OUR SPONSORS ABOUT CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY “Hilarious. Fluid physicality and impreccable execution. Moore’s talents Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the Center REP is the resident, professional theatre are wondrous to behold! Brilliant.” - Jean Schiffman, San Francisco Examiner leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past nine season consists of eight productions a year – a years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, both Michael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director the LCA since the beginning, providing funding classic and contemporary, that continually strive for capital improvements, event sponsorships to reach new levels of artistic excellence and presents and more. Chevron generously supports every professional standards. Center REP show throughout the season, and 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 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 advance Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) the cultural life of the communities we serve. (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) What does it mean to be a producing theatre? and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator We hire the finest professional directors, actors The Resident Professional Theatre Company of the for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in and designers to create our productions at Lesher Center for the Arts the community is all about building partnerships Center REP. These are not touring productions – with the focused goal of enhancing artistic they’re conceived and developed here, the sets Created by: SARA MOORE quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for and costumes are built in our shops, and the Written by: SARA MOORE and MICHAEL PHILLIS everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships actors rehearse in our rehearsal hall. Whether Produced by: THRILLRIDE MECHANICS and DEBRA MOSK PRODUCTIONS with the LCA and its producers, individual the production is a Bay Area premiere or a Directed by: ANDREW NANCE donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and Shakespearean classic, each is devised to be a one Choreographed by: Matthew Martin MICHAEL BUTLER Artistic Director the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role of a kind, artistic creation that will be a unique SCOTT DENISON ByBy Managing Director OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 9 in advancing the arts for the betterment of the theatre experience for our audience. community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org. What does it mean to be a professional IraIra LevinLevin Lesher Foundation (Foundation Sponsor) Since theatre? It means that all our artists and artisans 1994, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation are career theatre-practitioners. Many of the has awarded grants totaling more than $40 actors in this production are members of Actors’ million and reaching citizens in all parts of Contra Equity Association; many of our directors and Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costa County. True to the original wishes of Dean designers are members of professional unions. and Margaret Lesher, the Foundation continues All do theatre because it is their profession and Kelly James Tighe Costume Designer Kurt Landisman to build on the strengths of the community by their passion. Sound Designer Victoria Livingston-Hall Props Manager supporting organizations and programs that provide help and support to people in need; We are very proud to have the opportunity to Theodore J.H. Hulsker Stage Manager Mia Baxter enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens; and produce professional theatre for our community promote a healthy and exciting future for the in the beautiful theatres here at the Lesher Center Dialect Coach Nicole S. Langley* Fight Director community. Established in 1989, the Foundation for the Arts. Thank you for your support! Lisa Anne Porter Dave Maier received its principal assets from Dean Lesher’s estate in 1993 and 1995. In 1997, an additional Center REPertory Company endowment from Dean Lesher’s estate followed Cast the death of Margaret Lesher. A significant Managing Director - Scott Denison and final bequest from Mr. Lesher’s estate Artistic Director - Michael Butler Lynda DiVito Charles Shaw Robinson* was received in 2003. As a family foundation, Production Services Costumes support for the Contra Costa community will Production Services Costume Manager Craig Marker* be carried on by the next generation of family Coordinator Shannon Sigman Toni Kilcoyne Costumers members. Grant-making decisions are based Technical Staff Michael A. Berg Kerri Shawn Colin Thomson* on the vision of Dean and Margaret Lesher who Steve Pino Katie Dowse felt quality education, diverse art programs, and John Earls Education healthy children and families are the building Michael Arlen Education Directors Chris Currie Jeff Draper blocks of a strong and vibrant community. Kieren McEntee Kerri Shawn The Leshers defined the “spirit of giving” as Garrick Schuster Production Directed by John McCluggage “investing in the community and its people.” Stephen Spleiss Production Manager By providing financial support and direction in Josh Stouffer Jeff Collister Audience Services Technical these critical areas, the Dean & Margaret Lesher Audience Svcs Coordinator Technical Director “DEATHTRAP is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.” Foundation is investing every day, every week Courtney Egg Joshua Lipps and every year in the health and well-being of Ticket Office Staff Master Electrician this county that Dean and Margaret so loved. Jeremiah Vierling Del Medoff Robert Nolan Carpenters Tiffany Del Valle Matthew Hougey Margaret Lesher Theatre Jennifer Haga Gabriel Johnson October 24 - November 22, 2014 CITY COUNCIL Kiersten Jones Lisa Peterson Kristina Lawson, Mayor Karla Kopfhammer Chris Swartzell Lesher Center for the Arts Bob Simmons, Mayor Pro-Tem Britt Lauer Dresser Loella Haskew Caleb Neeper Edie Olson Season Season Partner Foundation Sponsor Cindy Silva Trevor Owen Assistant Sponsor Justin Wedel Usher Coordinator Stage Manager Pat Rusich Joe Coe CITY MANAGER Marketing Deck Manager Ken Nordhoff ARTS COMMISSION Marketing Director Alex Logemann Jane Emanuel, Chair Gabe Marin Administration DIRECTOR Glynnis Cowdery, Vice Chair Marketing Assistant Asst. to Managing Director *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States Arts, Recreation and Joe Bologna Ariel Brewer Gail Pfeifer The Lighting Designer is a member of United Scenic Artists Union Community Services Polly Bradbury Casting Director Program Center REP is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The National Organization for the American Theatre Kevin Safine Anita Sagastegui Jennifer Perry Linda Nomura CAST (in order of appearance) CHARLES SHAW ROBINSON* PRODUCTION TEAM Screen Academy, Midsummer Murders for Virgin LISA ANNE PORTER (Dialect Coach) Porter is a ALEX LOGEMANN (Deck Manager) is celebrating (Sydney Bruhl) was last seen Media and she assisted at the Holland Park Opera designated Linklater voice instructor, an acting, his 47th show backstage with Center REP. Alex has Myra Bruhl ...... Lynda DiVito as Leonard in Seminar at the IRA LEVIN (Playwright) was twenty-two when he productions of Lakme and La Traviata. Bay area voice, dialect and text professor and a professional been backstage for eleven seasons and is beyond Clifford Anderson ...... Craig Marker* San Francisco Playhouse. wrote his first novel, the award-winning thriller “A work includes the A Seagull in the Hamptons for actress and director. She has coached voice and pleased to be involved with such an amazing Sidney Bruhl ...... Charles Shaw Robinson* Other favorite roles include Kiss Before Dying,” and twenty-five when, fresh Shotgun Players, the ReOrient Festival for Golden dialect in over sixty productions nationwide, group. Alex has also worked backstage for Contra from military service, he wrote his first play, the including American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Costa Musical Theatre and with Diablo Theatre Helga Ten Dorp ...... Kerri Shawn Shag in Bill Cain’s Equivocation Thread Productions, Abe Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance smash-hit adaptation of Mac Hyman’s No Time Party for SF Playhouse and the NYFringe Festival, Repertory Theatre, SF Opera, San Jose Repertory Company. Alex is a proud member of the Fantasy Porter Milgrim...... Colin Thomson* (Marin Theatre Company); for Sergeants. In the years since, he has continued among other shows for Crowded Fire Theatre Co. Theatre, Theatreworks, Marin Theatre Company, Forum Actors Ensemble. He is very thankful for Milton in the West Coast premiere of Tony to work both sides of the literary street. His plays The Magic Theatre, and Theatre Artaud. Aurora Theatre Company, Arizona Theatre our community and the fun it provides. “Do not Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul (Berkeley Repertory include the comedy hit Critics Choice, the musical Company, Center Repertory Theatre, Shotgun spoil what you have by desiring what you have TIME and PLACE Theatre); Iago in Othello (California Shakespeare Drat! The Cat!, and the thrillers Veronica’s Room KURT LANDISMAN (Lighting Designer) Local Players, Boston Theatreworks, and Syracuse Stage. not; remember that what you now have was once Theatre); and Henri in Magic Fire, directed by Jack and Deathtrap. Among his novels are “Rosemary’s audiences will be familiar with his work through She is currently the Co-Head of Voice and Dialects among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus 1978 in Sidney Bruhl’s study, in the Bruhl home in O’Brien (Berkeley Repertory Theatre/Old Globe). Baby,” generally credited (or blamed) for having past productions designed for Center REP for the American Conservatory Theatre and a Westport, Connecticut. Regional Theatre credits include the title roles in sparked the current revival of occultism, “The including Life Could Be a Dream, Ella, the Musical, lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley. MICHAEL BUTLER (Artistic Director) This is Michael’s Hamlet (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Pericles Stepford Wives,” and the international best-seller, Sweet Charity, The 39 Steps, Old Wicked Songs, She has served on the faculties of Syracuse ninth season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where ACT I (Centerstage), and Scaramouche (The Empty “The Boys from Brazil,” all of which have been Xanadu, Arms and the Man, Blues in the Night, University, UC Davis, San Francisco State University, his directing credits include Clybourne Park, Don’t Scene 1: An afternoon in October Space Theatre). He was last seen in New York in made into successful films. His later plays include Dracula, She Loves Me, Noises Off, All Shook Up, Shakespeare & Company, The Tepper Center in NYC, Dress for Dinner, The Underpants, A Number, Dracula, Boeing-Boeing and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as Scene 2: That evening the American premiere of Frank McGuinness’s Footsteps and Cantorial, which enjoyed runs both Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical of Musicals Naropa University, California Shakespeare Festival, the Shellie and BATCC Award-winning productions Scene 3: Two hours later Gates of Gold at 59E59 Theaters, and before that Off-Broadway and in Florida. His best-selling (The Musical!), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Academy of novel “Sliver” has been made into a film. A native- Art University. She has performed with numerous of Around the World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin at the Second Stage Theatre as the Father in Sarah Mousetrap, How the Other Half Loves, Around the born New Yorker, Mr. Levin is an alumnus of New World in 80 Days, and Fugitive Kind. His designs repertory companies and Shakespeare festivals Agile, The Marriage of Figaro, How the Other Half ACT II Ruhl’s Eurydice (a production that began its long York University and has three sons. In addition have been seen throughout the Bay Area at throughout the country including the American Loves, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted April, Scene 1: Two weeks later, morning life at Berkeley Repertory Theatre). Other New to his other accomplishments, he is a four-time many theaters including San Francisco Opera, Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare and Witness For The Prosecution. His directing work Scene 2: A week later, night York work includes The Common Pursuit, Battery, winner (retired) of the “New York Magazine” ACT, Berkeley Rep, San Jose Rep, Theatreworks, Festival, California Shakespeare Festival, has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Scene 3: A week later, afternoon and the revival of The Cradle Will Rock. He trained Competition. Mr. Levin’s Deathtrap garnered a California Shakespeare Festival, The Magic Shakespeare/Santa Cruz, Shakespeare Festival/LA, Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Laguna Playhouse, ACT in at Juilliard. 1978 Tony Award nomination for Best Play and Theatre, and Marin Theatre Company. Locally Marin Theatre Company, the Magic Theatre, Aurora Seattle, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre There will be one intermission. was awarded a special Edgar Award by Mystery his work has garnered 16 Bay Area Critics Circle Theatre Company, Center Repertory Theatre, SF Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, KERRI SHAWN (Helga Ten Writers of America. Awards, 5 LA Dramalogue Awards and 5 Shellie Playhouse, BRAVA Theatre Center, Shakespeare and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As CAST BIOGRAPHIES Dorp) has been seen over Awards. Nationally, his work has been seen & Company, Syracuse Stage, Sacramento Theatre an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in the past four decades in JOHN MCCLUGGAGE (Director ) at many regional opera & ballet companies, Company, GeVa Theatre Company, and Boston regional theatres, film and television, as well as REP’s productions of The Mousetrap, Noises Off and Rumors. LYNDA DIVITO (Myra a variety of productions Delighted to be making including the Los Angeles Opera, Minnesota Theatreworks. Her B.A. is in Theatre and American He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and Bruhl) is thrilled to be back including two one-woman his Center REP debut, Opera, Virginia Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Ballet Studies from Wesleyan University and her M.F.A. McCluggage’s productions from the American Conservatory Theatre. composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which at Center REP in Deathtrap. shows for Center REP; Shirley Arizona. His designs have also been presented include Enchanted April, off-Broadway, represented at Circle Rep, and he has directed and performed in NY, LA, and at Other Center REP shows in Shirley Valentine and Ann Cyrano, Flea in Her Ear, the Douglas Fairbanks Theatres. Other designs DAVE MAIER (Fight Director) has won several festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a include; The Real Housewives Landers in The Lady With All the Answers. Most Midsummer Night’s Dream, internationally include world premieres of plays awards for his fight direction. Recent work includes performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins of Walnut Creek, Clybourne recently she enjoyed performing with George Twelfth Night, Fiddler on the by Sam Shepard in Japan, and Singapore, as well A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cal Shakes), Party Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre Park, Lucky Stiff, Status Maguire in Love Letters and will soon join Center Roof and Phantom. Locally, his work has been as the San Francisco Opera in Shanghai, China, People (Berkeley Rep) and Tosca (SF Opera). He is LeChance on “The Guiding Light”, and played guitar Update, Rumors, Boeing Boeing, She Loves Me & All REP’s A Christmas Carol family. In February, Kerri seen at San Jose Rep, Cabrillo Stage, San Jose and the Moscow Circus in Tokyo, Japan. the resident Fight Director for San Francisco Opera and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country Shook Up. Regional credits include, Hairspray at will appear as Hannah Porter Pitt in Angels in Children’s Musical Theatre and ShakesBEERience and Cal Shakes. He has also composed violence western bands at all the notable dives in NYC. CCMT, Legally Blonde at DTC, Full Monty at AMTSJ. America at Town Hall. She serves as Co-Education SJ (Like Buck Hill Productions on Facebook!) Other THEODORE J. H. HULSKER (Sound Designer) is for ACT, San Jose Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Aurora International and NYC credits include; CATS/ Director for Center REP and heads up the Young theaters include Cleveland Playhouse, Repertory a San Francisco Bay Area native who has been Theatre, SF Playhouse, Magic Theatre, Berkeley SCOTT DENISON (Managing Director) has been a Jellylorum, Off Bway; Sheba, the Musical, Oliver at REP Summer Theatre Training Program with Theatre of St. Louis, Studio Arena, Seacoast Rep designing sound professionally both in the Playhouse, Impact Theatre and Shotgun Players leader in the arts for 40 years for Walnut Creek and Papermill Playhouse. Lynda toured internationally Jeffrey Draper. and Barnstormers Theatre. region and nationally since 2010. Recent credits among others. He is a Senior Fight Director with the surrounding communities. For the last 24 years he has been the General Manager of the Lesher Center and was the lead singer for one of Amsterdam’s include Just Theater’s production of A Maze; Dueling Arts International and a founding member and oversees over 850 public events each year. He hottest dance bands, JamSquare. Lynda holds COLIN THOMSON* (Porter KELLY JAMES TIGHE (Scenic Designer) Off Mugwumpin’s Great Big Also and Luster; Shotgun of Dueling Arts San Francisco. He is currently Broadway/Touring: The Great Divorce, The teaching combat related classes at Berkeley Rep coordinates performing arts activities with over 85 a degree in theatre from SFSU. Many thanks to Milgrim) has performed at Player’s productions of Woyzeck and Strangers, Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Babies; The Chairs at Cutting Ball Theater; Boxcar School of Theatre. producers and producing organizations. He is also Michael Butler and the Center REP family. For Center REP in Sweet Charity, Madness, Cats. Regional: Fingerlakes Musical Theater’s SpeakEasy; San Francisco Playhouse’s the Managing Director of Center REPertory Company L&H&N, the loves of my life. Lucky Stiff, All in the Timing Theater Festival, San Jose Rep, Laguna Playhouse, productions of Jerusalem, Storefront Church, NICOLE S. LANGLEY* (Stage Manager) is pleased producing 8 professional productions each season; and The Voice of the Prairie. Center REP, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Seminar and Into the Woods; Center REPertory to return to Center REPertory for Deathtrap. After and is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum CRAIG MARKER* (Clifford Other local performances Sacramento Theater Company, Gateway Company’s production of Sleuth; Bauer which receiving a BA from San Francisco State, she Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts Anderson) returns to Center include Noises Off and Playhouse, Contra Costa Musical Theater, Diablo was produced by 59E59 theater in New York. In completed a two year program at Long Wharf company which presents programs for the young REP having performed in Mountain Days with the Willows. Last fall, he Theater Co., Ray of Light, Broadway by the Bay. Mr 2012 he was the recipient of the Eric Landisman Theatre in Connecticut. Following her internship, and Young at Heart. Scott directed CCMT’s hits Les productions of Clybourne appeared in 1776, directed by Frank Galati at ACT, Tighe’s work is published in the text book Scene Fellowship for Emerging Designer. she worked at theatres across the country Misérables, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Rodgers and Park, Arms and the Man, The where he also appeared in Happy End. He recently Design and Stage Lighting, and his work as an including San Jose Repertory Theatre, Marin Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hairspray, and for the past Mousetrap, and The Marriage performed in Lauren Gunderson’s Emilie:… illustrator has been published in “Mooseltoe: A MIA BAXTER (Props Manager) has had the Shakespeare Company, The Willows Theatre 16 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Denison has directed over 150 productions including REP’s of Figaro. Regionally, Mr. with Symmetry Theatre Company, as well as Moose And A Dream.” Awards and recognitions pleasure of working with ACT, Cal Shakes, Company, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, The Lady with All the Answers starring Kerri Shawn. In Marker has performed for Portland Center D’Arcy Drollinger and Christopher Winslow’s Mr. include The Bay Area Critics Circle, DramaLogue, Intersection for the Arts, Berkeley Rep, Sacramento and Kentucky Repertory Theatre. Theatre is a and Shellie awards. Online at kellyjamestighe. collaborative process and she would like to thank 1979 he created the Shellie Awards, which annually Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Irresistible. Film and television work includes Opera, Encore Theatre, Marin Theatre, Aurora com. Theatre and Music Circus. She is a San Francisco her family, friends, and all patrons of the theatre honors outstanding performing arts achievement in Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, San Blue Jasmine and NBC’s Trauma. Thomson has State Alumni. for joining that collaboration by supporting the Contra Costa county. In 2007 he created the Chevron Jose Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theatre Company, performed with TheatreWorks, Marin Theatre VICTORIA LIVINGSTON-HALL (Costume Designer ) arts. Family Theatre Festival bringing adult nationally California Shakespeare Theater, TheatreWorks, San Company, San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Jose Work at Center REP includes, The 25th Annual acclaimed performances together for one day Francisco Shakespeare Festival, and SF Playhouse. Stage Company, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, PCPA Putnam County Spelling Bee, Xanadu (Shellie performing to over 7,000 guests of all ages. His Bay Area credits have included playing Iago in TheaterFest, and others. Career favorites include Award) The Underpants, Arms and The Man, Othello, Jim in The Glass Menagerie, and Trigorin Dirty Blonde with Portland Center Stage, Company Smokey Joe’s Café, Boeing Boeing, She Loves Me THANK YOU TO OUR in The Seagull at Marin Theatre Company; Henry THANK YOU TO: with Marin Theatre Company, All My Sons with (BACC Award), Dracula, Noises Off, Witness for OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS: in Henry V at San Francisco Shakespeare Festival; TheatreWorks, Center REP’s All Shook Up and the Prosecution (Shellie Award), and Cabaret and the title role in Macbeth at Shotgun Players. PCPA’s Yours, Anne. He has been a member of (Shellie Award and BACC Award). Work in London Massimo’s Ristorante Mr. Marker originated the role of Daniel Reeves in Actors’ Equity Association for 18 years. includes, The Long Hard Goodbye- film,Olympia at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Bill Cain’s Award-Winning play, 9 Circles, at Marin the Baron’s Court Theatre, S.N.U.B.- feature film- Oi-C Bowl Waters Moving and Storage Theatre Company. Angry Badger Pictures, Striklem, The National Scott’s Seafood Grill and Restaurant Film and Television School, British Society of Associated Services-Alta Water Cinematographers BSC Test Shoot, Viv Skillset