Am.Erican C~Aica
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IPFW Department of Theatre's ---:Am.erican C~aica Directed by Craig A. Humphrey Musical Direction by John C. Hermes Choreographed by Larry L. Life IPFW DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE presents Directed by CRAIG A. HUMPHREY Musical Director Properties Designer jOHN c. HERMES NANCY CHIAVETTA Choreograe_her Sound Designer LARRY L. LIFE ToM TEMPEL Scenic/Lighti!_lg Designer Fight Choreog~~pher D. BRETT HARWOOD ROBERT T. WESTLEY Costume Designer CRAIG A. HUMPHREY Williams THEATRE July 2000 Company is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, 421 W. 54th St., New York, NY 10019. WARNING The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording inside this theatre, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection, and violations may render the offender liable for money damages. Out ofrespect for the actors, we ask that you remain in your seat until the curtain call is finished. Please turn offall cell phones and pagers. DIRECTOR's NoTFS Those of us who spend a significant portion of our lives in the world of musical theatre generally hold Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company in a place of great reverence. We speak of it as a "landmark" musical, as the first full realization of the "Concept Musical" form. We place it alongside other milestone musicals, such as Showboat and Oklahoma!, in its importance in paving the way for significant innovations in the development of musical theatre as art. We use it as evidence of Stephen Sondheim's brilliance as America's foremost contemporary composer/lyricist of musical theatre. And most assuredly Company deserves each accolade. "Why then," one may ask, "Am I not more familiar with this show?" The answer may be that Company is not easy. It's funny, thought provoking and entertaining, but it's not easy, and therefore, it hasn't gained the truly widespread notoriety of other important works. When Company opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York on April 26, 1970, it asked audiences to experience musical theatre in a new way. It asked that we focus our attention on theme rather than on plot. Musicals before Company were centered in a strong story line with direct linear progression towards climax and resolution. Company is centered in an idea. It's an investigation of an issue providing no concrete answers, and the issue is one about which each of us has strong, if not passionate, feelings-marriage and relatio~~hips. Company's treatment of its subject matter has been condemned as dark, bitter, cynical, misogynous, and anti-marriage. It has also been praised as being tender, insightful, witty, and optimistic. What Company is, however, is honest. It allows us to see ourselves through a series of vignettes depicting marriages and relationships. These are relationships complete with their warts as well as their dimples. They're often ugly, often beautiful, and always entertaining. Company never says that relationships are impossible, it says they are difficult. Craig A. Humphrey ABoUT THE CAsT Daniel P. Ambrose (Paul) is a senior theatre major at IPFW Most recently he performed as Bernhardt in Edith Stein and Andrew in Spike Heels, both at IPFW Other roles at IPFW include John Hinkley in Assassins, Lucky in Dames at Sea, Touchstone in As You Like It, Cousin Jeff in Auntie Mame, and a singer in Marat/Sade. William David Andrews (Harry) is performing with IPFW for the first time since his role as Swing II in Assassins. Past roles at IPFW include Mr. Upson/Ensemble in Auntie Mame. Other roles include Jesus Christ in Godspell at Hope United, and Priest III in jesus Christ Superstar at First Presbyterian Theatre. Bridget Bannec (April) is a junior theatre major at IPFW Although she was involved in the productions Edith Stein and How I Learned to Drive, she is ecstatic to be on stage once again and a member of the cast of this show. Some of her other roles include Ruby in Dames at Sea, Lydia in Spike Heels, Chloe in Arcadia, and a Swing in Assassins. Julie Marie Dannenfelser Qenny) is a senior communications major and theatre minor at IPFW This is her second appearance on the Williams Theatre stage. Most recently, she played Clara in IPFW's Edith Stein. Other roles with the IPFW Department ofTheatre include Blue in Beruit in the Studio Theatre. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in music. Julie Donnell (Sarah) is a self-employed voice teacher in Fort Wayne. Past roles at IPFW include Cunegonde in Candide and Ensemble in On Broadway. Other roles include Carlotta in Phantom and Aunt Lilly in Children's Hour, both at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, and Ruth in Pirates ofPenzance at First Presbyterian Theatre. Mark C. Dunn (David) is a fourth-year theatre major at IPFW Most recently for IPFw, he performed as Karl-Heinz in Edith Stein and Captain Brice, RN, in Arcadia. Other roles include Tony Kirby in You Can't Take It With You, Leon Czolgosz in the musical Assassins, and Hennesey/Captain in Dames at Sea. Scott Frey (Larry) is a recent graduate of the IPFW Department ofTheatre. His most recent role with IPFW was Valentine Coverly in Arcadia. Just previous to that he played Paul in You Can't Take It With You. Other experiences at IPFW include assistant director for the musical Assassins, Mr. Katz in Hot L Baltimore, and Beauregard in Auntie Mame. Jason Graf (Peter) is a second year theatre major at IPFW He was most recently seen as Franzy in IPFW's Edith Stein. Other roles at IPFW include Chater in Arcadia and a G-Man in You Can't Take It With You. Burton Paul Gilmore (Roben) is making his debut with the IPFW Department of Theatre. Past show credits include The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, and Hello Dolly. He plans to pursue a career in music. Katie Hessling (Kathy) is a junior English/theatre major at IPFW She recently performed in the IPFW productions of How I Learned to Drive as Li'l Bit and Arcadia as Thomasina Coverly. Other roles with IPFW include Alice in You Can't Take It With You, Celia in As You Like It, Shelly in Buried Child, and Pegeen in Auntie Mame. Natalie Inskeep (Susan) is a senior music in an outside field major at IPFw, and has spent much of her time in the music department. She has played such roles as Lucy in The Threepenny Opera, Despina in Cosi Fan Tutti, and Adel in Die Fledermaus. This is her first IPFW theatre role, and she is extremely excited about working in this show. Nancy Kartholl Uoanne) has a B.A in acting and directing from Barat College and is a familiar face to Fort Wayne theatre audiences. She was most recently seen at IPFW as Sara Jane Moore in Assassins and as April in Hot L Baltimore. In 1994, she ponrayed Mama Rose in Gypsy as IPFW's first Community Guest Anist. This year she has appeared in First Presbyterian Theatre's all-female production of Othello as IAGO. Natalie Y. Jones (Vocal Minority) is a senior theatre major at IPFW She was last seen on the IPFW stage as the Prioress in Edith Stein. Other roles at IPFW include Penny in You Can't Take It With You, Marlene in Daddy's Dyin', Who's Got the Will, and Jack's Mother in Into the WOodr. She has received awards from Arena Dinner Theatre for her roles as Mildred in Squabbles and Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress. Cynthia Flizabeth LaPan (Vocal Minority) is soon to be a freshman theatre major at Ball State University in Muncie. This is her first time on the IPFW stage since How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Most recent roles include Lucinda in Into the WOodr and Lady in Purple in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, both at Ball State. Sarah N. Lankenau (Amy) graduated in December with a BA. in theatre with an emphasis in costume design. She was most recently seen at Georgie in IPFW's Spike Heels. She is the recipient of the Freshman Theatre Scholarship, the Brateman Scholarship, the Withers Scholarship (two years), and has been on the Dean's List for the past four years. Sarah has performed in numerous productions including Marat!Sade, Into the WOodr, Dracula, and A Flea in Her Ear at IPFW Melissa "Mavis" Perkins (Marta) is a sophomore theatre major at IPFW She most recently played "Squeaky" Fromme in Assassins and Suzy in Hot L Baltimore, both at IPFW Other roles include Rizzo in Grease at Harding High School and Anybody's in Wiest Side Story at the Center Stage Theatre. Perkins is also a member of the band Misfit Toys and expresses "sincere love and gratitude to my supportive parents, friends, and my wonderful bandmates-you mean the world to me." Tess Reiling {Vocal Minority) is currently pursuing a B.S. in vocal performance at IPFW This is her first time on the IPFW theatre stage. She was the costume manager and played the role of Old Whore in The Threepenny Opera. Carrie Rice {Vocal Minority) is making her debut with the IPFW Department of Theatre. She is a telecom administrator at ITT Industries. She has a B.A. in criminal justice &om Purdue University in West Lafayette. This is her first time on stage since high school.