GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE 1 2 GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Teresa Jordan, President Eric Newsome, 1st Vice-President ​Seth Jewell, 2nd Vice-President Donna Chandler Newman, Secretary Kelly Luttrell, Treasurer James “Bo” Adams, Past President/Parliamentarian ​Frank Adams Hal Beckham WHAT’S Shelley Carr Justin Entzminger Cynthia Mattox Julie Scarpace INSIDE ​Paul Scott Robyn Sharp From the Executive Director | 5 Tiana Wooden Next to Normal | 7 Director’s Note | 9 STAFF Brian Everson, Cast / Production Team | 11 Executive Director Who’s Who | 13 Dan Kopera, Technical Director Creative Partners | 16 Cheryl McClurg, Education Director Leah Barrett, Bookkeeper Annie Freres, Box Office Manager AFFILIATIONS ArtsMemphis GPAC Education Grant Southeastern Theatre Conference Tennessee Arts Commission Tennessee Theatre Association American Association of Community Theatres CONTACT US ADVERTISING Box Office: 901.453.7447 Onstage Publications 937-424-0529 | 866-503-1966 Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM e-mail: [email protected] www.gctcomeplay.org www.onstagepublications.com

This program is published in association with Onstage Publications, 1612 Prosser Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409. This program may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. JBI Publishing is a division of Onstage Publications, Inc. Contents © 2020.

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome back to Germantown Community Theatre! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Our seating campaign is almost complete! As of this writing we only lack 10 seats from our goal. If you were on the fence about honoring yourself or your family for the next 25-30 years in the GCT theatre now is the time! Make you tax deductible donation today!

Next to Normal is a departure from our usual productions. In my estimation this show is the riskiest production I have produced out of the twelve shows I have overseen in my eighteen months as executive director. The GCT members and patrons love our comedies and mysteries or basically any show that is “happy and fun”. I love those types of shows as well. Some of my favorite memories at GCT revolve around seeing The Foreigner or Fox on the Fairway. It is important, however, to present productions that challenge and enrich us. Next to Normal is such a production. When Olivia Gacka, the director of this production, pitched this project to me initially I was quite reticent. A rock musical about a mother dealing with mental illness is a tough sell. Gradually through our discussions, I began to realize the importance of the piece and its relevance. Since its Broadway debut in April of 2009, this production has been honored with Tony Awards (Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical) and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Next to Normal closed on Broadway in January of 2011 after running more than 700 performances. An impressive run for a show with its subject matter. Thank you for being in the audience today. We hope this show will help bring the challenges of dealing with mental health into a larger spotlight in our community. While it is certainly my hope you enjoy the show, I feel if you walk out of the theatre this evening with a deeper understanding and appreciation of people dealing with the struggles the Goodman family undergoes in the course of Next to Normal, we as a theatre will have fulfilled our mission to Enrich and Engage our community.

Next on deck for GCT is Driving Miss Daisy which opens March 13th. In between now and then, be on the lookout for our 49th season announcement on February 19th. Season 49 promises to be our most ambitious yet!

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Germantown Community Theatre presents

Next to Normal

Music by Book & Lyrics by Tom Kitt Brian Yorkey

Original Broadway Production Produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo and Second Stage Theatre

Directed by: Olivia Gacka

NEXT TO NORMAL Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Season sponsors: JEAN AND ANDREW SAUNDERS

Presented by: City of Germantown, ArtsMemphis and Tennessee Arts Commission

Warning: This show contains adult content and language.

GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE 7 8 GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome! I am so happy you have decided to join us for this performance of Next to Normal ! I remember when Next to Normal first premiered, and I thought I had never seen or heard anything like it. But now, over ten years later (and hopefully over ten years wiser?) what interests me is not so much what makes this show exceptional or unique, but rather what makes it ordinary and familiar. Even in this age of transparency and “sharing” (in every sense of the word), there is still such a strong stigma around openly discussing mental health. But the fact is, discouraging discussions about mental health make stories like this seem like anomalies when really, they are happening on every street, in every city, in every state of this country. They are happening in Germantown. On top of that, this story conveys in no uncertain terms that there is no ONE way to experience mental health issues, and there is definitely no one solution. The uncertainty of it all makes it all the more difficult to discuss. You may not have experienced (or know someone who has experienced) every single one of the things you’ll see tonight, but one way or another, we chose to tell this story because this story is real. My hope is that you leave the theater tonight more willing to talk about that with your friends, your family, and yourself.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 AA World Services: 212-870-3400 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

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CAST

Diana Goodman...... Lorraine Cotten Natalie Goodman...... Katy Cotten Dan Goodman...... John Maness Gabriel Goodman...... Bruce Huffman Dr. Madden, Dr. Fine, Anesthesiologist...... Jacquelene Cooper Henry...... Oliver Jacob Pierce

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director...... Olivia Gacka Music Director...... Jason Eschhofen Stage Manager...... Rachel Crenshaw Lighting Design...... Dan Kopera Set Design...... Dan Kopera Sound Design...... Dan Kopera Costume Design...... Candy Bartlett Prop Design...... Betty Dilley Set Construction...... Andy Saunders, BC Jennings, Bob Parker, Paul Scott, Dan Kopera, Brian Everson

GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE 11 12 GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE WHO’S WHO

JACQUELENE COOPER It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play. At Theatre (Dr. Fine/ Dr. Madden) is Memphis she was Alice in The Addams Family. You elated to be in Next to might have seen her playing Katy Cotten’s mom in Normal at GCT. Notable Charlotte’s Web here at GCT. She is blessed to get to performances include: play Katy’s mom again–art mirrors life–in this (Mrs. Wormwood) Matilda, musical. Love to Chris and James. (Ulla) The Producers, (Lucy Westphal) Dracula, (Mary BRUCE HUFFMAN Magdalene) Jesus Christ (Gabriel Goodman) was Superstar, (Fortune Teller) most recently seen on Sideshow, and (Beggar Woman) Sweeney Todd. Memphis stages as Adam/ Jacquelene has also performed in Memphis Light Felicia in Priscilla: Queen Opera’s debut production of The Gondoliers, as well as of the Desert, Mark in 3 seasons of Opera Memphis productions including: Altar Boyz, Paul in A Chorus H.M.S. Pinafore, La Traviata, Pirates of Penzance, and Line, 9 to 5: The Musical, The Marriage of Figaro. When she is not at the Heathers: The Musical, and theatre, Jacquelene teaches private voice with her Peter Pan. Other credits colleague and friend, Julie Freeman. Jacquelene would include: Broadway Cares (NYC), and Maxx/Herman like to thank Olivia, Jason, and Rachel for all their in Cabaret (Long Island, NY). He is elated to be dedication to this show. returning to the stage with this powerhouse, creative team of artists. “Sending much love to Nichol, Joe, KATY COTTEN Andrew, Jesse, Cecelia, Skip and Cassie. Thank you (Natalie Goodman) Katy is for your unconditional love and support.” For so excited to be part of such David Foster. an impactful story. She was first seen on the GCT stage JOHN MANESS (Dan as Fern in Charlotte’s Web, Goodman) was most then as Sally in You’re a Good recently seen as John Adams Man, Charlie Brown, Debbie in 1776 and Col. Jessep in in Billy Elliot at Playhouse A Few Good Men at Theatre on the Square, Nancy in Memphis. John holds a BFA Oliver! and Nina in The Seagull at CBHS, and the in theatre performance from Witch in Big Fish at St. George’s, for which she won the University of Memphis HSMTA Featured Actress award. A junior at and an MFA in directing Houston High School, she hopes to become a music from Indiana University. therapist and continue to play the cello after Other favorite roles include, The Glass Menagerie graduation. “I want to thank my mom for being there (Tom), A Steady Rain (Joey), and Twelfth Night for me throughout this entire project and doing a (Orsino); as well as the eponymous roles in Hamlet, helluva job playing my mother, the rest of my family Amadeus, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. for tolerating all of the singing at home, the amazing cast of N2N for being such an amazing second OLIVER PIERCE (Henry) family, and the amazing Princess Gacka for putting so is stoked to make his GCT much trust in me. I want to dedicate this performance debut! He’s a graduate of to my friend Joey who I know is gonna be at every Western Kentucky performance in spirit, cackling every time I sound University where he received funny cursing. his BFA in Musical Theatre. He made it to Memphis by LORRAINE COTTEN way of the Playhouse on the (Diana Goodman) Lorraine Square internship in 2014, is grateful to be a part of and has since performed this important story. Most roles such as: Konstantin The Seagull , Bill Calhoun recently, she was seen as Mae Kiss Me Kate, Matt The Fantasticks, and Svec Once. Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, Theatre Memphis credits include: Luther Billis South Miss Shingle in Gentleman’s Pacific, George Drowsy Chaperone, Guide and Gladys in and Mungojerrie Cats. He recently received an Memphis, the Musical at Ostrander Award for Best Supporting Actor as Feste Playhouse on the Square. in New Moon Theatre’s Twelfth Night. Venmo: She’s also been seen in the Tennessee Shakespeare @oliverpierce Company productions of Taming of the Shrew and

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PRODUCTION TEAM

OLIVIA GACKA (Director) BA in English and Political Science from Carson- is excited to make her GCT Newman University and a JD degree from the debut with Next to Normal. University of Tennessee. She operates a consulting Her previous Memphis service, providing government relations, grassroots credits include directing campaigns, and coalition strategies at the federal level the regional premiere of and in state legislatures across the country. Candy is Heathers the Musical in the married to attorney Joe Bartlett and is the proud Ewing Studio at Rhodes mother of LA based actress and screenwriter Jade College, and assistant Halley Bartlett whose next project is the sequel to directing Shrek the Musical, Marvel’s Dr. Strange, titled Dr. Strange in the The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Multiverse of Madness. Mamma Mia! at Theatre Memphis. Abundant gratitude goes to Rachel and Jason for being the most BETTY DILLEY (Props) stellar team without whom she’d be useless, and to is the Resident Props this phenomenal cast for their hard work and Designer at Germantown collaboration. Thanks to Brian and the folks at GCT Community Theatre. She for their vote of confidence and support of this production. The biggest thank you of all to Mom also designs props for and Dad for their limitless support. other theatres, most recently for Steel CANDY BARTLETT Magnolias at the Harrell (Costumer) is a freelance Theatre in Collierville; costume designer, working Tru at Cloud9 Productions in Memphis, and with community and high Four Weddings and an Elvis at Germantown school theaters across the Community Theatre. Betty has received MidSouth since 1998. Ostrander Theatre Awards for Excellence in She also serves as a member of the MidSouth Fair Youth Prop Design for Spitfire Grille; The Odd Couple, Talent Competition and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Outside of Committee, an organization her work in theatre, Betty enjoys spending time that stages an annual event attracting talented with her husband Hugh and their four fur-babies, instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, and other Rascal, Rocky, Shelby and Brody, and performers from multiple states and awards over encourages everyone to save a life and adopt a $100,000 in scholarships and prizes. Candy holds a homeless pet.

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Angel ($10,000+) Jean and Andy Saunders City of Germantown Tennessee Arts Commission Star ($5,000-$9,999) ArtsMemphis Dr. Jonathan Ellichman Benefactors ($3,000-$4,999) C Studio Hospitality Hal and Lori Beckham Eric and Rachel Newsome Design LLC Hugh and Betty Dilley Producers ($1,000-$2,999) Belz 2008 Foundation BC and Teresa Jennings Donna Chandler Newman Germantown Kiwanis Club Rick and Teresa Jordan and Rusty Newman Germantown Women’s Club Dan Kopera Steven and Rebecca Priddy Brian and Rachael Everson Louise Levin Di and John Randles III William and Sondra Fondren Kelly and Mark Luttrell Robyn, Steven, and Mervin and Sandra Israel Cheryl McClurg Henry Sharp Director ($500-$999) Frank and Kathy Adams Justin and Elizabeth Bonnie and Mike Robinson Carlton and Entzminger Paul Scott Sheila Anderson Jerrold and Martha Graber Bert and Dorrie Simms Jim and Sherril Blair Paul and Debra Hayes Marler Stone Scot and Kim Brothers Seth and Chelsea Jewell Asan Tejwani Bill and Sandra Chiles Frank and Jill Pennypacker Gerald and Sandra Wilson Scott and Alise Davis Chuck and Phyllis Pintner Tiana Wooden Bob and Vicki Eades Jeffrey Posson Partner ($250-$499) Dr. James “Bo” and David and Leslie Cuicchi Billy and Charlotte Myers Petra Adams Dr. Frances Fabian Kathy Parish Race and Martha Bennett Tom Haynes Julie Scarpace Jayne and Don Berube Cynthia Mattox Smith Sulcer Jack and Kathleen Blair F William Miles III and Joanne Woody Shelley Carr Joyce K. Miles Gregory Vandeven Associate ($100-$249) David Allen Julie Freeman and Andrea and Dan Orchik Anonymous Stuart Heyman Curtis and Pat Ringold Elenor Appling Carol Iovino Nancy Scott Sue Binnie Joseph and Audrey Jordan Baylee Thielemier Amy and Brynna Butler in honor of Teresa Jordan Allen and Emily Underwood Rose Ann Bradley Martha Jones Ben and Ruth Woodworth AJ Daneman Waunita Kelley Joann Duncan Duane and Lois Marshall Friend ($50-$99) Leah Barrett Vicki Parretti John Schwarzmann Mary Helen McCord William Schultz

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