WONDERFUL TOWN is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com Wonderful Town Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov (Based upon the play “My Sister Eileen” by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov and the stories by Ruth McKenney) Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green Sketches for “What A Waste” by Betty Comden and Adolph Green Direction by Thom Allison* Choreography by David Ball* Musical Direction by Jeannie Wyse Digital Media and Set Design by Brandon Kleiman Associate Director Jacob Wolstencroft Dialect Coach Jane Gooderham Stage Manager Ciaran Brenneman MD/Piano Jeannie Wyse Trumpet Dave Dunlop Woodwinds Paul Coussee Percussion/Drums Richard Moore * The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
WONDERFUL TOWN is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com Director’s Note
In 1953, lyricist team, Betty Comden and Adolf Green, were told to make a musical version of the play My Sister, Eileen by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Based on the stories of “The New Yorker” writer Ruth McKenney, it was to be a ve- hicle for the great stage and screen star Rosalind Russell. But there was a catch. Because of Miss Russell’s schedule, they had to go into rehearsal in 5 weeks. They needed a composer. Who could do it in such a short time?? They knew of a long- shot. Their pal, Leonard Bernstein, had just returned from his honeymoon and he was supposed to be taking a little time off…. so he was free. They rushed to his apartment, laid out the situation and, luckily, Bernstein loved a challenge… he said “YES”!
Thus came Wonderful Town, this charming love letter to Broadway and the musical theatre. A story about two sisters who move to New York in the summer of 1935 to pursue their dreams and the hardships, joys and hijinx they encounter along the way.
Though the Depression is a light motif in the show, one can’t help but see the parallel we are engaged in at the moment with the pandemic. But, like sisters Ruth and Eileen, we need to know that we are resilient and connected. Wonderful Town is the opportunity for our cast and team to offer our au- dience a balm to soothe the soul and help us all to remember the power of laughter, love, and hope.
Cheers,
Thom Allison Red Cast
ABBY SILVERA Modern Dancer; Auditionee; Cadet; Fourth Cop; Hepcat; Vortex Ballet Dancer; Football Player; U/S: Second Cadet
ALEXANDER MANTIA Chick Clark; Drunk; Tourist; Wedding Date; U/S: Appopolous, First Cop
CAMILLE RICHARD Tourist; Villager; Ice Cream Person; Football Player; Cadet; Hepcat; U/S: 3rd Cop
CHRISTIE SPARROW Mrs. Wade; U/S: Second Cop
CLAUDIA NACCARATO Speedy Valenti; U/S: Violet
EDEN LYONS Violet; Third Cop; Football Player; Cadet; Hepcat; Villager
ELI FUNK Robert Baker; Janitor
EMILY JOHNSTON Eileen Sherwood
GRAYSON LUTES Frank Lippencott; Artist; Car Date; Hepcat; Villager; U/S: Wreck
JADON SIMONE TRELOUR Modern Dancer; First Editor; Cadet; Hepcat; Football Player; Newsie; Vortex Ballet Dancer; U/S: Eileen
KATIE PREFONTAINE Villager; Kid Puppet Voice; Fifth Cop; Hepcat; Cadet; Football Player; U/S: Ruth
KENNEDY LEARD Tourist; Delivery Girl; Villager; Hepcat; U/S: Guide
KENTON BLYTHE Art Judge; Fletcher; First Cadet; First Cop; Man with Sign; Actor; Football Player; Baseball Date; U/S: Robert Baker
LOGAN HICKEY Wreck
MAKAYLA BARWICK Helen; Villager
MATT LACAS Appopolous; Second Cadet; Second Cop; U/S: Chick Clark, Fletcher
NOAH BOECKNER Lonigan; Villager; Football Player; U/S: Frank
PAULA SOFÍA Guide; Secretary Hand
RILEY OUGH Artist; Second Editor; Football Player ; Cadet; Hepcat; Villager; U/S: Helen
TARA HAWLEY Tourist; Shore Patrol Person; Football Characters; U/S: First Editor, Delivery Girl, Fifth Cop
VICTORIA LENHARDT Ruth Sherwood Blue Cast
ABIGAIL CRISPO Modern Dancer; Kid Puppet Voice; Villager; Football Player; Cadet; Fourth Cop; Hepcat; U/S: First Cadet
ALEXANDER MANTIA Chick Clark; Drunk; Tourist; Wedding Date; U/S: Appopolous, First Cop
BRENNA PAULSEN Tourist; Villager; Second Editor; Football Characters; Cadet; Hepcat; U/S: Woman with Sign
BROOKE SMITH Tourist; Villager; Ice Cream Person; Football Player; Cadet; Hepcat; U/S: Second Editor, Fourth Cop
CANDICE KERR Mrs. Wade
CLAIRE ROBINSON Speedy Valenti
ELI FUNK Robert Baker; Janitor
LIZZIE MISTUKA Helen; Villager
FIONA CAIN Ruth Sherwood
GABRIELLE LEVESQUE Eileen Sherwood
GRAYSON LUTES Frank Lippencott; Artist; Car Date; Hepcat; Villager; U/S: Wreck
HAYLEY ROURKE Modern Dancer; Newsie; Delivery Girl; Cadet; Hepcat; Vortex Ballet Dancer; U/S: Ice Cream Person
JENNA GEEN Violet; Third Cop; Cadet; Football Player; Hepcat; Vortex Ballet Dancer; U/S: Lonigan
KENTON BLYTHE Art Judge; Fletcher; First Cadet; First Cop; Man with Sign; Actor; Football Player; Baseball Date; U/S: Robert Baker
LOGAN HICKEY Wreck
MADISON GILBERT Artist; Villager; Football Player; Cadet; Fifth Cop; Hepcat; U/S: Mrs. Wade
MARIE DOUCETTE Artist; Villager; First Editor; Football Player; Hepcat; U/S: Shore Patrol Person
MATT LACAS Appopolous; Second Cadet; Second Cop; U/S: Chick Clark, Fletcher
NOAH BOECKNER Lonigan; Villager; Football Player; U/S: Frank
PAULA SOFÍA Guide; Secretary Hand)
VIVIEN SHEPHERD Tourist; Shore Patrol Person; Villager; Hepcat