Neil Simon's Musical Fools” Is Presented by Special Arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company

Home , Chapter Two (play), Fools (play), Jason Paige, Neil Simon, Plaza Suite, Proposals (play)

Presents Neil Simon’s MUSICAL FOOLS Book and Lyrics by Neil Simon Music and Lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West Directed by Ron West

Music Direction by Jan Roper Choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton Music Arrangements by Luke Harrington

Featuring James Byous • Parvesh Cheena* • Cat Davis* • Nina Genatossio • Ben Goldberg* Bruce Green* • Juliane Hagn • Demetris Hartman • Hank Jacobs Derek Manson* • Brendan Mulally • Jason Paige • Diane Reneé • Beth Robbins Robyn Roth* • Bolor Saruul • Jack Sharpe • Clare Snodgrass

Scenic Design Costume Design Sound Design Jan Munroe Mylette Nora Tim Labor

Lighting Design Properties Production Management Matt Richter & Bruce Dickinson & Amanda Weier & Mary Keegan Ina Shumaker Art Hall

Publicist Production Stage Manager Associate Producer Lucy Pollak Jennifer Palumbo* Caroline Klidonas

Produced by Martha Demson

*Member, Actors’ Equity Association, "This performance is supported, in part, the Union of Professional Actors and by the Los Angeles County Board of Stage Managers in the United States. Supervisors through the Los Angeles This production is presented under the County Department of Arts and auspices of the Actors’ Equity Los Culture." Angeles Membership Company Rule

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“Neil Simon's Musical Fools” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Adapted from the play FOOLS by Neil Simon

Presents Neil Simon’s MUSICAL FOOLS Book and Lyrics by Neil Simon Music and Lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West Directed by Ron West

Music Direction by Jan Roper Choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton Music Arrangements by Luke Harrington

Scenic Design Costume Design Sound Design Jan Munroe Mylette Nora Tim Labor

Lighting Design Properties Production Management Matt Richter & Bruce Dickinson & Amanda Weier & Mary Keegan Ina Shumaker Art Hall

Publicist Production Stage Manager Associate Producer Lucy Pollak Jennifer Palumbo* Caroline Klidonas

Produced by Martha Demson

Ticketing and CRM Technology provided by PatronManager

“Neil Simon's Musical Fools” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Adapted from the play FOOLS by Neil Simon Cast of Characters Leon Tolchinsky… …………………………………………………………….……………….…………….………J ames Byous alternate Demetris Hartman

Dr. Zubritsky & Chorus… …………………..…………………………….…………..…………….……….D erek Manson* alternate Bruce Green *

Lenya & Chorus…………………………….…...………………………….……………..….....………..…………R obyn Roth*

Sophia & Chorus……………….…………………...……………..…...………..…………..……………..C lare Snodgrass

Snetsky, Mikhail, Chorus… ...………………...………………………….….……….………..………P arvesh Cheena*

Mishkin, Vladimir, Conductor… ………..…...………………………….…………..…..…………………H ank Jacobs

Slovitch, Chorus, Bookworm… ………….....……….………………...…………………….…..…Brendan Mulally

Yenchna, Chorus………………….....………….……...………………………….……………….....…………….....Cat Davis*

Magistrate, Chorus… ...…………...………………………….……………...……….…………………………Beth Robbins

Gregor, Passenger, Chorus…………………………………………………………………………..………… Jason Paige alternate Ben Goldberg*

Casimir, Ensemble……...………………………….………...………………………….……….…………………J ack Sharpe

Woman, Ensemble… …...………………………….………...………………………….………………………D iane Reneé

Passenger, Ensemble… ……...………………………….………...………………………….…………………B olor Saruul

1691 Sophia, Ensemble… …...………………………….………...……………………………………………J uliane Hagn

1691 Magistrate, Cow, Ensemble, U/S Yenchna, Lenya, Sophia.……………N ina Genatossio

Band Keys ……………………..…………….…………… Jan Roper Drums ………….………………… Adam Snow Bass …………. Ross Wright, Ryan Roberts (alt) Reeds/Flute………….…… Matt Germaine

There will be one ten-minute intermission

THE SCENIC ART IN THIS PRODUCTION IS I NSPIRED BY THE VISUAL TRADITION OF UKRAINIAN PYSANKY EGGS ALL SCENIC UNITS & MINIATURES ARE FOR SALE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE CLOSE OF THE PRODUCTION All proceeds to benefit the Open Fist Theatre Company Please see the House Staff or contact Amanda Weier (a [email protected]) for pricing info.

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS ON ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:https://shop.samuelfrench.com/content/files/pdf/piracy-whitepaper.pdf THE ENSEMBLE

JAMES BYOUS (Leon Tolchinsky) is an LA-based include the Coen brothers’ adaptation of True singer-songwriter, professional hitchhiker, and Grit. Television credits include NBC's Parks and classic troubadour. He was featured in 2018's Recreation. Netflix Original Series, "Westside." He's been described as "the next Bruce Springsteen" by JULIANE HAGN (1691 Sophia, Ensemble) is some people that you'd be surprised to hear that excited to be bringing her tomfoolery to Musical from. All that aside, James has worked hard to Fools! Julie earned a degree in Dance & hone his ability to draw in an audience with Psychology from St. Olaf College and recently honest storytelling, raw musical talent, and subtle celebrated her status as a Second City graduate strangeness. with a performance run of “The Apologists” at Second City Hollywood. She cherishes her family, PARVESH CHEENA* (Snetsky, Mikhail, Chorus) is mentors, and friends that have taught her the joy glad to be back at Open Fist Theatre and that comes with bringing laughter to others. working with the good Dr. Ron and Phil again after more than a decade from the first run of DEMETRIS HARTMAN (Leon Alternate) is very DELEARIOUS, alongside old castmates Robyn excited to be partnering with Open Fist Theater Roth and Bruce Green. Thank you for coming to for this exceptional production! Getting to play and supporting intimate theatre in LA. @parvesh with the amazing cast assembled for this show is on the twit’, @parvey on the ‘gram. a real honor. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, CAT DAVIS* (Yenchna, Chorus) is excited to be Demetris went on to train at The University of Kent back at Open Fist, having last appeared on the in the UK, as well as at UCSD and Steppenwolf OFTC stage in John O’Keefe’s All Night Long. Cat West in the US. He would like to thank the has written for KC Undercover and Shake It Up! director, cast and entire production team for on the Disney Channel and has appeared on making him feel so welcome, as well as you, the Showtime, Lifetime, Disney, LOGO and the CW. audience for supporting live theatre. Enjoy the Stand-up credits include: LOGO’s One Night show! Stand-Up, LA Comedy Festival, The Laugh HANK JACOBS (Mishkin, Vladimir, Conductor) is a Factory, The Improv, and the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club. She’s on the Main Company at creator- writer/director/editor/artist/actor. Works ComedySportz and is a proud new member of include an award winning feature film: The Curse the Story Pirates. All the love and thanks to her of El Segundo, a circus: Delicious Vaudeville, a fabulous wife, Kristen! web series (coming soon): Loser, and many short films. As a voice actor you’ve heard his voice on NINA GENATOSSIO (1691 Magistrate, Cow, TV and radio commercials for many years. He’s a Ensemble, U/S Yenchna, Lenya, Sophia) is thrilled graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in to be making her Los Angeles theatre debut with Washington, DC, and the Carnegie Mellon OpenFist! Originally from Worcester, MA, Nina School of Drama. Hank has been a part of the moved to Chicago where she received her BFA Open Fist’s Both: A Hard Day’s Silent Night for the in Musical Theatre from Columbia College past 5 years. Thehankjacobs.com Chicago. Since moving to Los Angeles she has participated in numerous workshops and classes, DEREK MANSON* (Dr. Zubritsky & Chorus) has and is ecstatic to be joining such a talented cast. appeared on the LA and regional stages of the A special thank you to Laura Gardner, Mary Alliance Theatre, South Coast Repertory, the McGregor, and her incredible boyfriend Joseph Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Portland’5, Scafidi (who makes one heck of a scene Second City Hollywood, Up Comedy Club, IO partner). Nina is represented by KMR Equity. West, For The Record Live, the Wallis-Annenberg

BEN GOLDBERG* (Gregor Alternate) Recent TV: Center for the Performing Arts, Malibu Playhouse, Shameless, Castle, For the People. Recent Greenway Arts Alliance, and Cornerstone Theatre: The Fast & The Furious: A Musical Parody, Theater. With the Open Fist: Room Service, The Mid-Century Moderns, For The Record, Falling For Existents, and The Gary Plays.

Make Believe. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. BRENDAN MULALLY (Slovitch, Chorus, Bookworm) www.bengoldberg.com is an actor and singer based in North Hollywood. He graduated from the American Academy of BRUCE GREEN* (Dr. Zubritsky Alternate) is a Dramatic Arts in 2016 and has since been Hollywood character actor and itinerant stage focusing on progressing his studies with the actor. He previously collaborated with Ron West Upright Citizens Brigade in improvisation and and Phil Swann on the original production of The sketch comedy. He's always had an avid passion People Vs. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed for musical theater, having most recently been Romeo and Juliet. Bruce played the Friar in Los nominated for an Irene Ryan award through Angeles before going on to two sold-out Santa Monica college with their production of summers at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. More Smokey Joe's Cafe. He's excited to once more recently he toured the U.S. in the musical have the opportunity to be up on stage making comedy The Bicycle Men. Previous Open Fist a fool of himself. credits include the world premiere production of deLEARious with Robyn and Parvesh. Film credits JASON PAIGE (Gregor, Passenger, Chorus) has challenge of playing a lovable dullard since in shared the stage singing with with Michael the last Swann/West musical on this Open Fist Jackson, Ray Charles, Liza Minelli, Whitney stage she played the jerky Goneril in deLEARious. Houston, Destiny's Child, Oleta Adams, Billy Porter, She’s also stoked to get to work with her pals Enrique Iglesias and was frontman for Blood Parvesh and Bruce again! Thanks to parents Al Sweat & Tears. His voice is featured in films and Rita, and l’il sister, Tiffany, for all their support. “Annie",“Jersey Boys”,“Muppet Movies” and Tiffany is not a musical theater fan, but comes to “Sausage Party”. His most recognizable jingles all of Robyn’s shows, which hopefully are more include Pepto Bismol, Mountain Dew’s tolerable than the mandatory shared bedroom “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Coke’s “Catch The performances of their childhood. “I seen it!” Feeling” and the legendary OG “Pokemon BOLOR SARUUL (Passenger, Ensemble) studied at Theme Song". His Bg's appear on albums by the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio where she Foreigner, Scorpions, Meatloaf and more. At graduated from the 2-Year Meisner Program. She Open Fist Jason was Joe in Zappa’s “Joe’s then completed the 3rd year Mastery Program. Garage”, Travis in Ty Taylor’s “The Existents” and She has participated in Hollywood Fringe plays Father McKenzie in "BOTH-A Hard Days Silent and most recently played The Giving Tree at the Night". He was in “Rent” at The Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles Children's Theater. She is excited to (Dir. Neil Patrick Harris), “Hair” (Dir. Jim and Jerry), be a part of Neil Simon's Musical Fools! Jesus in “Godspell” and Judas in “JC Superstar”.

He's an original member of LA's acclaimed "For JACK SHARPE (Casimir, Ensemble) has been The Record" for which he received a Broadway performing improv since college and has World Best Actor award and an Ovation graduated from UCB and Second City. He nomination. Jasonpaige.com for Love performed on Ghost Face Kittens, the Second City hip-hop house team, and played Joey in DIANE RENEÉ (Woman, Ensemble) Originally from Ron West's Christmas Day Job. Enjoy the show! New York with two NAACP theater nominations. CLARE SNODGRASS (Sophia & Chorus) is an actor, She most recently worked on stage with Tom Bower in the award winning production of Bobby improviser and classically-trained singer based in Moresco’s Working 2020 at Whitefire Theater. Los Angeles. From the musical theatre program Other stage credits include The Columbine at UCLA, she went on to study improv at the Project, a top ten list of recommended plays by Second City Hollywood. She performs improv with Stage Raw and Blues for Mister Charlie, her long form troupe, Gods of the Beach Bums, nominated Best Play of the year by the LA Valley and short form troupe Mostly Organic. In her Theater Awards. As a former professional spare time, Clare leads her local Girl Scout troop, stuntwoman, Diane has several film credits. studies French, and records original music. Love Television credits include Insecure and an and thanks to her family, Matt, and Ron West for appearance on ABC’s second season of The the opportunity! Seeking representation. Rookie.

BETH ROBBINS (Magistrate, Chorus) A member of THE BAND The Open Fist for ten years, Beth is so grateful to MATT GERMAINE (Reeds) maintains a busy have participated as an actress in the shows; The Dead, Everything is Enough, Rock ‘n Roll, The schedule of musical commitments. He has Good Woman of Setzuan, Welcome to your performed with the Santa Barbara Symphony Alternative Reality, Both, Stage Door, Political Orchestra and is a first call performer with the Pop-up #’s 1, 2 and 3. As a co-producer, Under Dean Mora Swing Orchestra as well as playing Milkwood and Anna in the Tropics. At other woodwinds in numerous pit orchestras in the theatres; Barefoot in the Park, Spike Heels, Southern California area. He has performed at Women of Troy, Assassins, Sweet Charity, I’m such venerable venues as Lincoln Center, The Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Hollywood Bowl, The Alex Theater and the Casino Road to name a few. She is so excited to bring Ballroom on Catalina Island. He has backed up Neil Simon’s Musical Fools to life with this amazing some of music's greatest artists such as Tony cast of talented and crazy peeps. This has been Bennett, Cab Calloway, Celia Cruz, Diane the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Schuur, Michael Feinstein and the Mills Brothers. Many thanks to my family…genetic and He received his undergraduate degree from Cal otherwise…for their love and support. State Northridge in Saxophone Performance.

ROBYN ROTH* (Lenya & Chorus) grew up in L.A. RYAN ROBERTS (Bass) is an electric and upright and as a kid, first discovered musical theater in bass player and is honored to continually make her bedroom with Annie (the Broadway music with the best musicians in Los Angeles. soundtrack, not her invisible friend. Her name was Ryan strives to build community among musicians Barbara). Robyn loves working full time in Los Angeles and globally through the music performing in the Frozen Live at the Hyperion night’s he’s started and Co-led I’m LA, as well as show at that Disney place. She has been in many hosting THE BASS SHED PODCAST that has been short and long form improv shows, plays, and receiving international attention. Ryan’s podcast musicals. A few of her favorite roles are Evita, is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Charity, and Adelaide. She is enjoying the Play and Stitcher. Welcome to Your Alternative Reality and he ADAM SNOW (Drums/Percussion) Hailing from staged her Life Expectancy for the Malibu North Carolina, Drummer/Percussionist Adam Playhouse. Concurrently, Ron is directing a Snow enjoys performing in a wide variety of reading of Ms. Butterfield's Electra Revisited at musical contexts from rock/funk/jazz drum set, Antaeus. classical orchestral percussion, and musical PHIL SWANN (Music and Lyrics) Phil Swann's theater to the percussion traditions of Brazil, career in the entertainment industry has spanned Guinea, Mali, and Zimbabwe. Notable artists with more than 30-years as a composer, author, whom he has performed include Chick Corea, playwright, performer, and producer. A short list Pat Metheny, Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, of his work includes: the hit Off-Broadway Andrea Bocelli, Kristen Chenoweth, Brandon musical, Play It Cool, Outer Critics Circle nominee Victor Dixon, and Clarence "Big Man" Clemons for best new musical; The People vs. Friar among others. Snow received a Doctor of Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet, Musical Arts degree from The University of North nominated for three Jeffrey Joseph Awards Carolina at Greensboro and is the Director of including Best New Musical; deLEARious, Garland Percussion Studies at Cal State LA. He proudly Award winner for Best New Score; In A Booth at endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. Chasen's; Trombone; Shakespeare's Greatest Hits. www.adamsnowmusic.com Swann is the author of Cold War Copa and Mekong Delta Blues, the first two books in the THE CREATIVES Sideman Mysteries series. Other books by Swann include the thrillers The Song of Eleusis and The NEIL SIMON (Book and Lyrics) is the author of Mozart Conspiracy. Swann is currently working on dozens of plays and films, and his plays are the third book in the Sideman Mysteries series among the most-produced in the world. Some of entitled, Tinsel Town Tango. As a songwriter, Phil his plays include Come Blow Your Horn; Little Me; Swann's songs have been used in countless TV Barefoot in the Park; The Odd Couple; Sweet shows, movies, and have been recorded by Charity; The Star-Spangled Girl; Plaza Suite; numerous recording artists including: Clay Aiken, Promises, Promises; Last of the Red Hot Lovers; Lee Ann Womack, Josh Strickland, Blake Shelton, The Gingerbread Lady; The Prisoner of Second Neal McCoy, Rodney Atkins, Eamonn McCrystal Avenue; The Sunshine Boys; The Good Doctor; and Lee Greenwood. God’s Favorite; California Suite; Chapter Two; They’re Playing our Song; I Ought to Be in JAN ROPER (Music Director) is a composer and Pictures; Fools; the female version of The Odd music director. Her theater career started with Couple; Rumors; Jake’s Women; The Goodbye the full-scale production of her own original rock rd Girl; Laughter on the 23 F loor; Proposals; The opera, Jerusalem A.D. in 2006. Another original Dinner Party and 45 Seconds from Broadway and work, City of Light, was chosen for the ASCAP London Suite. With his autobiographical trilogy — Stephen Schwartz workshop (2016) and the Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983), Biloxi Blues (1985) sheNYC Festival (2017), where it won Best Score. and Broadway Bound (1986) — Simon found his City of Light has also been featured as a “new greatest critical acclaim, and for his 1991 work to watch” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC follow-up, Lost in Yonkers, Simon was awarded after a sold out concert reading there in 2018. the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. This year Jan had a featured song in the new world premiere, Girlhood, produced by CPA RON WEST (Music, Lyrics, Director) has been an Theatricals. She stays busy as a faculty artistic associate of The Second City for many accompanist and teacher at AMDA College of years, helming its holiday perennial Twist Your the Performing Arts, and a vocal and music Dickens at the Goodman Theater, Portland director in the local theater and cabaret Center Stage, and Kirk Douglas Theater. He also community of LA. Some notable shows in the last directed the national tour of Sex and the Second 2 years: deLEARious (Open Fist Theater), Next to City and the award-winning Curious George Normal (Hillcrest Theater), Merrily We Roll Along Goes to War. He enjoyed directing his musicals (Colony Theater), Sugar and Barnum (Musical The People Vs. Friar Laurence starring Theater Guild). Keegan-Michael Key at Chicago Shakespeare and deLEARious at The Open Fist Theater. LOUISA KENDRICK BURTON (Choreographer) is Recently, he directed his own play Any delighted to be joining the Musical Fools family. Resemblance as part of the Roe Green Visiting Louisa has performed on Broadway (A Christmas Director Series at Kent State University, his alma Carol), Off-Broadway (Senseless Killings…), mater. And speaking of visiting, he staged National Tours (Beauty and The Beast, Jesus Christ Current Eventuals in Boston, This Town by Sidney Superstar), Regional Theaters (Papermill Blumenthal in Washington, D.C., Phantom Playhouse, Westchester Broadway, KC Starlight, Menace to Society in Detroit, The 39 Steps in Houston TUTS) and as a world famous Radio City Malibu, Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, and The Rockette. She was choreographer for Jimmy Best of the Second City in Vienna, Austria to Buffet’s national tour and has taught dance and name a few of his favorites. He has a long theater for Camp Broadway, Performing Arts standing artistic partnership with Catherine Workshops and local YWCA’s in NYC. Special Butterfield. Together they wrote and directed thanks to Todd for holding down the fort at home and to Cora and Jonah for keeping the house Dark Skies”), a Glorya Kaufmann Theatre tidy while mommy went out to play. performance of Stacie Chaiken’s acclaimed “The Dig,” and “Three Places in California,” a LUKE HANNINGTON (Music Arrangements) is a choral suite for Nova Scotia’s Kings Chorale. composer, arranger and university lecturer. He is the founder and music director for The Silent Movie Ensemble, a group dedicated to making MATT RICHTER & MARY KEEGAN (Lighting Design) audiences scream and stomp through classic are Los Angeles based designers, thrilled to be movies like “The Lost World,” accompanied by a collaborating on Neil Simon's Fools. Between the live orchestra and sound effects. His original two of them, their work has been seen in Los compositions include the symphony, “Hesby Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Chicago Street,” the P.G. Wodehouse opera, “The and Amsterdam. For more info, please visit Inferiority Complex of Old Sippy,”“Five Alice mattrichter.net or marykeegan,com. Songs,” a song cycle based on the works of Lewis Carroll, and “Robin,” a wind quintet commemorating the life of Robin Williams. With JENNIFER PALUMBO* (Production Stage Manager) Chasen’s Phil Swann, he co-created the secular An LA based Stage Manager, Jennifer worked Christmas cantata “New Life,” (with text derived with Ron West and OFTC on DeLEARious, and is from the Bible and the works of Christopher delighted to be part of the Neil Simon’s Musical Hitchens). He is a music educator, currently Fools experience. OFTC credits include Dancing lecturing at CSULB. His textbook, “The New At Lughnasa, Last Call, All Night Long, Under Milk Musician’s Guide to The Fundamentals of Music,” Wood, The Gary Plays, and Mad Forest. Selected is available on Amazon, while his PhD thesis on credits include The Color Purple with Greenway compositional procedures found in 18th-century Arts Alliance, Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop – LA music will be available in early 2019. debut at Matrix Theatre, and in Memphis, TN for MLK50 with Hattiloo Theatre at the Halloran JAN MUNROE Centre. With Rogue Machine - El Niño, DAYTONA, (Scenic & Miniature Design/Construction/Painting) and Suppliant Women (at Getty Villa), and many is an actor, writer, director and proud pensioner productions at the Odyssey Theatre including from all three acting unions as well as a Social Anna Christie, Awake and Sing!, Broadway Security recipient so he's pleased to announce Bound, Day Drinkers, and A Steady Rain, also at HE WON! Over the last 45 years of theatrical the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Jennifer is activity, he has managed to accrue 13 LA grateful to the theatrical community, her family, Weekly and Drama-Logue Awards, an Ovation her partner James, and her feline muse, Chaz, for award, two NEA Theatre fellowships, a their continued encouragement and support! Rockefeller Playwrights fellowship and a California Arts Council "New Genre" fellowship. For OPEN FIST, he designed and directed John CAROLINE KLIDONAS (Associate Producer) is an O'Keefe's DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME ANYTHING actor, writer, and spoken word artist. She was last BUT MOTHER in 2017 and O'Keefe's ALL NIGHT seen in Open Fist's Dancing at Lughnasa as Chris LONG in 2018. Oh, and he's also been in a bunch and Tammy in the Ovation Recommended All of movies, TV shows and commercials. And he Night Long. Her TV credits include SHOWTIME pilot ain't done yet! Queen Fur and A Lie To Die For. She regularly performs spoken word poetry at The Broadwater MYLETTE NORA (Costume Design)is a recipient of Theatre and has even had a few poems the NAACP Theatre Award for best costumes, published. But perhaps most impressive is the fact listed in the honors edition of The Cambridge that she has a dog from Thailand named Mike. Check out www.carolineklidonas.com if you Registry of Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women, works world wide consists of simply must know more. television, film, and stage, and was seen nightly on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno and now MARTHA DEMSON (Producer & Artistic Director of the Open Fist Theatre) Highlights of Demson's weekly on "Jay Leno's Garage". The famed artist Synthia St. James noted Mylette as being the award-winning career with the Open Fist Theatre include: As a producer: Anna in the Tropics inspiration for her world renowned painting (Cruz); All Night Long (O’Keefe); Under Milk "Ensemble" which graced the cover of the best Wood (Thomas); The Gary Plays (Mednick); The selling novel "Waiting To Exhale" by Terry McMillan. Mylette’s designer doggie wear, Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union (Greig) LA www.FromTheHeartDoggieWear.com, as well as Weekly Production of the Year; How to Explain heirloom dolls, "My Mind's Eye.” the History of Communism to Mental Patients TIM LABOR (Sound Design) is a longtime OFTC (Visniec) also in New York and Edinburgh. As a designer and collaborator. Recent projects director: The Ovation Award-winning PAPA include “Welcome to your Alternative Reality,” (deGroot) also in San Francisco and Istanbul; “Under Milkwood,” “All Night Long,” “What Casanova (Congden), Abingdon Square Matters Now?/!” and ”Anna in the Tropics.” Other (Fornes), Escape from Happiness (Walker), The recent projects include sound and music for Existents (Taylor); Dear John Mayer (Shoshana “Laramie Project” (Mira Costa H.S,), arranging for Bean / Eydie Faye). Education: Yale University the UCR Orchestra (“Princess Ten Ten and the and Sanford Meisner’s 2-year master class.

Mission The Open Fist Theatre Company is a community of actors, playwrights, designers and directors who believe that to realize the force and potential of a relevant, contemporary theatre it is necessary to establish a Company founded on the pursuit of artistic excellence. We seek through diverse voices to celebrate difference in all its forms, as we nurture empathy and forge identity through our work.

Board of Directors Martha Demson, Christopher Lore, Malhar Pagay, Charles Otte, Catie Saralegui, David Shofner, James Spencer

Company Staff Artistic Director……...... …………....………..…… Martha Demson Associate Artistic Director / Co Production Manager…..…….....…....…. Amanda Weier Managing Director…………………………...…...………..…….….…...... Katie May Porter Co Production Manager / Facilities Manager …………….….…...………………… Art Hall Literary Manager………………………………..……..…….……..………... Barbara Schofield Marketing & Social Media Manager …….………...…………………….. Caroline Klidonas Membership Manager…………………..………....…………..……….……...…. Lane Allison Financial Director .…………………………………..…...…………... Richard Michael Knolla Education Director ...... Laura Richardson Outreach Director ………………….….…..……..……...………...……….…. Dionna Veremis

Our Members Hetty Abbott, Lane Allison, Christine Avila, Raúl Ramón Bencomo, Chloe Berlinger, Bryan Bertone, Allison Blaize, Phillip William Brock, Brittany Brown, Sandra Kate Burck, James Byous, Spencer Cantrell, Christopher Cappiello, Christopher Cedeño, Parvesh Cheena, Stephanie Crothers, John Patrick Daly, Cat Davis, Martha Demson, Bruce Dickinson, Presciliana Esparolini, Lori Gambero, Ben Goldberg, Bruce Green, Katherine Griffith, Art Hall, Hank Jacobs, Laura James, Antonio Jaramillo, Caroline Klidonas, Carol Kline, Richard Michael Knolla, Tim Labor, Sherry Larson, Dylan Maddalena, Derek Manson, Gina Manziello, Ben Martin, Lynn Milgrim, Javi Mulero, Jan Munroe, Jennifer Palumbo, Rod Menzies, Amy Moorman, Scott Mosenson, Jan Munroe, Tom Noga, Neil Oktay, Jason Paige, Rebecca Paugam, Alina Phelan, Stevie-Jean Placek, Katie May Porter, Tina Preston, Byron Quiros, Jill Remez, Diane Renee, Laura Richardson, Beth Robbins, Scott Roberts, Kenia Romero, Robyn Roth, Steven Royce, Jade Santana, Bolor Saruul, Judith Scarpone, Barbara Schofield, David Shofner, Ina Shumaker, Clare Snodgrass, Dionna Veremis, Amanda Weier, Ron West, Steve Wilcox, Ann Marie Wilding

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The Open Fist Theatre Company wishes to thank all of the supporting Angels whose generous contributions have made our Season possible… Seraphim ($5000 and above) Martha Demson, Jim Gauer, Tom Jacobson, LA County Arts Commission, Murray Mednick, Jan Munroe, Richard C Munroe Foundation, Malhar Pagay, David Shofner

Cherubim ($2500-$5000) Department of Cultural Affairs (City of LA), Maxine Jacobson, Phillips Family, Elka Weiner

Virtues ($1000-$2500) The Arkay Foundation, Alan Mandell, Charlie Otte, Richard Polak, Your Cause Foundation

Archangels ($500-$1000) Tim Labor, Jeff LeBeau, Jon Neustadter, Dean Petrakis, James Spencer, Amanda Weier

Angels ($100-$500) Joseph Allison, Amazon Smile, Leona Barad, Benevity, Samantha Bennett, Christopher Cappiello, Art Hall, Anne Kenney, Kroger Community Contributions, Elizabeth Lande, Lisa LaValle, Myron Meisel, Diane Naegele, Eboni Nichols, Nonprofit Insurance Alliance of California, Mary Linda Phillips, Laura Richardson, Beth Robbins, Daniel Schoenman, Susan Sugarman, Caitlin Thompson

… and to all of You, our patrons, for continuing to support intimate theatre in Los Angeles.

Special Thanks for their support of this production: Catherine Butterfield, Jim Gauer, David Haworth, Ed Martel, LA LGBT Center & Matt Mies

THE ENSEMBLE

JAMES BYOUS (Leon Tolchinsky) is an LA-based include the Coen brothers’ adaptation of True singer-songwriter, professional hitchhiker, and Grit. Television credits include NBC's Parks and classic troubadour. He was featured in 2018's Recreation. Netflix Original Series, "Westside." He's been described as "the next Bruce Springsteen" by JULIANE HAGN (1691 Sophia, Ensemble) is some people that you'd be surprised to hear that excited to be bringing her tomfoolery to Musical from. All that aside, James has worked hard to Fools! Julie earned a degree in Dance & hone his ability to draw in an audience with Psychology from St. Olaf College and recently honest storytelling, raw musical talent, and subtle celebrated her status as a Second City graduate strangeness. with a performance run of “The Apologists” at Second City Hollywood. She cherishes her family, PARVESH CHEENA* (Snetsky, Mikhail, Chorus) is mentors, and friends that have taught her the joy glad to be back at Open Fist Theatre and that comes with bringing laughter to others. working with the good Dr. Ron and Phil again after more than a decade from the first run of DEMETRIS HARTMAN (Leon Alternate) is very DELEARIOUS, alongside old castmates Robyn excited to be partnering with Open Fist Theater Roth and Bruce Green. Thank you for coming to for this exceptional production! Getting to play and supporting intimate theatre in LA. @parvesh with the amazing cast assembled for this show is on the twit’, @parvey on the ‘gram. a real honor. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, CAT DAVIS* (Yenchna, Chorus) is excited to be Demetris went on to train at The University of Kent back at Open Fist, having last appeared on the in the UK, as well as at UCSD and Steppenwolf OFTC stage in John O’Keefe’s All Night Long. Cat West in the US. He would like to thank the has written for KC Undercover and Shake It Up! director, cast and entire production team for on the Disney Channel and has appeared on making him feel so welcome, as well as you, the Showtime, Lifetime, Disney, LOGO and the CW. audience for supporting live theatre. Enjoy the Stand-up credits include: LOGO’s One Night show! Stand-Up, LA Comedy Festival, The Laugh Factory, The Improv, and the Ventura Harbor HANK JACOBS (Mishkin, Vladimir, Conductor) is a Comedy Club. She’s on the Main Company at creator- writer/director/editor/artist/actor. Works ComedySportz and is a proud new member of include an award winning feature film: The Curse the Story Pirates. All the love and thanks to her of El Segundo, a circus: Delicious Vaudeville, a fabulous wife, Kristen! web series (coming soon): Loser, and many short films. As a voice actor you’ve heard his voice on NINA GENATOSSIO (1691 Magistrate, Cow, TV and radio commercials for many years. He’s a Ensemble, U/S Yenchna, Lenya, Sophia) is thrilled graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in to be making her Los Angeles theatre debut with Washington, DC, and the Carnegie Mellon OpenFist! Originally from Worcester, MA, Nina School of Drama. Hank has been a part of the moved to Chicago where she received her BFA Open Fist’s Both: A Hard Day’s Silent Night for the in Musical Theatre from Columbia College past 5 years. Thehankjacobs.com Chicago. Since moving to Los Angeles she has participated in numerous workshops and classes, DEREK MANSON* (Dr. Zubritsky & Chorus) has and is ecstatic to be joining such a talented cast. appeared on the LA and regional stages of the A special thank you to Laura Gardner, Mary Alliance Theatre, South Coast Repertory, the McGregor, and her incredible boyfriend Joseph Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Portland’5, Scafidi (who makes one heck of a scene Second City Hollywood, Up Comedy Club, IO partner). Nina is represented by KMR Equity. West, For The Record Live, the Wallis-Annenberg

He's an original member of LA's acclaimed "For JACK SHARPE (Casimir, Ensemble) has been The Record" for which he received a Broadway performing improv since college and has World Best Actor award and an Ovation graduated from UCB and Second City. He nomination. Jasonpaige.com for Love performed on Ghost Face Kittens, the Second City hip-hop house team, and played Joey in DIANE RENEÉ (Woman, Ensemble) Originally from Ron West's Christmas Day Job. Enjoy the show! New York with two NAACP theater nominations. She most recently worked on stage with Tom CLARE SNODGRASS (Sophia & Chorus) is an actor, Bower in the award winning production of Bobby improviser and classically-trained singer based in Moresco’s Working 2020 at Whitefire Theater. Los Angeles. From the musical theatre program Other stage credits include The Columbine at UCLA, she went on to study improv at the Project, a top ten list of recommended plays by Second City Hollywood. She performs improv with Stage Raw and Blues for Mister Charlie, her long form troupe, Gods of the Beach Bums, nominated Best Play of the year by the LA Valley and short form troupe Mostly Organic. In her Theater Awards. As a former professional spare time, Clare leads her local Girl Scout troop, stuntwoman, Diane has several film credits. studies French, and records original music. Love Television credits include Insecure and an and thanks to her family, Matt, and Ron West for appearance on ABC’s second season of The the opportunity! Seeking representation. Rookie.

BETH ROBBINS (Magistrate, Chorus) A member of THE BAND The Open Fist for ten years, Beth is so grateful to have participated as an actress in the shows; The MATT GERMAINE (Reeds) maintains a busy Dead, Everything is Enough, Rock ‘n Roll, The schedule of musical commitments. He has Good Woman of Setzuan, Welcome to your performed with the Santa Barbara Symphony Alternative Reality, Both, Stage Door, Political Orchestra and is a first call performer with the Pop-up #’s 1, 2 and 3. As a co-producer, Under Dean Mora Swing Orchestra as well as playing Milkwood and Anna in the Tropics. At other woodwinds in numerous pit orchestras in the theatres; Barefoot in the Park, Spike Heels, Southern California area. He has performed at Women of Troy, Assassins, Sweet Charity, I’m such venerable venues as Lincoln Center, The Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Hollywood Bowl, The Alex Theater and the Casino Road to name a few. She is so excited to bring Ballroom on Catalina Island. He has backed up Neil Simon’s Musical Fools to life with this amazing some of music's greatest artists such as Tony cast of talented and crazy peeps. This has been Bennett, Cab Calloway, Celia Cruz, Diane the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Schuur, Michael Feinstein and the Mills Brothers. Many thanks to my family…genetic and He received his undergraduate degree from Cal otherwise…for their love and support. State Northridge in Saxophone Performance.

ROBYN ROTH* (Lenya & Chorus) grew up in L.A. RYAN ROBERTS (Bass) is an electric and upright and as a kid, first discovered musical theater in bass player and is honored to continually make her bedroom with Annie (the Broadway music with the best musicians in Los Angeles. soundtrack, not her invisible friend. Her name was Ryan strives to build community among musicians Barbara). Robyn loves working full time in Los Angeles and globally through the music performing in the Frozen Live at the Hyperion night’s he’s started and Co-led I’m LA, as well as show at that Disney place. She has been in many hosting THE BASS SHED PODCAST that has been short and long form improv shows, plays, and receiving international attention. Ryan’s podcast musicals. A few of her favorite roles are Evita, is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Charity, and Adelaide. She is enjoying the Play and Stitcher. Welcome to Your Alternative Reality and he ADAM SNOW (Drums/Percussion) Hailing from staged her Life Expectancy for the Malibu North Carolina, Drummer/Percussionist Adam Playhouse. Concurrently, Ron is directing a Snow enjoys performing in a wide variety of reading of Ms. Butterfield's Electra Revisited at musical contexts from rock/funk/jazz drum set, Antaeus. classical orchestral percussion, and musical PHIL SWANN (Music and Lyrics) Phil Swann's theater to the percussion traditions of Brazil, career in the entertainment industry has spanned Guinea, Mali, and Zimbabwe. Notable artists with more than 30-years as a composer, author, whom he has performed include Chick Corea, playwright, performer, and producer. A short list Pat Metheny, Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, of his work includes: the hit Off-Broadway Andrea Bocelli, Kristen Chenoweth, Brandon musical, Play It Cool, Outer Critics Circle nominee Victor Dixon, and Clarence "Big Man" Clemons for best new musical; The People vs. Friar among others. Snow received a Doctor of Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet, Musical Arts degree from The University of North nominated for three Jeffrey Joseph Awards Carolina at Greensboro and is the Director of including Best New Musical; deLEARious, Garland Percussion Studies at Cal State LA. He proudly Award winner for Best New Score; In A Booth at endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. Chasen's; Trombone; Shakespeare's Greatest Hits. www.adamsnowmusic.com Swann is the author of Cold War Copa and Mekong Delta Blues, the first two books in the THE CREATIVES Sideman Mysteries series. Other books by Swann include the thrillers The Song of Eleusis and The NEIL SIMON (Book and Lyrics) is the author of Mozart Conspiracy. Swann is currently working on dozens of plays and films, and his plays are the third book in the Sideman Mysteries series among the most-produced in the world. Some of entitled, Tinsel Town Tango. As a songwriter, Phil his plays include Come Blow Your Horn; Little Me; Swann's songs have been used in countless TV Barefoot in the Park; The Odd Couple; Sweet shows, movies, and have been recorded by Charity; The Star-Spangled Girl; Plaza Suite; numerous recording artists including: Clay Aiken, Promises, Promises; Last of the Red Hot Lovers; Lee Ann Womack, Josh Strickland, Blake Shelton, The Gingerbread Lady; The Prisoner of Second Neal McCoy, Rodney Atkins, Eamonn McCrystal Avenue; The Sunshine Boys; The Good Doctor; and Lee Greenwood. God’s Favorite; California Suite; Chapter Two; They’re Playing our Song; I Ought to Be in JAN ROPER (Music Director) is a composer and Pictures; Fools; the female version of The Odd music director. Her theater career started with Couple; Rumors; Jake’s Women; The Goodbye the full-scale production of her own original rock rd Girl; Laughter on the 23 F loor; Proposals; The opera, Jerusalem A.D. in 2006. Another original Dinner Party and 45 Seconds from Broadway and work, City of Light, was chosen for the ASCAP London Suite. With his autobiographical trilogy — Stephen Schwartz workshop (2016) and the Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983), Biloxi Blues (1985) sheNYC Festival (2017), where it won Best Score. and Broadway Bound (1986) — Simon found his City of Light has also been featured as a “new greatest critical acclaim, and for his 1991 work to watch” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC follow-up, Lost in Yonkers, Simon was awarded after a sold out concert reading there in 2018. the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. This year Jan had a featured song in the new world premiere, Girlhood, produced by CPA RON WEST (Music, Lyrics, Director) has been an Theatricals. She stays busy as a faculty artistic associate of The Second City for many accompanist and teacher at AMDA College of years, helming its holiday perennial Twist Your the Performing Arts, and a vocal and music Dickens at the Goodman Theater, Portland director in the local theater and cabaret Center Stage, and Kirk Douglas Theater. He also community of LA. Some notable shows in the last directed the national tour of Sex and the Second 2 years: deLEARious (Open Fist Theater), Next to City and the award-winning Curious George Normal (Hillcrest Theater), Merrily We Roll Along Goes to War. He enjoyed directing his musicals (Colony Theater), Sugar and Barnum (Musical The People Vs. Friar Laurence starring Theater Guild). Keegan-Michael Key at Chicago Shakespeare and deLEARious at The Open Fist Theater. LOUISA KENDRICK BURTON (Choreographer) is Recently, he directed his own play Any delighted to be joining the Musical Fools family. Resemblance as part of the Roe Green Visiting Louisa has performed on Broadway (A Christmas Director Series at Kent State University, his alma Carol), Off-Broadway (Senseless Killings…), mater. And speaking of visiting, he staged National Tours (Beauty and The Beast, Jesus Christ Current Eventuals in Boston, This Town by Sidney Superstar), Regional Theaters (Papermill Blumenthal in Washington, D.C., Phantom Playhouse, Westchester Broadway, KC Starlight, Menace to Society in Detroit, The 39 Steps in Houston TUTS) and as a world famous Radio City Malibu, Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, and The Rockette. She was choreographer for Jimmy Best of the Second City in Vienna, Austria to Buffet’s national tour and has taught dance and name a few of his favorites. He has a long theater for Camp Broadway, Performing Arts standing artistic partnership with Catherine Workshops and local YWCA’s in NYC. Special Butterfield. Together they wrote and directed thanks to Todd for holding down the fort at home and to Cora and Jonah for keeping the house Dark Skies”), a Glorya Kaufmann Theatre tidy while mommy went out to play. performance of Stacie Chaiken’s acclaimed “The Dig,” and “Three Places in California,” a LUKE HANNINGTON (Music Arrangements) is a choral suite for Nova Scotia’s Kings Chorale. composer, arranger and university lecturer. He is the founder and music director for The Silent Movie Ensemble, a group dedicated to making MATT RICHTER & MARY KEEGAN (Lighting Design) audiences scream and stomp through classic are Los Angeles based designers, thrilled to be movies like “The Lost World,” accompanied by a collaborating on Neil Simon's Fools. Between the live orchestra and sound effects. His original two of them, their work has been seen in Los compositions include the symphony, “Hesby Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Chicago Street,” the P.G. Wodehouse opera, “The and Amsterdam. For more info, please visit Inferiority Complex of Old Sippy,”“Five Alice mattrichter.net or marykeegan,com. Songs,” a song cycle based on the works of Lewis Carroll, and “Robin,” a wind quintet commemorating the life of Robin Williams. With JENNIFER PALUMBO* (Production Stage Manager) Chasen’s Phil Swann, he co-created the secular An LA based Stage Manager, Jennifer worked Christmas cantata “New Life,” (with text derived with Ron West and OFTC on DeLEARious, and is from the Bible and the works of Christopher delighted to be part of the Neil Simon’s Musical Hitchens). He is a music educator, currently Fools experience. OFTC credits include Dancing lecturing at CSULB. His textbook, “The New At Lughnasa, Last Call, All Night Long, Under Milk Musician’s Guide to The Fundamentals of Music,” Wood, The Gary Plays, and Mad Forest. Selected is available on Amazon, while his PhD thesis on credits include The Color Purple with Greenway compositional procedures found in 18th-century Arts Alliance, Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop – LA music will be available in early 2019. debut at Matrix Theatre, and in Memphis, TN for MLK50 with Hattiloo Theatre at the Halloran JAN MUNROE Centre. With Rogue Machine - El Niño, DAYTONA, (Scenic & Miniature Design/Construction/Painting) and Suppliant Women (at Getty Villa), and many is an actor, writer, director and proud pensioner productions at the Odyssey Theatre including from all three acting unions as well as a Social Anna Christie, Awake and Sing!, Broadway Security recipient so he's pleased to announce Bound, Day Drinkers, and A Steady Rain, also at HE WON! Over the last 45 years of theatrical the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Jennifer is activity, he has managed to accrue 13 LA grateful to the theatrical community, her family, Weekly and Drama-Logue Awards, an Ovation her partner James, and her feline muse, Chaz, for award, two NEA Theatre fellowships, a their continued encouragement and support! Rockefeller Playwrights fellowship and a California Arts Council "New Genre" fellowship. For OPEN FIST, he designed and directed John CAROLINE KLIDONAS (Associate Producer) is an O'Keefe's DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME ANYTHING actor, writer, and spoken word artist. She was last BUT MOTHER in 2017 and O'Keefe's ALL NIGHT seen in Open Fist's Dancing at Lughnasa as Chris LONG in 2018. Oh, and he's also been in a bunch and Tammy in the Ovation Recommended All of movies, TV shows and commercials. And he Night Long. Her TV credits include SHOWTIME pilot ain't done yet! Queen Fur and A Lie To Die For. She regularly performs spoken word poetry at The Broadwater MYLETTE NORA (Costume Design)is a recipient of Theatre and has even had a few poems the NAACP Theatre Award for best costumes, published. But perhaps most impressive is the fact listed in the honors edition of The Cambridge that she has a dog from Thailand named Mike. Check out www.carolineklidonas.com if you Registry of Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women, works world wide consists of simply must know more. television, film, and stage, and was seen nightly on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno and now MARTHA DEMSON (Producer & Artistic Director of weekly on "Jay Leno's Garage". The famed artist the Open Fist Theatre) Highlights of Demson's Synthia St. James noted Mylette as being the award-winning career with the Open Fist Theatre include: As a producer: Anna in the Tropics inspiration for her world renowned painting "Ensemble" which graced the cover of the best (Cruz); All Night Long (O’Keefe); Under Milk Wood (Thomas); The Gary Plays (Mednick); The selling novel "Waiting To Exhale" by Terry McMillan. Mylette’s designer doggie wear, Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He www.FromTheHeartDoggieWear.com, as well as Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union (Greig) LA heirloom dolls, "My Mind's Eye.” Weekly Production of the Year; How to Explain the History of Communism to Mental Patients TIM LABOR (Sound Design) is a longtime OFTC (Visniec) also in New York and Edinburgh. As a designer and collaborator. Recent projects director: The Ovation Award-winning PAPA include “Welcome to your Alternative Reality,” (deGroot) also in San Francisco and Istanbul; “Under Milkwood,” “All Night Long,” “What Casanova (Congden), Abingdon Square Matters Now?/!” and ”Anna in the Tropics.” Other (Fornes), Escape from Happiness (Walker), The recent projects include sound and music for Existents (Taylor); Dear John Mayer (Shoshana “Laramie Project” (Mira Costa H.S,), arranging for Bean / Eydie Faye). Education: Yale University the UCR Orchestra (“Princess Ten Ten and the and Sanford Meisner’s 2-year master class.

Board of Directors Martha Demson, Christopher Lore, Malhar Pagay, Charles Otte, Catie Saralegui, David Shofner, James Spencer

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