzards, hunger, predation by wolves, prairie fires, and disease. None of it compromised their spirit, or shook their inherent belief in self-reliance.

With a work ethic, handed down through their forebear’s strict Protestant tenants - celebrating labor and self-improvement, not merely for material rewards, but as moral values - these pioneers believed perseverance, thrift, grit and industry to be the key to happiness. Whether shoeing horses, pressing cheese, digging a well, drying apples, framing a house, or smoking a ham, the Ingalls family may embody the spirit of true American Exceptionalism. Whether in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, the Prairie of Indian Territory, or on the banks of Plum Creek the Ingalls family’s life and journeys have resonated historically with generations of children, and we hope with you, our audience.

A mighty hurrah to all the Producers, Cast, Production Designers, and Theater Personnel. My profound thanks to Christian Lebano, Estelle Campbell, Ward & Louise Calaway, and John Sparks.

Alison Eliel Kalmus

The Producers, Cast and Crew thank the following for their contributions to A Little House Christmas

Serge Varela and Marvyn Galsim at GrandCare Health Services for providing our rehearsal space.

The Only Place in Town for providing our delicious coffee.

Gina Long and The Unexpected Portrait for her wonderful photographs and loyal support of all things SMP. Axiom Designs and Printing for their donation of printing for the show. Bea Barrios Buchman for the loan of the ironware used in the show. Arnold's Hardware for the loan of the antique tools used as wall dressings. Sierra Madre Music for the loan of the Guitar Daniel Goyette for providing the firewood Danielle Borsch and the staff at Vroman’s Bookstore Hastings Ranch for hosting our November 4th event Carole Anne Kaufman “The Whistling Diva” - WhistlingDiva.com & MastersOfWhistling.com for her performance at the Snap.Whistle.Pose family event Emily Savage Hopfauf for her artistry and assistance with the Lobby display Janel Thurber for many artistic contributions to our lobby, loan of her quilts, and help with our Christmas ornaments Penny Arroyo and the volunteers of the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley for assisting at our pre-opening and family events Pam Mauric of Red Flannel Factory, LLC for donating the jazzy red flannel underwear displayed in our lobby Stan Morinaka for photography at our promotional events Ryan Baker, Director of Library and Community Services, City of Sierra Madre and the library staff Valerie Bango and The Goody Bags candy store for their partnership and participation in the Snap.Whistle.Pose family event Alsion Kalmus and the students of AKT-Alison Kalmus Theater for their help with the audience participation section of the Snap.Whistle.Pose family event Cecelia Gutierrez for her help with the family events and “for showing us how to unplug!” To all of them we say thank you – sincerely and gratefully

THE CAST

Rich Cassone (Pa) has been a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's writings for years, and the opportunity to play her father, Charles Ingalls, is a dream come true. Charles's grit, determination, and love are both inspirational and awe-inspiring. Rich is originally from New Jersey. His interests took him first to New York and then to Paris for a decade to pursue a career as a writer. When he moved to Los Angeles, he studied acting with the idea that it would inform his writing, but he found instead that he was inspired to work as an actor. He has since appeared in several LA stage productions as well as on television and in film.

Thomas Colby (Mr. Edwards) Originally from Ohio, Mr. Colby has traveled across the country doing theater for the past three decades, mainly in Chicago, DC, NYC and now here in Los Angeles. He loves creating original characters for shows including “Mr. Skully Pettiebones” in Scary Godmother, the title role in The Blob-the Musical, “Junior” in Lust ‘n’ Rust, and “Werebear Talon” in the film Chillerama. He plays comedic characters on TV shows including Lady Dynamite and is a series regular on The Mind of Mencia. You may also recognize his face and voice from various commercials. He would very much like to thank his agents and especially Robert and Walter from 126 Management.

Isa Eisenberg (Laura) a 13-yr old 7th grader, made her stage debut as “Ursula” in the Little Mermaid Jr. here at SMP’s summer program in 2014. It was her experience in this performance that solidified her love of the theater. Since then she has appeared in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and The Music Man as a featured dancer; High School Musical Jr. as “Ryan”; and The Lion King Jr. as “Timon”. Isa is a member of the AKT Repertory and is thrilled to appear in A Little House Christmas. Isa would like to thank her family, friends and mentors for their continued love and encouragement.

Patrick Geringer (Peter) is excited about his second production at SMP. He played “Buddy” in SMP’s production of A Christmas Memory last year and is looking forward to, once again, sharing the stage with Samantha Salamoff who played his best friend and nemesis, Nelle, in that show. He is thankful to director/choreographer Alison Kalmus and voice coach Dianne Harmel who have brought out the best in his talents. He had the opportunity to work with them throughout the summer in the Alison Kalmus Theater program at SMP. Patrick recently acted in his first movie role as “Kyle” in Doggone Hollywood, directed by Jim Wynorski. He is in the seventh grade in Sierra Madre and enjoys video games, surfing, dancing, and pop music.

Valerie Gould (Mrs. Oleson) Valerie is excited to be a part of her first SMP production. Participating in theater from a very young age Valerie’s more recent roles include “Penelope Pennywise” Urinetown, “Violet” August: Osage County and “Mrs. Tottendale” The Drowsy Chaperone. Valerie’s love for teaching and the performing arts has led her to an active career as an acting coach for young actors working in the entertainment industry.

Katie-Grace Hansen (Mary) is thrilled to be in her first production at SMP. She has performed with Stagedoor Manor in The Wedding Singer, Working, and played “Louise” in Carousel; and their guest dance soloist in NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Out of high school, Katie-Grace was cast as a performer with Disney Cruise Line, finishing her second contract this past spring. She has been recognized for her achievements by the Shuler Hensley Awards, GA Thespian Conference and organizations in the New York area. She would like to thank her family, friends, and amazing boyfriend for all their help and support.

Evan Klein (Peter) is very happy and honored to be in A Little House Christmas at SMP! He has performed in over 10 productions at Rising Star Theatre, Studio City, including his favorites: “Cioffi” Curtains, “Jack” Into the Woods, and “Billy” Anything Goes. He was also “Winthrop” in The Music Man and “Sebastian” in The Little Mermaid at Laurel Hall along with playing “Sprig” in the Los Angeles staged reading of the musical, The Most Miserable Christmas Tree at Comedy Sportz. Evan is also the lead singer of the band, The Coffee Club. He thanks Beth and Rob Meurer, Kim Huber, Mom, Dad, and sister Violet for their love and support…and thanks God for everything! (Philippians 4:13) Adam Simon Krist (Nick) found his calling to the stage at the age of 7 in musical theater produced by two Broadway veterans, Susan and Topher Swanson. He has been in numerous productions since including the rock musical, Tommy, On Golden Pond with legendaries Andrew Prine and Salome Jens, and The Foreigner for which he was nominated for the regional Robby award. Adam can also be seen on tv, films, commercials, and other live performances. Just 17, he spends his free time attending college, writing screenplays, creating films, gaming with his dad, and teaching the Dutch language to his brother, Kyle. Adam is repped by Debra Manners at DMT and Mike O’Dell at Bobbie Ball. Thank you Mom, Dad, the Swansons, Mike, and Debra Manners!

Rachel McLaughlan (Ma) is excited to join the cast of A Little House Christmas playing a character she read and loved as a kid. Hailing from Northern California, Rachel was honored to travel the world playing fifty states and eight countries as a singer on the National Tour of Sesame Street Live. She also originated the role of “Kay” in Super Grover Ready for Action and is featured on the cast album. Favorite roles include “Aldonza” Man of La Mancha, “Jolene” Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, “Gloria” Damn Yankees, “Mary Bailey” A Wonderful Life, “Georgia” Curtains, “Kate Monster” Avenue Q, and “Rumpleteaser” in Cats. Much love to her Rancho family Rob, Jen, Butterbean, Widget and Mallory and Kurtis. She is represented by Anthony Boyer with Stage9/DDO. Carpe Diem!

Sofia Naccarato (Laura) is 11 years old, lives in Long Beach, and has been acting on the stage since she was three years old. She has appeared in over 20 stage productions including The Sound of Music; Seussical; Annie; Peter Pan; The Wizard of Oz; Alice in Wonderland; The Little Mermaid; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Little Women; and Beauty and the Beast. She has also appeared on television shows Escape the Night, The Young & The Restless, and General Hospital. Sofia also performs with Showcase Troupe in venues across the country including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, The Orange County Fair and The Empire State Building in NYC. In addition to performing, Sofia enjoys traveling, acrobatics, dance, karate, cooking, surfing and wake boarding.

Samantha Salamoff (Nellie) developed her skills as a singer/pianist in school and semi- professional variety shows as well as her rock bands where she has performed at numerous local venues including The Troubadour and The Whiskey. Currently, she is a member of Burbank’s award-winning Madrigals Show Choir. As an actress, Samantha has appeared in short films and commercials and is a regular cast member for the Los Angeles-based sketch comedy team Yes Please!, which has been featured in film festivals and on Funny or Die. Her theater credits include “Time” in The Road Theatre’s production of Melissa Arctic, winner of numerous Stage Scene LA Awards including Best Ensemble Cast Performance – Play (Intimate Theater) and “Nelle” in SMP’s production of Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory. Barry Schwam (Uncle George) For the past 24+ years Barry has played over 50 character roles on stage and in independent films and television, ranging from Scrooge, and The Nerd, to Abraham Lincoln; from blackmailing butlers to absent minded professors. Most recently, Barry was seen as Henry, the old actor in The Fantasticks, at SMP. He is also directing the Halloween Show this year, at SMP; a spoof on the classic sci -fi thriller, The Tingler, which will be free, and fun for all! A musician as well, Barry plays the Theremin; a unique electronic instrument famed for being the only one in the world played without touching it! He lives in Sierra Madre, with his wife Lydia, and two possessed cats, Issa and Shadow.

Amy Stapenhorst (Nellie) is thrilled to be joining the company of A Little House Christmas. She attends Westridge School where she has acted in recent shows including Twelfth Night (Sebastian), A Little Princess (Queen Victoria), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Dance Captain), and Number the Stars (Annemarie). Other shows include Xanadu, The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Honk (Ida), Annie and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Amy also studies dance, voice, gymnastics, and stage combat. Over the summer she attended California State Summer School for the Arts at California Institute of the Arts where she studied acting, dance, Tai Chi Chuan, contact improvisation, and physical comedy. A huge thank you to her family, friends, and teachers for always supporting her.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM Laura Ingalls Wilder (Author) Born Laura Elizabeth Ingalls in Wisconsin in 1867, she spent her childhood as a "pioneer girl" settling in Wisconsin (twice), Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota by the time she was twelve years old. Her family stayed in South Dakota, or Dakota Territory as it was known, and in 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, a local homesteader 10 years her senior. The following year, they had a daughter, Rose, later to become the author Rose Wilder Lane, their only other child, a son, died shortly after his birth in 1889. In 1894, the three of them left De Smet and traveled to the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, where they settled in the town of Mansfield. Laura remained there for the rest of her life. In the 1930's and 1940's, encouraged and aided by Rose, Laura set pen to paper and wrote a series of books about her childhood on the frontier. Called the "Little House" books, they were published every year or so from 1932 to 1943, describing Laura's experiences from her earliest memories of the big woods of Wisconsin and the Kansas prarie to the golden year in which she married Almanzo. The books were immensely popular with children, for whom they were written, and adults alike. She died in 1957, shortly after her 90th birthday. The “Little House” books have been translated into dozens of languages and continue to be read by legions of fans. The books also inspired a hit TV series, “Little House on the Prairie,” which originally aired from 1974 to 1982. After Wilder died in 1957, her longtime Missouri home, Rocky Ridge Farm, became a museum.

James DeVita (Adapter/Playwright) a native of Long Island, NY, is an author and an actor. Along with his novels, The Silenced, Blue, and A Winsome Murder (coming out this spring). He has written seventeen plays and/or adaptations for family audiences, his body of work being awarded the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Award by the American Alliance of Theater and Education. His adult plays include: In Acting Shakespeare; Gift of the Magi (musical); The Desert Queen (the life of Gertrude Bell); Dickens in America; and Waiting for Vern. Other awards include the NEA Literature Fellowship for Fiction, The AATE Distinguished Play Award and The Intellectual Freedom Award by the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts.

Shara Abvabi (Lighting Designer) had the pleasure of working with SMP to design projections for The Glass Menagerie. Some of her favorite recent credits include the Always...Patsy Cline National Tour with Plan-B Entertainment, God of Carnage directed by Graham Clifford (featuring A Martinez), Oxymorons (starring Ed Asner and Mark Rydell), Don Rickles at the Saban Theatre, and Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastics (starring Dick Van Dyke) at Malibu Playhouse. She has also recently designed and programmed lights for concert artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae (Lyric Theatre), LANY (Lyric Theatre), and Englebert Humperdink (Saban Theatre). She is currently the resident production manager and lighting designer for the Malibu Playhouse. Shara thoroughly enjoys every chance she gets to join the SMP team.

Tanya Apuya (Costume Designer) is honored to be back at SMP. A SoCal native, Tanya graduated in Costume Design from the University of Redlands. She is the resident Costume Designer at Crown City Theatre and has designed countless productions there including Cabaret, Nosferatu, and Company. Other area work includes Charlotte’s Web (SMP), Life Could be a Dream (The Hudson and Laguna Beach Playhouse), and I Love Lucy Live on Stage (Greenway Court Theatre). She builds costumes at The Costume House for film, TV and theatre projects. You can see her latest work online in the form of Star Wars infomercials (Live from Mars) and on the runway for Her Universe. Tanya would also like to thank her supportive family, friends and loving boyfriend, who often lets her use them to play dress up.

Ron Barnett (Music Director) is Director of Music at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glendale and Musical Director for the Artists’ Repertory Company at New Musicals Inc., N. Hollywood. As composer: Around the World in 80 Days with book and lyrics by Julianne Homokay, A Christmas Carol with book by Barry Kornhauser, published in 2013 by Dramatic Publishing Company, Woodstock, IL and When Butter Churns to Gold, which premiered in 2015 at Northern Sky Theatre in Door County, WI. He has also scored over two dozen shows for young audiences, some of which have toured nationally, been performed at the Producer’s Association of Children’s Theatre in NYC, the Kennedy Center, and been nominated for TCG awards. Choral music published by MorningStar, GIA, and Lorenz.

Orlando de la Paz (Scenic Painter) this is Orlando's eighth production at SMP, following The Glass Menagerie, A Christmas Memory, Always...Patsy Cline, The Odd Couple, A Little House Christmas, A Walk in the Woods, and the Einstein/Putting it Together rep. Other credits include many shows at: A Noise Within, The Colony, Antaeus, La Mirada Theater, Boston Court, The Los Angeles Theater, The Falcon Theater, 3- D Theatricals, Pico Playhouse and the Little Village Theater in Carlsbad.

Jen Gies (Asst. Stage Manager) did “a ton” of technical theater as a Northwestern University undergrad, including stage-managing the summer repertory and writing for WAA-MU. Upon graduation, she worked in electrics at the Berkeley Repertory Theater for a year. She has spent the intervening years working extensively in the music industry. She has just produced her first showcase in Los Angeles for Gigable, a music service dedicated to giving music fans exposure to up-and-coming artists via showcases, house concerts, and its mobile app. She recently filled the role of Production Manager at SMP for The Glass Menagerie and is glad to be back as Little House Christmas ASM. www.gigable.net

Stephen Gifford (Scenic Designer) is happy to be a part of A Little House Christmas once again. He works with various theatre companies in the area including: La Mirada Theatre, A Noise Within, The Theatre @ Boston Court, International City Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, 3D Theatricals, Ensemble Theatre Company Santa Barbara, Cabrillo Music Theatre, and many more. He has garnered many awards and nominations for his work including five Ovation Award nominations and was awarded The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design by the Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle. More info can be found at www.stephengifforddesign.com

Emily Hopfauf (Properties Master) is excited to be working on her ninth show with SMP having ASM’ed for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Glass Menagerie, Charlotte’s Web, Deathtrap, A Christmas Memory, The Odd Couple and Einstein is a Dummy and been the Wardrobe Mistress/Dresser for Always…Patsy Cline. She received a BA in Theater, Film, and Dance with an emphasis in costume design at Humboldt State University. While attending HSU she Stage Managed Fat Pig, Costume Designed the Spring Dance Show and worked on multiple wardrobe and run crews. Emily also is Assistant to the Management Team at SMP.

Alison Eliel Kalmus (Director) International directing includes La Boheme, Il Barbiere di Sevilla (Hradek Kralove Filharmonie Czech International Arts Festival). U.S./Regional Direction - Andrew Lloyd Webber Goes to Italy (Cal Phil Disney Hall), Aesopera (Fringe Festival “Pick of the Fest”), The Fantasticks (Knightsbridge Theatre - “L.A. Times Critics Pick”), The Gondoliers” (NAACP nominated “Best Direction”), Shakespeare in the Park (L.A. County Parks and Recreation). As writer/performer/resident member of Improv Inferno and Tour de Farce (The Ice House), “Comic Relief USA V and VI,” and California Impressions (Henri-Cartier Bresson for CBS’). UPCOMING @SMP producing An Evening with Groucho (Dec. 4), directing Alan Menken’s Dream on Royal Street with AKT Academy @SMP’s Youth Repertory (June 2017). Thank you Christian Lebano (SMP Artistic Director) for the opportunity to direct this literary classic.

Christopher Moscatiello (Sound Designer) Recipient of the 2015 Stage Raw award and multiple Ovation nominations for Sound Design, Christopher is also a composer, music editor/mixer and music director for theater, television and film. Recent TV credits include The Walking Dead (AMC), Psych (USA), Eureka (Syfy), Human Target (Fox), The Cape (NBC), Caprica (Syfy), Trauma (NBC), and he has scored full series, specials and promos for HBO, BBC, NBC, National Geographic and others. Other theater credits include The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Rogue Machine Theatre, Antaeus Theatre Company, and he served as assistant conductor on the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

Kelsey O’Keeffe (Stage Manager / Choreographer) is thrilled to be back stage managing at Sierra Madre Playhouse and could not be more excited to be choreographing as well! She previously stage managed SMP’s Charlotte’s Web, A Christmas Memory and Einstein Is a Dummy. Kelsey also stage managed the world premier of Bend in the Road at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse) and The Mission Play at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. Kelsey teaches/choreographs at Theatre 360 and SODE School of Performing Arts, assistant directs/choreographs at Blair High School, and performs around the San Gabriel Valley. She is currently on double duty, musical directing and choreographing the LA County Premiere of School of Rock for Theatre 360. Kelsey is a proud alum of Muhlenberg College and Theatre 360. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Diane Siegel (Special Programs and Lobby Curator) Diane remembers watching Michael Landon in his post-Bonanza days as “Pa” in the TV show The Little House on the Prairie. She also remembers wearing some ruffle-flounced long dresses in calico that were termed “granny dresses” around that same era. A through-line of rediscovering simple games, crafts, and activities has occupied her as a museum educator at the Pasadena Museum of History and as the Teen History Docent Coordinator at the Sierra Madre Public Library. This is her 12th lobby exhibit for the Playhouse: Battledrum, 6 Rms Riv Vu, A Walk in the Woods, The Odd Couple, Einstein/Putting it Together, Always…Patsy Cline, A Christmas Memory, Deathtrap, Charlotte’s Web, The Glass Menagerie and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

John Sparks (Producer) As the founder of musical theatre writers’ workshops in Los Angeles (www.nmi.org – 1979-present) and Chicago (Theatre Building Chicago, 1987–2009), John has produced over 200 new musicals. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Mercury Musical Developments in London, where he regularly contributes master classes and dramaturgical evaluations. As a writer, he has contributed

music and lyrics (Babes in Barns), music only (Two By Aesop, One By Us and How’s By You?), lyrics only (Hans Brinker), book and lyrics (On The Brink) and book only (The Arresting Dilemma of Mister K, Cashel Byron, Wanting Miss Julie) – all seen in both Los Angeles and Chicago. John produced A Christmas Memory at SMP last year. He is a member of the Advisory Council.

Lindsey Strand-Polyak (Music Curator) is a musicologist, violinist and violist. She received a double PhD/MM-degree in Musicology and Violin Performance at UCLA. Her research focuses on intersections between the worlds of performance and scholarship, most recently centered on Early Modern Italy and Austria in her dissertation “The Virtuoso’s Idiom: Spectacularity and the Seventeenth Century Violin Sonata.” She has presented at Harvard, McGill, University of Texas at Austin, the American Musicological Society, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, and Arcomelo VII in Fusignano, Italy. In demand as a clinician, she has given workshops for the LA Philharmonic, the Colburn School, and the Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, among others. She is currently the Director of the UCLA Early Music Ensemble. www.strandpolyak.com

How to Support the Playhouse Without Writing Us a Check!

You must renew yearly – in September – please do. Thanks.

Sign up ;your Ralph’s Rewards Card and up to 4% of your grocery bill will be donated to Sierra Madre Playhouse.

1. Visit Ralphs.com and sign-in or register for a Ralph’s online account. 2. Click the My Account button and select Account Settings. 3. Scroll to Community Rewards and search for Sierra Madre Playhouse or enter our group number 83942 4. Select us under Organization Name. Click Save!

And that’s all there is to it!

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS A SPECIAL GALA FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016 @ 7:00 PM

$100 for Center Section Seating or $85 for Side Section Seating Tickets are tax-deductible after the first $30 ALL SEATING RESERVED ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT SMP Tickets: 626.355.4318 or SierraMadrePlayhouse.org

The Marquee Circle* The Sierra Madre Playhouse thanks the following members of the Marquee Circle for their generous contributions in support of our work. Foundations, Grants, & Underwriters Charles E. & Ruth V. Gilb Family Foundation CIGNA GrandCare Home Health Services Los Angeles County Arts Commission Ralphs Rotary Club of Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Civic Club Sierra Madre Community Foundation Silicon Valley Community Foundation The Spero Foundation

Angels ($5,000 and higher) Ward & Louise Calaway Estelle Campbell David & Maggi Gordon Paul Van Dorpe & Jill Maglione

Producers ($2,500 - $4,999) Anonymous

Backers ($1,000 - $2,499) Aileen Rogers Trust Patrick Holland Carlos Rodriguez

Promoters ($500 - $999) Jeffrey Branch Christian Lebano John Lusche Rodney Spears Duane Poole Glenda & Greg Vanni Patrons ($250 - $499) Delna Abernathy Carole & Donald Roback Kathy E. Calleton Daniel & Margaret Van Dorpe Mindy & Jim Halls Susan Wittmer David Pierce

Fans ($100 - $249) Pamela Allen Karen Higgins Shirley & Ken Anhalt Harvey & Kazuko Kagasoff Pamela Baynard JE & Danielle Kolesnik Laura Beal Mark J. Levinson Nancy Bechtolt Carol & Richard Libby Erica Blodgett Katherene L. Meisch Colin Camerer Glen Moulder Gerald B. Carlton Kelsey O’Keeffe Sarah Carpenter Bill & Judy Opel Judith Cimino Leslie Jane Park Jean Coleman Thomas Pocock Margaret Cooney Margaret Quigley John Corry Sharon Ramsey Joan Crow Joan Riback Michael & Margaret Ellis Paul Scranton Marlene Enmark Donald Songster Paul & Pauline Fairbanks Sierra Madre Historical Society Carl Gebhardt Sierra Madre Woman’s Club James B. Harnagel Robert H. Stevens Michael Hegeman Kevin Whelan

*The gifts listed above were received between November 1, 2015 and October 31, 2016. To report a misspelling or omission, please contact [email protected]. Your gift is deeply appreciated by all of us here at SMP, and any errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Thank you for your support of the Playhouse!

P URCHASE A 5 PLAY SMP PASSPORT AND SAVE 5 Plays for the price of 4 – $120 (Senior – $108)

Passport Tickets are valid for 18 months from date of issue. A $5 surcharge will be added at the box office for certain musicals and “special” events. Passports are valid for the noted Subscriber and may not be used as a multiple user ticket. Purchase one in the lobby TODAY! Bee-luther-hatchee asks: “Whose Story Is It?”

By Fran Syverson

Whose story is it? That’s the question posed (and explored) in Bee-luther-hatchee by Thomas Gibbons. Is it the person who lived it?. or the person who wrote it?

An African-American editor has created a series called “Rediscovered Voices” featuring black authors. Her latest, an elderly reclusive lady whom she has never met, is an award-winner. Her curiosity piqued, the editor decides she will finally meet the fascinating woman by delivering the award to her in person. This sets in motion a train of astonishing events that ultimately pose the question: Whose story is it? The writer’s, or the subject’s?

Not wanting to give away the plot, we can only affirm that it is a thought- provoking, intelligent, well-crafted drama. As a variety of mysteries begin to unravel, the results become unsettling. The two primary characters each are well-intentioned enough, but manage to become entangled in each other’s lies. Each may have a lot to lose if the truth (whose truth?) comes out, so they stick to their convictions. As with most significant issues, opposing viewpoints both have valid points. You’ll want to consider both, as the playwright intended, and you may leave the theater still pondering and discussing.

Because elements of racial diversity play powerfully into the story, Bee- luther-hatchee comes to us with serendipitous timing. Remember the furor of last year’s Academy Awards?

Deftly directing Bee-luther-hatchee will be Saundra McClain in her debut at SMP. Much of her rich theatrical background has been on and off Broadway in New York. Last year she was nominated for an Ovation Award for her performance in The Wedding Band at Antaeus Theatre.

Saundra eagerly anticipates bringing the play to life. Its pertinent theme of diversity brings to us the importance of recognizing the role of blacks in our history, where too often, Saundra says, “some have tried to erase blacks from history by discounting or cutting their achievements out of the historical record.”

Bee-luther-hatchee will open January 13 and run through February 18, 2017. Coming Next… Bee-luther-hatchee By Thomas Gibbons Directed by Saundra McClain January 13 through February 18, 2017

"A powerful, provocative piece of theatrical writing. You want to run down the street twisting people's arms to see it." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Shelita Burns, an African-American editor, publishes Bee-luther-hatchee, the autobiography of a reclusive 72-year-old black woman named Libby Price. Shelita has never met Libby, and when the book wins a prestigious award she decides to deliver it to her in person. To her profound shock, the actual author of the book is not whom Shelita expected. A fascinating and provocative look at cultural appropriation and who has the right to tell someone’s story.

A Wrinkle in Time Adapted by John Glore, from the book by Madeleine L’Engel Directed by Christian Lebano March 10 through April 22, 2017

“Playwright John Glore's streamlined but faithful adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's children's classic rockets through quirky, Elysian and sinister landscapes, tracing a subtle affirmation of the value of individuality and the power of awe and love.” Washington Post

The Belle of Amherst By William Luce Directed by Todd Nielsen March 18 through April 23, 2017

“A perfectly detailed cameo of Emily Dickinson… Luce has avoided all the pitfalls associated with literary figures brought to life onstage. He has made an Emily so warm, human, loving and lovable that her ultimate vulnerability will break your heart.” Boston Globe