By Pamela Gien Directed by Michael Evan Haney Starring Shannon Koob

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

By Pamela Gien Directed by Michael Evan Haney Starring Shannon Koob Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costume Designer Narelle Sissons James Sale Elizabeth Eisloeffel Sound Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Chuck Hatcher Briana J. Fahey Joe Coe First produced at A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle Gordon Edelstein, Artistic Director

Original New York stage production presented by Matt Salinger

This production of The Syringa Tree was originally produced by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Margaret Lesher Theatre January 28 - February 27, 2010 Lesher Center for the Arts

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The Actor and Stage Manager employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States The Scenic Designer, Lighting Designer and Sound Designer are members of United Scenic Artists Union The Director of this production is a member of the Society of Stage Directors Center REP is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre and Theatre Bay Area CAST DIRECTOR’S NOTES A TIMELINE OF APARTHEID Shannon Koob...... Elizabeth, et. al. Apartheid is an Afrikaner word that means 1652 The Dutch create a colony in Africa at “apartness.” However, it was much more than a word. the Cape of Good Hope. TIME and PLACE....1963 - Present, South Africa It was the rule of law in South Africa for almost fifty years. It was similar to “segregation” in the United 1806 The British defeat the Dutch, the CAST OF CHARACTERS Xhosa and other African peoples. States. The South African government passed laws to The Grace Family: keep the races (Black, Colored and White) separate. It 1880 The first of the two Anglo-Boer wars Elizabeth Grace: a white South African girl. was ruthless in its enforcement. begins. Eugenie Grace: Elizabeth’s mother. 1902 The British win the second of the Dr. Isaac Grace: Elizabeth’s father, a local doctor The Syringa Tree is the story of a young white South Anglo-Boer wars. for blacks and whites. African girl growing up in 1963 at the very height 1910 The Union of South Africa is formed. John Grace: Elizabeth’s younger brother. of Apartheid. Through her innocent eyes we see the Grandpa George: Eugenie’s father. society of South Africa. We meet her parents and 1912 The South African Native National Granny Elizabeth: Eugenie’s mother. grandparents. We meet the black “nanny,” Salamina Congress (later named the African and her daughter Moliseng. We glimpse her white National congress or ANC) is formed The Grace Family Servants: to fight discrimination. Salamina: the black servant who looks after Elizabeth. Afrikaan neighbors and the black men and women Moliseng: Salamina’s daughter. who are “allowed” to be in the “White Only” section 1913 Afrikaners (Dutch settlers) form the Iris: the black servant who looks after John. of Johannesburg to serve them. We follow events National Party to preserve their identity Isaac: the black gardener for the Grace family. from 1963 through the student riots of 1976 to the under British rule. Peter Mombadi: the black driver for the Grace family. first democratic elections in April of 1994. The author, 1948 The National Party comes to power Pietros: another black servant. Pamela Gien, shaped this story, based on her real life and institutes a policy of apartheid. experiences. Next door to the Grace Family: Loeska: a young Afrikaans girl around Elizabeth’s age. 1960 ANC and other activist groups are Those are some of the facts of the play. Dominee: (the Afrikaan word for minister), Loeska’s banned following the Sharpeville father. massacre. The play, however, is about the love between two Zephyr: their gardener. families—one Black and one White—the sacrifices 1976 Riots break out in the Soweto uprising Other Characters: they make for each other and how the horrible facts of and black townships across the Dubike: Salamina’s cousin. apartheid affect their lives. country. Matron Lanning: works at Baragwanath, a hospital. 1983 The United Democratic Front is Sergeant Potgieter: a policeman. I cannot think of a more important time for this play to created to oppose apartheid. Father Montford: a priest. be seen. As we endure this time of fear and war we are 1986 Talks begin between Afrikaners and Mrs. Biggs: Salamina’s employer after the Graces. made very aware of the differences between people in the ANC. the world. In The Syringa Tree, one actress embodies CAST BIOGRAPHIES 1990 President F.W. de Klerk legalizes anti- twenty eight very different people. (Our actress apartheid groups and releases Nelson Shannon Koob (Elizabeth, etal) Shannon Koob, constantly amazes me with her talent Mandela from prison. is delighted to be making her and depth of feeling.) We see all this varied humanity Center REPertory Company pouring forth from a single human being. It shows 1994 South Africa holds its first democratic debut in this production of The us that we all have a common human experience. elections. Syringa Tree. Shannon has Through the wondering eyes of Elizabeth we see the performed this one-woman Source: A Guide to Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers, world unfiltered by politics and societal structures and show at Vienna’s English Facing History and ourselves, Public Affairs Television, we can begin to understand how “racism” is taught Theatre (Continental European Premiere), the Inc. and learned and the terrible toll it takes on the souls English Theatre of Frankfurt, Two River Theater of our children. Company, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and COSTUME NOTES the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where she won In rehearsal, we have strived to tell this story with the 2003 Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best How do you dress an actress who plays 24 characters simplicity and truth. The innocence of Elizabeth Actress, and Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa during the performance? Those characters are reminds us of what is really important in this Barbara. Her other international credits include both male and female, black and white, little girls, tumultuous time—the love between people no matter the European premiere of Doubt and Crimes of the pregnant women and elderly men who people a 40- Heart. Shannon’s New York credits include the their differences and the positive actions we can take year time period. world premieres of New House Under Construction, as individuals against what seems like impossible The obvious conclusion is that she needs to wear The Bridge in Scarsdale and Jeff Baron’s What odds. “Apartheid” is pronounced apart-hate. The something as neutral as possible to cover her broad Goes Around. Her other regional credits include Syringa Tree stands as a testament of togetherness— range of movement through the cast of characters. You Never Can Tell (Yale Repertory Theatre); love. It is a play of hope made into reality. Yet I wanted her costume to be interesting to Picnic, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Bus Stop, look at, comforable, flattering and in the world of The Importance of Being Ernest, Pierre (World “The sun will continue to shine on the South African Elizabeth Grace. Premiere) and Christmas Carol (Denver Center people as we build this non-racial, nonsexist and Theater Company); Karla (Long Wharf Theater); democratic country, instilling in all a shared sense of I knew she needed a dress. Michael requested Doubt (Pioneer Theatre Company), Taming of the nationhood and human solidarity.” something that was “twirly.” When I found the blue Shrew (Shakespeare in Santa Fe); and Lobby Hero - President Thabo Mbeki in his New Year Message hand batik fabric I knew I had a great beginning. The (Lizard Head Theater Company). On television, color and pattern spoke to me of sky and water and Shannon has appeared on “Law & Order: Criminal Michael Evan Haney memory. It then occurred to me that wearing capri Intent”, “Law & Order: SVU”, “The Sopranos” Director pants and a T-shirt under a jumper would be a good and “Guiding Light”, as well as in a number of solution to covering her wide range of movement in commercials. She holds an MFA from the National addition to supporting her male characters. Theater Conservatory in Denver, Colorado and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love Elizabeth Eisloeffel and thanks to Aaron. Costume Designer CREATIVE TEAM Aunt, Wayside Theatre; King of Dominoes, Passage of Vienna, Portland Center Stage, Alley Theater, Theatre Company; Scotland Road, Pacific Resident Pennsylvania Center Stage, Seattle Repertory, Pamela Gien (Playwright) As both writer and Theatre, Drama-Logue Award for direction; and Studio Arena, Intiman Theater, Merrimack original performer of The Syringa Tree, won As the Wind Rocks the Wagon (a one-woman show Repertory, St. Louis Repertory, Alliance Theater, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo written and performed by his wife Amy Warner). Crossroads Theater, The Hartman, Alley Theater, Performance, the Outer Critics Circle Award He was also the Artistic Director of Allenberry Alaska Repertory, Sarasota Ballet, & Colorado for Outstanding Solo Performance, a Drama Playhouse in Pennsylvania where he directed Ballet. Mr. Sale is also senior designer and partner League Honor, a nomination for the John more than thirty plays including Bus Stop, Shirley at JAMES SALE LIGHTING, INC., a firm that Gassner Playwriting Award and the Obie for both Valentine, Love Letters with Shirley Jones, Crimes specializes in high-end residential and commercial Performance and Best Play 2001. A principal of the Heart, The Secret Garden, and Gypsy. Mr. lighting design in Denver, Colorado. member of The American Repertory Theatre, Haney’s acting credits include seasons with The Cambridge, for four seasons, she played Estrella Arena Stage, Missouri Repertory Theatre, and Elizabeth Eisloeffel (Costume Designer) is in Life’s A Dream with Cherry Jones, Annabella in Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival; a national tour of delighted to once again be a part of this creative ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore opposite Derek Smith and Nicholas Nickleby, Return to the River, Jail Diary team producing The Syringa Tree. She has Sonya in the premiere of David Mamet’s adaptation of Albee Sachs, and The Devils (off-Broadway); designed costumes for the following productions at of Uncle Vanya opposite Christopher Walken. She and Elie Wiesel’s Zalmen on Broadway. the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis: Blackbird, Bad played Gabriella in Ronald Ribman’s Sweet Table Dates, Lobby Hero, Life (x) 3, Fully Committed, at the Richelieu, and Angela in The King Stag, both Narelle Sissons (Scenic Designer) Broadway: Day Trips, Dog Logic and Tom and Viv. She directed by Andrei Serban. She also appeared in All My Sons at The Roundabout. Off Broadway: has also designed costumes for The Capital Rep, several productions directed by David Wheeler, How I Learned To Drive, original production. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Vienna’s English including Gillette by William Hauptman and The Stop Kiss, In The Blood, Kit Marlowe and Julius Theatre, Theatre Project Company, and St. Louis Day Room by Don DeLillo. She played Stella/Ann Caesar at Joseph Papp Public Theatre. Also in University. As an assistant designer she has worked in The End of the World with Symposium to Follow NYC: Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre for the New York Shakespeare Festival with Martin directed by Richard Foreman. She played Lavinia Workshop, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Classic Stage Pakledinaz, and the Sante Fe Opera with Michael in Titus Andronicus for The Public Theatre’s New Company and The Women’s Project. Regional Stennett. She has also worked as a technician York Shakespeare Festival, Alicia in Piano by Anna credits include: Mark Taper Forum, Seattle Rep, for Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Broadway Deavere Smith, and starred opposite David Selby ACT, Laguna Playhouse, Steppenwolf, Repertory costume house that produced Cats and Phantom of as Hannah Jelkes in The Night of the Iguana at the Theatre of St Louis and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Opera. Elizabeth also managed the costume LATC, for which she won a Drama-Logue Award The Park. International: Jesus Hopped the A Train shop at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis for eight for Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre. She director Philip Seymour Hoffman, London and years. She is an alumnus of Washington University has also performed in the New Works Festival at NY; Mabou Mines Doll House director Lee Breuer, in St. Louis from which she has a BFA in Fashion The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles opposite J. US and World Tour, The Syringa Tree, director Design. In September of 2007 she got married for T. Walsh, The Humana Festival at Actors Theatre Michael Haney, Vienna Austria and Frankfurt the first (and only) time. Elizabeth, her husband, of Louisville, and at South Coast Repertory. Her Germany. Nominations and awards: Drama Desk, and two dogs, a German shepherd and a Welsh television appearances include guest-starring roles Helen Hayes, American Theatre Wing, Kevin Kline Corgi, live on a farm in southern Illinois. The state in Tales From the Crypt, Reasonable Doubts, Award, Back Stage West and Exhibitor at Prague of Illinois has designated it a Centennial farm. That Hunter, Secret Lives, and Into Thin Air. She recently Quadrennial 2007. designation means the farm has been owned by began working in film, appearing in Men Seeking the same family for one hundred years or more, in Women with Will Ferrell, directed by Jim Milio, Chuck Hatcher (Sound Designer) is an associate this case since 1863. You can find more about the and The Last Supper starring Bill Paxton, Jason professor of Theatre Design and Production at farm and food at her blog: www.foodfromthefield. Alexander, Charles Durning and Ron Perlman. the College-Conservatory of Music, University blogspot.com Random House has commissioned her to write of Cincinnati where he is head of the BFA/ The Syringa Tree as a novel. She is writing the MFA program in Sound Design. He is proud to Briana J. Fahey (Stage Manager) is excited to screenplay of The Syringa Tree, and has completed be a part of The Syringa Tree team and to share be back at Center REP after stage managing last the screenplay for the upcoming filmThe Lily Field. this wonderful, magical work with Center REP season’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Other The Syringa Tree is dedicated to her parents. audiences. This sound design was first heard at regional credits include California Shakespeare the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and then at Theater, Magic Theatre, Utah Shakespearean Michael Evan Haney (Director) As Associate Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park and has since Theater and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Artistic Director for Cincinnati Playhouse in been heard at theaters across the U.S. as well as the Park, he has directed Sleuth, Blackbird, Love at The English Theater in Frankfurt, Germany and Joe Coe (Assistant Stage Manager) This is Joe’s Song, Around the World in 80 Days (transferred Vienna, Austria. Chuck designs regularly for the tenth production with Center REP and he couldn’t Off-Broadway to the Irish Repertory Theatre), university (Hair and Two Gentlemen of Verona, be happier to be a part of such an amazing team of Crime and Punishment, Reckless, Witness for the musical) and is a frequent guest artist at Playhouse professionals and friends! Joe has had the pleasure Prosecution, The Clean House, A Christmas Carol in the Park (Victoria Musica) and the Ensemble of working with such companies as Berkeley (1993-2009), Bad Dates, A Picasso, Hiding Behind Theatre of Cincinnati (Sleeping Beauty). He is Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Comets, The Drawer Boy, The Syringa Tree, Proof, a proud member of USA829/IATSE as a Sound Theatre, Summer Repertory Theatre, Suicide The Mystery of Irma Vep (2001), and The Last Night Designer. Kings touring production of In Spite of Everything, of Ballyhoo. His International credits include: The Boston Conservatory, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Syringa Tree (the English Theatres of Vienna and James Sale (Lighting Designer) has designed over and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. Joe would like to Frankfurt); and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Mr. 500 shows in the last 30 years. His work in theater, thank all of his colleagues here at the LCA for a Haney’s regional credits include: All My Sons, opera and ballet has taken him all over the United great season and for making it such a joy to work Alabama Shakespeare Festival; The Drawer Boy, States and the world. Some of the companies he here! Actors Theatre of Louisville; The Syringa Tree has designed for include: Los Angeles Opera, and The Heidi Chronicles, The Repertory Theatre Cleveland Opera, Wolf Trap, Opera Pacific, Kansas Michael Butler (Artistic Director) most recently of St. Louis; The Underpants, Capital Repertory City Opera, Opera Colorado, The Spoleto Festival directed REP’s productions of A Number, Witness Theatre; The Mystery of Irma Vep, Meadow Brook in Italy, Palm Beach Opera, Central City Opera, for the Prosecution and Enchanted April, as well Theatre; Comedy of Errors and Mr. Rickey Calls a Tulsa Opera, Colorado Opera Festival, Oregon as the award-winning productions of Around the Meeting, Sacramento Theatre Company; Monument Shakespeare Festival, The Asolo Theatre, Denver World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Boulevard, Missouri Repertory Theatre; The Center, English Theater Frankfurt, Cincinnati The Marriage of Figaro. His directing work has Potting Shed, Washington Stage Guild; Comedy of Playhouse in the Park, English Speaking Theater also been seen in New York, L.A. and at regional Errors, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Charley’s theatres around the country. As an actor, Michael OUR SPONSORS ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY has worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, in regional theatres, film and television. He is a published Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the Center REP is the resident, professional theatre songwriter and the co-writer and composer of leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our numerous music-theatre pieces, which he has the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eight season consists of six productions a year – a variety directed and performed in NY, LA, and at festivals years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the of musicals, dramas and comedies, both classic in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer LCA since the beginning, providing funding and contemporary, that continually strive to reach he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins for capital improvements, event sponsorships new levels of artistic excellence and professional Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre and more. Chevron generously supports every standards. LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played guitar Center REP show throughout the season, and and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country is the primary sponsor for events including Our mission is to celebrate the power of the human western bands at all the notable dives in NYC. the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. imagination by producing emotionally engaging, Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous intellectually involving, and visually astonishing Scott Denison (Managing Director) has been the supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. live theatre, and through Outreach and Education General Manager for the Lesher Center for the Arts programs, to enrich and advance the cultural life of since it opened 19 years ago and has worked for Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) the communities we serve. the Arts in this area for 36 years. Scott has directed (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising over 150 productions, including The Wizard of Oz , organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) What does it mean to be a producing theatre? the musical hit Cinderella and Disney’s Beauty and and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator We hire the finest professional directors, actors the Beast and for the past 13 seasons Center REP’s for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in and designers to create our productions at Center A Christmas Carol as well as all Fantasy Forum the community is all about building partnerships REP. These are not touring productions – they’re productions since 1972. He created and produces with the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality conceived and developed here, the sets and costumes the annual Shellie Awards now celebrating 31 at the LCA and providing opportunities for are built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in years. Scott has also designed lights for over everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships our rehearsal hall. Whether the production is a Bay 250 productions, including the national touring with the LCA and its producers, individual Area premiere or a Shakespearean classic, each production of Sylvia. In 1979 he created the donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and is devised to be a one of a kind, artistic creation Shellie Awards, which annually honors outstanding the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital that will be a unique theatre experience for our performing arts achievement in Contra Costa role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the audience. County. Under Denison’s guidance the Lesher community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. Center for the Arts presents over 900 public events What does it mean to be a professional theatre? each year. He coordinates performing arts activities Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In It means that all our artists and artisans are career with over 85 producers and producing organizations. the East Bay, the largest newspaper of the Bay Area theatre-practitioners. The actor in this production Scott created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival News Group is the Contra Costa Times and its sister is a member of Actors’ Equity Association; many which hosted over 7,000 guests this year. He is also editions, the West County Times, Valley Times, of our directors and designers are members of the Managing Director of the Center REPertory San Ramon Valley Times and East County Times. professional unions. All do theatre because it is Company producing professional productions The Times, was judged the best newspaper in its their profession and their passion. each season; and is the director and co-founder of circulation category in the state five times in a six- Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family year period by the California Newspaper Publishers We are very proud to have the opportunity to performing arts company which presents programs Association. In 2005, it won the prestigious national produce professional theatre for our community in for the young and Young at Heart. Freedom of Information Award from Associated the beautiful Margaret Lesher Theatre here at the Press Managing Editors. And, in 2007, it was Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank you for your Center REPertory Company honored by the California Newspaper Publishers support! Managing Director - Scott Denison Association for its leadership on public records. Artistic Director - Michael Butler CITY COUNCIL Audience Servuces Education Susan McNulty Rainey, Mayor Audience Svcs Coordinator Education Directors Kish Rajan Cindy Silva Courtney Egg Jeff Draper Robert Simmons Ticket Office Staff Kerri Shawn Gary Skrel Rebecca O’ Connor Marketing CITY MANAGER ARTS COMMISSION Fritz Brunner, Chair Caitlin Downing Marketing Director Gary Pokorny Vice Chair Suzanne Masella Elizabeth Fazzio Gabe Marin DIRECTOR Arts, Recreation and Community Carol Fowler Kiersten Jones Marketing Assistant Services Reginald Marshall Karla Kopfhammer Casi Maggio Barry Gordon Jacquelyn Smith Sarah Leahy Production Hillary Pearsall Production Manager Center REP would like to thank: Production Services Jeff Collister Gil Berkeley Production Svcs Coordinator Technical Diane Gilcrest Toni Kilcoyne Technical Director Technical Staff Joshua Lipps Fred & Christine Seely for airport transportation Doug Alvey Master Electrician and John Earls Tirzah Tyler Nicole Iannaccone Carpenters “The Committee” Mitch Kell Brandon Davis for guest artist hospitality Iain McKay Stewart Munson Steve Pino Daniel Neely THANK YOU TO OUR

Garrick Schuster Ryan Shew OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: Josh Stouffer Cameron Swartzell Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Casting Assistant Stage Manager Oi-C Bowl Casting Director Joe Coe ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Jennifer Perry Administration Costumes Asst. to the Managing Massimo’s Ristorante Costume Manager Director Walnut Creek Baking Company Melissa Anne Davis Gail Pfeifer Waters Moving and Storage Assistant Costumers Usher Coordinator Associated Services-Alta Water Michael A. Berg Jody Cook Selix Formal Wear of Pleasant Hill Amy Nielson Program Shannon and Mike Demers Erin O’Donoghue Linda Nomura Hyatt Summerfield Suites