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

presents

By Marc Camoletti Translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans Directed by Michael Butler

Lighting Designer Scenic Designer Lucas Benjaminh Krech Erik Flatmo Victoria Livingston-Hall Sound Designer Stage Manager Prop Master Ted Crimy Jeff Collister* Christopher Kesel Dialect Coach Wigs Casting Director Lisa Anne Porter Judy Disbrow Jennifer Perry Cast Jessica Lynn Carroll* Jennifer Erdmann* Kelsey Venter* Lynda DiVito Alex Moggridge* Liam Vincent*

Margaret Lesher Theatre January 28 - February 26, 2011 Lesher Center for the Arts

Season Partner Season Media Sponsor Season Sponsor

*Member of ’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States The Scenic Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union Center REP is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre and Theatre Bay Area CAST (in order of appearance) Company, Nunsense Jamboree (Sister Mary credits include productions at The Leo) at the Meadow Brook Theatre, and The Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Rep, The Gloria...... Kelsey Venter* Miracle Worker (Kate Keller) at Sierra Rep. Bay Magic, Marin Theater company, The Encore, SF Bernard...... Liam Vincent* Area credits include performances with San Playhouse, Shakespeare festival, Bertha...... Lynda DiVito Jose Rep (Pride and Prejudice, Major Barbara), Campo Santo, Word for Word, Thick Description, Robert...... Alex Moggridge* TheatreWorks (Vincent in Brixton), Marin The Jewish theater And The Shotgun players. Gabriella...... Jessica Lynn Carroll* Shakespeare Company (A Midsummer Night’s He received a BATCC award for best Gretchen...... Jennifer Erdmann* Dream), American Musical Theatre of San Jose for Dead Mother and is a graduate of Boston (The Sound of Music), Willows Theatre Company University. There will be one 15 minute intermission (Annie, Children of Eden, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), and Woman’s Will (As You Like It). CREATIVE TEAM TIME and PLACE Jennifer also works frequently in independent film, commercials, and industrials. She holds a Marc Camoletti (Playwright) authored more Paris, 1962 BA from Cornell University. than 40 plays and became a Chevalier de la Bernard’s apartment near Orly Airport Légion d’Honneur in France. Boeing-Boeing, A Saturday morning, afternoon and night Alex Moggridge* (Robert) his first major international success, opened is delighted to be returning in Paris in 1960, where it subsequently ran CAST BIOGRAPHIES to Center REP after for 19 years. It went on to run for seven years appearing in Enchanted and 2,000 performances in its debut Jessica Lynn Carroll* April and Witness for the production. It became the Guinness Book (Gabriella) is happy to make Prosecution. Alex has of Records most performed French play her debut on the Center REP appeared in the Bay Area at worldwide. The Paramount film starred Jerry stage! She most recently ACT (Beard of Avon, Christmas Carol, Threepenny Lewis, Tony Curtis and Thelma Ritter. A later play, appeared at Theatreworks ), San Jose Rep (The Weir, By the Bog Don’t Dress for Dinner, also ran for seven years as Amelia Ainsley in of Cats), SF Playhouse (Shining City), Marin in London’s West End. A French citizen, born in Auctioning the Ainsleys. At Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, Aurora Geneva, and an acclaimed artist and associate Theatreworks, she has also participated in New Theatre Company, and Magic Theatre. Regional of the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts, Marc Works Festival productions of The Burnt Part credits include productions at Pittsburgh Irish Camoletti’s theatre career launched with three Boys (Frances), Asphalt Beach (Louann Purdy), and Classical Theatre (The Pillowman), Artists plays running simultaneously in Paris. His work and The Funkentine Rapture (Leslie Nielsen). Repertory Theatre, B Street Theatre, Utah continues to flourish in numerous languages Locally, Miss Carroll has worked with Foothill Shakespearean Festival and MCC Theater in and some 55 countries. He died in 2003. Music Theatre, playing Little Sally in Urinetown New York. Film and TV credits include Trauma, (BATCC award nomination) and Evelyn Nesbit Batman Begins and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Beverley Cross (Translation) achieved instant in Ragtime (Dean Goodman Award). She also Also a writer, Mr. Moggridge’s play, The Squirrel, success in 1959 with One More River starring appeared in the role of Emily Webb in Our Town appeared off-Broadway as part of Summer Play Sir Michael Caine and directed by Laurence with Palo Alto Players, as well as Sally in You’re Festival’s 2006 season. Olivier. His second play, Strip the Willow, made a Good Man, Charlie Brown with Theatre on his future wife Dame a star. San Pedro Square. Miss Carroll earned a BFA Kelsey Venter* (Gloria) Among his other successes were the musical in Acting from Southern Methodist University is thrilled to return to comedy Half a Sixpence (1963) based on HG in Dallas, Texas, and is a member of Actor’s Center REP with Boeing- Wells’ book Kipps and his screenplay of Jason Equity. Boeing! Venter was last and the Argonauts. seen at Center REP playing Lynda DiVito (Bertha) is Amalia in She Loves Me. Bay Francis Evans (Translation) is a translator who thrilled to be part of Boeing- Area credits include The lives in London. Boeing at Center REP. Other Threepenny Opera (Polly Peachum) and Seagull Center REP credits include; in the Hamptons (Nina) with Shotgun Players, Michael Butler (Director/Artistic Director) is All Shook Up (Mayor ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Philotis) and A Christmas in his fifth season as Artistic Director of Center Matilda) and She Loves Carol (Martha Cratchit, Ghost of Christmas REP, where he directed Around the World in 80 Me (ensemble). Bay Area Past) with the American Conservatory Theater. Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage of credits include: The Full Monty at AMTSJ, In this Other regional credits include I Love You Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, Hank Williams: House (Bay Area Critics Circle award Best Actress Because (Marcy) with North Coast Rep, Beehive: Lost Highway, Nixon’s Nixon, A Midsummer 2008) at Playhouse West. NYC & regional credits The 60’s Musical and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, Witness For The include; Cats/Jellylorum,Griddlebone. Sheba/ Now Change with The Theatre in Old Town. Prosecution, and A Number, as well as acted Leah (Off B’way) Oliver at Papermill Playhouse. Venter received her BA in Theatre from San in REP’s productions of The Mousetrap and Fiddler on the Roof at Riverside Theatre. Lynda Diego State University and her MFA in Acting Noises Off. His directing work has also been toured throughout Europe in various different from the American Conservatory Theater. seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, shows and was the lead singer for JamSquare, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, Marin Theatre one of Holland’s premiere dance bands. Liam Vincent* (Bernard) is Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Graduate of SFSU Theatre Arts Department. For thrilled to be back at Center Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The L&H&N....the three loves of my life! REP where he appeared in A Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As Midsummer Night’s Dream. an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and Jennifer Erdmann* (Gretchen) Regional Theater credits off, in regional theatres, film and television. He is delighted to return include productions at The is a published songwriter and the co-writer and to Center REP, having Alliance, The Huntington composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, appeared last season Theater, Portland Center Stage, Arizona Theater which he has directed and performed in NY, as Belinda in Noises Off. company,The Civilians, Pasadena Playhouse LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his Recent credits include and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. In the Bay Area career as a performer he has also danced with the world premiere of Bill he was most recently seen in Auctioning The the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed Cain’s 9 Circles (Multiple Roles) at Marin Theatre Ainsleys at Theaterworks. Other Bay Area the villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played guitar and harmonica in the A Seagull in the Hamptons for Shotgun Theatre Company, CCMT, La Jolla Playhouse, many rock, blues, and country western bands Players, the ReOrient Festival for Golden Thread Arkansas Repertory Theatre, San Francisco at all the notable dives in NYC. Productions, Abe Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party Opera, Portland Opera, Florida Grand Opera, as for SF Playhouse and the NYFringe Festival, well as many others. Erik Flatmo (Scenic Designer) This is Erik among other shows for Crowded Fire Theatre Flatmo’s first production at Center REP. His Co. The Magic Theatre, and Theatre Artaud. Joe Coe (Assistant to the Production regional credits include scenic designs for Manager) This is Joe’s third season with Center American Conservatory Theater, Cal Shakes, Christopher Kesel (Prop Master) is pleased REP and he couldn’t be happier to be a part Berkeley Repertory, South Coast Repertory, to be making his debut at Center REP as of such an amazing team of professionals and San Jose Repertory, Asolo Repertory, Yale Prop Master. He previously designed props friends! Joe has had the pleasure of working Repertory, Marin Theatre Company and The for Center REP’s production of Nixon’s Nixon. with such companies as Berkeley Repertory Magic Theatre. His designs for opera have His Bay Area credits include nine seasons as Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, appeared at San Francisco Opera and Opera props artisan for San Jose Repertory Theater. Summer Repertory Theatre, Suicide Kings San Jose, and his design for La Traviata will Mr. Kesel’s work there has been featured in touring production of In Spite of Everything, debut at Opera Santa Barbara this spring. His numerous productions such as Black Pearl Boston Conservatory, SpeakEasy Stage work in the contemporary dance field has Sings, As You Like It, Kite Runner, A Long Days Company, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. Joe premiered at venues including On the Boards Journey Into Night, The Haunting of Winchester, A would like to thank all of his colleagues here (Seattle), The Kitchen (NYC), Danspace Project Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Mary’s Wedding. at the LCA for a great season and for making it (NYC) and Dance Theatre Workshop (NYC). He He was Scenic Charge for Burn This and Bach at such a joy to work here! is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and Leipzig at Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Recently he teaches set design at Stanford University. worked on the production of Tosca for Opera Scott Denison (Managing Director) has been San Jose. the General Manager for the Lesher Center for Ted Crimy (Sound Designer) designs sound the Arts since it opened 20 years ago and has for live theatre throughout the Bay Area. Jeff Collister* (Stage Manager) is an avid worked for the Arts in this area for 38 years. He He has worked with Cal Shakes, Marin San Francisco Giants fan and is still excited has directed over 150 productions, including Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre, The A.C.T. about their World Series win! He has been The Wizard of Oz, the musical hit Cinderella and Conservatory, Theatreworks, SF Playhouse, and Production Manager for Center REP since Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and for the past 14 St. Mary’s College, among others. Upcoming 1995 and has stage managed more than 45 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol as well projects include Eccentricities at the Aurora and productions since starting with the company as all Fantasy Forum productions since 1972. Litter at the A.C.T. Conservatory. Boeing Boeing in 1989. Favorites include A Number, Almost Scott has also designed lights for over 250 is his first Center REP production. Heaven – John Denver’s America, Becoming productions, including the national touring Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap production of Sylvia. In 1979 he created Lucas Benjaminh Krech (Lighting Designer) Opera, Godspell, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood the Shellie Awards, which annually honors Designer for opera, dance, theater, installation and numerous productions of A Christmas outstanding performing arts achievement in and performance. Bay Area credits include Carol. Jeff directedUrinetown, The Musical, and Contra Costa County. Under Denison’s guidance work at The Magic, Marin Theater Company, Grease for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He the Lesher Center for the Arts presents over Berkeley Opera, The Shotgun Players, Thick worked as Production Stage Manager for Dame 900 public events each year. Scott created the Description, TJT, SF Playhouse, LevyDANCE, Edna – The Royal Tour in San Francisco. Jeff is Chevron Family Theatre Festival which hosted WestWave Dance Festival, and the Crucible. a Shellie Award winning actor and a member over 7,000 guests last year. He is also the Off-Broadway credits include; Perry Street of Actors Equity Association. Spring Training is Managing Director of the Center REPertory Theater, St. Clement’s, The Clurman, Players just around the corner - Go Giants! Company producing professional productions Theatre, and more. Internationally Lucas has each season; and is the director and co- designed in Rumania, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Lisa Anne Porter (Dialect Coach) is a founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an Dance Collaborations include Nicolo Fonte, professional actress, vocal coach and director. adult family performing arts company which Matthew Neenan, Sean Curran, Johannes She has coached over fifty professionals presents programs for the young and young at Weiland, Gemze De Lappe, Sallie Wilson, Viktor productions at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, heart. Scott will also be directing The Lady with Kabaniaev, Trebien Pollard, Anandha Ray, David San Jose Repertory Theatre, Theatreworks, All the Answers for REP and CCMT’s Hairspray in Brick, and Ben Levy. MFA, New York University. Arizona Theatre Company, Center Repertory the Spring. Portfolio: www.lucaskrech.com Theatre, SF Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Boston Theatreworks and various universities and Victoria Livingston-Hall (Costume Designer) is training programs. She has served on the excited and “up in the air!” designing costumes faculties of UC Davis, Syracuse University, ACT, for Boeing-Boeing! Other work at Center REP Academy of Art University, Naropa University includes, She Loves Me, Dracula, Noises Off, and Shakespeare and Company. She has Witness for the Prosecution, and Cabaret (Shellie performed regionally with ACT, Syracuse Stage, Award). Victoria has a diverse background in California Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare/ design including industrial design, interior Santa Cruz, Marin Theatre Company, SF design, scenic and . Costuming Shakespeare, Shakespeare /LA, Shakespeare has been her focus for the last six years here and Company, GeVa Theatre Center, Aurora and abroad. Her work in London includes, Theatre, Magic Theatre and the Los Angeles The Long Hard Goodbye- film, Olympia at the Women’s Shakespeare Company. She has a BA Baron’s Court Theatre, S.N.U.B.- feature film- from Wesleyan University, an MFA from ACT Angry Badger Pictures, Striklem, The National and is a designated Linklater voice instructor. Join Center REP for Film and Television School, British Society of Springtime in New York! Cinemotographers BSC Test Shoot, Viv Skillset Judy Disbrow (Wig Designer) and her Screen Academy, Midsummer Murders for company Theatrical Hairgoods have provided More Info: Virgin Media and she assisted at the Holland wigs for theatrical productions for over Park Opera productions of Lakme and La 30 years. She has worked with companies (925) 295-1498 x1392 Traviata. Recent work in the bay area includes throughout the United States including Diablo OUR SPONSORS ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY Next Up from Center REP: Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the Center REP is the resident, professional leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and theatre company of the Lesher Center for the the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eight Arts. Our season consists of eight productions years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the a year – a variety of musicals, dramas and LCA since the beginning, providing funding for comedies, both classic and contemporary, that capital improvements, event sponsorships continually strive to reach new levels of artistic and more. Chevron generously supports every excellence and professional standards. Center REP show throughout the season, and To Kill a Mockingbird is the primary sponsor for events including Our mission is to celebrate the power of the the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. human imagination by producing emotionally April 1 - 30 Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous engaging, intellectually involving, and visually supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts. astonishing live theatre, and through Outreach and Education programs, to enrich and and from our Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) advance the cultural life of the communities Off Center Season: (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising we serve. organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed What does it mean to be a producing curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. theatre? We hire the finest professional DRAA’s role in the community is all about directors, actors and designers to create our The Lady building partnerships with the focused goal productions at Center REP. These are not of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and touring productions – they’re conceived and with all providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy developed here, the sets and costumes are the Answers the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA built in our shops, and the actors rehearse in and its producers, individual donors, corporate our rehearsal hall. Whether the production and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut is a Bay Area premiere or a Shakespearean April 28 - May 15 Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the classic, each is devised to be a one of a kind, arts for the betterment of the community. artistic creation that will be a unique theatre Please visit us online at www.draa.org. experience for our audience. Center REPertory Company Managing Director - Scott Denison Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) What does it mean to be a professional Artistic Director - Michael Butler In the , the largest newspaper of the theatre? It means that all our artists and Bay Area News Group is the Contra Costa Times artisans are career theatre-practitioners. Audience Servuces Education and its sister editions, the West County Times, Many of the actors in this production are Audience Services Education Directors Valley Times, San Ramon Valley Times and members of Actors’ Equity Association; many Coordinator Jeff Draper East County Times. The Times, was judged the of our directors and designers are members of Courtney Egg Kerri Shawn best newspaper in its circulation category in professional unions. All do theatre because it Ticket Office Staff Marketing Caitlin Downing Marketing Director the state five times in a six-year period by the is their profession and their passion. Elizabeth Fazzio Gabe Marin California Newspaper Publishers Association. In Kiersten Jones Marketing Assistant 2005, it won the prestigious national Freedom We are very proud to have the opportunity Karla Kopfhammer Casi Maggio of Information Award from Associated Press to produce professional theatre for our Britt Lauer Production Managing Editors. And, in 2007, it was honored community in the beautiful theatres here at Sarah Leahy Production Manager by the California Newspaper Publishers the Lesher Center for the Arts. Thank you for Hillary Pearsall Jeff Collister Association for its leadership on public records. your support! Benjamin Potter Technical Jeremiah Vierling Technical Director ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Usher Coordinator Joshua Lipps Carolyn Orlik Master Electricians CITY COUNCIL Production Services Tirzah Tyler Cindy Silva, Mayor Massimo’s Ristorante Walnut Creek Baking Company Production Services Ray Oppenheimer Kristine Lawson Coordinator Carpenters Kish Rajan Waters Moving and Storage Associated Services-Alta Water Toni Kilcoyne Daniel Casini Robert Simmons Technical Staff Jordan Scott Gary Skrel Shannon and Mike Demers Kim Lopez Doug Alvey Cameron Swartzell CITY MANAGER John Earls Chris Swartzell Hyatt Summerfield Suites Ken Nordhoff Nicole Iannaccone Scenic Artist DIRECTOR Iain McKay Kourtney McCrary THANK YOU TO OUR Arts, Recreation and Steve Pino Asst. to the OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: Community Services Garrick Schuster Production Manager Barry Gordon Josh Stouffer Joe Coe Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Costumes Alex Logemann Oi-C Bowl Costume Manager Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant Michael A. Berg Kourtney Mc Crary ARTS COMMISSION Assistant Costumers Administration Suzanne Masella, Chair Jenine Hillaire Asst. to the Managing Reginald Marshall, Vice Chair Amy Nielson Director Fritz Brunner Gail Pfeifer Carol Fowler Program Jacquelyn Smith Linda Nomura