presents

by Philip Dawkins CHARMwith (in alphabetical order) Chris Aguila, Esteban Andres Cruz*, Armand Fields, Tre Hall, Alexander Hogy, Lana Houston, Ashley Romans, Shoniqua Shandai, Rebekah Walendzak Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costume Designer Archer Altstaetter Matthew Brian Denman Allison Dillard Sound Designer Properties Designer Cricket S. Myers*** Michael O’Hara Marketing/PR Graphic Designer David Elzer/DEMAND PR Lizzy Ross/Lizzy Ross Graphic Design

Assistant Director Production Stage Manager Casting Christopher Maikish Estey DeMerchant Jami Rudofsky Associate Producer Associate Producer Erinn Anova Chrisanne Eastwood Associate Producer Associate Producer Mark Giberson Tommy Vergason Produced by Rebecca Eisenberg

Directed by Michael Matthews** *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. **The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

***Member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.

Charm was originally produced by Northlight Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. Charm was developed at the Orchard Project in Saratoga Springs, NY Ari Edelson, Artistic Director; Dean Strober, Executive Director A MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHAEL KRICFALUSI

Thank you all for com- us. The largest responsibility I have ing to see this perfor- though has to be fiscal. Monies for the mance of Charm. We arts is at an incredible low right now are so excited to have and California falls at the bottom of all this West Coast pre- states in what it gives to the arts. The miere open our 34th bulk of what does get given out goes season. Charm is based to the larger theatres, museums and on a true story that other cultural organizations, so that happened in Chicago. A story that there’s not much left of what wasn’t helps illuminate another part of our much to begin with for theatres of community and, given the tone of this Celebration’s size. This is why I reach election season, is right on time for out to all of you to encourage you our patrons. This show aside, we hope to donate what you can if you enjoy you come to see all our productions, what we do. Ticket sales are never readings and other events we put enough to cover all our costs. on. These are as much labors of love on our part as they are entertaining, Some of you may like to help “pro- informative or even educating to you duce” a show we do and see your our audience. name on our marketing materials, press releases, etc. for an individual My major responsibilities here at Cel- production. Some of you may only ebration Theatre besides overseeing be able to support us by purchasing our incredible creative/management that ticket. Whatever it is you can do, team of Michael Matthews, Michael please know that all of us at Celebra- A. Shepperd, Michael O’Hara, Nathan tion applaud you and thank you for Frizzell and Rebecca Eisenberg, is to being part of our family. be a representative for Celebration Theatre in our theatrical community, If this is your first or fiftieth time here, our audience community and our cor- welcome and we hope you enjoy the porate/public grantors/supporters. show. If you have any questions or want to know how you can support As well as all that, there’s the plan- us further, my email address is kric@ ning ahead for what we want to do as celebrationtheatre.com and I look a theatre company and how outside forward to hearing from you. organizations or people can impact

SPECIAL THANKS Celebration Theatre would like to thank the following for their contributions to the production: Our Subscribers, Membership Holders and patrons; Our Company Members; Jon Imparato, Patricia, Cody and Mike and the LGBT Center; Jason Weiss; Theatre of Arts; Jay Donohue and Joy Rinaldi; Aaron Lyons; Nick Adams; Kerith Parashak

2 CAST (Alphabetical) CHRIS AGUILA Lady ESTEBAN ANDRES CRUZ* Ariela ARMAND FIELDS Jonelle TRE HALL Donnie ALEXANDER HOGY Logan LANA HOUSTON Mama Darleena Andrews ASHLEY ROMANS Beta SHONIQUA SHANDAI Victoria REBEKAH WALENDZAK D UNDERSTUDIES ISABELLA BOOSE Understudy for Victoria BETH FRASER Understudy for D TIMOTHY MICHAEL Understudy for Jonelle SANDY OLSEN Understudy for Lady ANNY ROSARIO Understudy for Ariela MICHAEL A. SHEPPERD* Understudy for Mama Darleena Andrews *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

PRODUCTION TEAM PHILIP DAWKINS Writer MICHAEL MATTHEWS Director CHRISTOPHER MAIKISH Assistant Director ESTEY DeMERCHANT Production Stage Manager ARCHER ALTSTAETTER Scenic Designer MATTHEW BRIAN DENMAN Lighting Designer ALLISON DILLARD Costume Designer CRICKET S. MYERS Sound Designer MICHAEL O’HARA Properties Designer JESSE MANDAPAT Assistant Sound Designer MICHAEL C. KRICFALUSI Executive Director/Executive Producer MICHAEL MATTHEWS Co-Artistic Director/Executive Producer MICHAEL A. SHEPPERD Co-Artistic Director/Executive Producer MICHAEL O’HARA Managing Director/Executive Producer REBECCA EISENBERG Producing Director/Executive Producer NATHAN FRIZZELL Literary Director/Executive Producer REBECCA EISENBERG Producer ERINN ANOVA Associate Producer CHRISANNE EASTWOOD Associate Producer MARK GIBERSON Associate Producer TOMMY VERGASON Associate Producer JAMI RUDOFSKY Casting Director DAVID ELZER/DEMAND PR Marketing/PR/Publicist LIZZY ROSS/LIZZY ROSS GRAPHIC DESIGN Graphic Designer SHOW INFORMATION The perfromance runs approximate 2 hours with one 10 minute intermission.

The show is set in and around a center for LGBT youth in Chicago, Illinois.

3 CAST

Chris Esteban Andres Armand Aguila Cruz* Fields

Tre Alexander Lana Hall Hogy Houston

Ashley Shoniqua Rebekah Romans Shandai Walendzak

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

4 CAST

Isabella Beth Timothy Boose Fraser Michael

Sandy Anny Michael A. Olsen Rosario Shepperd*

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

5 CAST BIOS (Alphabetical Order) CHRIS AGUILA (Lady) Chris is thrilled to make his Celebration Theatre debut as Lady in Charm. Some of his past theatre credits include: Hamlet, Balm in Gilead, The Taming of the Shrew, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He’s a graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts, studied improv and sketch with the UCB and trained under Suzanne Esper at the William Esper Studio in New York. Thank you to the cast, crew, and all of you for reading this!

ESTEBAN ANDRES CRUZ (Ariela) Esteban was born in Berwyn and grew up in Ci- cero, IL. Esteban recently debuted at Steppenwolf, in Bruce Norris’s Domesticated. Other theater credits include Angel in RENT at A.T.C., Puck in Benjamin Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Jesus Hopped the A Train at Raven Theatre (Joseph Jefferson Award: Best Actor ‘09) and David Cromer’s Streetcar Named Desire. Corps de ballet: Cincinnati Ballet, Company Member: RTG Dance, Hedwig Dances and Thread Meddle Outfit. Film: Spa Night, Valley of Bones, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. TV: You’re the Worst, Awkward, Chicago Fire, Idiot Sitter, The Bridge, Carbone. Thank you to all the women in my life who have taught me that strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive. For all my mommas.

ARMAND FIELDS (Jonelle) Armand is extremely grateful to be in his first LA pro- duction with Celebration Theatre! A recent transplant from Chicago where he was in the World Premiere of Charm. A graduate of Second City’s Conservatory and The School at Steppenwolf. He’s represented by AKA Talent (Commercially) and would like to thank God, PG, Jami, All the Michaels, Phillip, Mama Gloria, The Youth and the rest of this AMAZING cast and crew for this incredible opportunity to tell this story for the second time!

TRE HALL (Donnie) Tre Hall, born and raised in Texas, recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA degree in Acting. While in school, he has still been featured in professional work: plays, music videos, web series, and film. Some of his latest credits include Much Ado About Nothing with the Downtown Rep., and the interactive web series Virtual Morality. Tre also intends to pursue careers in both stunt choreography and music.

ALEXANDER HOGY (Logan) Alexander is a stage and voice over actor, and recently moved to Los Angeles from Sacramento with his wife. He has received training from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, as well as from Gregory Berger-Sobeck here in Los Angeles. Regional credits include: Septimus in Arcadia, Billy in The Goat, Lee in Jerusalem, and Andrew in When the Rain Stops Falling. He is honored to be a part of this important production.

6 CAST BIOS (cont’d) LANA HOUSTON (Mama Darleena Andrews) In the 90’s Lana, formerly Rudy, was regarded as a quadruple threat: actor, dancer, model, and singer. You may remem- ber Rudy as Janet Jackson’s love interest in the music video “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” and as Pebbles’ male lead in the “Mercedes Boy” music video. Other notable credits include original NY Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Lethal Weapon 2 (film), Fame (TV series), and as a “Playgirl” centerfold (print). At one point Rudy had to choose between continuing on as Rudy and signing a major recording deal with Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records or leave the entertainment industry to begin her male to female transition. She chose the transition. Lana is working on her autobiographical one-woman show.

ASHLEY ROMANS (Beta) Ashley received her Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Pace University School of Performing Arts. In a play about family, friend- ship, and community she will like to thank her mother, sister, three lovely roomies, Kahnstitute and Church community as well as her crazy/ beautiful cast.

SHONIQUA SHANDAI (Victoria) Shoniqua hit the stage at the early age of three, performing her own rendition of the classic “Proud Mary”. Since that first encoun- ter with the arts Shandai has wholeheartedly focused on developing her crafts. The union actress has starred in several Hollywood plays and made appearances on both the big and small screen in productions such as: Zola Jumped In, Sing it!, I’ll See You in My Dreams, and Criminal Minds. A huge believer in taking her career into her own hands, Shoniqua is currently in post-production for a short film that she wrote, produced, and starred in titled Running. More information can be found on Shoniqua and her upcoming endeavors on all social media sites: @Shoni- quaShandai

REBEKAH WALENDZAK (D) Rebekah is thrilled to make her Celebration The- atre debut in Charm. An actor and writer, she has performed with such reputable companies as San Francisco Shakes, Sedona Shakespeare Festival and Bailiwick Rep. For three seasons, Rebekah was Co-Artistic Director of Bare Boned Theatre and served as Executive Producer and Show Runner for The Ville, Chicago’s only live LGBT soap opera. Since 2008, Rebekah has taught sketch comedy writing and improvisation for The Second City in Chicago, Hollywood and online. Keep an eye out for Protein & Fats, a socio-politically nutritious web series written by and starring Rebekah (currently in pre-production). To learn more, please visit www. rebekahwalendzak.com. Rebekah would like to thank her amazingly talented CHARM cast, her dreamy husband, Joe and would like to dedicate this perfor- mance to the memory of her beloved and beyond charming mother, Barbara Lee- Whitlock. UNDERSTUDY BIOS ISABELLA BOOSE (Understudy for Victoria) Isabella graduated from Baltimore School for the Arts and is currently a BFA IV student at California Institute of the Arts. Some of her previous works include In the Red and Brown Water (Aunt Ele- gua) and The Government Inspector (Warden). UNDERSTUDY BIOS (cont’d) BETH FRASER (Understudy for D) Beth makes her Los Angeles theater debut as the understudy for D in CHARM. She is known from her diverse roles on TV (Masters of Sex, Scandal, Baby Daddy) and is also the current spokesperson for Nasacort Allergy. Beth is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this extraordi- nary piece of art and wishes to thank the cast and crew for welcoming her into the theater family!

TIMOTHY MICHAEL (Understudy for Jonelle) Timothy is a born and raised New Yorker. An actor and host, Timothy has been in several Award Winning Films (The Dreamer, The RoomMate, New York Anecdote) and Theatre productions (Rent, Love! Valor! Compassion!, Wonder Woman). Timothy is beyond excited to be a part of this powerful show and hopes it will create much needed change in the world today. Timothy thanks his loving friends, family and Fiancé, for their contin- ued support. #LoveAlwaysWins

SANDY OLSEN (Understudy for Lady) Sandy Olson is elated to be understudy- ing the role of LADY and making her debut at Celebration Theatre! Conservatory credits include Savage in Limbo, Oleanna, Homefront, and The Children’s Hour. She recently wrapped filming an AFI thesis film, and has just received the lead role in a Cal Arts MFA thesis entitled The Unimaginable. Sandy completed a two-year intensive at The William Esper Studio in NYC and is currently studying at Play- house West. She would like to thank her family, friends, teachers, and Celebration Theatre!

ANNY ROSARIO (Understudy for Ariela) Anny’s from the beautiful coastal city of Salem, MA - but LA’s sweet breeze and palm trees are perfection and she’s not mad about it. Her credits include The Last Ship, NCIS: LA, and Criminal Minds, to name a few. “I feel privileged to contribute to the ongoing conversation about equality. My hope is that we leave the theatre with more empathy and compassion for our brothers and sisters. Despite our seeming differences, we are One”.

MICHAEL A. SHEPPERD (Understudy for Mama Darleena Andrews) Michael is currently the Co-Artistic Director of Los Angeles’ multiple award-winning Celebra- tion Theatre (CT). CT producing credits include: The Boy From Oz, The Color Purple, Four, The Women of Brewster Place, Take Me Out, The Next Fairy Tale, Coffee Will Make You Black, [title of show] and numerous others in his 11 year career at the Celebration. Directing credits include: The Boy From Oz, The Next Fairy Tale, [title of show], Missionary Position. As an actor in LA, featured roles in- clude Fences (Troy; Ovation, LADCC Nominations, Lead Actor), Bootycandy (Man 3; LADCC, Stage Raw Nominations, Supporting Actor), The Color Purple (Mister; Ovation Nom, Lead Actor), Steel (John Henry, Ovation Award, Lead Actor), Master Harold and the Boys (Sam, NAACP nom, Lead Actor), Intimate Apparel (George, NAACP Theatre Award, Supporting Actor), Choir Boy (Headmaster, NAACP Theatre nom, Supporting Actor). Broadway/Off-Broadway/Regional credits include: Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan (Starkey), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey Two), Caroline, or Change (Bus/Dryer), 5 Guys Named Moe (Big Moe), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Fred) and The Whipping Man (Simon) TV credits include Soul Man, Hot In Cleveland, Adopt- able, Wizards of Waverly Place, Monk, Criminal Minds, NCIS.

8 PRODUCTION BIOS PHILIP DAWKINS (Writer) Philip Dawkins’s plays include Le Switch (About Face Theatre, The Jungle), Charm (Northlight Theatre), Miss Marx: Or The Involuntary Side Effect of Living (Strawdog Theatre; Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work), The Homosexuals (About Face Theater), and Failure: A Love Story (Victory Gardens Theater). This fall he will perform in the premier of his one man show, The Hap- piest Place on Earth at the Greenhouse Theater Center with Side Show Theater Company in Chicago. He teaches playwriting at Northwest University, Loyola University Chicago, and through the Victory Gardens ACCESS Program.

MICHAEL MATTHEWS (Director) Los Angeles: Dream Boy (LA Premiere), Booty- candy (LA Premiere, LADCC Nomination, Production), Failure; a Love Story (Ova- tion Award Best Director) (LA Premiere), Sons of the Prophet (LA Premiere), Psyche; a Modern Rock Opera (World Premiere), Rabbit Hole (La Mirada), Funny Girl (3D Theatricals, Ovation Nomination Best Director), Peter Pan; The Boy Who Hated Mothers (LA Weekly Nominations Best Director and Best Production, Play; LA Premiere), Very Still and Hard To See (LA Weekly Nominations Best Director and Best Production, Play; World Premiere), The Color Purple, The Musical (Ovation and LA Weekly Awards Best Director and Best Production, Musical), What’s Wrong With Angry? (Ovation Nominations Best Director and Best Production, Play), Take Me Out! (Ovation Nomination Best Director, NAACP Award Best Director), The Women of Brewster Place, the Musical (Ovation Nomination Best Director, NAACP Award Best Director, Ovation Award Best Production, Musical; West Coast Premiere), Stupid Kids (LA Premiere), Beautiful Thing (Ovation Nominations, Best Director and Best Production, Play), The Bacchae (Ovation Nominations, Best Di- rector and Best Production, Play), Broadway: Butley (Assistant Director). Chicago: What’s Wrong With Angry? (Jeff Nominations, Best Director and Best Production), In The Blood (Jeff Nominations, Best Director and Best Production), Porcelain (Jeff Nomination, Best Director), The Judas Kiss (Chicago Premiere), Being 11 (World Premiere), and...for colored girls who have considered suicide.... International: The Bacchae (Edinburgh Theatre Festival, 2010). Michael is the recipient of the 2015 LADCC Award for Career Achievement in Direction.

CHRISTOPHER MAIKISH (Assistant Director) Christopher Maikish is an award- winning actor, director, and producer, known to Celebration Theatre audiences most recently as the “Narrator” from last season’s Dream Boy, as well as for origi- nating the role of the hero prince in the Ovation-nominated world premiere musi- cal, The Next Fairy Tale by Brian Pugach. He has directed readings for this theatre’s “Celebrating New Works” series, and was AD for playwright Dawkins’ other play at Celebration, The Homosexuals. His directorial debut for the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival production of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World was hailed as “inventive” (Stage and Cinema), “subtle yet powerful” (Rob Stevens), and “with consummate imagination” (StageSceneLA). As a producer, Chris also co-founded popular new musicals concert series, ALittleNewMusic.org, now in its third year. AEA, SDC, SAG-AFTRA, Pro99.

9 PRODUCTION BIOS (cont’d) ESTEY DeMERCHANT (Production Stage Manager) Estey is a third year MFA student at the California Institute of the Arts in Theatre Management. This is her first production with Celebration Theatre. Prior Credits include: 2016 and 2015 Young Playwrights Festival (The Blank Theater, PSM), Shelter (2016 CalArts Center for New Performance, PSM), 2014 Ovation Awards (LA Stage Alliance, PSM), Simply Shakespeare (Shakespeare Center LA, 2014 and 2015, ASM), 2016 CalArts Gradua- tion (California Institute of the Arts, Production Manager).

ARCHER ALSTAETTER (Scenic Designer) Archer has been designing and building stages, sets and interiors since high school. Installations have run the gamut from community theaters to mega nightclubs to jungle eco-resorts to his own dance studios with a design and production facility. An adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit keeps Archer engaged in new and ever-evolving projects. He worked on The Boy From Oz at Celebration Theatre. This is his second production with Celebra- tion Theatre.

MATTHEW BRIAN DENMAN (Lighting Designer) Matthew Brian Denman has designed lighting for productions across the country, most recently Bootycandy at Celebration Theatre and Niagara Falls at Theatre of Note, for which he was nomi- nated for a Stage Raw Award. Other productions include Corpus Christi, revolver, What’s Wrong With Angry?, The Next Fairy Tale, [title of show], Women Behind Bars, Children of Eden, Reckless, Much Ado About Nothing, Simpatico, and Songs for a New World. www.MatthewBrianDenman.com

ALLISON DILLARD (Costume Designer) Allison Dillard has an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and works as a freelance designer and technician in and around Los Angeles. Recent local design work includes: Shine Darkly, Illyria (Fugitive Kind), Spies Are Forever (Tin Can Bros.), Dream Boy, Bootycandy (Celebration Theatre), A Singular They (The Blank Theatre), Failure: A Love Story (Coeurage Theatre), Urinetown, The Lion King Jr. (Milken Community Schools), The Discord Altar (OperaWorks), Sons of the Prophet (Blank Theatre), James and the Giant Peach (Mirman School), The Arsonists (West- ern Stage). Her work can be seen at http://www.allisondillard.com.

CRICKET S. MYERS (Sound Designer) On Broadway, Cricket earned a Tony Nomi- nation and a Drama Desk Award for her design of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Off Broadway designs include The Marvelous Wonderettes. She has also de- signed regionally at The Geffen Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, The Ahmanson, The Mark Taper Forum, Berkley Rep, Arena Stage, South Coast Rep, The Kirk Douglas Theater, and the Pasadena Playhouse. Other selected L.A. Theaters include NoHo Arts Center, Ghost Road Theater Company, The Celebration Theatre, Anteaus The- ater Company and Circle X. She has earned 18 Ovation Nominations, as well as winning The Kinetic Award for Outstanding Achievements in Theatrical Design, an LADCC and a Garland Award. www.cricketsmyers.com

10 CREW BIOS (cont’d) MICHAEL O’HARA (Properties Designer) Michael saw his first show at Celebration Theatre in 2001 and never left. He has been Resident Properties Designer since 2005. He has been Managing Director since January 2013. Recent design credits include: The Boy From Oz (Celebration Theatre), A Singular They (Blank Theatre), Dream Boy (Celebration Theatre), Rio Hondo (Theatre of NOTE), Bootycandy (Celebration Theatre). Michael has also worked as a Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Sound Mixer, and Actor around Los Angeles. Many thanks to the cast, crew, and Celebration family. Thank you for supporting Celebration Theatre.

JESSE MANDAPAT (Assistant Sound Designer) Jesse is a sound designer and composer in Los Angeles and New York, with an MFA in Design & Production from CalArts and BA in Music from UC San Diego. Recent music and sound designs include: In The Ravine, a CalArts immersive performance adapted from the short story by Anton Chekov; Francesca Francesca, an original work mounted at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival; Locusts Have No King, at INTAR in New York City, one of the United States’ longest running Latino theaters producing in English. He currently designs for Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, educating Southern California high school students with STD awareness & prevention, and serves as a music research consultant for Walt Disney Imagineering.

MICHAEL C. KRICFALUSI (Executive Director/Executive Producer) Michael has been with Celebration for over 8 years now, 4 as Managing Director and the last 4 years as Executive Director. In addition to being the Executive Director, he is also current Board President of the Theatrical Producers League-Los Angeles: Intimate Theatre. He has acted in, directed, produced or distributed numerous projects for the stage as well as film and television. Memorable productions include the multi- Ovation award winning production of The Color Purple - The Musical, Take Me Out, The Daddy Machine and WEHO at Celebration. He has appeared onstage in The Mikvah Monologues at the Wadsworth Theatre, L.A. as well as Twelve Angry Men, Three Sisters and Blood Wedding in L.A. and The Trial Off-Broadway. His favorite TV moment was having his own stunt double on The Young and The Rest- less (to make sure he didn’t drop Jeanne Cooper while carrying her down a pile rocks) though he is most remembered from television for having sat behind Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli in the pilot for Hot In Cleveland. Special thanks to everyone who has helped keep Celebration Theatre alive including Todd Milliner, Michael Matthews, Michael A. Shepperd, Michael O’Hara, Nathan Friz- zell and Rebecca Eisenberg. Love to his children Michael and Alexandra.

MICHAEL MATTHEWS (Co-Artistic Director/Executive Producer) See bio on Page 9.

MICHAEL A. SHEPPERD (Co-Artistic Director/Executive Producer) See bio on Page 8.

MICHAEL O’HARA (Managing Director/Executive Producer) See bio above.

11 CREW BIOS (cont’d) REBECCA EISENBERG (Producing Director/Executive Producer) Rebecca Eisen- berg is a Los Angeles based producer and stage manager. With a passion for developing new works, she has been a part of many award winning world pre- miere, west coast premiere, and Los Angeles premiere productions. Some of her recent credits include: Bootycandy (Ovation Recommended), Failure: A Love Story (Ovation Award, Best Direction of a Play, Ovation nominated for Acting Ensemble and Best Production), Psyche: A Modern Rock Opera, Justin Love (LADCC Award, Best Production), The Real Housekeepers of Studio City (Best of Hollywood Fringe), Bronies: The Musical (Best Musical and the Golden Elephant Producer/Director Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival), Fireman (5 LADCC Awards including Best Production, Ovation Award, Featured Actress in a Play), and Backyard (Ovation Award, Featured Actor in a Play, Fight Choreography). Rebecca also specializes in special events and benefits. Her most recent events include the 14th and 15th Annual Les Girls concert to benefit the National Breast Cancer Coalition, The 24th Annual Ovation Awards, and If All The Sky Were Paper, an event to benefit US Veterans at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. www.rebeccaeisenberg.com.

NATHAN FRIZZELL (Literary Director/Executive Producer) As an actor, Nathan’s theatre credits include: Celebration: Four (LA Premiere, LA Weekly nomination, Best Ensemble), Beautiful Thing (Ticketholder, Garland nominations Best Actor; Ovation nomination, Best Play), Stupid Kids (LA Weekly Award, Best Ensemble), plus numerous sketch comedy shows directed by Todd Milliner; Los Angeles: He Asked For It (ElevenEleven Productions/Macha Theatre), West Side Story (MTLA; The Hudson Theatre); Eisegesis, SpiderMan: Turn On The Lights, The Exceptional Childhood Center (The Blank Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival); Regional: Shakespeare In Briefs! (Colorado Shakespeare Festival); Two Gentlemen of Verona (Swine Palace Theatre); International: The Bacchae (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). As Executive Producer: Dream Boy (Celebration Theatre); Bootycandy (Celebra- tion Theatre). Nathan currently serves as Celebration’s Literary Director where he produces its new play reading series “Celebrating New Works” and will be re- introducing the workshop series “CT Tuesdays” in 2016.

TODD MILLINER (Executive Producer) Todd hails from Chicago where he worked and taught at The Second City. Todd formed Hazy Mills Productions with Sean Hayes in 2003. Currently Todd is the executive producer of GRIMM (NBC) and the recently wrapped (after six seasons: Hot In Cleveland (TVLAND) which debuted to the largest basic cable comedy audience in history. Also Todd produces the NBC game show hosted by Jane Lynch Hollywood Game Night, and the Cedric the Entertainer comedy, The Soul Man. Todd also produced the Ovation-nominated production of Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out in 2011 for Celebration Theatre.

REBECCA EISENBERG (Producer) See bio above.

12 CREW BIOS (cont’d) ERINN ANOVA (Associate Producer) A company member since 2014, Erinn is pleased to a part of another fabulous production at Celebration Theatre. A northern California native, she has appeared on Los Angeles stages at the Fountain Theatre, Stages Theatre Center, ArtShare, and the The Blank Theatre; and worked as Manag- ing Director at The Matrix Theatre, A graduate of Howard University (theatre) and Loyola Marymount (education) she can currently be seen in the web series The Fifties (www.thefiftiestv.com). Thank you to all the Michaels and Rebecca.

CHRISANNE EASTWOOD (Associate Producer) Chrisanne is a writer, performer, broadcaster, comic, and all-around good egg. This is her first Celebration AP turn, and she’s stoked to be working on Charm. Big ups to Michael Matthews, Rebecca Eisenberg, and the CT crew for making magic happen. To find Chrisanne outside the CT walls, check Twitter (@bigbroadsports), watch a new episode of CBS’s Criminal Minds, tune into KPFK 90.7FM, or troll her at an open mic near you. #TransPride

MARK GIBERSON (Associate Producer) Mark Giberson is an award-winning journalist and public relations executive, now retired. He serves on the board of directors of The Barn Studio of Art, is past president of the Flying Samaritans and is the founder of No Boundaries Art Workshops®. He also is an active supporter of the Bald Head Island Conservancy, the Bayshore Discovery Project, and others. A recovering parent of two former teenagers, he is married and lives in Pasadena.

TOMMY VERGASON (Associate Producer) Tommy is thrilled to be celebrating one year as a Celebration company member, and he is truly honored to be a part of this beautiful and important production of Charm. Huge thanks to the company, cast and crew for having faith in me and for letting me share in this wonderful experi- ence!

JAMI RUDOFSKY (Casting Director) Jami Rudofsky is a proud member and Resident Casting Director of Celebration Theatre. Casting for 99-Seat Theatre is challenging in a town focused on Television and Film but it is also the most gratify- ing and nourishing work Jami does. She is honored to help create beautiful work to be shared with our community. Thank you to Phillip for such an excellent, timely, important piece. Thank you to every single actor in this town who auditions for 99-Seat theatre. Thank you to my Celebration Family for continuing to give me the honor of casting great shows. Jami’s Casting Credits can be found by googling her on the world wide web. #ilove99

DAVID ELZER/DEMAND PR (Marketing/Publicity) David Elzer/DEMAND PR represents Actors Co-op, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Celebration Theatre, Circle X The- atre Company, Colony Theatre Company, Independent Shakespeare Co., Laguna Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, NoHo Arts Center Ensemble, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Open Fist Theatre Company, Road Theatre Company, Rubicon Theatre Company, Theatre of NOTE, Theatre Tribe and VS. Theatre Com- pany. He loves working with the very talented Celebration team and is thrilled they have a new home - thank you for supporting Celebration and L.A. theater!

13 PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Alumni from the longest running acting school in Los Angeles have earned.

66 26 78 29 OSCAR STARS ON THE GOLDEN GLOBE EMMY NOMINATIONS WALK OF FAME NOMINATIONS NOMINATIONS

Audition Now For Merit Scholarships Our Two-Year Conservatory Program Financial Aid Available Emphasizes on Film, TV and New Media VA-Approved Institute techniques designed for today’s actor.

Contact Theatre of Arts today for more information. 1-855-556-6565 www.toa.edu [email protected]

Theatre of Arts proudly support LA Theatre, and especially the Celebration Theatre Company.

“An actor has to burn inside with outer ease.” Michael Chekhov TOA president 1943-1955

14 PRODUCTION SPONSORS

15 PRODUCTION SPONSORS Interested in having an ad in our program? Our rates are reasonable and your ad runs for the entire length of a production or season, depending on what you wish.

Program Ad Rates (Per Production Rates) FOR PROFIT NOT FOR PROFIT Full Page (8” T x 5” W) - $250 Full Page (8” T x 5” W) - $125 ½ Page Horizontal (4” T x 5” W) - $130 ½ Page Horizontal (4” T x 5” W) - $65 ½ Page Vertical (8” T x 2.5” W) - $130 ½ Page Vertical (8” T x 2.5” W) - $65 ¼ Page Vertical (4” T x 2.5” W) - $70 ¼ Page Vertical (4” T x 2.5” W) - $35 Fine print: Ad must be camera-ready. Ad will print in B & W. All ads must be received by deadline specified by Celebration Theatre. Any late advertising received may result in ad not appearing in the printed program. Advertiser bears all responsibility for any problems caused by ads received beyond the specified deadline. Contact us for our season rates. For more info contact [email protected]

A FLEX PASS MEMBERSHIP IS THE WAY TO GO Don’t miss our Check our website Celebrating New Works (www.celebrationtheatre.com) reading series, for details) Tuesdays throught the year at West Hollywood City Council Chambers.

16 CELEBRATION THEATRE MISSION Celebration Theatre is a community of artists dedicated to presenting innovative, provocative and relevant work that examines the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer experi- ence. We endeavor to challenge society’s perception of the community and give a vibrant voice to its evolving identity. CELEBRATION THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cameron Faber (President) Michael C. Kricfalusi Todd Milliner (Vice-President) Jeremy Mann Nicholas Caprio Michael A. Shepperd Larry Dean Harris Scott Monson (Honorary) Samantha Kern CELEBRATION ADVISORY BOARD Denise Grayson Mary Reitz Byron Reed David Tarlow CELEBRATION THEATRE COMPANY Erinn Anova Christopher Maikish Mario Burrell Michael Matthews, Co-Artistic Director Marcedes Clanton Tracey McAvoy Parnell Damone Marcano Daniel Montgomery Josette DiCarlo Michael O’Hara, Managing Director Chrisanne Eastwood Christopher Pearson Rebecca Eisenberg, Producing Director Shonta Marie Robinson Nathan Frizzell, Literary Director Christopher Sepulveda Todd Gaebe Michael A. Shepperd, Co-Artistic Director Mark Giberson Michael Shutt Michael Taylor Gray Peter James Smith Brad Griffith Amy Stoddard Charls Sedgwick Hall Stasha Surdyke Mat Hayes Gina Torrecilla Matt Howard David Tran Samantha Kern Tommy Vergason Michael C. Kricfalusi, Executive Director Isabella Way Jeffrey Landman Jason Weiss Constance Jewell Lopez Brittney S. Wheeler

Plus over 500 Associate Company Members who consider Celebration Theatre home.

CELEBRATION SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@celebrationthtr)

Donate to Celebration each time you shop at Ralph’s with your Ralph’s Rewards Card! You must re-enroll to ensure Celebration receives benefits from your purchases. Celebra- tion’s NPO number is 83663. Sign into your Ralph’s account and provide that NPO and Celebration can start receiving a contribution from Ralph’s each time you shop. You MUST renew every year under the terms of the Ralph’s program!! http://www.ralphs.com/community/Pages/community_contribution.aspx 17 CELEBRATION THEATRE DONORS (August 15, 2015-August 31, 2016) If your name is omitted or listed incorrectly, please contact [email protected] Benefactors ($5000-up) Friends ($100-$249) Anonymous Anonymous Bill Condon & Jack Morrissey Tony Arn Michael Kricfalusi Luke Arnold Todd Milliner & Michael Matthews Albert Aubin Daryl Barnett Patrons ($1000-$4999) Michael Baum Anonymous Michael Becker Nicholas Caprio Elaine Blitz Cameron Faber Gary Booher Hamilton-Selway Fine Art Neil Brown Mr. Alan Mandell Charles & Anet Carlin Andy & Pol Sandro-Yepes and family CYHTeas.com Howard Stevens Rosemary DiMonte Ileen Dragin Michael Fisher Fellows ($500-$999) Frank Flowers James Allen Michael Hagar Ruben Alvarez Corky Hale Anonymous Ann Halloran Kevin Peter Berg Diane Hecht Larry Cosand Anthony Henderson Rhonda Evans Douglas Hutchinson Mark Giberson Tom Jacobson & Ramone Munoz Scott & Brian Monson-Hogan Eddie James Donald M. Klein Susan Jordan Bob Riddle William Kaiser In memory of: Dick Wagner by Ken Bennett Francie Kelley for their 52 years together Jim Kelley & Joseph Lund Brian Larkins Partners ($250-$499) Lorenzo Lebrija Anonymous Rick Liwanag Tod & Craig Beckett-Frank Steven Llanusa Kathy Busick Merry Lynn Katis Bonnie Davis Jerold & Priscilla Mann Scott Freeman Paul Marchegiani Brian Graden Todd Mathers Scott Green Dan McClowry Ronnie Kahn Dale McIntire Fran Loew Chris Meyer and Gary Holm Suzanne Martin Gary Minzer Ed Murphy Xochitl Montes David Ocepek Kenton Morrell Larry Rubinstein Douglas Morton David Schulz Leland Nelson In Memory of Darren Christopher Scott Dennis Nollette Howard Sherman Jason Oclaray Adrienne Steiger Henry Ong & Matthew Black Carole Sukman Steven Parker David Tarlow Stacey Payton Jessica Pennington Arnold Pomerantz

Donor Listings continued on Page 19 18 CELEBRATION THEATRE DONORS (August 15, 2015-August 31, 2016 - cont’d) Friends ($100-$249 - cont’d) SSGLC Project Rainbow Mary Reitz Michael Terry Paul V. Roche Marilyn Trattner Alan Rothenberg Ken Werther: In Honor of the Dedicated and Mark Sachs Brilliant Team at Celebration Theatre Brooke Seguin/30MM Donald Williams Stuart Siegel Jay Winger John J. Silva Linda Young Barbara Solomon Paricia Young

Associates ($10-$99) Kirk Henry Bruce Russell Bruce Alton Craig Hilary Chester Rychcik Patrick Alviso Gregory Hines Mark Saltzman & Ron Anonymous Roberta Holland Gutierrez Andrew Antonio Theodore Holmquist Robert Schoenberger Jorge Assam Leanna Huebner John Scholz Mary Austin Susan Hunt Mack Scott Steven Baird In Honor of Larry Michael Seel Stephen Bassman Brad Irwin Ruth Simon Diane Benedict Neville Johnson Barbara Skolnek Lynn Bommer Sam Johnson Amy Sosa Dr. Richard Bower Joseph Keane Phyllis Spear Ryan Boyd Allison King Bonnie Stark Fred Camerer Ronald Kline Gretchen Stockdale Andrew Campbell James Lane Cheryl Stokes David Cano Susan Lee Ricardo Suarez Leslie Carlson Jeremy Lelliott Ward Sylvester Diane Cary Damian Lewis James Tavaglione Nicholas Chrisos Dennis Lumpkin Terry Taylor Bill Clintworth Robert Main Roland Thomas William Collins Gary Maxwell Gary Todd Alice Comer Robert Mayes Safina Uberoi Kristin Confer Joyce McCosco James Van Houten William Conti J McCulley Kirsten Vangsness Patrick Culbertson James McGinn Mike Wallace Philip Dawkins Priscilla Millan Reginald Warren Susan Dean Barbara Mitchell Ben Wilson Rita Doumar Heber Moran Lloyd Woolf Colleen Downs John Murlas Barbara Eckstein Michael Anthony Nalepa Nancy Edwards Peter Nastos Kerry English Kenneth Navran Neil Feinberg Kimberly A. Nieva Sandra Fineman Pieter Noomen Ran Frazier Ricardo Nunes Michael Gabiano Joe Oliver Michael Garcia & Bert Jeanine Orci Vosburgh Jeffrey Osaka Roger Gray Robert Phares Andrea Green Jeremy Podeswa Susan Greenbeerg Christopher Reed Susan Grossman Michael Reese Mona Hanouni Alvin Robinson Joshua Hartounian Leslie Rosenstock Robert Heath R. Daniel Rothbauer 19 CELEBRATION THEATRE LEGACY CIRCLE Dion Antic Martin Massman & Chris McKinney Burton Breznick Todd Milliner & Michael Matthews Martin D. Burley & Bobby Meza Scott Monson & Brian Hogan Nicholas Caprio Dennis Nollette Greg Copeland John L. Rarick & Piotr Izdebski Frederick Dechow Timothy Regler Arthur Dennis & Fred Madjar Larry Reitzer & Matt Funes Jay Paul Deratany Calvin Remsberg David Elzer Michael A. Shepperd & Hutch Foster Cameron Faber Showtime Television Larry Dean Harris Ted Skidmore Elizabeth L. & Mark K. Kogan James E. Smith Tom Jacobson & Ramone Munoz William Stoddard Michael C. Kricfalusi David Tarlow Jeffrey Lambert Billy Tauzin Erick H. Long Thomas E. Warren Jane Lynch Bruce W. Zisterer The Legacy Circle is made up of patrons who donated and gave over $1,000 each. The Legacy Circle was closed in 2010 but we recognize and honor those donors who helped Celebration Theatre in the past. Legacy Circle donors names will always be part of our donor recognition program CELEBRATION GRANT SUPPORT

Celebration Theatre is proud to have received grant support from: The Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs City of West Hollywood, Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Los Angeles County Arts Commission The David Bohnett Foundation Sony Pictures Entertainment Liberty Hill Foundation California Community Foundation James Irvine Foundation The Mattel Foundation The Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation

20