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Mainstage Playbill Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director

Mainstage Playbill Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director

Mainstage Playbill Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director

Jordan Ahnquist and Jillian Louis. Photo by Alex Hill.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. BURT AND ME by Larry McKenna Featuring the Music of and Musical & Vocal Arrangements by Vince DiMura Additional arrangements by Zach Wiseley, John Daniels, & Tom Fosnocht CAST Joe Madsen...... Jordan Ahnquist* Jerry Landis...... Nick Anastasia* Sally...... Stacey Harris* Lacey Turner...... Jillian Louis* George / Father DeJoseph...... Michael Marotta* Male Ensemble...... Matthew Scott Robertson Female Ensemble / Ms. Bernstein...... Savannah Sinclair BAND Piano...... Hunter Brown Drums...... Tony Bruno Trumpet...... Keith Greene Bass...... Sean Tillis Music Director Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Brian Victor Jeff Dean Thom Beaulieu Costume Designer Choreographer Sound Designer Sarah Bertolozzi Kathryn Gasper Thomas Korp Stage Manager Roy Johns* Directed by Jason Cannon Season Underwriters Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy, Anne H.S. Nethercott Co-Producer Gulf Coast Community Foundation SETTING Various locations in and around Philadelphia, late 1960’s-mid-1970’s. Burt and Me runs approximately 90 minutes with an intermission. Burt and Me, written by Larry McKenna, published by A-1 Entertainment, Used by permission. All rights reserved. The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. * Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the . ARTIST PROFILES JORDAN AHNQUIST Lone Star Love (Consuela, Mrs. Ford u/s). Favorite (Joe Madsen) is excited to regional roles include Sally Bowles in be joining Florida Studio (Wilde Award, Best Actress in a Musical), Velma Theatre for the first time. and Roxie in , Lola in , Anita Jordan comes fresh from the in West Side Story, Rosie in , Edythe Off Broadway run ofShear in My One and Only, Elaine in Last of The Red Hot Madness. Regionally Jordan Lovers, and Anna in Syncopation. Northwestern has worked with Milwaukee University graduate. www.staceyharris.com Repertory Theatre, Utah JILLIAN LOUIS (Lacey Shakespeare Festival, Speakeasy Stage , Turner) is delighted to be Lyric Stage, New Repertory Theatre, Montana back at FST! Broadway: It Shakespeare in the Parks, and The Gamm, among Shoulda Been You (Rebecca/ others. Some favorite credits include Hamlet, u/s), Off-Broadway: Big River, Heartbreak House, Mr g, , Soul Doctor (Ruth); Tour: and Tartuffe. Jordan holds a BA in theatre from Cheers (Diane); NYC/ Muhlenberg College. Regional: Walnut Street/ NICK ANASTASIA (Jerry Tour: Glass Menagerie Landis) is insanely stoked (Laura), Ars Nova, NYMF (7 seasons, 2 awards), to return to Florida Studio Theatre for the New City, American Theatre Group, Theatre! Previously seen at St. Louis Rep, The York, Symphony Space, North FST in last season’s Laughing Shore, Denver Center, TheatreWorks, The , Matters : vol. 5, Nick is etc.! TV/: Show Me A Hero, Mount Joy, Louie, currently on tour with the Ophelia Descending. Next : Georama at NYMF. Monster Jam live motorsports IG:@JillianLouis FB:@JillianLouisArtist show as an on-camera JillianLouis.com host/announcer. Past professional credits include MICHAEL MAROTTA Voca People, (Tenoro, Off-Broadway*/National/ (George/Father DeJoseph) International Tours, *Lucille Lortel Award), The Love makes his FST debut. He’s Note (Adam, Original Off-Broadway Cast),In The spent the last three seasons Heights (Sonny, Regional Premiere), Scab (featuring playing all the men and a Alice Ripley), Disney Cruise Line (Disney Fantasy), few women in Tenderly: The Little Women (Laurie), : The Musical (Danny), Rosemary Clooney Musical Snow (Kyle, World Premiere), and bare (Jason, (Cincinnati Playhouse, Licensed Premiere). Tennessee Shakes, Ivoryton STACEY HARRIS (Sally) is Playhouse, others). He joins us from Bangor, delighted to return to FST, Maine where he directed I Loved, I Lost, I Made where she was featured in Spaghetti! (also at Florida Rep, and this seasons That’s Life; I Love You,You’re Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End). Most recent: STAGES Perfect, Now Change; and St. Louis, The MUNY St. Louis, Harbor Lights That’s Life Again. Broadway: Theatre and Signature Theater, NYC, Cincinnati Bells Are Ringing. National Pops, and The Rep St. Louis. A NYC native, 2 MAC Tours: Cinderella, Show Awards, 3 BACKSTAGE Bistro Awards. Boat, . Off Broadway:The Megile Of MATTHEW SCOTT ROBERTSON (Male Itzik Manger (Esther), The Golden (Fannie), Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his FST debut ARTIST PROFILES and returning to Sarasota. to show drumming, Tony has shared stage and Now residing in New recording studio with many true greats in the York City, he is a recent music world; BB King, The Tokens, Junior Watson, graduate of Jacksonville June Garber, Benny E King, and Dick Hyman, to University, receiving his name a few. Bachelor of Fine Arts in KEITH GREENE (Trumpet) grew up in Asheboro, Music Theatre. Previous N.C. He spent four years at Berklee College of roles include Hänschen Music in Boston, MA. The next four years he (Spring Awakening), Adam/ traveled around US with bands. In 1973 Keith Japheth (Children of Eden), Robert (The Drowsy went to N.C. to visit family, and Ringling Bros Chaperone), and Donkey (Shrek: The Musical). & Bailey Circus came to town. Keith was www.matthewscottrobertson.com hired to play lead trumpet for three weeks. The SAVANNAH SINCLAIR third week the conductor became ill and he was (Female Ensemble/Ms. hired to conduct. Keith originally planned to stay Bernstein/ Dance Captain) is one year for the money, but 28 years and three psyched to be returning to wives later he left. He is currently in six bands the FST stage this summer! and travels with three circuses. Keith also plays This past year, Savannah has theatres, enjoys sailing in his boat, and has a been studying at Manhattan great life. School of Music in their SEAN TILLIS (Bass) returns to Florida Studio inaugural Theatre after last performing in One Man, Two class. Most recently, she has performed as Peter Guvnors in 2015. Sean received his Bachelor Pan at Venice Theatre, Fastrada in at Booker of Music degree from Florida State University High School, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid while studying with great, Rodney Jordan. at Manatee Players. Savannah is also a proud He has performed three seasons with the Utah Director and Choreographer for Spotlight Theatre Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah. Sean is Productions Broadway Juniors. a seasoned performer of almost twenty years in HUNTER BROWN (Piano) is a local musician, many styles of music including jazz, , pop, and actor. He was most recently seen on musical theatre, classical, rock, salsa, and more. the Gompertz Stage in FST’s production of Million JASON CANNON (Director) Jason is an Associate Dollar Quartet and in Yesterday on the Goldstein Artist at FST, where his responsibilities include Cabaret Stage. He is also the proud music director directing, teaching, New Play Development, and and accompanist for FST Improv’s weekly shows, the Acting Apprentice Program. Most recently he and co-teaches their musical improv classes. directed The Dragon vs. the Hiccups, Gidion’s Knot, Other recent credits on drums or the keys include: Stalking the Bogeyman, Million Dollar Quartet, Big River, 25th Annual... Spelling Bee and Bugsy The Velveteen Rabbit, Relativity, My Name is Asher Malone Jr. Enjoy the show! Lev, and Butler (which earned him Best Director TONY BRUNO (Drums) is honored and proud of nominations from the Herald-Tribune and Creative his 30-year work relationship with FST. Recently, Loafing). His performance as Ever Montgomery Tony appeared in FST’s record breaking Piano Men. in Dancing Lessons garnered him “Best Actor of He has drummed for over 60 different musicals 2015” awards from both Sarasota Magazine and across the country, completed 15 national tours, the Herald-Tribune. He also appears regularly with and performed in some of the most prestigious FST Improv. Proud member SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA. concert halls in the world. A career not limited jasoncannon.biz ARTIST PROFILES BRIAN VICTOR (Music Director) was associate SARAH BERTOLOZZI (Costume Designer) is conductor of the national tours of delighted to return to FST after a brief hiatus to and Beauty and the Beast. Regional music work on the Broadway productions of Cirque du direction includes Red Mountain Theatre Company Soleil Paramour and Beautiful: The Carole King (Young Frankenstein, Sister Act), Bristol Valley Musical. Previous FST shows: , South Theater (Godspell, Oh, Coward!, The Marvelous Beach Babylon, The Underpants, The Columnist, Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns), and Cohoes Music and Perfect Wedding. Raised with a performance Hall (A Wonderful Life). background, Sarah discovered her for KATHRYN GASPER (Choreographer) lead dancer design while at college. Since graduating with in Broadway’s original Cabaret, soloist with Distinction from the B.F.A. Theatrical Design Milwaukee Ballet. Anybodys, Rosie, Charity, and program at Ithaca College, Sarah has enjoyed Gladys were her favorite repeated roles in regional designing productions ranging from intimate, theatre and summer stock. Founder/advising one-performer plays to large-scale musicals. For a consultant for Gasper’s School of Dance and full history of design credits, please visit Performing Arts and the FM Ballet, “Mrs. G” brings www.SarahBertolozzi.com. to FST a vast background as a choreographer THOM BEAULIEU (Lighting Designer) is an and past performer. Guest artist residencies at award winning lighting and sound designer. universities, master classes and choreographic His work has been experienced throughout opportunities, like Burt & Me, keeps Kathy in and the eastern US including Gypsies, Tramps, & out of the Sarasota area. Thieves, brownsville song (b-side for tray), & Older ROY JOHNS (Stage Manager) is pleased to be than Dirt (Florida Studio Theatre); The Waltz, back for another season at FST. He has had an Godspell, : the Musical, and Cabaret (The exciting and varied career both on stage and Winnipesaukee Playhouse); , Floyd behind the scenes from Disneyland to the Collins, Sweet Charity, and Singin’ in the Rain White House. Past credits at FST include Rich (Aurora Theatre). He holds a BFA in Drama from Girl; brownsville song (b-side for tray); Million Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, and Dollar Quartet; The God of Isaac; The Roommate; a MS in Physics. The Fabulous Lipitones; Alabama Story; Outside THOMAS KORP (Sound Designer) is a former FST Mullingar; One Man, Two Guvnors; The Hound of intern. After his departure in 2013, he traveled the Baskervilles; Chapatti; ; and Taking abroad from 2014 - 2017 under Royal Caribbean Shakespeare. Cruise Lines as an onboard sound technician. JEFF DEAN (Scenic Designer) has designed over Sound design credits include Rich Girl; Talley’s 200 shows in Florida including Televison/Film. Folly; The Columnist; In The Book Of; South Beach Asolo Repertory, Sarasota Opera Association, Babylon; The West Side Waltz; Freud’s Last Session; America Stage, and Banyan Theatre. For Florida A Chorus Line; Spamalot. Mixing Credits: Next to Studio Theatre: Million Dollar Quartet; Over Normal; Das Barbecu; Smokey Joe’s Café; The World The River And Through The Woods; Execution of Goes Round; Tango: Buenos Aires; . Justice; Invictus; and The Sum of Us. A nationally recognized sculptor and member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, New York, recipient of two ‘LIKE’ US ON Florida Individual Artist Fellowship Awards for Set Design. Jeff recently designed the new theatre spaces in the Gompertz renovation including lobby, cafe, and marquees. Facebook.com/FloridaStudioTheatre SEASON UNDERWRITERS DENNIS & GRACI MCGILLICUDDY FST are values that we so strongly believe in. As a is important to us because we believe so consequence, it is a privilege for us to be a part strongly in the transformative power of the of, and supportive of this great theater. arts. For close to 30 years now, we have been ANNE H.S. NETHERCOTT When asked to so fortunate to experience first-hand how define giving, Anne said: “My mother used to that transformative power works its magic say, ‘The best way to find you is to lose yourself, in the hands of an organization that is not by focusing on the needs of others rather than only experienced and dedicated but so highly on oneself.’ So, giving has always been an skilled in their craft. The values of the theater important family value, which in childhood and its leadership, as reflected in its mission, was reinforced by the community experience and as manifested in its work, whether it be of surviving The Depression. Anne is proud to on the main stage, in the cabaret, and in its be a supporter of FST. education and community outreach programs, CO-PRODUCER GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION home of more than 600 families who have Together with its donors, Gulf Coast established charitable funds here, and we have Community Foundation transforms our region invested over $227 million in grants in the through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf areas of health and human services, civic and Coast is a public charity that was created in economic development, education, arts and 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. culture, and the environment. Learn more at Since then, we have become the philanthropic GulfCoastCF.org ABOUT THE AUTHORS LARRY MCKENNA (book) grew up in Philadelphia loving the music of Burt Bacharach & Hal David and claims to have purchased every single ever made. When commissioned by Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Pennsylvania to write a “juke box” musical featuring the music of these two musical giants, McKenna jumped at the chance. “I wanted to create a show that was romantic, funny, and didn’t get in the way of the great music of these two geniuses,” he states. “Burt & Me is highly autobiographical…except I never got the girl in high school,” he added. However, he did eventually get the girl in real life and their four children remain his favorite “productions.” Five grandchildren later, he is still writing. www.LarryMcKenna.com

Lyricist HAL DAVID and composer BURT BACHARACH began their collaboration together in 1957 after meeting in ’s legendary Brill Building. Only a year later, their song “The Story of My Life” hit the U.S. country music charts. Soon afterward, recorded their song “,” which also climbed the charts. But it was in 1961, when Bacharach and David started their collaboration with Dionne Warwick, when they had their biggest string of hits. Between 1961 and 1981, Warwick charted 38 singles co-written or produced by Bacharach and David. Their song “Walk on By” became one of Warwick’s classic numbers, along with “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” which was also recorded by Dusty Springfield. During the ‘60s and ‘70s, Bacharach and David also wrote for some of the biggest names in the recording industry, including Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, Bobby Vinton and Lou Johnson, who released the first version of their hit “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me.” In 1966, the duo began to release movie theme songs, including “Alfie,” “What’s New, Pussycat?” and ”The Look of Love.” Their work in movies led to Broadway: a year later, they were asked by producer David Merrick to collaborate with on the musical Promises, Promises. Bacharach and David ended their collaboration in 1973. In 1993, the duo reunited, after 20 years of working solo, for a new Warwick song, “Sunny Weather Lover.” (Bio provided by NPR Music.) FST FORUMS Special Awards and Recognition for Burt Bacharach In addition to the competitive awards Burt Bacharach won for his songwriting, his career was also honored with a number of awards designed to recognize artists who have had long, impressive careers in the arts. The most notable is perhaps The White House Gershwin Award, which he won with Hal David, his songwriting partner on all of the songs that appear in Burt & Me. The Gershwin Award is awarded to great songwriters in honor of legendary songwriting duo, George and Ira Gershwin. It was established in 2007, and first given to Paul McCartney. Burt Bacharach and Hal David are the only songwriting duo to win, and their specific connection to the collaboration that George and Ira embodied Bacharach accepting the Gershwin Award. was specifically praised at the ceremony. In 2008, Burt was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy’s pre-ceremony, where he was called “the greatest living composer.” He was awarded along with Doris Day, and The Band. Although the award is often given to people who haven’t won a competitive Grammy, Burt had won six in various categories. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award precisely 40 years after he won his first competitive Grammy, and just two years after he won his sixth. The impressive length of his career and his lasting success was cited as a reason for his selection as a winner that year. Some of the nation’s most prestigious music programs have also chosen to honor the legacy of Burt Bacharach’s work in American music. In 2006 USC’s Thorton School of Music honored him with the Thorton Legacy Award, and created a scholarship for incoming students in his name. Also in 2006, UCLA awarded him with their own George and Ira Gershwin Award for outstanding contributions to the field of music. In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the Berklee College of Music, he was also featured in that year’s Great American Songbook concert. FST FORUMS Awards Won by Burt Bacharach 1970 Best Original Song - “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1970 Best Original Score - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1982 Best Original Song - “Arthur’s Theme (The Best that You Can Do)” EMMY AWARDS 1971 Outstanding Single Program - Variety or Musical- Singer Presents Burt Bacharach. Note: Burt Bacharach, Gary Smith, and Dwight Hemion were nominated together in this category twice that year. GRAMMY AWARDS 1968 Best Instrumental Arrangement - “Alfie” from the filmAlfie 1970 Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1970 Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album - Promises, Promises 1987 Song of the Year - “That’s What Friends are For” 1999 Best Pop Collaboration with vocals - “I Still Have that Other Girl”- Collaboration with 2006 Best Pop Instrumental Album - “At This Time” Burt Bacharach and Hal David at the 1970 Academy Awards. Downtown Sarasota 941.366.9000 FloridaStudioTheatre.org 1241 N. Palm Ave. FST COMPANY BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP President...... Dennis McGillicuddy Gaele Barthold Valerie Joels Vice-President...... Richard Hopkins Jan Coleman Marie Kropp Secretary/Treasurer...... Tom Hayes Larry Coleman Frank Malickson Trustee...... Kate Alexander Maddy Freshwater Graci McGillicuddy Trustee...... Carol Poteat Buchanan Sy Goldblatt Dick Nimtz Trustee...... Georgia Court Goldstein Ina Schnell Trustee...... Patricia Courtois Goldman Alan Schottenstein Trustee...... Jeff Hotchkiss Trustee...... Barbara Lupoff Sandy Goldman Lois Schottenstein Robert Grady Lois Stulberg Trustee...... ­ Jennifer Michell­ EXECUTIVE STAFF Wendy Grady Charlie Ann Syprett Producing Artistic Director...... Richard Hopkins Robert Israeloff Martin Taffel Associate Director...... Kate Alexander Bonny Israeloff Managing Director...... Rebecca Hopkins AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT GROUP ARTISTIC STAFF Hon. Larry L. Eger Dr. Eddy Regnier Casting/Hiring Coordinator...... James Ashford Mr. Trevor Harvey Ina Schnell Resident Pianist...... Jim Prosser Innocence Project Mayor Willie Associate Artist...... Jason Cannon of Florida Charles Shaw Associate Artist...... Catherine Randazzo Assistant to the Artistic Director...... Doris Iemolo The Jewish Federation Mr. Howard Tevlowitz Director of Improvisation...... Will Luera of Sarasota-Manatee Chief Judge Charles Gilbert King E. Williams PRODUCTION STAFF Production Manager...... Bruce Price OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE Mainstage Stage Manager...... Roy Johns House Counsel...... John Patterson Scene Shop Supervisor...... Stephen Dunham Facility Custodian...... Carlos De Oliveira Carpenter...... Garrett Wilson ...... Confidence Cleaning Company Costume Shop Manager...... Adrienne Webber Caretaker...... Doctor Nik Sound Supervisor...... Thom Korp Hair Colorist...... Ana Molinari Props/Paint Supervisor...... Kristine Kreutzer Wigs...... Tami Thompson ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ...... Charmaine Liddicoat IT Manager...... Lee Schlosser Business Manager...... Carmen Gonzalez Bookkeeper...... Jennifer Berkey INTERN PROGRAM Business Office Associate...... Jennifer Fullman Acting Apprentice...... Davion Brown Asst. to the Managing Dir...... Phyllis Silverman Acting Apprentice...... Michael Fraser Operations Manager...... Mark Quackenbush Acting Apprentice...... Kihresha Redmond Facilities Manager...... Joseph Goepfrich Acting Apprentice...... Brianna Roche General Manager...... Jill Zakrzewski Artistic/Co. Mgmt Intern...... Robin Mackey Events Coord/Gen Mgmt Asst...... Christina Charlotte Company Management Intern...... Dianna Burgos Company Manager...... Luke Johnson Directing Intern...... Michael Galvez Marketing Director...... Audra Lange Education & Outreach Intern...... Maclain Hardin Public Relations Associate...... Nicole Clayton Literary/Playwriting Intern...... Alexander Hehr Marketing Associate...... David Meiers Literary Intern...... Alexander Charles Adams Marketing Assistant...... Alex Hill Literary Intern...... Lydia Baxter Director of Indiv. Giving...... Melody Mora-Shihadeh Literary Intern...... Melanie Slusar Development Associate...... Samus Haddad Costume Intern...... Shaye Hurst Development Associate...... Corriane Oster Prod./Lighting Intern...... Bryce Benson Application Systems Manager...... Kathleen Smith Box Office Manager...... Kelsey Wehde Prod./Lighting Intern...... Sarah McGrath Asst. Box Office Manager...... Delpero Prod./Carpentry Intern...... Marco Acosta Asst. Box Office Manager...... David Wallace Prod./Sound Intern...... Jonathan Baker Box Office Assistant...... Amy Beach Production Management Intern...... Kristina Ramos Restaurant Manager...... Tom Curry Stage Management Intern...... Rebecca Li Grady Restaurant Manager...... Karen Kraster Stage Management Intern...... Kelsey Peavyhouse Restaurant Manager...... Josh Rodoski Stage Management Intern...... Addison Powers Receptionist...... Joan O’Dowd Stage Management Intern...... Jynelly Rosario Administrative Assistant...... Bart Dolce Summer Camp Intern...... David Anthony EDUCATION & TOURS Summer Camp Intern...... Megan Bentley Director of Children’s Theatre...... Caroline Kaiser Summer Camp Intern...... Jordan Davis Director of Education...... Christine Hopkins Summer Camp Intern...... Reuben Roberts Education Administrator...... Pamela Smith Summer Camp Intern...... Brianna Tschuor Teaching Artist/YPF Coordinator...... Adam Ratner Summer Camp Intern...... Rachel Weaver Education Group Sales Assoc...... Hannah Bagnall Teaching Artists...... Jennifer Fuller, Denee Lortz, Liz Pascoe, Sam Mossler 941.366.9000 1241 North Palm Avenue • Downtown Sarasota, FL 34236 www.floridastudiotheatre.org • [email protected]