COLE PORTER Arthur Kopit Susan Birkenhead by Philip Barry
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Music & Lyrics by COLE PORTER Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry DIRECTED BY DAVID HUNTER KOCH MUSIC DIRECTION BY MARK RABE ILLSLEY BALL NORDSTROM RECITAL HALL AT BENAROYA HALL 200 University Street, Seattle, WA 98111 Director’s Note Some of the cleverest, funniest and most romantic songs ever written came featured in a now long forgotten Broadway revue, to his last score for a CBS television production of Aladdin in 1958, Porter crafted hundreds of songs for dozens of musicals: “Night and Day,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” ”My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” “Begin the Beguine,” “You’re the Top,” and on and on... successful composer/lyricist to move songs out of the simple sentimentality of Tin Pan Alley to explore subjects that, at the time, were thought too taboo for audiences. It was his urbane wit and musical complexity that won audiences over and the affection of the entire world. This year being the 50th anniversary of Cole Porter’s death, it seems appropri- ate to take a moment to relish his clever melodies and witty lyrics in this funny and touching musical. So sit back and enjoy HIGH SOCIETY as our amazingly talented cast share with you the many reasons why Cole Porter’s songs are so CAST De Lovely. (Sorry... couldn’t help myself!) Enjoy! David Hunter Koch MUSICAL NUMBERS Printing: United Reprographics Photo credit: Chris Bennion Graphic Design: Julie Carlos The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of 2 Director’s Note Music and Lyrics by COLE PORTER Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture “High Society” Original Broadway Production Produced by: Lauren Mitchell and Robert Gailus, Hal Luftig and Richard Samson Dodger Endemol Theatricals in association with Bill Haber Originally Producers by American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco, CA. Carey Perloff, Artistic Director, Heather Kitchen, Managing Director High Society in Concert is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 CAST Tracy Lord - Danielle Barnum* Dinah Lord – Analiese Guettinger - Jared Michael Brown* Margaret Lord – Valerie Piacenti* Mike Connor - Matt Giles Seth Lord – Paul Klein* - Katherine Strohmaier* – John X. Deveney George Kittredge - Matthew Posner* – Mallory King, Marissa Ryder, Mike Spee MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I ACT II Prologue Entr’acte High Society/Ridin’ High Opening Act Two Throwin’ A Ball Tonight Let’s Misbehave Little One I’m Getting Myself Ready For You Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Just One Of Those Things I Love Paris Well, Did You Evah? Tennis You’re Sensational She’s Got That Thing Say It With Gin Once Upon A Time Reprise: Ridin’ High I Worship You It’s All Right With Me Finale Act One/ True Love He’s A Right Guy Finale, Act Two The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of * are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 3 CAST High Society, the story of Tracy Samantha Lord’s impending nuptials, started life in 1939 as Philip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, starring Katharine Hepburn. The following year, and James Stewart. Hepburn and Stewart were nominated for Academy Awards for own, so she probably didn’t regret the loss.) Sixteen years later, Cole Porter (see Writer bio) would add music – ten new songs to be performed by no less than Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Louis Armstrong. In 1998, the story came back to Broadway, with Porter’s songs still attached. When we meet Tracy Lord, with her mother and younger sister Dinah, she is busy preparing for her second wedding at the estate of her rather absent-minded Uncle Willie. It doesn’t invited a couple of tabloid reporters from Spy magazine to cover her wedding. Sure as point-and-shooting, writer Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie arrive to work undercover on their inside scoop article. In order to keep Spy readers unaware of the Lord family’s marital problems, Tracy introduces Uncle Willie as her father, which only works out until Tracy’s father Seth shows up himself. attention from a charming young reporter. Although alcohol has embarrassed her in the past, the situation drives her back to drink. for their own reasons, Liz gets stuck fending off Uncle Willie’s increasing attentions, and Mike follows Tracy for a late dip in the pool. Everyone’s memory is a bit foggy the next morning, but not foggy enough to keep George from leaving. Mike and Liz remember that they never wanted to be millionaires, Tracy’s parents have reunited, and love is in the air. But with the wedding planned and guests arriving, who will be the groom? It seems that sometimes “just one of those things” can turn out to be “true love” after all. ~ Jon Lutyens Production Team Director:Music Director: Mark Rabe Production Stage Manager: Susannah Butler* Assistant Stage Manager: Xandria Nirvana Barber Costumer:Artistic Associate: Jon Lutyens Band Piano/Conductor: Mark Rabe Percussion: Brad McRae : Dane Anderson Bass: Lauren Hendrix 4 CAST DANIELLE BARNUM* Danielle is thrilled to make her SHOWTUNES debut! Other favorite credits include Balagan Theatre’s Les Miserables (Eponine), Into the Woods (The Witch) at Mt. Baker Theatre, the workshop of First Date (Allison) at 5th Avenue Theatre/ACT, Iron Curtain (Masha) at Village Theatre, Chicago (Roxie), the title role of Jane Eyre at SMT, Tell Me on a Sunday (Emma) at Artswest, Kristin Knox on TNT’s Leverage commercial work. In her offstage life, Danielle is happy as a freelance photographer at www.inspirebydanielle.com Jared is so honored to be returning to SHOWTUNES with JARED MICHAEL High Society, nearly three years since his debut in the titular role of George M!. Seattle credits include: Oliver!, Secondhand Lions, Pirates of Penzance, Titanic: The Concert, Oklahoma!, Cinderella, Saving Aimee, A Christmas Story: The Musical, and Adventure Musical Theatre at The 5th Avenue Theatre; and The Mousetrap and Iron Curtain at Village Theatre. He loves staged readings and new works. And his family. John is happy to return to SHOWTUNES after appearing in Miracle on 34th Street last Christmas. John has been seen at the Village Theatre in The Odd Couple, Iron Curtain, The Full Monty, Meet Me in St. Louis and Beauty and the Beast. Love to my beautiful wife Celeste, our college bound son, Ian, and the rest of the Deveney clan for their continued love and support. Cheers! Matt is thrilled to be a part of another SHOWTUNES MATT GILES production, and to be onstage with this amazingly talented group of performers. Matt is an actor, director, music director, and theatre teacher across the Puget Sound region. Originally from South Carolina, he made the cross country trek to work at Seattle Repertory Theatre. He misses his family and sweet tea, but loves 5 CAST (continued) CAST (continued) ANALIESE Analiese is delighted to join this stupendous cast after GUETTINGER previously being seen this season in Miracle on 34th Street as Susan Walker. Credits include: Grey Gardens (5th Avenue Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Anne of Green Gables, Meet Me in St. Louis, Showboat (Village Theatre), Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler on the Roof (Seattle Musical Theatre), A Christmas Carol (ACT). Love to the fam and the friends. MALLORY KING Mallory is pleased to be back at SHOWTUNES work- ing with such wonderful people. Favorite roles include Mary Poppins, Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), and Olive (Spelling Bee) all done at CST. 5th Avenue Theatre credits: Oklahoma! Music Man, and Oliver! Up next, Funny Girl at Village! Paul last appeared with SHOWTUNES as the off-center PAUL KLEIN* lawyer Simon Whitehead in Annie Warbucks. Locally he has worked at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Village The- atre, Seattle Shakespeare Festival and Tacoma Actor’s Guild. He has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, - vatory for the Performing Arts. Paul is a regular National Anthem singer for local sports teams. VALERIE PIACENTI* Valerie is delighted to be making her debut with SHOWTUNES! No stranger to Seattle audiences, she has appeared in productions at Seattle Rep, numerous revues at Cabaret de Paris and was in the last cast of Angry Housewives at Pioneer Square Theatre. She was Silver Lining both in Seattle and London. Valerie made her Broadway debut in The Pirates of Penzance starring Kevin Kline. 6 CAST (continued) CAST (continued) ANALIESE GUETTINGER Matthew is pleased to work with SHOWTUNES! Most recently seen at the 5th Avenue in Oliver, Pirates of Penzance and the World Premier of Secondhand Lions. Other credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Showboat, Saint Heaven, Gypsy King (Village Theatre); Camelot (National Tour). Matthew has also launched his voice- over career with various cartoons, video games, and radio/internet adds with Sony and Sharper Image. www.matthewposneractor.yolasite.com Marissa is thrilled to be making her SHOWTUNES debut MARISSA RYDER with High Society. Most recently seen as Meg in Little Women at Artswest, Marissa is a graduate of University of Puget Sound in Vocal Performance. Favorite roles include Claudia Nardi (Nine), Nellie (), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Maria (Sound of Music) and Irene Lyle in the premiere of Ghosts of Celilo at Artists Repertory Theatre (PDX). PAUL KLEIN* MIKE SPEE Mike is excited to be back with SHOWTUNES after last being seen in Real to Reel.