WHITBY COURTHOUSE THEATRE |2017/18 Whitby Centennial Building, 416 Centre St. S.| PROGRAM MUSIC ANDLYRICS byRobertLopezandJeff Marx THE MUSICAL THE BOOK BASEDONANORIGINAL CONCEPT ispresented through specialarrangement withMusic Theatre International(MTI). by RobertLopezandJeff Marx whitbytheatre.ca BOOK byJeff Whitty February 8-24, February 905.668.8111

2018 JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT APRIL 19, 20, 2018 – 7:30PM APRIL 21, 2018 – 1:30 & 7:30PM Fairview Library Theatre 35 Fairview Mall Dr. For tickets and information: spotlightmusicalproductions.com

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100 Brock St, S. Whitby, ON 905-430-3774 www.lafontainewhitby.ca WHITBY COURTHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS

BOOK by

BOOK BASED ON AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT by and Jeff Marx

MUSIC AND LYRICS by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

ORCHESTRATIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS by Stephen Oremus

Producer Director Heather Doucette Monique Essegern Music Director Stage Manager Choreographer Edward Niles Dave Rabjohn Tasha Dizazzo Set Design Costume Design Design Ian Handscomb Monique Essegern Monique Essegern Donna Gunter Video Projection Design Lighting Design Sound Design Christopher Seaman Greg & Pauline Poulin Margo Rodgers

The world premiere of AVENUE Q was presented by the Vineyard Theatre and The New Group, , February 2003. AVENUE Q premiered on Broadway at the Golden Theater on July 31, 2003, produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group. Avenue Q has not been authorized or approved by the Jim Henson or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content. Avenue Q is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

The taking of photographs, videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. FROM THE DIRECTOR In early 1971, I was a young, stay-at-home mom confined to a tiny three-room apartment with my new baby girl. To relieve the boredom, and save my sanity, I began watching a children’s television show called . It was novel, funny, and best of all utilized as the main characters. Founded by public television producer Joan Cooney in 1969, the Children’s Television Workshop, now called Sesame Workshop, collaborated with writer, director, and Jim Henson. The ‘Muppets’ Jim created for the show were unlike the glove puppets or marionettes on the classic children’s programs that I had grown up with. Sesame Street’s colourful characters like and Cookie Monster appealed to children and adults alike, teaching kids everything from empathy to arithmetic.

The musical, Avenue Q is more than just a satire of Sesame Street, it is an homage to Henson’s creativity and Muppet character creations, as well as children’s educational TV programming. Despite Sesame Workshop’s assertions that the puppet characters, Ernie and Bert have no sexual orientation, Avenue Q’s Rod and Nicky, who are very similar in look and nature to their television counterparts, are free to address the question of their homosexuality. Avenue Q’s creator, Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez present other adult situations, like racism, and ‘simplify’ their complexity by creating a charming, catchy song, “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” as a teachable moment in the show.

In telling Princeton’s story in Avenue Q, Lopez and Marx relied on their own autobiographical ‘coming of age’ in the 1990’s and 2000’s. They grew up as part of the ‘entitled’ Generation Y (also identified by The New York Times as ‘Generation Why Bother’) who were taught by their parents and teachers that they were ‘special’- that they could do anything. Children’s television echoed that. “Follow your ” became the pervasive career advice. Not surprisingly, Gen Y’s were disappointed about what they experienced instead. Like Avenue Q’s residents Princeton and Lucy the Slut, many became downtrodden and disillusioned when the reality of adulthood set in, and they found themselves in their ’20’s and ‘30’s still living with their parents, still searching for their purpose in life. Princeton’s opening number, “What Do You Do With A B.A. in English” could be an anthem to this generation.

In an interview conducted by Aaron Dobbs and Lily Oei in 2004, Marx and Lopez were asked the question, “Why puppets?” as the vehicle to address the show’s themes. The pair explained:

“…puppets were so cute and friendly, they had a wider latitude to go further than humans could go without being distasteful. MESSAGE Sometimes thoughts and words that would probably be offensive in a human’s mouth are more acceptable — and even funnier — coming out of a puppet. “

In creating the puppets used in WCT’s production, I was inspired by Rick Lyon’s designs for his puppet characters in the original 2003 Broadway production of Avenue Q. Since I am not a professional puppeteer or puppet maker, I was limited by the resources at hand, as well as my amateur knowledge of sewing, gluing, and pattern making. I am indebted to my assistant Donna Gunter whose support and encouragement during the seven-month long construction period helped keep me sane, and whose ideas often flowed when mine did not.

Monique Essegern CAST

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Princeton...... TODD APPLETON Brian...... CHRISTOPHER PEZZARELLO Kate Monster...... JESSICA FODOR Nicky...... GREG WHITE Rod...... ALEXANDER MANTIA (puppet captain) Christmas Eve...... OLIVIA JON Gary Coleman...... STEVEN SUEPAUL Trekkie Monster...... KYLE ROBERTS Bad Idea Bears...... LISA FERREIRA, GREG WHITE Mrs. Thistletwat...... KYLE ROBERTS Lucy the Slut...... ALLYSON POLIDANO Ricky...... KYLE ROBERTS Newcomer...... ALEXANDER MANTIA & BAND VIDEO PROJECTIONS VOICE RECORDING ARTISTS KAI FERREIRA, HUDSON ORDANIS, ZOE ORDANIS, CASSIDY SMITH, LILY WILLCOTT, AUSTIN WILLCOTT, MADELEINE WHITE, MORGAN WHITE AND PHIL PIZAK BAND Conductor...... EDWARD NILES Keyboard 1...... SAM MOFFATT Keyboard 2...... SARA CAIN Guitar/Banjo...... ERIK MOODY Bass...... EZRA SHERMAN Reeds...... JEFF DENSHAM Drums...... ROB THERRIEN Percussion...... TYLER REZNICK

DID YOU KNOW... In 2002, a major controversy erupted when an HIV-positive puppet debuted on the show’s South African edition. Yellow-furred Kami, whose backstory includes a South African upbringing as well as a mother who died of AIDS, was meant to educate children on the disease. Conservative critics accused the show of promoting homosexuality and prematurely educating youngsters on AIDS. SCENES&SONGS (When You’re Makin’ Love)”...... “You CanBeasLoud astheHellYou Want Scene 9-Kate’s Apartment/Entire Street: Later That Night “Special”...... “I’m NotWearing Underwear Today”...... Scene 8–Around theClockCafé: That Evening “Mix Tape”...... Scene 7–Kate’s Apartment:AWeek Later Scene 6–OntheAvenue: AWeek Later “There’s aFine, FineLine”...... “My Girlfriend,Who Lives inCanada”...... Scene 12–OntheAvenue (The Wedding): A MonthLater Scene 11–Kate’s Apartment:The Next Afternoon “Fantasies Come True” ...... Scene 10– “The Internet Isfor Porn”...... Scene 5–Kate’s Apartment/OntheAvenue: AWeek Later SCENES &MUSICAL NUMBERS INTERMISSION “It Sucksto BeMe”...... Scene 1–The Avenue: Morning ACT ONE “What DoYou DowithaB.A.inEnglish?”...... “The Avenue QTheme”...... PROLOGUE “Everyone’s aLittleBitRacist”...... Scene 4–OntheAvenue: Later That Day “Purpose”...... Scene 3–OutsidePrinceton’s Apartment:The Next Day “If You Were Gay”...... Scene 2–Nicky andRod’s Apartment:That Afternoon Much Later That Night Nicky andRod’s Apartment/Kate’s Apartment: PRINCETON ANDCOMPANY (AKA ‘SINGINGBOXES’) CHRISTMAS EVE,GARY COLEMAN, ANDPRINCETON GARY COLEMAN, ROD, AND PRINCETON BRIAN, KATE MONSTER, ROD, NICKY, ROD, KATE, NICKY ANDPRINCETON PRINCETON, KATE, ANDCOMPANY KATE, TREKKIEMONSTER, BRIAN, GARY, THEBADIDEABEARS, BRIAN, ANDCHRISTMAS EVE PRINCETON, KATE, GARY, KATE ANDPRINCETON NICKY WITHROD PRINCETON COMPANY BRIAN LUCY KATE ROD

ACT TWO Scene 1 – Princeton’s Apartment / New York City: A Month Later “It Sucks to Be Me” (Reprise)...... PRINCETON “There Is Life Outside Your Apartment”.... BRIAN, PRINCETON, CHRISTMAS EVE, GARY, NICKY, TREKKIE MONSTER, LUCY, AND COMPANY Scene 2 – On the Avenue: That Afternoon “The More You Ruv Someone”...... CHRISTMAS EVE AND KATE Scene 3 Kate’s Apartment: The Next Morning Scene 4 – Princeton’s Apartment: Later That Morning Scene 5 – The Avenue: Later That Afternoon “Schadenfreude”...... GARY AND NICKY Scene 6 – Empire State Building/Street Corner: An Hour Past Midnight Scene 7 – The Hospital: The Next Morning Scene 8 - On the Avenue: A Week Later The Money Song...... NICKY, PRINCETON, GARY, BRIAN AND CHRISTMAS EVE Scene 9 – Empire State Building/A Corner/The Hospital: That Night “I Wish I Could Go Back to College”...... KATE, NICKY AND PRINCETON Scene 10 – On the Avenue: The Next Day “The Money Song”...... NICKY, PRINCETON, GARY, BRIAN AND CHRISTMAS EVE “School for Monsters”...... TREKKIE MONSTER AND COMPANY “The Money Song” (Reprise)..NICKY, PRINCETON, GARY, BRIAN AND CHRISTMAS EVE Scene 11 – On the Avenue: A Week Later “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” (Reprise)...... PRINCETON AND KATE “What Do You Do With a B.A. in English?” (Reprise)...... NEWCOMER “For Now”...... COMPANY

SETTING The Place: A dilapidated DID YOU KNOW... neighbourhood in a seedy In 2005, after years of Cookie Monster chanting “me want area of New York City. cookie,” the show’s producers dramatically switched up his The Time: Now diet with loads of fruits instead, and Cookie Monster crooned a new theme song titled “A Cookie is a Sometime Food” to teach kids that cookies shouldn’t be eaten all the time. NOTE: Any monies collected from audience members during In 2010, producers announced that they would not air a music video duet of Elmo and Katy Perry. The music video, a parody “The Money Song” will be of Perry’s hit “Hot ‘N Cold,” was released online, instantly donated to the actors’/band’s sparking a controversy over the appropriateness of Perry’s beer fund. LOL! cleavage-showing outfit. CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM Producer...... HEATHER DOUCETTE Director...... MONIQUE ESSEGERN Music Director ...... EDWARD NILES Choreographer ...... TASHA DIZAZZO Stage Manager...... DAVE RABJOHN Vocal Coach...... YOLANDA VAN GROOTEL Set Design...... IAN HANDSCOMB Lighting Design...... GREG POULIN, PAULINE POULIN Sound Design...... MARGO RODGERS Sound Technician...... TAYLOR HAGGAR (lead), ALEX KONC Hair/Makeup Design...... KARA GILBEY Video Projection Design...... CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN Costume Design...... MONIQUE ESSEGERN, DONNA GUNTER Puppet Design...... MONIQUE ESSEGERN Properties...... SUE WABB (lead), MONIQUE ESSEGERN IAN HANDSCOMB, EDWARD NILES, DEB SMITH Assistant Stage Managers ...... DEBRA EKSTEIN, ROWENA KEYES Puppet Construction...... MONIQUE ESSEGERN Puppet Construction Assistant...... DONNA GUNTER Additional Puppet Construction Assistance...... ALEXANDER MANTIA MIRTHA QUATTROCHI Christmas Eve’s Wedding Ensemble...... MARLA FITZGERALD Puppet Dressers...... DONNA GUNTER, MIRTHA QUATTROCHI Rehearsal Pianist...... MATTHEW WILLCOTT Lighting and Video Operator...... ZACHARY UNGER, EMILY DOUCETTE Sound Operator...... RYAN McGARVEY Stage Hands...... ANA GARCIA, CHRIS GARCIA JAIME MARTIN, EZRA KEYES Follow Spot Operator...... HEATHER DOUCETTE Set Construction Crew ...... IAN HANDSCOMB (lead), RYAN McGARVEY EDWARD NILES, DAVID RABJOHN, ZACHARY UNGER Scenic Painting/Décor...... IAN HANDSCOMB (lead), MELANIE BAKER EMILY DOUCETTE, HEATHER DOUCETE, RYAN McGARVEY EDWARD NILES, DAVID RABJOHN, KYLE ROBERTS, DEB SMITH Program Design and Lobby Display...... EDWARD NILES PRODUCTION WHO’S WHO

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

TODD APPLETON OLIVIA JON (Princeton) Todd is (Christmas Eve) For happy to be back at Whitby Courthouse: WCT, having last debut. Elsewhere: played the Emcee The 25th Putnam in . The County Spelling Bee Whitby dentist (Marcy Park), Man (appletondental.ca) of LaMancha has appeared in (Antonia), The King numerous shows & I (Tuptim), around Durham (Little Region and the GTA – favourite roles Sally), Sylvia (Sylvia), Seussical include Leo Bloom in , (Gertrude), The Heiress (Catherine), J. Pierpont Finch in How to Succeed in Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), Business and Jinx in Forever Plaid. You Perfect Wedding (Julie), Hamlet might also recognize Todd from his (Ophelia), Much Ado About Nothing recent nationwide Sensodyne TV (Hero), Closer (Alice), commercial. Todd wishes to thank (Little Red), Jesus Christ: Superstar Monique, Ted and Yolanda for this (Mary), Doubt (Sister James), South opportunity and thanks his family, Pacific (Liat). Thanks to Steven (Gary friends and awesome dental office Coleman) for the rides to Whitby. team for all their support. ALEXANDER LISA FERREIRA MANTIA (Rod/ (Bad Idea Bear) Newcomer – puppet This is Lisa’s third captain) Alexander, show with WCT, a puppeteer and following August: puppet builder for Osage County the past ten years, is (Karen), and The excited to be in his Full Monty first WCT show. (Georgie). Other recent shows Alexander has include CCP’s You’ll honed his skills with Get Used to It: The War Show (Susan), Sesame Street, and ‘Muppet’ The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas performers at puppetry workshops at (Miss Mona), Cabaret (Fräulein Kost), ’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre and Young Frankenstein (Inga). Center. Alexander has also performed the roles of the Tin Man in The Wizard JESSICA FODOR of Oz, and as puppeteer for Audrey 2 (Kate Monster) for Little Shop of Horrors for the Fr. Leo An accomplished J. Austin CSS Theatre Company. singer and Alexander is honoured to be lending his songwriter, Jessica, talents to such a wonderful show, and who makes her cast; and he would like to dedicate his WCT debut in this production, has performance to his loving, and performed as a supportive family, Silvia, Sal and Sarina, children’s as well as to his dear, fellow entertainer for live , Jayden, Tau, Matt, Melvin, productions on national Canadian tours Seb and Frank. playing featured costume and non- costume characters from Toopy and Binoo, Dora, and assorted My Little Pony characters. CHRISTOPHER STEVEN SUEPAUL (Gary PEZZARELLO (Brian) Coleman) Steven is excited Unlike Avenue Q’s Brian, for his third production at Christopher Pezzarello has WCT after The Rocky Horror enjoyed a steady career Show and Urinetown. Raised teaching high school drama in Whitby, he’s currently for 19 years. Christopher has based out of Toronto. A graduate of the Second City also performed with many Toronto’s conservatory local theatre companies program, Steven has also during this time, including performed as a cast the Port Perry Town Hall member with the Second City House Company, Players, Class Act Dinner Theatre, Scarborough as a featured player with the Bad Dog Theatre Players, Durham Shoestring Performers, Company, and a cast member/music director Oshawa Little Theatre and Whitby Courthouse with the charity theatre group Players Toronto. Theatre. Thank you to all involved with Avenue He’d like to thank his family for their support! Q for giving me the opportunity to do this show. Much love to my supportive family. GREG WHITE (Nicky/Bad Idea Bear)Greg is thrilled to ALLYSON POLIDANO be back with the Whitby (Lucy the Slut) Allyson is Courthouse Theatre having thrilled to be back previously played Steve performing after a 17-year Heidebrecht in WCT’s award hiatus. During this time, she winning production of has focused her energy August: Osage County. nurturing the skills of her Other theatre includes The students as an arts teacher Cowardly Lion in The with the DCDSB. Since Wizard of Oz and doubling 2003, Allyson has written, as both The Wolf and The Steward in Into The produced and directed over Woods, both with The Queensville Players. 45 different plays, musicals, arts festivals and Greg would like to thank his family for all their special events; firstly, at St. Mary CSS in love and support. Pickering, and now at Father Leo J. Austin CSS in Whitby. She was last seen on stage as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hodel in at Oshawa Little Theatre. Allyson and her husband Kevin are the proud parents to two beautiful children, Charlee and Jackson.

KYLE ROBERTS – (Trekkie Monster/Mrs. Thistletwat/ Ricky) Kyle is elated to be in his first Whitby Courthouse Theatre production. Kyle is a Bishop’s University Alumnus where he studied drama. This is Kyle’s 27th production, and he’s always wanted to be in Avenue Q since the day he first heard the cast recording. Kyle would like to thank everyone involved in the production for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the show. He would also like to thank his family for THE BAND (from left) – SAM MOFFATT, their support, and to you, our audience for JEFF DENSHAM, ROB THERRIEN, SARA being here to laugh with us. CAIN, EZRA SHERMAN, ERIK MOODY, TYLER REZNICK WHO’S WHO IN PUPPETS

BAD IDEA BEARS - The PRINCETON - Princeton is Bad Idea Bears would like a fresh face to Avenue Q! you to know that they Though unemployed at the would be really sad if you moment, he is proud of his don’t treat yourself at new college degree, and intermission and buy hopes to put it towards yourself a cookie and a finding his ‘purpose’! drink, and then another one! Oh, and buy your 50/50 tickets in bulk to save you money! YAYAYAAY!!! KATE MONSTER - Kate NICKY - Nicky is a NY Monster loves being a Mets fan who enjoys cheese- kindergarten teaching burgers, Budweiser, and assistant. She hopes to earn long, late night walks to the enough money to create her refrigerator. He usually lives own special ‘monster school’ with Rod, his best bud, on for under appreciated little Avenue Q! monsters. She thanks all her friends from Avenue Q for their support!

LUCY THE SLUT - Fresh ROD - Rod is a proud from her world tour, Republican with a stable job headlining in Amsterdam, as an investment banker. He Bangkok and Celebration, would like to dedicate his Florida, and star of Girls performance tonight to his Gone Wild Parts 2, 5 & 7, girlfriend Alberta who Lucy is thrilled to grace the couldn’t be here tonight Whitby Courthouse Theatre because she lives in stage. She wants to thank Vancouver. every gentleman (and obstacles to those gentleman) for coming tonight to see her in - Avenue Q. XOXO! TREKKIE MONSTER No time to write bio… me busy…with porn! MRS. THISTLETWAT - Mrs. T. has been a kindergarten educator at Small Minds DID YOU KNOW... Elementary School for the In 2011, Sesame Street’s past 60 years. She wants to Youtube channel was hacked thank the producers for and replaced with porn; wasting her time writing this it was quickly fixed, but not bio. before some of the page’s 148,000 subscribers viewed the offending material. WHO’S WHO IN PRODUCTION

TASHA DIZAZZO MONIQUE ESSEGERN (Choreographer) A former (Director/Costume Design/ WCT Youth Group member, Puppet Creator) Monique Tasha was also the has been active onstage and choreographer for WCT’s off in the Durham Region for A Funny Thing Happened the past 35 years in a On the Way to the Forum cornucopia of productions. (2007) and The Wizard of For WCT, she has directed OZ (2007). Tasha’s last Little Shop of Horrors, performance at WCT was in Arsenic and Old Lace, Monty Python’s Spamalot. Picasso at the Lapin Agile, She is thrilled to return for Avenue Q and meet A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the the challenges of choreographing both people Forum, The 39 Steps, as well as the award and puppets in this unique show. It has been a winning The Wizard of Oz, The 25th Annual real joy and amazing learning experience. She Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Monty would like to thank the cast and crew for their Python’s Spamalot. Monique is grateful to the hard work, and her husband Marty for his talented individuals whose collaborative efforts enduring support. have created this politically incorrect puppet play, and to WCT’s Board of Directors for their HEATHER DOUCETTE continued support. (Producer) Heather is pleased to be finding her KARA GILBEY (Hair and “purpose” producing Avenue Makeup) As a professional Q. She can thankfully say hair stylist/makeup artist for “this is what you do with a over 20 years, Kara is thrilled B.A. in English!!” She is very to be working with the cast glad for the opportunity to and crew of Avenue Q. Kara be working with such a has worked on other gifted and talented artistic community theatre team, cast and crew. She is productions such as: Legally forever grateful for the love and encouragement Blonde, , Communicating of her daughter and husband on this journey Doors, Les Belle Soeurs, we call life. West Side Story and Footloose. Kara considers that being a part of this close-knit community is DEB EKSTEIN (Assistant an honour, and she looks forward to doing more Stage Manager) Deb always shows. enjoys working with cast and crew at WCT. She has DONNA GUNTER previously been involved with (Costume Design/Puppet many aspects of community Construction Assistant) theatre, including: Donna is enjoying her fourth responsibilities as producer, year in the wardrobe room at assistant stage manager, WCT. She loves sewing and props, and providing working with cast members assistance where and when to find the perfect costumes. needed. Debra considers it an absolute joy to Thanks to Marla and Irene for work with all the talented folks, and especially sharing their knowledge of the ones in this production of Avenue Q. sewing and theatre.

WCT’s Website has moved to... whitbytheatre.ca Make sure you update your browswer bookmarks! TAYLOR HAGGER (Sound RYAN McGARVEY (Sound Technician) Taylor works in Operator – and so much audio post production, but more) Ryan is a co-operative has such a blast working as education student from sound operator for WCT’s O’Neill CVI. He has had a Catch Me If You Can last blast shadowing, painting year, that he has returned and promoting for Avenue for a second round to work Q. Ryan assisted the set on this show. Taylor has also designer and stage manager lent his considerable talents for Mambo Italiano last to Oshawa Little Theatre’s November. Ryan is thankful Legally Blonde and The Little Mermaid. He to his fellow team members for letting him hopes you enjoy the show! explore the wonderful world of theatre production! IAN HANDSCOMB (Set Design) Ian is excited to be EDWARD NILES (Music back at Whitby Courthouse Director) Following the Theatre and hanging out on hugely successful Mambo Avenue Q. His set designs Italiano, which he directed, for How To Succeed in and currently president of Business without Trying, WCT, Edward is happy to be and Suds back in front of a live band. were recognized by ACT- He would like to thank the CO, and he won Thea dedication and hard work Awards for The 25th Annual from all the cast and Putnam Spelling Bee and Cabaret. His other talented production team. A design credits include The Phoenix Lottery, The special thanks to Ian for his continued love and Ecstasy of Rita Joe, Ten Lost Years, Waiting for support in all of Edward’s endeavours. Hope Godot, The Tempest, and Mambo Italiano. He you enjoy Avenue Q as much as we enjoy has assisted on Les Misérables, Jesus Christ bringing it to you. Superstar, On Golden Pond, Urinetown, Leading Ladies, Christmas Carol, and Things My Mother GREG POULIN (Lighting Taught Me. In his spare time, Ian is the Design) Greg has been the workshop manager for Whitby Courthouse lighting designer for Theatre and the artistic director of the Claude numerous WCT productions, Watson School for the Arts in Toronto. Ian most recently: Seussical, hopes that everyone enjoys a couple of hours Catch Me If You Can, Monty visiting the folks on Avenue Q. Python’s Spamalot, and The 39 Steps. When not in a ROWENA KEYES theatre, Greg fancies himself (Assistant Stage Manager) a novice real estate investor Rowena enjoyed her first and Doctor Who enthusiast. experience of assistant Enjoy the show! stage managing on Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka with PAULINE POULIN WCT Youth Group this past (Lighting Design) Pauline is spring, and is more than an award winning lighting ecstatic to “live on Avenue designer who began her Q” for the next little while. theatrical career onstage in When not working 1993, but soon realized she backstage, Rowena is a considerable homebody didn’t enjoy ‘finding her and cat lady extraordinaire. Rowena would like light’ as much as she did to thank all the cast and crew for making this designing them. Under the production rock! tutelage of her (now) husband, she has gone on to design many productions across Ontario. DID YOU KNOW... SPECIAL THANKS In 1993, Sesame Street producers put rumors A special thank you to the following to rest, saying Bert and Ernie “do not portray a gay couple... Bert and Ernie are characters who for their support: help demonstrate to children that despite their Deb MacDonald, Mike Ruta, Leema differences, they can be good friends.” Williams – Metroland Media; Claude Watson School for the Arts; Tony Chito – Irene DAVE RABJOHN (Stage Celebrity Cakes; Oshawa Little Theatre; Manager) Dave has been Ted Sellers; Ellen Simor; WCT’s front of involved for many years at house volunteers; Town of Whitby and WCT. He has been a singer, Centennial Building facility staff. actor, and dancer, but more recently has worked backstage, as set builder, BECOME A MEMBER painter, and odd job doer. Join us as a member of WCT and be a star He is pleased to work again onstage, backstage or on a creative team. as stage manager as he did Volunteers are always needed to help last for the The 25th Annual out, and besides, it’s a lot of fun! Putnam Spelling Bee. Happy to be a part of For more information email: Monique and Ted’s creative team – he thought this would be an easy gig until he found out that [email protected] the puppets talk back! Dave thanks our dynamic backstage crew for their efforts. He considers it SUPPORT FUTURE SHOWS a privilege to watch this extraordinarily talented 50/50 tickets and refreshments are sold and effervescent cast, night after night, from the during intermission. All proceeds go directly best seat in the house! to help fund future WCT productions. MARGO RODGERS (Sound Design) This is Margo’s sixth sound design project for WCT. Her WHITBY previous work was on The COURTHOUSE THEATRE 39 Steps, Monty Python’s Spamalot, August: Osage BOARD OF DIRECTORS County, Catch Me If You President...... EDWARD NILES Can, and Roald Dahl’s Willy Vice-President...... JOSH FORD Wonka. This time, she’s had Executive Producer...... MIKE TRITES the added pleasure of Treasurer ...... VIVIAN TATTRIE (acting) working with the projection artist, Christopher Secretary ...... HEATHER DOUCETTE Seaman, to blend ideas; plus, a group of great Artistic Director...... DEBRA SMITH kids who enthusiastically lent their voices to the Box Office...... BERNADETTE SIMMS video projections. And again, she thanks Front of House...... MELISSA SMITH Monique for the opportunity to make some Marketing...... MONIQUE ESSEGERN noise. Youth Group...... NICOLE VEZEAU

GARY WAYNE COLEMAN (February 8, 1968 DEPARTMENT HEADS – May 28, 2010) was an American actor, best Office Manager...... VIVIAN TATTRIE known for his role as Arnold Jackson in Diff’ Network Manager...... SHAEL RISMAN Strokes (1978–1986). He was described in the Props Managers...... DEBRA SMITH 1980s as “one of television’s most promising SUSAN WABB stars”. After a successful childhood acting Technical Manager...... ALEX KONC career, Coleman struggled financially later in Wardrobe Managers...... MARLA FITZGERALD life. In 1989, he successfully sued his parents DONNA GUNTER Workshop Manager...... and business adviser over misappropriation of IAN HANDSCOMB Webmaster...... his assets, only to declare bankruptcy a decade EDWARD NILES later. He passed away at the age of 42.

COMING The Dixie Swim Club SOON by Jessie Jones, Jamie Wooten & Nicholas Hope April 12-28, 2018 Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives. The Dixie Swim Club focuses on four of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years. As their lives unfold and the years pass, these five women increasingly rely on one another, through advice and raucous repartee, to get through the challenges that life flings at them. And when fate throws a wrench into one of their lives, these friends, proving the enduring power of teamwork, rally `round their own with the strength and love that takes this comedy in a poignant and surprising direction. A hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.

Into the Woods Jr. Book by James Lapine Music & Lyrics by Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine June 7-17, 2018 Be careful what you wish for as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Into the Woods JR. features all of your favorite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and the Witch in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables. The musical centers on a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse and wind up changed forever. whitbytheatre.ca 416 Centre Street South | Whitby | 905-668-8111