2020 PLUS Generations of theatregoers at Berkeley Rep PigPen Theatre Co. on the power of imagination Cards and candles and confections, oh my! NOVEMBER 2019—JANUARY NOVEMBER
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DX.program.v5.indd 1 11/11/19 12:00 PM Engaging and eclectic
in the EastEMG Bay. ST. PAUL’S Oakland is the gateway to the East Bay with a little bit of everything to offer, and St. Paul’s Towers gives you easy access to it all. An artistic, activist, and intellectual Life Plan Community, St. Paul’s Towers is known for convenient services, welcome comforts and security for the future.
With classes, exhibits, lectures, restaurants, shops and public transportation within walking distance, St. Paul’s Towers is urban community living at its best.
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DX.program.v5.indd 2 11/11/19 12:00 PM WELCOME TO 12 BERKELEY REP! To ensure the best experience for everyone: Food and drink: Beverages in cans, cartons, or plastic cups with lids are welcome in the house. Food is prohibited. Phones that make noise during the performance are disruptive to everyone. Ensure phones and electronic devices are turned off during the performance. Photography: Audience members may take photos in the theatre before and after the performance, and during intermission. Photos and video during the performance are not permitted. Photos posted on social media must credit the show’s designers. Late seating is not guaranteed. If you arrive late, the house manager will provide instructions about seating. If you leave during the performance, you will be IN THIS ISSUE reseated at an appropriate break. Smoking/Vaping: Berkeley Rep’s public From the artistic director · 5 spaces are smoke- and vape-free. From the managing director · 6 One of the joys of live theatre is the Runs in the family: Berkeley Rep inspires collective experience. Remember generations of theatregoers · 9 that people respond in different ways, What’s in store · 10 Engaging and eclectic and we invite you to join with other audience members and enjoy the show! FEATURES in the East Bay. PigPen Theatre Co.’s The Tale of Despereaux: A New Musical: the origin story · 12 EMG ST. PAUL’S CONNECT WITH BERKELEY REP Oakland is the gateway to the East Bay with a little bit of everything to offer, “Anything can be anything”: PigPen on mice, Box Office: 510 647-2949 men, and trusting our imaginations · 12 and St. Paul’s Towers gives you easy access to it all. An artistic, activist, and Groups (10+): 510 647-2918 With the light must come the dark: The Admin: 510 647-2900 brilliance of The Tale of Despereaux · 16 intellectual Life Plan Community, St. Paul’s Towers is known for convenient School of Theatre: 510 647-2972 9 services, welcome comforts and security for the future. Click berkeleyrep.org Email [email protected] BERKELEY REP PRESENTS We’re mobile! With classes, exhibits, lectures, restaurants, shops and public transportation Download our free iPhone or PigPen’s The Tale of Despereaux: Google Play app. A New Musical · 18 within walking distance, St. Paul’s Towers is urban community living at its Share with us @berkeleyrep Who’s Who · 20 best. CONTRIBUTORS Get to know us and learn more about moving to St. Paul’s Towers. For Foundation, corporate, and information, or to schedule a visit, call 510.891.8542. THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE in-kind sponsors · 26 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION Individual donors to the Annual Fund · 27 The Berkeley Rep Magazine is published at least Michael Leibert Society · 28 seven times per season. For local advertising inquiries, please contact Pamela Webster at 510 590-7091 or pwebster@ ABOUT BERKELEY REP berkeleyrep.org. Staff, board of trustees, and 10 Editor Karen McKevitt sustaining advisors · 29 Graphic Designers Cheshire Isaacs Haly Roy 100 Bay Place, Oakland, CA 94610 Writers Katie Craddock www.covia.org/st-pauls-towers Charlie Dubach-Reinhold Katherine Gunn On the cover The original cast of A not-for-profit community owned and operated by Covia. License No. 011400627 COA# 327 The Tale of Despereaux at The Old Globe (photo by Jim Cox)
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· 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL · ·2019–20 MAGAZINE REP BERKELEY THE
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Area. All rightsreserved. ©2019 Encore MediaGroup. events inthe SanFrancisco Bay Area andGreater Seattle monthly by Encore MediaGroup arts to performing serve ProgramsEncore Arts andEncore Stagesare published SUSAN PETERSON Volume 15, No. 3 15, 2020|Volume November 2019—January San Francisco/Bay Area Account Executives ANA ALVIRA, STEVIE VANBRONKHORST BRIEANNA HANSEN, AMELIA HEPPNER, Reproduction withoutwrittenpermissionisprohibited. JENNIFER SUGDEN SHAUN SWICK 425 North 85thStreet •Seattle,WA425 North 98103 Production Artists andGraphicProduction Designers Artists MIKE HATHAWAY CIARA CAYA SHERRI JARVEY, ANN MANNING MARILYN KALLINS, TERRI REED GENAY GENEREUX KAJSA PUCKETT Seattle Area Account Executives [email protected] CAROL YIP 800.308.2898 •206.443.0445 PAUL HEPPNER encoremediagroup.com Encore MediaGroup Sales &Marketing Office Manager Production Marketing Brand &Creative Manager Manager Marketing Coordinator VicePresident, Production Sales Sales Coordinator SeniorVicePresident Assistant Production VicePresident, Accounting& President
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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DX.program.v5.indd 5 FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR The Old Man and The Old Moon Theatre Co. Theatre I especially love that the fact Despereaux Rep, we can help to create aworld in which are people brought version of The Tale of Despereaux them from the norm are the traits that will ultimately allow them to them different, and make their kingdomssafe. them to marshal their resources, embrace the things that make together as acommunity, in the presence of that astory will inspire individual who discovers their someone strength. (somemouse?) Of who comes to understand that qualities the very that separate we can share with our families over the holidays, in these times with Universal and the director Marc Bruni, bringing their unique amazing design team, and the extraordinary staff here Berkeleyat rough magic, ease and charm, humor, and vast imagination. It was realize their own heroism, and help to save their community. piece of literature with the inherent cool of an indie band perspective and set rangy of skills to the creation of atheatrical my paygrade, but together with the fantastic writer/performers knight, setting out to slay adragon of PigPen, their wonderful castmates, the brilliant Marc Bruni, the benefit from some slaying at the moment! I think that’s above even as the days grow shorter, we may help each other to find the light. like Berkeley to me! These days Ioften feel that like I, Despereaux, long to a be So IwasSo thrilled to learn last year that PigPen was working In addition to the delight of having apiece of theatre that Johanna Pfaelzer Johanna Warmly, Happy holidays from all of us at Berkeley Rep. awish And that, you’re 7years old and would rather on a be you when your parents work in theatre. It’s story toldstory with music and full puppets of soccerBut field. that Jasperafternoon, I and son Jasper with on me aweekend afternoon talented ensemble of young and men, a to ashow see in abasement downtown, A NUMBEROFYEARSAGO, were equally captivated by this ridiculously in York New City. These things happen to hardly the worst thing, but it can abore if be , and my first introduction to PigPen . The combination. The of this delightful —
there are so many that could tells of the story an
Idragged my
—
2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION · PRESENTATION SPECIAL · 2019–20 sounds sounds @berkeleyrep Find everywhere us CONNECT Berkeley Rep Berkeley Support to Proud client’s dignityandhumanity. Our goalisto preserve our final resolution thoughtful litigation Personal a www.sflg.com 415.834.1120 San Francisco, CA94105 575 Market Street, Suite 4000 F A M ·5 MAGAZINE REP BERKELEY THE EMG I L YL ttention A W
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11/11/19 12:00 PM FAMILY LAW EMG
FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR 11/11/19 12:00 PM - - - - is on is the first production first the . It is such a pleasure to see adults to a pleasure such is . It at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. And Theatre. Goodman Chicago’s at of a play that I attended with my family. It was It family. my with I attended that a play of be. could real than real more were be. They reality that both grounds you in the real world real the in you grounds both that reality what stands out with such power in my mind mind my in power such with out stands what about the theatre, that heightened sense of sense heightened that theatre, the about is the color! Who knows any longer what color color what longer any Who knows color! the is I CAN VIVIDLY REMEMBER VIVIDLY I CAN those rows of corn really were. But in my mind, my in But were. really corn of rows those possibly could green than greener were they Oklahoma They embodied everything that I still love love I still that everything embodied They Best regards, Berkeley Rep has been bringing artists into Bay Area schools since since schools Area Bay artists into been bringing has Rep Berkeley What we know is that we can always get a new theatregoer to theatregoer a new get always can we that is know we What Susie Medak
Oftentimes I will get asked by older members of our audience, audience, our of members older by asked get I will Oftentimes You’ve seen our banner: Be A Rep. This is exactly what we mean by mean we what exactly is This Be A Rep. banner: our seen You’ve And while we don’t have all the answers, we have created many many created have we answers, the all don’t have we And while is the perfect introduction for many young young many for perfect the is introduction Despereaux of Tale The formances. Our Teen Council, which engages over 400 teens from 50 from 400 teens over engages which Council, Teen Our formances. consistently served over 20,000 people a year. Among those are the are those 20,000 Among servedover people a year. consistently country. the across programs model for the become has schools, high 35. of 35 people under age the Now, under anyone to tickets half-price that While buyers. ticket single our all of 15 percent over up make often over time. time. first the for here them get to have we do that, to But back. come Despereaux sure Make time? a second for you with back bring opportunities to bring that next generation through our doors. our through next generation that bring to opportunities diction. And that is why it is so much fun to have families in the house the in families have to fun much so is it why is And that diction. have an innate understanding of the rules of performance. When they When performance. of rules the of understanding innate an have people to live theatre. If tonight you came with your spouse or friend, or spouse your with came you tonight If theatre. live people to we are happy to absorb. And as we all know, our younger generations generations younger our know, all we And as absorb. to happy are we as and loans student interest high include that costs by burdened are mance. It coexists with my willing suspension of disbelief. I think kids kids I think disbelief. of suspension willing my with coexists It mance. coexists Artificiality rules. same the by operate automatically they play is a number we are proud of, we want that number to keep growing growing keep to number that want we of, proud are we a number is is created for adults that we, too, put a lot of energy into this question. question. this energy into of a lot put too, we, that adults for created is with absolute belief in the reality of the moment. There is no contra no is There moment. the of reality the in belief absolute with while taking you always, ever so slightly, outside of the real. There is There real. the of outside slightly, so ever always, you taking while generation of theatre lovers. theatre of generation the creation of the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre in 2001, in have we Theatre of School Rep Berkeley the of creation the per evening our and matinees student our both attend who thousands for age the raised Rep Berkeley that of because was It rents. tronomical might person you young what about think you would Now you! thank a next create us Help champion. be us, our and by Stand Be a Rep. that. their radar. The Tale of Despereaux of Tale The for month this the pretense of realism that acknowledges the artificiality of of perfor artificiality the acknowledges that realism of pretense the sharing this space with a new generation of theatregoers. theatregoers. of generation a new with space this sharing Our thousands of discounts for students have an economic impact that that impact economic an have students for discounts of thousands Our 1985, first with full productions and later with teaching artists. Since teaching with later and 1985,productions full with first That’s where we need your help. need your we where That’s “Where are the youngsters?” So much of Berkeley Rep’s programming programming Rep’s Berkeley of So much “Where youngsters?” the are SEASON 2019/20 Season Sponsor: EMG traveler’s tale. traveler’s Feb 22 & 23 ZELLERBACH HALL Soleil’s hipper, sexier hipper, Soleil’s circus arts, “Cirque du arts, “Cirque circus aerial routines, and live aerial routines, unexpected encounters
that fuel every memorable music, in a show about the A pioneer of contemporary delivers uproarious comedy delivers uproarious through a mix of acrobatics, a mix of acrobatics, through cousin” (The Stage, London)
THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION calperformances.org
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Untitled-3 1 4/30/19 12:16 PM 8 PERFORMANCES ONLY — GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Gary Wilmes, Laurena Allan, Scott Shepherd, and Annie McNamara in Gatz (photo by Paula Court)
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY ELEVATOR REPAIR SERVICE TEXT: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD DIRECTED BY JOHN COLLINS SPECIAL PRESENTATION · RODA THEATRE STARTS FEB 13
SEASON SPONSORS GATZDX.program.v5.indd 8 11/11/19 12:00 PM 8 PERFORMANCES ONLY — GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Gary Wilmes, Laurena Allan, Scott Shepherd, and Annie McNamara in Gatz (photo by Paula Court) RUNS IN THE FAMILY BERKELEY REP INSPIRES GENERATIONS OF THEATREGOERS BY KATHERINE GUNN
WHEN SANDY YUEN’S DAUGHTER JAMIE WAS 7, they went to see Rent on Broadway. At intermission, waiting in line for the restroom, another woman gave Sandy a scandalized glare. “I told her, ‘We’re from San Francisco,’” Sandy says, laughing, “and she just looked so relieved!” It wasn’t the first time that Sandy took her daughter to the theatre, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Sandy and her husband, Larry Shore, started bringing Jamie to Berkeley Rep when Jamie was around 10 years old, and added her as a subscriber when she was about 12. The very first show they went to together was 36 Views by Naomi Iizuka. The play was slightly more adult than Sandy realized: “It had an adult scene in it that caught me off guard— I remember trying to cover Jamie’s eyes, and she pushed my hand away!” Sandy laughs. She remembers Jamie later telling her that “Mom must have thought I was pretty mature to bring me to this play!” Accord- ing to Sandy, “It was a very sophisticated play…but obviously it didn’t turn her off to theatre.” She originally chose the play because it was created by a mixed-race playwright. Sandy and her family are mixed Asian and white, so she often seeks out plays with diverse artists. “I think it meant a lot to her, and [Jamie] remembers seeing a play written by somebody kind of like Jamie.” They continued seeing plays together throughout the years. Jamie attended Stanford, but she would still visit Berkeley to see plays with her family. In fact, Sandy says that “when she got into Stanford, one of the first things she said was ‘I get to still come to Berkeley Rep!’ I was kind of caught off guard. Obviously it’s important to me, but it wouldn’t have been the first thing I thought. Obviously it meant a lot to her too.” Jamie eventually became Berkeley Rep’s education fellow in the 2015–16 sea- son, the same season that featured one of Sandy’s favorite Berkeley Rep shows, Aubergine by Julia Cho. “I saw it three times, and I cried each time,” she says. They also saw Treasure Island, adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman, an artist both CREATED AND PERFORMED BY ELEVATOR REPAIR SERVICE Sandy and Jamie love. Now Jamie is a teacher, but she is still involved in theatre in her spare time and during summers. According to Sandy, “We’ve always done TEXT: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD theatre, but at Berkeley Rep we feel like we’re home… I think that’s why we were so comfortable bringing Jamie.” Jamie isn’t the only one who was introduced to theatre through their parents. DIRECTED BY JOHN COLLINS Phyra McCandless is a current subscriber and supporter who first attended shows with her family. Her mother, Sandra McCandless, a Berkeley Rep trustee, started SPECIAL PRESENTATION · RODA THEATRE bringing Phyra to the theatre when she was 7. Now, Phyra and her husband, Angelos Kottas, bring their own daughter to shows, making three generations of their family who regularly attend plays at Berkeley Rep. At first Phyra and Angelos STARTS FEB 13 just took their daughter to select shows, mostly musicals and shows that seemed more appealing to a younger audience, like Amélie, Treasure Island, and 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips. Now Phyra’s 7-year-old daughter is part of their full subscription. “There are Generations of Berkeley Rep fans, top to bottom things she really enjoys that I wouldn’t have thought to take her to,” Phyra says. Sandy Yuen with her daughter, Jamie Yuen-Shore, at “I don’t just have to take her to musicals. I like taking her to things we can talk Monsoon Wedding; Phyra McCandless (left) and Angelos Kottas (right) with their daughter and Monsoon Wedding about, shows that make her think.” For example, Fairview was one she found a lit- actor Michael Maliakel; (in the background) a family at a tle confusing at first, but when Phyra reassured her that she wasn’t the only one, special event for Lemony Snicket’s The Composer Is Dead
SEASON SPONSORS 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 9 GATZDX.program.v5.indd 9 11/11/19 12:00 PM A WORLD PREMIERE FROM ONE OF BERKELEY REP'S BELOVED PLAYWRIGHTS it led to some interesting conversations. Phyra admits that different shows can present certain challenges or take some explanation, but overall “You might assume that she’d miss out because she doesn’t have the same context for some of this stuff, but actually she’s a very dis- cerning critic!” Phyra has also enjoyed seeing shows through her daughter’s eyes. “Actually, her favorite show is HOME. Her dad got pulled up onstage, which she loved. And I enjoyed it even more because of seeing her enjoy it.” Sandy and Larry also feel like they got a lot out of bringing Jamie to shows. WHAT’S IN STORE They kept an extra ticket so that Jamie’s older brother or a friend could go with We’ve refreshed the Berkeley Rep Gift Shop just in time them. For Sandy, “It was like being a fly for the holidays! Check out some of the new things we’ve on the wall, getting to listen to them talk about the shows. That was fascinat- added — books, confections, cards, socks, candles, and ing. They came to all the shows we went more — and visit us before or after your performance. to, so we got the benefit and richness of their reactions as well as our own.” As Jamie got older, she brought even more of her own perspective to the conversa- tions they would have about the shows. “There’s something different about talking about it multi-generationally. They think about life differently than we do.” Now Jamie is 28, and she and her mom still go to Berkeley Rep shows together when they can. And when their REBECCA NURSE schedules conflict and they have to miss shows or see them separately, Sandy says, “I really miss [seeing shows togeth- er]. I do really feel like our theatregoing experience is enriched by being togeth- er and by being with her.” The Tale of Despereaux is a show for OF SALEM all ages, and a great introduction to the theatre for younger audiences. Both Sandy and Phyra say they would highly BY SARAH RUHL recommend going to the theatre with multiple generations, for family-friendly DIRECTED BY ANNE KAUFFMAN shows but also any other events that might catch the interest of audiences PEET'S THEATRE · STARTS DEC 12 of different ages. For Sandy, “It’s always nice to have a more heterogeneous audience, in terms of race, background, age, and so on…because it’s more like the real world.” Phyra shares, “I would encourage it. It’s a nice outing and it’s something that’s a good commitment to have planned in advance to go with family to the show. I would hope more people do it!”
SEASON SPONSORS 10 · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION
DX.program.v5.indd 10 11/11/19 12:00 PM A WORLD PREMIERE FROM ONE OF BERKELEY REP'S BELOVED PLAYWRIGHTS
REBECCA NURSE OF SALEM BY SARAH RUHL DIRECTED BY ANNE KAUFFMAN PEET'S THEATRE · STARTS DEC 12
SEASON SPONSORS
DX.program.v5.indd 11 11/11/19 12:00 PM THE ORIGIN STORY “ANYTHING CAN BE ANYTHING” THE SEVEN MEMBERS of PigPen Theatre Co. — Alex Falberg, Arya Shahi, Ben Ferguson, Curtis Gillen, Dan Weschler, Matt Nuernberger, and Ryan Melia — began making art together as freshmen at the Carnegie Mellon School of WE’RE CATCHING THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX at an Drama in 2007. The group explored resource- exciting creative juncture. After its world premiere at ful ways of storytelling during the Playground The Old Globe, PigPen was eager to dive back into the student festival, limiting themselves to their own budgets (i.e., “things lying around our Kingdom of Dor in rehearsals, further refining the piece dorm rooms”). After graduating, they made based on discoveries made in its first incarnation. Artistic two shows that toured the fringe festival scene, Associate Katie Craddock spoke with PigPen shortly and their breakout show became The Old Man and The Old Moon. That inventive, delightful before they arrived in Berkeley about their unique production won prizes wherever it landed and collaboration style and what’s most joyous and resonant became a bona fide hit in Chicago and New in this Tale for them. (Yes, they answered as a collective!) York. Confronted with the possibility of using more resources now that they found acclaim, Parts of this interview are excerpted from an earlier PigPen instead dedicated themselves to their piece for The Old Globe by Danielle Mages Amato. minimalistic, handmade aesthetic. Their folky brand of music would stay live onstage, and their plays would remain rife with puppets, flashlights, crates, and sheets. This commit- ment stems from a core belief for their compa- ny: to invite the audience to bring their imagi- nation into the room. Since The Old Man and The Old Moon, the group has toured exclusively as a band (they shared a bill with Mumford & Sons), made their feature film debut, and created three more shows. During this time, Chris Herzberger, the senior vice president of Universal Theat- rical Group, saw a production of PigPen’s and thought they would be the perfect group to adapt Kate DiCamillo’s book The Tale of Des- pereaux. He proposed the idea, the group said yes with zeal, and they were off to create their first-ever adaptation. Berkeley Rep has admired PigPen’s zany brand of theatricality from afar, so when we heard that Despereaux was in the works we thought this could finally be our chance to work together. We received script drafts and videos of workshops, and, in the winter of last year, committed to a production. After Despereaux’s summer run at The Old Globe in San Diego, we could not be more excited to bring PigPen’s latest creation to Berkeley.
12 · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION
DX.program.v5.indd 12 11/11/19 12:00 PM LISTEN TO THESE FEATURES AND HEAR EXTENDED INTERVIEWS ON REPISODES: THE BERKELEY REP PODCAST AT SOUNDCLOUD.COM/BERKELEYREP
“ANYTHING CAN PIGPEN BE ON MICE,ANYTHING” MEN, AND TRUSTING OUR IMAGINATIONS BY KATIE CRADDOCK
What compelled you to adapt The Tale of Despereaux? Are there things you learned at The Old Globe that inspired We cherished the story when we read it as children, and you to make changes for the Berkeley run? it revealed an incredible depth of wisdom when we reread it Absolutely! The Old Globe run was the first time we as adults. We were thrilled that a few of the more iconic plot actualized all the ideas that were in our heads for the past elements would fit our style of storytelling beautifully. Des- five years onto a real live stage with real live actors and, most pereaux’s search for “the honey-sweet sound” and Roscuro’s importantly, an audience! It was also the first time we assem- love of the light inspired us to reexamine our music and shad- bled a team of designers and asked them to help us build this ow puppetry through their respective lenses. world and define its rules. There are about a million things we We also share Kate DiCamillo’s love of repurposing and learned about those rules and the way an audience engages redefining storytelling tropes. Despereaux learns of knights, with them that will work their way into the show eventual- dragons, villains, and heroes early in his journey, but by the ly. Of those million, we’re hoping to get two or three of the time we’ve reached our conclusion, all those simple ideas have big ones and 200 to 300 of the small ones into the show for revealed their complexities. What is the most heroic thing Des- the Berkeley production. That’s what’s beautiful about this pereaux can do when no one is happy with the law of the land art form — each night the cast and creatives are learning the and people seem to be retreating into isolated and fragmented tempos, rhythms, peaks, and valleys of the piece, then making communities? It’s a question that has grown even more rele- adjustments. You’ll never see the same show twice. vant in the short time we’ve spent with the tale.
The shockingly talented PigPen ensemble, left to right Ryan Melia, Alex Falberg, Curtis Gillen, Ben Ferguson, Dan Weschler, Arya Shahi, and Matt Nuernberger (photo by Thom Kaine)
2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 13
DX.program.v5.indd 13 11/11/19 12:00 PM WE LOVE FLASH AND SPECTACLE AS MUCH AS THE NEXT THEATRE COMPANY — WE JUST HAPPEN TO THINK THE HUMAN IMAGINATION IS CAPABLE OF GREATER SPECTACLE THAN MONEY CAN BUY .”
PigPen in concert (photo by Rafi Letzter)
You perform as both a theatre company and a band. Does But we’ve also tried plenty of new things! First and your collaboration style change from one medium to the foremost, inviting incredible new performers to play in this other? What do you love about each? magical world with us. We’ve been writing for ourselves for so The collaborative method is essentially the same. Some- long, we got used to the strengths and limitations of the same one brings in an idea, usually after spending some time craft- seven people. With new talent and energy onstage, we have a ing it alone, and then the group earns ownership by reshaping whole new range of possibilities to explore. We also wanted to and rethinking the execution of the idea. We like the analogy double down on some of the synchronized movement work we of one person bringing in a “seed idea” that is watered and started exploring in our earlier shows, so we brought on an in- cared for by the company as it grows. We have learned that credible choreographer, Jennifer Jancuska, to help us elaborate creating a play and creating a song ask for an understanding upon that language. Our years on the road as a band spoiled of two different sets of rules and a different level of scrutiny us when it came to the full sound of PigPen the band, so we when applying those rules. Song creation is more impulsive; tried to employ those lush orchestrations as often as we could. theatre creation is more iterative. Not as a rule, but in gener- In the end, we’re hoping The Tale of Despereaux will follow in al. We love both entirely. That being said, after spending the the footsteps of our previous work, feeling old and new at the past couple of years working hard on our upcoming theatre same time. projects (The Tale of Despereaux, Water for Elephants, and The Phantom Folktales for Virgin Voyages) we are nostalgic for the How do you think about gender in your casting and cre- days when we’d tour 45 cities in six weeks as a band. There is ative processes when it’s a cast that’s more than just your a flexibility, freedom, and irreverence that comes with being a ensemble, as in The Tale of Despereaux? band that you don’t often find in the theatre. The major bene- A primary principle of our storytelling is simply this: any- fit of a piece of theatre is that you really get to take your time thing can be anything. It’s a direct result of our time together to build a world and fully explore a series of complex ideas in college, when we had no “team” and no real “resources” without stopping for audience feedback or applause every few beyond seven friends and our combined imaginations. The fact minutes, as is common in a concert. that PigPen was made up of seven guys was not necessarily intended and it didn’t stop us from writing characters of other For audiences who have seen your previous work, what will genders into our stories. Characters who we would then por- they see that’s familiar, and what’s new? tray as honestly as we could. Gender-swapping or gender-neu- That’s actually a question we’d love to ask our audienc- tral casting has always been central to story theatre and we es! It’s very hard to tell from the inside, after spending years strive to continue that tradition as responsibly as we can when with this story and script, what will feel new or familiar to a the opportunity presents itself. It’s a real pleasure to be build- hardened PigPen adventurer. We’ve certainly retained many ing shows that are bigger and broader in scope, which allow elements of storytelling we’ve always loved — things like us to work with a team of artists full of people of all genders, puppetry, shadow play, quick lighting shifts, folk music, Foley and then asking those brilliant artists to live in a world where sound effects, onstage musicians, and ensemble work. anything can be anything.
14 · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION
DX.program.v5.indd 14 11/11/19 12:00 PM WE LOVE FLASH AND SPECTACLE AS MUCH AS THE NEXT THEATRE COMPANY — WE JUST HAPPEN TO THINK THE HUMAN IMAGINATION IS CAPABLE OF GREATER SPECTACLE THAN MONEY CAN BUY .”
or version of an event by empathetically listening to some- one else’s. How does that resonate with you? There’s a reason forgiveness is a major theme in stories from all eras and ages — it’s always relevant and it’s always res- onant. There are always people who need to hear that it is okay to forgive. For us, it’s not uncommon to view many of the major motifs and themes in our stories through the lens of a 12-year- long collaboration we started as college freshmen. Forgiveness, the asking for and the granting of, is crucial to a healthy long- term relationship of any kind. Being able to revise your own story is key; it prevents old slights or misunderstandings from your past hardening and cementing themselves in your future. It also helps when you show up late to rehearsal for the third time that week and can’t keep blaming it on “the train.”
PigPen’s The Old Man and The Old Moon A stereotype about musical theatre is that it can be garish- (photo by Jenny Anderson) ly overstuffed with flashy technical elements — but there seems to be a growing movement of late toward simpler, suggestive design. You talk about your storytelling style as The book The Tale of Despereaux is usually seen as geared boiling things down to their essence and giving the impres- toward children, but it seems this adaptation has qualities sion of a whole. What are some of your favorite suggestive that can appeal to both children and adults— as do many of elements in this production? your pieces. How do you toe that line? We love flash and spectacle as much as the next theatre Each of our stories deals with life, love, and loss. We’ve company! We just happen to think the human imagination is never classified any of them as children’s shows or adults’ capable of greater spectacle than money can buy. All of our shows. We have always wanted to create shows that might designers share that love of the evocative, the engaging, the inspire friends our own age to see the world a little different- resourceful. We are more interested in evoking a giant instead ly, shows that they would be eager to invite their families to of building a giant. We are more interested in a wall made of see. We’ve always had an enormous amount of respect for bowls than a wall made of marble. We are more interested in stories that can resonate with children and adults alike. If a suggesting certain actors are mice rather than giving them story doesn’t connect with an adult, why would they want to big ears and long tails. We are most interested in showing share it with their child? And if a story doesn’t connect with a you what’s essential…and giving your imagination the room it child — well, where’s the fun in that? needs to play with us.
What have been the challenges of dealing with the interac- Despereaux at one point declares, “A knight needs no one,” tions of so many types (and sizes!) of characters: mice, rats, forsaking his family, but comes to realize there’s value people? How have you tackled that issue? and necessity in collective efforts. What are some of the The first five years of development were spent training live challenges and advantages of making theatre collectively? mice for the production, but ultimately we chose to go back to What is it like to collaborate with Marc Bruni, a director puppets. The smaller the actor, the bigger the ego, you know? from outside your company? Jokes aside, the scale shifts were some of the first visual Collaboration is everything to us. It’s the reason we challenges we worked on. We staged and explored multiple get to do what we love to do. It’s the reason you’re reading methods with the intention of finding the best one, but we these words right now. Of course it’s difficult and requires an ended up sprinkling most of them in throughout the show. immense amount of compromise. It requires you to constantly Each scene or circumstance in the story where an animal reevaluate yourself as an artist and as a collaborator. It requires interacts with a human is emotionally different, so why the consistent pummeling of the ego. It has been a totally new would we portray them the same way? In the end, theatre is and exciting challenge to work with Marc. He comes from a vehicle that relies on the imagination and the suspension a very different background than the seven of us; working of disbelief. Anytime we can trigger the former, the latter with him teaches us something new every day. That’s what’s follows gladly. incredible about collaboration: it inevitably leads to growth. It makes a hat where there never was a hat. In the end, anything Forgiveness is a major theme in Despereaux— specifically, we build together is better than anything we could have built that forgiveness is possible when we revise our own “story” by ourselves.
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DX.program.v5.indd 15 11/11/19 12:00 PM THE BRILLIANCE OF THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX SPEAKS to its readers. Literally — it is narrated by a jaunty second-person voice that alternately explains the plot and imparts bits of wisdom; and figuratively — its story captivated the world of children’s literature 15 years ago and continues to delight.
BY CHARLIE DUBACH-REINHOLD
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DX.program.v5.indd 16 11/11/19 12:00 PM The novel The Tale of Despereaux came into being in 2003 when contribution to American author Kate DiCamillo set out to write a tale to please her literature for children.” friend’s young son. He had begged her for the story of an “un- Despereaux may be a tiny likely hero” with “exceptionally large ears.” Over the course of mouse, but his knightly a year, she wove this hero — a shy yet brave mouse called Des- aspiration is larger than pereaux Tilling — a fantastical world to inhabit. Young and old life. So is his story, and so readers alike root for this ultimate underdog (undermouse?), a must be efforts to retell it. tiny, sweet rodent with giant ears, who would restore happi- Despereaux was adapted ness to the human kingdom armed only with a needle. And into a movie in 2008, like the best children’s fantasy stories, The Tale of Despereaux and the title character contains both the light and dark that are present in the real gained a greater sense of world. This begins with the title: the eponymous mouse’s name adventure. No longer did means “despair” in French. But Despereaux does anything but he faint or second-guess despair. He hopes. He dreams. He imagines. Despereaux is himself. Despereaux’s cu- shunned by the other mice for his love of stories and reading, riosity became reckless- heroes and humans. What should send him to despair— rejec- ness, his timid ventures tion, terror, loneliness — instead inspires him to continue his into the human world quest, to bring his fantasies of knighthood and honor to life. became bold, surefooted The adversity that Despereaux faces supports the fairytale undertakings. He be- ending of the story. came the perfect hero to counter Roscuro’s villainy. But critics Despereaux offers a more morally complex tale than many noted this collapsed the shades of gray— the middle grounds children’s stories. Every character contains real flaws. Every between good and evil — within the characters. character is also afforded the chance to encounter the reader Despereaux’s singular imagination makes it especially suit- on their own terms. DiCamillo gives the rat Roscuro— often able for adaptation. DiCamillo describes that for her, a book described superficially as evil and dark— an entire quarter of “is like having a kid. I have to let it go out in the world, and the novel, an entire life story, so that by the time he appears in great things will happen.” Enter PigPen — a raucous collection Despereaux’s quest the reader knows Roscuro is not what he of college friends known for their musicianship, puppetry, and may seem. Many children reading The Tale of Despereaux will intricately crafted stories beloved by children and adults alike. not recognize the significance of his full name: Chiaroscuro. PigPen describes their aesthetic as, “stories on the grand scale, This word describes the interplay between light and dark, as epic journeys, vast landscapes, unlikely heroes.” Sound famil- popularized in Baroque painting by Italian masters like Caravag- iar? Universal Studios thought that PigPen’s artistry would be gio. Chiaroscuro in visual art such as painting creates not only perfect to continue the evolution of Despereaux, and this new contrast, but depth. It is used to reveal form and create a sense adaptation was born. The shadow puppets of PigPen manifest of volume. Roscuro is then such an apt name for a rat who loves the contrasting dark and light of Despereaux onstage, and they the light though he is meant to revel in the darkness of the ask the audience to suspend all disbelief of size and shape as dungeon. As DiCamillo writes in Despereaux, “Do you think rats a full-size actor plays the pint-size mouse as both shadow and do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart.” And handheld puppet. The chiaroscuro of the original novel re- so, the reader must consider that a heart can turn to evildoing. mains, as the audience comes to know the characters through The distinction between evil people (or rats) and evil multiple mediums. actions in Despereaux is an important one, particularly given DiCamillo claims that “it’s a disservice to think that kids its emphasis on empathy and forgiveness. When characters don’t know that the world is full of all kinds of dangers and are cast as antitheses, good and evil, they have no chance dark things,” and her Tale of Despereaux reflects her interest at redemption. But Despereaux offers characters whose in showcasing such themes within the familiar, kid-friendly regrettable actions are framed to be understood and forgiven. structure of a fairytale. But the characters of Despereaux The evildoers are revealed as just that— evildoers, not evil contain more depth than those of many fairytales, they beings — and the mouse with the courage to fight them finds reflect more fully the hardships and joys of the real world the courage to forgive them. This nuance may not be spelled of its young readers. Kids can see themselves in DiCamillo’s out within the book, but as DiCamillo notes, Despereaux is a mouse Despereaux — too small to see up to the faces of the story both “tragic and wonderful, light and dark,” made for humans but with a fierce desire to affect change in the world. children to grapple with complex relationships. Despereaux transforms from shy mouse to brave knight when Readers recognized the brilliance of the novel straight he reads a human fairytale in the castle library. By the power away. In 2004, The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a of the written word, Despereaux realizes his calling. Today, Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread won the you will experience the magic that happens when that word is Newbery Medal, the award for the year’s “most distinguished lifted off the page.
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DX.program.v5.indd 17 11/11/19 12:00 PM BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE JOHANNA PFAELZER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR · SUSAN MEDAK, MANAGING DIRECTOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH UNIVERSAL THEATRICAL GROUP PRESENTS
BOOK, MUSIC, AND LYRICS BY PigPen Theatre Co. BASED ON THE NOVEL BY KATE DICAMILLO AND THE UNIVERSAL PICTURES FILM
JASON SHERWOOD ANITA YAVICH DONALD HOLDER NEVIN STEINBERG LYDIA FINE AND SCENIC DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN SOUND DESIGN BERKELEY REP PRESENTS NICK LEHANE SHADOW SEQUENCES AND PUPPETRY DESIGN
JENNIFER JANCUSKA CHRISTOPHER JAHNKE CHOREOGRAPHY MUSIC DIRECTOR AND ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
TARA RUBIN CASTING/ LIBBY UNSWORTH MERRI SUGARMAN, CSA PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER CASTING
DIRECTED BY Marc Bruni and PigPen Theatre Co. NOVEMBER 21, 2019–JANUARY 5, 2020 · RODA THEATRE · SPECIAL PRESENTATION This show has no intermission.
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DX.program.v5.indd 18 11/11/19 12:00 PM CAST Lester Alex Falberg Furlough Ben Ferguson Louise, Most High Head Mouse Curtis Gillen Despereaux Dorcas Leung Librarian, Prisoner Ryan Melia Miggery Sow, Antoinette, Betsy Morgan Queen Rosemary Botticelli Matt Nuernberger Roscuro John Rapson King Phillip Arya Shahi Princess Pea, Merlot Yasmeen Sulieman Stained-Glass Knight Dan Weschler Swings Ben Euphrat Logan Foster Natasha Harris
Assistant Stage Manager Hsiu-I Chiquita Lu
The cast and stage managers are members of Actors’ Equity association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Affiliations
The director is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union. The Scenic, Costume, Lighting, and Sound Designers in lort Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local usa-829, iatse.
World Premiere at The Old Globe, San Diego, CA Barry Edelstein, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director
PigPen Theatre Co.’s The Tale of Despereaux: A New Musical was made possible thanks to the generous support of SEASON SPONSORS Bruce Golden & Michelle Mercer Jack & Betty Schafer Michael & Sue Steinberg The Strauch Kulhanjian Family
SPONSORS David & Vicki Cox
ASSOCIATE SPONSOR Helen M. Marcus
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DX.program.v5.indd 19 11/11/19 12:00 PM DX.program.v5.indd 20 20 · 20 · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL · ·2019–20 MAGAZINE REP BERKELEY THE WHO’S WHO now.beneuphrat.com of agirl is out aportrait album solo debut His West. IO and Groundlings the with LA improv in has studied and commercial, and in film extensively has worked Ben Theatre. Magic at the HIR and Players, at Shotgun Mirandolina Direction), Music Outstanding for ed (nominat Works at Central Ahab Project of productions next page.) next the on Co. PigPen for Theatre bio the see the please Shepherd information, more . (For and Juanita called holiday show upcoming an on Watt Caroline with development America Daredevil include Audience). His television credits Pericles and Globe), Old and Theatre), Tale The (Writers of Despereaux Nightmare Story PigPen as The with such shows performed ALEX FALBERG BEN EUPHRAT BEN FERGUSON BEN FERGUSON PigPen Theatre Co. on the next page.) next the on Co. PigPen Theatre for bio the see please information, more Bear The and Moon Old The and Man Old LESTER SWING FURLOUGH (The (The Moon Old The and Man Old The (History). He is excited to be in is in excited to He be (History). The Men Who Built Built Who Men The and (Netflix) Twelfth Night Night Twelfth at Center Rep, . @benstagramferguson (For (For @benstagramferguson . Ideation The Mountain Song Mountain , The and off-Broadway off-Broadway and Company, SF the Love Lights, at City Siegel The Moon, Street 42nd Once include its director. cred Recent musical and sician, is an actor,Ben mu Hunter and The Bear The and Hunter include credits summer.last His Camp Banjo Ridge annual Blue second Fleck’s Bela attended to have moon is over the Alex Kharkov, Ukraine, Originally from has since created and has since created and York New City. He to moving before University Mellon PigPen at Carnegie of rest the alongside his Texasreceived and in Austin, raised and born was Ben (Theatre for a New aNew for (Theatre with SF Playhouse, Playhouse, SF with bfa The Hunter Hunter The , and at Marin Theatre Theatre at Marin in Acting in Acting Shakespeare in in Shakespeare The , The The The with with - -
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- - - - and The Old Moon (The New Victory Theater, DAN WESCHLER His other credits include Paint Your Wagon, Pipe The Old Globe, Writers Theatre, Williamstown STAINED-GLASS KNIGHT Dream, Fanny, and Hey, Look Me Over! (City Cen- Theatre Festival, ArtsEmerson, Wallis Annenberg Dan grew up in Hershey, ter Encores!), The Music Man and How to Succeed Center for the Performing Arts, City Theatre, Pennsylvania before in Business Without Really Trying (The Kennedy The Gym at Judson); and The Hunter and The Bear studying acting at Carn- Center), Old Jews Telling Jokes (New York and (Writers Theatre). His film credits include Ricki egie Mellon University. Chicago; Joseph Jefferson Award nomination), and the Flash, and his voiceover credits include After receiving his bfa, he Roman Holiday (Golden Gate Theatre), Trevor commercial work for Raid. (For more informa- moved to New York. His (Writers Theatre; Jeff Award nomination), The Ex- tion, please see the bio for PigPen Theatre Co. theatre credits include plorers Club (Manhattan Theatre Club), The Sound on this page.) The Hunter and The Bear of Music (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Other People’s (Writers Theatre), The Money (Long Wharf Theatre; Connecticut Critics Old Man and The Old Circle Award nomination), and Ordinary Days JOHN RAPSON Moon (Williamstown Theatre Festival, The New (Roundabout Theatre Company). He has directed ROSCURO Victory Theater, Writers Theatre, The Gym at nine musicals for The Muny in St. Louis, most John is thrilled to be mak- Judson), The Mountain Song and The Nightmare recently My Fair Lady and Singin’ in the Rain, and ing his Berkley Rep debut Story (PigPen Theatre Co.), Pericles (Theatre for he has twice been nominated for Kevin Kline with this extraordinary a New Audience), and American Realism (The Awards. He is a proud member of Stage Direc- show and team. John was Invisible Dog, San Diego Museum of Art). (For tors and Choreographers Society and a graduate last seen in the Bay Area as more information, please see the bio for PigPen of Dartmouth College. the D’Ysquith Family in A Theatre Co. below.) Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, a role he origi- JENNIFER JANCUSKA nated on the first national PIGPEN THEATRE CO. CHOREOGRAPHER tour. Broadway/off-Broad- BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS, Jennifer is a choreographer and founding artistic way credits include Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bam- CO-DIRECTORS director of the Brooklyn-based company The ford), Les Misérables (Grantaire/Bamatabois), and PigPen Theatre Co. began creating their unique BringAbout, whose development work has been Nassim. Regional credits include Oklahoma! (Jud brand of theatre, music, and film as freshmen at engaged by award-winning writers, directors, Fry, Sacramento Music Circus), The Play That Goes Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and producers and seen on stages from New Wrong (Robert, regional premiere at the Reper- in 2007. They have since produced their original York to California. Jennifer is known for produc- tory Theatre of St. Louis), The Drowsy Chaperone plays in New York City and toured the country, ing bc beat, described by The New York Times as a (Aldolpho, Goodspeed Musicals), Disney on Classic earning them Critic’s Picks from The New York platform to “reimagine the possibilities for dance (with the Orchestra Japan). John is a graduate of Times, Time Out New York, Chicago Tribune, Chica- in musical theater.” Jennifer is currently working the University of Michigan. go Sun-Times, The Boston Globe, and many more, on Broadway as resident choreographer/dance ranking them in the top 10 theatrical events of supervisor of Hamilton. As choreographer, she 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. They were the first is thrilled to be developing three new musicals ARYA SHAHI group to win the New York International Fringe with upcoming productions. They include Hood KING PHILLIP/FIGHT CAPTAIN Festival’s top honor for a play two years in a (Asolo Rep), Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed), Arya was raised in Tucson, row (2010 and 2011), and they have since gone Johnny and the Devil’s Box (Goodspeed), and Des- Arizona. He is a member on to win irne (2012, 2015) and Joseph Jefferson pereaux. Cornell University graduate. Member of of the #bars Workshop at Awards (2014) for their theatrical productions. sdc. JenniferJancuska.com The Public Theater in New In 2016, Sir Trevor Nunn invited PigPen to be a York, and he co-created part of his first American acting company for a the poetry visual-art production of Shakespeare’s Pericles. PigPen’s de- CHRISTOPHER JAHNKE project @inboxart on but album, Bremen, was named No. 10 album of MUSIC DIRECTOR AND Instagram. Alongside the year in The Huffington Post’s 2012 Grammy ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS his dearest friends, he Awards preview, sending PigPen on tour playing Christopher orchestrated the Broadway and/or co-created PigPen’s The to sold-out crowds across the country. American London productions of King Kong, Legally Blonde, Hunter and The Bear, The Old Man and The Old Songwriter premiered their follow-up EP, The Cry-Baby, Grease (2007 revival), Dessa Rose, A Moon, The Mountain Song, and The Nightmare Way I’m Running, in 2013 while the band was Man of No Importance, Dear Evan Hansen (addi- Story. His additional credits include the film Ricki playing a series of concerts that became one of tional orchestrations, with Alex Lacamoire), Stiles and the Flash directed by Jonathan Demme, off the most popular residencies of the past decade and Drewe’s The Wind in the Willows, The Gersh- Broadway’s Pericles directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, at the legendary Schubas Tavern in Chicago. In wins’ Porgy and Bess (Tony Award nomination for off Broadway’s Exile directed by Lisa Peterson, 2015, PigPen released their sophomore album, Best Orchestrations), and Les Misérables (new or- and the video game 1979 Revolution directed by Whole Sun; performed at Mumford & Sons’s chestrations, performed worldwide since 2006). Navid Khonsari. He received his bfa in Acting return to the Gentlemen of the Road festival; His other orchestrations include Do You Hear from Carnegie Mellon University. aryashahi.com, and made their feature film debut in Jonathan the People Sing?, a symphonic tour of Boublil and @aryashahi (For more information, please see Demme’s Ricki and the Flash starring Meryl Schönberg’s work; Stiles and Leigh’s Tom Jones; the bio for PigPen Theatre Co. on this page.) Streep. In addition to The Tale of Despereaux, they Stiles and Drewe’s Just So; Bartram and Hill’s Not are creating a musical based on Sara Gruen’s Wanted on the Voyage; Lady Gaga’s tribute to The beloved novel Water for Elephants (in collabora- Sound of Music at the 2015 Oscars (with Stephen YASMEEN SULIEMAN tion with Rick Elice). In 2020, they will premiere Oremus); The Wiz Live!; Radio City Music Hall’s PRINCESS PEA, MERLOT their first interactive theatrical experience, The New York Spectacular and Christmas Spectacular; Broadway: Beautiful. Phantom Folktales, for Richard Branson’s ground- and work with Rufus Wainwright, Emily Bear, National Tour: Little Shop breaking cruise line Virgin Voyages. Adam Schlesinger, and Jägermeister Blaskapelle. of Horrors. Off Broadway: On Broadway, Christopher also served as con- Junie B. Jones. Lincoln Cen- ductor for Aida and music supervisor for Escape ter: The Scarlet Pimpernel. MARC BRUNI to Margaritaville and Memphis. He was apprentice TV: Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, CO-DIRECTOR and assistant to orchestrator William David Brohn Hi-5 (tlc). Yasmeen is a Marc is the director of the Tony, Olivier, and on Sweet Smell of Success, Ragtime, The Secret Gar- singer/songwriter who has Grammy Award–winning Beautiful: The Carole den, The Three Musketeers, The Witches of Eastwick, written and performed King Musical. He won the Helpmann Award for Mary Poppins, and Wicked. overseas, with releases on Best Direction of a Musical for its Australian mca, Defected, Nervous Records, and Strictly production, and the show has played the Broad- Rhythm, among a few others. way, West End, U.S. and UK tours, and Japan.
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DX.program.v5.indd 21 11/11/19 12:01 PM JASON SHERWOOD Awards (The Lion King and South Pacific) and (American Symphony Orchestra, Bard Sum- SCENIC DESIGNER 13 Tony nominations. Opera credits include merScape), James Ortiz’s The Little Mermaid Jason is a Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Samson et Delilah, Otello, Two Boys, and (Glass Bandits Theater Company, Strange- Award, and Henry Hewes Design Award The Magic Flute (New York Metropolitan men Theatre Company), and Lore (Amazon). nominee. He recently designed Rent: Live Opera), and Porgy and Bess for the English He also provided puppet and movement (for which he won an Emmy Award); Sam National Opera and the Dutch National direction for SeaWife (Naked Angels). Nick Smith’s arena world tour and campaign Opera. He designed the theatrical lighting received his bfa in Drama from Carnegie television appearances (including The for seasons one and two of Smash (nbc Mellon University. Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, and DreamWorks) and for the Warner Bros. Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show); the Spice film Ocean’s 8. Donald is a graduate of the Girls world tour; and The People’s Choice Yale School of Drama and is a Professor of TARA RUBIN CASTING Awards on E! He has also designed for New Lighting Design at Rutgers University. CASTING York Theatre Workshop, The Playwright’s Tara Rubin Casting’s select Broadway Realm, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, credits include Ain’t Too Proud — The Life American Repertory Theater, and Guthrie NEVIN STEINBERG and Times of The Temptations, King Kong, The Theater, among many others. SOUND DESIGNER Band’s Visit, Summer: The Donna Summer @JasonSherwoodDesign Nevin’s Broadway credits include Hamilton, Musical, Prince of Broadway, Bandstand,
WHO’S WHO Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown (Tony Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Dear Award), The Cher Show, Bandstand, Bright Evan Hansen, A Bronx Tale The Musical, Cats, ANITA YAVICH Star, It Shoulda Been You, Mothers and Sons, Falsettos, Disaster!, School of Rock, Gigi, Bul- COSTUME DESIGNER Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Tony lets Over Broadway, Aladdin, Les Misérables, Anita returns to Berkeley Rep having nomination), The Performers, and Magic/ The Heiress, How to Succeed in Business designed Brian Freeman’s Civil Sex, The Bird. His off-Broadway credits include Without Really Trying, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Oresteia, Tiny Kushner, Dael Orlandersmith’s Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, The Landing, Shrek The Musical, Young Frankenstein, Mary Black N Blue Boys/Broken Men, and Chin- and Far from Heaven. He designed over 30 Poppins, Spamalot, The 25th Annual Putnam glish. Anita designed the Broadway produc- Broadway productions with Acme Sound County Spelling Bee, The Producers, Mamma tions of Fool for Love, Venus in Fur, Chinglish, Partners, receiving five additional Tony Mia!, Jersey Boys, and The Phantom of the and Anna in the Tropics. Her other New York nominations, for The Gershwins’ Porgy and Opera. Their off-Broadway credits include credits include The Mother (Atlantic Theater Bess, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Fenc- Gloria: A Life; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Clueless, Company); Apologia (Roundabout Theatre es, Hair, and In the Heights. The Musical; The Band’s Visit; Here Lies Love; Company); Soft Power and Oedipus El Rey and Love, Loss, and What I Wore. They have (The Public Theater’s New York Shake- also cast regionally for McCarter Theatre speare Festival); The View Upstairs (Lynn LYDIA FINE Center, Yale Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Redgrave Theater); The Legend of Georgia SHADOW SEQUENCES AND Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, The Old McBride, Coraline, and The Wooden Breeks PUPPETRY CO-DESIGNER Globe, and more. (MCC Theater); Nathan the Wise, The Cau- Lydia is a Brooklyn-based designer and casian Chalk Circle, Orlando, New Jerusalem, award-winning creative director. She has and Texts for Nothing (Classic Stage Compa- been working with PigPen Theatre Co. since LIBBY UNSWORTH ny); Thom Pain (based on nothing), Big Love, their days together at Carnegie Mellon PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Kung Fu, Golden Child, and Iphigenia 2.0 University. Her past productions with them Broadway: Prince of Broadway, Les (Signature Theatre Company); The Oldest include the critically acclaimed The Old Man Misérables, The Visit, and Scandalous. Boy (Lincoln Center Theater); The Moors and The Old Moon, The Nightmare Story, Off-Broadway:Bat Out of Hell (New York (The Playwrights Realm); The Explorers Club and The Hunter and The Bear. She is also the City Center), The Niceties and Sell/Buy/ (Manhattan Theatre Club); and Macbeth, creative director for The Phantom Folktales, Date (Manhattan Theatre Club), The Beast Coriolanus, and Švejk (Theatre for a New a unique theatrical experience taking in the Jungle (Vineyard Theatre), At Home Audience). Her opera credits include Aida place on the soon-t0-be-launched Virgin at the Zoo (Signature Theatre Company), (San Francisco Opera, Washington National Voyages. When she is not playing with Fire and Air (Classic Stage Company), Mur- Opera, Seattle Opera), Cyrano de Bergerac shadow puppets, she is working in various der for Two (New World Stages), Bunnicula (La Scala, The Metropolitan Opera, Royal media, creating worlds and characters for (DR2 Theatre), Next Fall (Naked Angels), Opera House), and Les Troyens (The Met). films, music videos, photo shoots, and and Speech & Debate (Roundabout Theatre Anita was also the puppet and costume immersive events. lydiafine.com Company). Regional: The Old Globe, The designer for The Sound of Music (Salzburger 5th Avenue, George Street, Two River, Marionettentheater). She has received Williamstown Theatre Festival (eight Obie, Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, and NICK LEHANE seasons), Geffen Playhouse, Goodspeed, Ovation Awards. Upcoming she will design SHADOW SEQUENCES AND and Huntington Theatre Company. She Der Ring des Nibelungen for Opera Australia PUPPETRY CO-DESIGNER received her bfa in Stage Management in Brisbane. Nick worked previously with PigPen from Boston University. Theatre Co. as the puppet designer for The Phantom Folktales and the understudy for DONALD HOLDER The Old Man and The Old Moon. His puppet HSIU-I CHIQUITA LU LIGHTING DESIGNER play Chimpanzee premiered earlier this year ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Donald previously designed Zora Ne- at here Arts Center. His original puppet Hsiu-I Chiquita Lu is delighted to return ale Hurston’s Spunk, Maurice Sendak’s work has shown at St. Ann’s Warehouse, to Berkeley Rep after serving as assis- Brundibar, and the world premieres of Puppet BloK at Dixon Place, The Jim tant stage manager on The Great Wave. Paradise Square and Monsoon Wedding at Henson Carriage House, Special Effects Originally from Taiwan — on the other side Berkeley Rep. His recent work on Broadway Festival at wild project, and Pillsbury House of the Pacific Ocean—Hsiu-I is a freelance includes Anastasia, Oslo, In Transit, She Loves Theatre. Nick’s select puppet performance stage manager who works internationally. Me, Fiddler on the Roof, The Father, The King credits include Robin Frohardt’s The Plastic Favorite past productions include Men on and I, On the Twentieth Century, The Bridges Bag Store and The Pigeoning (here Arts Boats at Playwrights Horizons, Hollywood of Madison County, Golden Boy, Spider-Man: Center, international tour), Petrushka at La Jolla Playhouse, Taiwan Season: 038 in Turn Off the Dark, Ragtime, Movin’ Out, (Giants Are Small, New York Philharmonic, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Cikawasay The Boy from Oz, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Barbican Centre), Islamic Solidarity Games with Kuo Shin Chuang Pancah Dance The- and many others. He has designed over 50 Opening Ceremonies (Baku, Azerbaijan), atre. She earned her mfa from University of Broadway productions, received two Tony Doug Fitch’s El Retablo de Maese Pedro California, San Diego.
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DX.program.v5.indd 22 11/11/19 12:01 PM UNIVERSAL THEATRICAL GROUP GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS Universal Theatrical Group is the live-theatre division of the world-famous motion picture & PARTY OUTFITS studio. Universal’s record-breaking phenomenon IN A RANGE OF PRICES Wicked is currently celebrating its 17th hit year PLUS on Broadway. With a national tour and multiple international productions, Wicked has been seen Beginning Friday, November 29th, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. by over 60 million people worldwide, making it AFTER THANKSGIVING SALE one of the most successful theatrical ventures Get an EXTRA 20% off* ALL sale items of all time. Additional credits include Billy Elliot + the Musical; Bring It On: The Musical; and Irving Buy any TWO, get the THIRD FREE* Berlin’s Holiday Inn with Roundabout Theatre Company. Upcoming under utg’s DreamWorks *Valid Nov 29th - Dec 31st, 2019. Applies to sale items only, see store for details. Theatricals banner is the West End premiere of The Prince of Egypt, opening in February 2020. 2928 College Avenue Berkeley • 510.529.4774 Personal Pizazz www.personalpizazz.biz • Tues-Sat 10-7 Sun 12-6 JOHANNA PFAELZER For Clothing That Fits Your Style ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Johanna is delighted to join Berkeley Rep, and honored to serve as its fourth artistic director. She recently spent 12 years as the artistic director of New York Stage and Film (nysaf), a New York City–based organization dedicated to the devel- Who couldn’t use opment of new works for theatre, film, and tele- vision. nysaf is known for providing a rigorous and nurturing environment for writers, directors, and other artists to realize work that has gone a little more drama? on to production at the highest levels of the profession. Notable works that were developed under Johanna’s leadership include the 2016 Tony Be a Rep. Share the gift of live theatre. Award winners Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and The Humans by Stephen Karam, The Wolves berkeleyrep.org/giftcert by Sarah DeLappe, Junk and The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar, A 24-Decade History of Popular Mu- sic by Taylor Mac, Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell, The Homecoming Queen by Ngozi Anyanwu, The Great Leap by Lauren Yee, John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer- and Tony Award–winning Doubt, The Fortress of Solitude by Michael Friedman and Itamar Moses, The Jacksonian by Beth Henley, and Green Day’s American Idiot. SUSAN MEDAK MANAGING DIRECTOR Susan has served as Berkeley Rep’s managing director since 1990, leading the administration and operations of the Theatre. She has served as president of the League of Resident Theatres (lort) and treasurer of Theatre Communica- tions Group (tcg), organizations that represent the interests of nonprofit theatres across the nation. Susan chaired panels for the Massa- chusetts Arts Council and has also served on program panels for Arts Midwest, the Joyce Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Closer to home, she is the founding chair of the Berkeley Arts in Education Steering Committee for Berkeley Unified School District and the Berkeley Cultural Trust, and served on the board of the Downtown Berkeley Associa- tion. Susan serves on the faculty of Yale School of Drama and is a member of the International Women’s Forum and the Mont Blanc Ladies’ Literary Guild and Trekking Society. She was awarded the 2012 Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal by the Berkeley Community Fund and the 2017 Visionary Leadership Award by tcg. During her time in Berkeley, Susan has been instrumental in the construction of the Roda Theatre, the Nevo Education Center, the renovation of the Peet’s Theatre, and in the acquisition of the Harrison Street campus. She also worked with
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DX.program.v5.indd 23 11/11/19 12:01 PM three consecutive mayors to help create her mfa from Brandeis University, where for an early dinner, an evening of great Berkeley’s Downtown Arts District. she was also an artist in residence. She theatre, followed by a lively discussion with has been an audition coach to hundreds of members of the cast. Over the past 25+ actors and a presentation/communication years, Michelle and Bruce have recognized THERESA VON KLUG coach to many businesspeople. She taught Berkeley Rep’s almost singular role in the GENERAL MANAGER acting at Mills College and audition tech- Bay Area in promoting courageous new Theresa is excited to begin her fifth season nique at Berkeley Rep’s School of Theatre, works and nurturing innovative, diverse at Berkeley Rep. Previously, she had over and has led workshops at numerous other playwrights. According to Michelle and 20 years of experience in the New York venues in the Bay Area. Amy is a member Bruce, “There’s never been a more vital not-for-profit performing arts sector where of csa, the Casting Society of America, and time in our lives when the power of theatre she has planned and executed events for received an Artios Award for Excellence in to transform, compel, inspire and energize dance, theatre, music, television, and film. Casting for Angels in America. has been more necessary. We are honored Her previous positions include the interim to be Season Sponsors, and especially general manager for The Public Theater; proud to do so during Johanna Pfaelzer’s general manager/line producer for Theatre MADELEINE OLDHAM first year as artistic director.” for a New Audience, where she opened its RESIDENT DRAMATURG/ new state-of-the-art theatre in Brooklyn DIRECTOR, THE GROUND FLOOR and filmed a major motion picture of the Madeleine is the director of The Ground JACK & BETTY SCHAFER WHO’S WHO inaugural production of Julie Taymor’s A Floor: Berkeley Rep’s Center for the SEASON SPONSORS Midsummer Night’s Dream, released June Creation and Development of New Work Betty and Jack are proud to support 2015; production manager at the New Jer- and the Theatre’s resident dramaturg. Berkeley Rep. Jack is a sustaining advisor of sey Performing Arts Center and New York She oversees commissioning and new the Theatre, having served on the board for City Center, including the famous Encores! play development, and dramaturged the many years, and is now on the board of San Great American Musicals in Concert; and world premiere productions of Fairview, Francisco Opera. He is an emeritus board field representative/lead negotiator for the Aubergine, The House that will not Stand, chair of the San Francisco Art Institute and Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Passing Strange, and In the Next Room (or the Oxbow School. In San Francisco, Betty Managers. She holds a MS in Labor Rela- the vibrator play), among others. As literary is involved with Wise Aging, a program tions and Human Resources Management manager and associate dramaturg at Center for adults addressing the challenges of from Baruch College. Stage in Baltimore, she produced the First growing older. They have three daughters Look reading series and headed up its and eight grandchildren. young audience initiative. Before moving AUDREY HOO to Baltimore, she was the literary man- PRODUCTION MANAGER ager at Seattle Children’s Theatre, where MICHAEL & SUE STEINBERG Audrey fell in love with the wild people and she oversaw an extensive commissioning SEASON SPONSORS power of storytelling in theatre when she program. She also acted as assistant and Michael and Sue have been interested in was 18 and has never looked back. With interim literary manager at Intiman Theatre the arts since they met and enjoy music, over 20 years of experience in production in Seattle. Madeleine served for four years ballet, and live theatre. Michael, who management, Audrey has worked with a on the executive committee of Literary recently retired as chairman and chief wide range of international artists across Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas executive officer of Macy’s West, served all performance arts genres such as Paul and has also worked with act (Seattle), Aus- on Berkeley Rep’s board of trustees from Simon, Elaine Stritch, William Kentridge, tin Scriptworks, Crowded Fire, the Eugene 1999 to 2006 and currently serves on the Sam Mendes, Catherine Martin, and Bill T. O’Neill Theatre Center, the Kennedy Cen- board of directors of the Jewish Museum. Jones, and with institutions such as bam, ter, New Dramatists, Playwrights Center, Sue serves on the board of the World Esplanade Singapore, La Jolla Playhouse, and Portland Center Stage. of Children. The Steinbergs have always and American Conservatory Theater. Al- enjoyed regional theatre and are delighted ways loving a new story to tell and another to sponsor Berkeley Rep this season. “impossible” technical puzzle to solve, MICHAEL SUENKEL Audrey is grateful to be part of the Berkeley PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Rep family and is particularly proud to work Michael began his association with Berke- alongside the immensely talented and ley Rep as the stage management intern THE STRAUCH KULHANJIAN FAMILY dedicated production staff and artisans. for the 1984–85 season and is now in his SEASON SPONSORS Audrey holds a mfa in Technical Direction 26th season as production stage manager. Roger Strauch has served on the Berke- from the University of North Carolina He has also worked with the Huntington ley Rep board of trustees for the last 22 School of the Arts. Theatre (Boston), The Public Theater and years and as an executive officer, including New Victory Theatre (New York), La Jolla president. He is chair of The Roda Group Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, and (rodagroup.com), a high technology venture AMY POTOZKIN many others. Internationally he has stage development company based in Berkeley. DIRECTOR OF CASTING/ managed shows in Hong Kong, the United Roda incubated the search engine Ask.com, ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE Kingdom, and Canada. Among his favorite now located in Oakland and Cool systems Amy begins her 30th season with Berkeley Berkeley Rep productions are Angels in (gameready.com), a medical technology Rep. Through the years she has also had the America, The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide company recently acquired by Avanos Med- pleasure of casting plays for act (Seattle), to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the ical. He is currently on the board of three Arizona Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Scriptures, Eurydice, Endgame, The Beaux’ cleantech companies, including a carbon Company, B Street Theatre, Bay Area Stratagem, and Mad Forest. capture company, Inventys (inventysinc. Playwrights Festival, Dallas Theater Center, com), in which Roda is a major investor. Marin Theatre Company, the Marsh, San Roger has served on the board of the Math- Jose Repertory Theatre, Social Impact Pro- BRUCE GOLDEN & MICHELLE MERCER ematical Sciences Research Institute for 20 ductions Inc., and Traveling Jewish Theatre. SEASON SPONSORS years and as an executive officer, including She worked on various independent films, Michelle and Bruce have been ardent chair. He leads the Mosse Art Restitution including Conceiving Ada, starring Tilda supporters of Berkeley Rep since 1993, Project which searches for family art illegal- Swinton; The 8th Year of the Emergency by when they moved with two young children ly confiscated during Germany’s Third Re- Maureen Towey; Haiku Tunnel and Love & in tow to Berkeley. Their favorite evenings ich. He is a board member of the Northside Taxes, both by Josh Kornbluth; and Beyond at Berkeley Rep were usually the discussion Center, a mental health services agency Redemption by Britta Sjogren. Amy received nights, where often friends would join them based in Harlem, NY and a member of UC
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DX.program.v5.indd 24 11/11/19 12:01 PM Berkeley Engineering Dean’s college advisory board. His wife, Julie Kulhanjian, is an attending Additional staff Production assistant physician at Benioff ucsf Children’s Hospital, James McGregor Oakland. They have three adult children. Assistant director Props Tyrone Phillips Kate Fitt Assistant choreographer Erin Gallagher DAVID & VICKI COX Taylor Tucker Garner Takahashi Morris SPONSORS Associate scenic designer Scene shop Dave and Vicki have been active in the theatre Connor Munion Jennifer Costley world for nearly 30 years, first with the Guthrie Isaac Jacobs Theater, where Dave was at one-time chair of Associate costume designer Cole McCarty Carl Martin the board, and now with Berkeley Rep, where he Sean Miller is a board member. Vicki, a women’s rights activ- Associate lighting designer Henry Perkins ist, is a past national board member of Americans Coby Chasman-Beck for the UN Population Fund and Planned Parent- Scenic artists Associate sound design hood. The retired ceo of Cowles Media, Dave pur- Chrissy Curl Jason Crystal sues interests in media and environmental causes. Lassen Hines Previously, he was the board chair of Earthjustice Assistant sound design Serena Yau and Link Media. The Coxes love Berkeley Rep’s Connor Wang Sound consultant dedication to risk-taking and its emphasis on Automated lighting programmer Jeremy Nelson contemporary plays, as well as its commitment to Jeff Englander Wardrobe developing theatre works and artists. Costume shop Claire Griffith Nelly Flores Kaylee Pereyra BART Milena Geary Co-Producer for Universal Theatrical Group SEASON SPONSOR Alea Gonzales Allison Thomas Bay Area Rapid Transit (bart) is the backbone of Sophie Hood the Bay Area transit network and serves more Deck crew than 100 million passengers annually. bart’s Julia Formanek Special thanks to Bryan Matheson and all-electric trains make it one of the greenest Bradley Hopper Miles Lassi of Skyline Studios, Oakland. and most energy-efficient transit systems in Kourtney Snow Medical consultation for Berkeley Rep the world. Visit bart.gov/bartable to learn more Fight consultant provided by Agi E. Ban DC, John Carrigg MD, about great destinations and events that are Dave Maier Cindy J. Chang MD, Christina Corey MD, easy to get to on bart (like Berkeley Rep!). At Neil Claveria PT, Patricia I. Commer DPT, bart.gov/bartable, you can find discounts, enter Interim associate sound/video supervisor Brenton Dowdy DPT, Kathy Fang MD PhD, sweepstakes offering fantastic prizes, and find Annemarie Scerra Steven Fugaro MD, Whitney R. Johnson unique and exciting things to do just a bart ride Local music supervisor DDS, Olivia Lang MD, Allen Ling PT, and away. While you’re there, be sure to sign up for Sean Kana Christina S. Wilmer OD. bartable This Week, a free, weekly email filled with the latest and greatest bartable fun! PEET’S COFFEE SEASON SPONSOR Peet’s Coffee is proud to be the exclusive coffee of Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the namesake of Berkeley Rep’s state-of-the-art Peet’s Theatre. In 1966, Alfred Peet opened his first store on Vine and Walnut in Berkeley and Peet’s has been committed to the community ever since. Supporting Berkeley Rep’s high artistic standards and diverse programming is an extension of this mission. As the pioneer of the craft coffee move- ment in America, Peet’s is dedicated to small- batch roasting, superior quality beans, freshness, and a darker roasting style that produces a rich, flavorful cup. Peet’s is locally roasted in the first leed® Gold certified roaster in the nation. WELLS FARGO SEASON SPONSOR Wells Fargo is proud to support the award-win- ning Berkeley Repertory Theatre as a season sponsor for the last 14 years because of its dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement. Founded in 1852 and headquar- tered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. The bank is committed to building better every day to meet our customers’ financial goals. For more informa- tion, please visit wellsfargo.com.
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DX.program.v5.indd 25 11/11/19 12:01 PM DX.program.v5.indd 26 26 · 26 · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL · ·2019–20 MAGAZINE REP BERKELEY THE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS Hotel Shattuck Plaza is the official hotel of Berkeley Rep. Berkeley of hotel official the Plaza is Shattuck Hotel Michael & Sue Steinberg &Sue Michael Coffee Peet’s Breslau &Warren Hellman Frances Gund L. Louise Mercer &Michelle Golden Bruce Bakar Bass Barbara Family Foundation Logan Jonathan Foundation Edgerton Foundation Shubert The Foundation Hewlett Flora and William The September 2018 to September 2019. to September 2018 September from Work, New of Development and Creation the for Center Rep’s Berkeley Floor: Ground The including projects, special supported who institutions and individuals generous We gratefully recognize the SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORTERS IN-KIND SPONSORS Express American CORPORATE SPONSORS Foundation Woodlawn Trust Charitable Steinberg Mimi and Harold The Foundation Osher Bernard The Foundation Koret FOUNDATION ANDGOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS 2019. September and 2018 June between gifts their made who Rep, to Berkeley We donors gratefully recognize these programs. outreach community and artistic Rep’s Berkeley by championing community our enrich who many partners We institutional the thank LEAD SUPPORTERS EXECUTIVE SPONSORS SEASON SPONSORS $50,000–99,999 OF GIFTS ABOVE AND $100,000 OF GIFTS EXECUTIVE SPONSORS S S S David & Vicki Fleishhacker &Vicki David Fitz Jo Linda Edwards &Rich Robin Bagg &Jonathan Shelley (2) Anonymous &Steven Rasmussen Felicia Woytak Wagner &Arne Gail Project Tournesol The Taccone Sheila Strunsky &Michael Jean Cynthia Schaff &William Owen &Rachelle Stewart Arts the for Endowment National Collier LaFetra Suzanne Jimerson &John Francis Kerry Anonymous CONTRIBUTORS SUPPORTERS The Andreason Group at Morgan Stanley Stanley atMorgan Group Andreason The Gershwin S. Leonore and Ira The Anonymous Semifreddi’s Group Planning Rhoades llp Brown Mayer llp &Watkins Latham Catering Groman Hugh llp +Martell Farella Braun hdr Deloitte Armanino Council Arts California Program Arts Civic Berkeley The Morrison & Foerster Foundation Foundation &Foerster Morrison The Management Wealth Bank Mechanics Inc. +Co., Schwab Charles FamilyRamsay Foundation Foundation Lux Miranda jec Schoenberg Family Law Group Family Law Schoenberg Interests Panoramic Walter & Elise Haas FundWalter &Elise Haas Foundation Laurents/Hatcher SPONSORS $25,000–49,999 OF GIFTS SPONSORS CORPORATE PARTNERS $10,000–24,999 OF GIFTS Philanthropic Fund Philanthropic Foundation Remodeling Remodeling llp S LEGEND S S S S Donkey & Goat Winery &Goat Donkey Wines Copain Comal César G’s Pizzeria Bobby atbampfa Babette Press Autumn Catering Aurora Catering Ann’s Kitchen Louisiana Angeline’s PARTNERS Linda &Steven Wolan Linda Tademy &Lalita Williams Lawson Barry Foundation Sockolov Audrey and Sockolov L. Robert Shanks &Merrill Patricia Hoffman &David Sarnat Joan Shapiro &Richard Sakai Patricia Reich &Vicky Rosenthal H. S. David Cassel &Georgia Pervere Peter Davis &John O’Hare Shanna Neilson &Bill Jane Lamoise &Philippe Moore Dugan Mills Steven &Patrece Murphy &Gregory Medak Susan McCandless &Ross Sandra Klingelhofer Jack Hennigar Ruth Jill &Steve Fugaro
S S School of Theatre donor S The Reva and David Logan Foundation Foundation Logan David and Reva The (2) Anonymous Gallagher Risk Management Services Management Risk Gallagher Bank Republic First BluesCruise.com Bayer Bayer rhe rhe Foundation Ruppenthal &Alice Karl Family Fund Davis/Dauray Foundation Civic Foundation Brantman &William Joyce Foundation Reinhold Rainin Foundation Kenneth GIFTS OF $5,000–9,999 OF GIFTS PERFORMANCE SPONSORS GIFTS OF $1,000–4,999 OF GIFTS for the Arts the for 510 647-2904. 510 647-2904. at Hepps Daria call or support berkeleyrep.org/ visit details For community. in the education arts and arts the support and visibility, increase employees, reward clients, entertain to network, opportunities excellent offers program Partnership Corporate Rep’s Berkeley sponsor? acorporate company your Is Charitable Foundation Foundation Charitable S zino +Kitchen Bar Revival Picante ocho Note La Vineyard Hafner Restaurant Gather Fonda Eureka! Company Brewing Drake’s K in-kind gift Candy S M matching gift S 11/11/19 12:01 PM
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THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 27 S Kerstin Edgerton David J. Williamson Shirley Schild & Philip Beth Karren Lalita Tademy Michael Yovino-Young John K. Sutherland Barry Posner Doane Christopher Lou Peoples in honorin of Barbara Peterson Len & Arlene Rosenberg Rosalind & Sung-Hou Kim Leonard Merrill Kurz Eileen & Hank Lewis Wendy Williams Martin & Margaret Zankel Susan & Moses Libitzky HelenM. Marcus memory in of Martin & Janis McNair MesserlyEd & Sudha Pennathur & PatreceSteven Mills Dugan Moore & Philippe Lamoise Peter Pervere & Georgia Cassel Barbara L. Peterson Gary & Noni Robinson Joan Sarnat & David Hoffman & William SchaffCynthia Pat & Merrill Shanks Shirlen Fund, memory in of Vickie Soulier Foundation Lisa Taylor Dave & Cindy Trummer Susan West Seymour Kaufman & Fred Karren,Fred memory in of PatriciaJeffrey & Williams William C. Wilson II Sam & Joyce Zanze Mark Zitter & Jessica Nutik Zitter Jane & Mark Zuercher Beth Weissman Elizabeth Werter & Henry Trevor Barry Lawson Williams & Jeane & Roger Samuelsen Danny Scher Jackie Schmidt-Posner & Neal Shorstein, MD & Valerie Sopher Sally & Joel Spivack Karen Stevenson & Bill McClave Deborah Barrera Taylor Alison & Teeman Linda & Gregory Orr Janet & Clyde Ostler Judy O’Young, MD & Gregg Hauser Sandi & Dick Pantages Mary Ann Peoples, memory in of Malcolm & Ann Plant Linda & Eric Protiva L.Teresa Remillard Carla & David Riemer Sheli & Burt Rosenberg, honor in of Joe Ruck & Donna Ito Monica Salusky & Bill Reuter & Ruth Major Audrey & Paul Richards, M
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2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION · M Christopher Hudson Christopher Michael P. Nguyen,Michael P. honorin of Rita Moreno Lalita Tademy Michelle Deane WarrenSharp memory of Helen Barber of John T. Knoxof John T. & GeraldLynn Ungar Nguyen, honor in of Rita Moreno ASSOCIATE SPONSORS ASSOCIATE John Dains PaulDaniels, honor in PeterYonka of Narsai David & Venus A.Cynthia Farner & MarkTracy Ferron & NoelleKevin Gibbs GoldinSteven James C. Hormel & Ms. Wendy E. Jordan Barry Lawson Williams & Linda Wolan & Steven WoytakFelicia Rasmussen Steven & Anonymous (2) Shelley & Jonathan Bagg Edith Barschi Neil & Gene Barth Valerie Barth Michelle Branch & Dale Cook Rena Bransten Brook & Shawn Byers CarmichaelLynne Cindy Chang, MD & Nancy & George Leitmann, in Sidne Long & Hank Delevati MalloneeElsie Rebecca Martinez Henning Mathew & Wanda Kownacki Woof Kurtzman Hertz & Liz Jane Larkin, & Mike memory in of Randy Laroche & David Laudon Louise Laufersweiler & Migsy Hamasaki & Jim Bob & Linda Harris & DavidVera Hartford Dan & Shawna Hartman Brotsky RuthHennigar HermanBonnie & Tom Richard N. & Nancy Hill Lundeen Elaine Hitchcock HockettDeirdre & Chris Bill Hofmann & Robbie Welling Erin McCuneErin Miles & Mary Ellen McKey Kirk McKusick & Eric Allman Mendel Stephanie Mickelson & DonaldToby Brody Andy & June Monach Morrison Ronald Jerry Mosher Barbara & Michael Novogradac Carol J. Ormond James C. Hormel & Michael P. Paula Hughmanick Berger & Steven Marilyn & Michael Jensen-Akula Bill & Lisa Kelly KisperskyStephen F. Jean Knox, memory in K M David Beery SPONSORS Stephen & Cindy Snow Maria Cardamone & Paul Matthews David & Vicki Cox Anne & Anuj Dhanda Robin & Rich Edwards David & Vicki Fleishhacker Paul Friedman & Diane Manley Fugaro & Steve Jill Karen Galatz & Jon Wellinghoff Richard Grand Foundation Paul Haahr & Susan Karp Scott & Sherry Haber Jerry & Julie Kline JackKlingelhofer Michael H. Kossman Suzanne LaFetra Collier LambKen Sandra & Ross McCandless Marianne Mills Pam & Mitch Nichter Norman & Janet Pease Randolph Marjorie Leonard X & Arlene B. Rosenberg Jack & Valerie Rowe Patricia Sakai & Richard Shapiro & Liliane SchneiderEd Laura & Nicholas Severino BENEFACTORS Audrey & Bob Sockolov SheilaWishek Barbara & Howard Wollner Anonymous (4) Norman Abramson, memory in of Martha & Bruce Atwater Nina Auerbach Anne M. Baele Linda Baker & Mike Michelle L. Barbour Eugene Borstel & Sandy Silva Re Re Boylan & JeffFreedman Broitman-Basri Foundation Ben Brown & Louise Rankin Don & Carol Anne Brown BrownTracy & Greg Holland Italo & Susan Calpestri RonnieCaplane & DeborahTerrence Carlin Leslie Chatham & Sunny St. Pierre Betsey Cheitlin & Ken Barbara & Rodgin Cohen Julie & Darren Cooke Karen & David Crommie CullenEd & Ann O’Connor Cuthbertson Jim Dr. Barbara & Tim Daniels Corinne Doyle & Mike James Irving Emery & P. Merle & Michael Fajans Lisa & Dave Finer Thomas & Sharon Francis Lisa & Rod Franzel Mickels Herb & Marianne Friedman Mary & Stan Friedman Dennis & Susan Johann Gilardi Daniel & Hilary B. Goldstine Nelson Goodman Garrett Gruener & Amy Slater
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William E. Jones VickyReich Dr. AndrewDr. Gunther Parlette-Edwards MargaretHart Edwards EXECUTIVE SPONSORS EXECUTIVE LEAD SPONSORS LEAD SEASON SPONSORS SEASON Anonymous Barbara Bass Bakar Edward D. Baker SusanChamberlin & Diana CohenBill Falik Kerry Francis & John Jimerson Wayne Jordan & Quinn Delaney Jean & Michael Strunsky Gail & Arne Wagner Stewart & Rachelle Owen Mary Ruth Quinn & Scott Shenker Tomlinson & SteffanKelli Frances Hellman & Warren Breslau Casey Keller / Peet’s Coffee & GiseleKen Miller Bruce Golden & Michelle Mercer Jack & Betty Schafer Michael & SueSteinberg The Strauch Family Kulhanjian PARTNERS Earl & Bonnie Hamlin J. & Dr. Hurley Pearce Lynda Kathleen & Chris Jackson Barbara E. Jones, memory in of Duke & Daisy Kiehn Kushner Tony Dixon Long Peter & Melanie Maier Dale & Don Marshall Sumner & Hermine Marshall Charles Marston & Rosa Luevano Susan Medak & Greg Murphy Helen & John Meyer Pure Dana Fund Sue Reinhold & Deborah Newbrun David S. H. Rosenthal & Jaimie Sanford Storey & Ted Beth & David Sawi Linda & Nathan Schultz ShanksEmily & EllenEd Smith ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE SPONSOR CIRCLE SPONSOR We thank theWe generous individuals our in community who help Berkeley Rep produce adventurous, and thought-provoking, theatre andthrilling bring arts education thousands to these recognize gratefully donors We of young people to every year. Berkeley Rep, who made their gifts betweenJune 2018 and September 2019. gift your and make distinguished this join To orgroup,berkeleyrep.org/give 510 call visit 647-2906. Richard & Lois Halliday William Espey & Nancy & Jerry Falk Lily Fan Karen Grove & Julian Cortella Ms. Burns Teresa Gunther & Anonymous & Hirni Amin Tarang Berit Ashla & Aron Cramer Judy Avery BrakemanEd Jennifer & Sam Chaiken Hamilton Constance Crawford David Deutscher Thomas Edwards W. & Rebecca
We are pleased to recognize first-time donors pleased first-time are We recognize to to Berkeley Rep, whose names appearin italics. DX.program.v5.indd 27 S
S S Charitable Foundation for the Arts GIFTS OF$1,000–4,999 GIFTS OF$5,000–9,999 Kenneth Foundation Rainin Reinhold Foundation Joyce & William Brantman Foundation Civic Foundation Davis/Dauray Fund Family Karl & Alice Ruppenthal Foundation rhe Anonymous (2) The Reva and David Logan Foundation DX.program.v5.indd 28 28 · 28 · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPECIAL · ·2019–20 MAGAZINE REP BERKELEY THE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS cil · John & Izzie Crane Crane &Izzie John cil · Smikle &Collin Clay Andrea Christiani · & Linnea R. Frostad Frostad R. Chris Freed · &Dava Donald Francis · Dean Fleming · &Jessica James Flannery · Patrick Fishman · &Barbara Martin Feinberg · &Mary Ben Kemeny · &Judy Feigenbaum Paul Kalkstein · &Michael English Susan Dolder · &David Karen Palma · Di & Beppe Francine Davis · &Anita Richard Crowley · Marcia C. Linn · Mark & Roberta Linsky · Linsky · &Roberta Mark Linn · C. Marcia Lindsay · S. Jennifer Levine · &Barry Ellen Glazeski · &Michael Lees Glennis Lewis · &Catherine Leavitt Andrew McKinney · &Scott Lavagnino Sherrill Land · E. Helen Lally · &Claudine Kevin Lakireddy · Susilpa Sykes · Dan & Kornegay Janet Staff · Rep ley Berke the of honor in Lynn Komaromi, Eve Ungvarsky · &Carole Killian Christopher Medak · Susie of honor Family, in Hornthal The Holve · &Janice Don Herdell · & Ardis Vaughn of memory in Herdell, Christina Henry · Elizabeth & Thomas Griffes · Peter & Anne Graves · &Nicholas Mary Gottlieb · K. Gale Mrs. Slyter · &Howard Ginsburg & Gerald Przybylski · Frances Singer Frances Przybylski · & Gerald Laurel Lash · Marit Beuschel · & Gary Kruse John Herman · &Michael Dorothy Fox · Patricia Couch · &Don Susan Connally · Bart Abrams · Gerry Anonymous · 2019. 30, to September 2019 30, August from received were contributions whose donors following the recognize We gratefully Beers & Gerry Don Beach · &Stephanie David Battuello · A. Lois Batson · &Jack Leslie & Ted Landau · Auerbach Tony of Naomi Taccone · honor in Argyris, &Marcia George (5) · Anonymous Brandenburger · Eric Brink & Gayle Vassar Vassar &Gayle Brink Eric Brandenburger · Naomi Black Black Naomi CHAMPIONS SUPPORTERS M · Lea Chang · Terin Christensen · Richard Richard Terin Christensen · Chang · · Lea Kerry Francis Kerry & Follansbee E. Dr. Stephen Cohen &Diana Falik Bill Edwards Hart &Margaret Espey William Epstein &Susan Bill & W. Edwards Thomas Edwards &Robin Rich Thalia Dorwick Dicker Laina M. Taylor &Jody Daly Andrew Christina Crowley Close Sofia Terin Christensen Watson &David Champagne Paula Cassidy K. Stephen McCall G. &Richard Carlton Bruce Family Broitman-Basri Linda Brandenburger Baskin &Barry Susan Barth &Gene Neil Barschi Edith Axelrod Nancy Avery &Joni Ken Pan &Aurora W. Arnoult Carl Ambler Sam Beery &David Abramson Norman (8) Anonymous 2019: October of as Sustaining members Shanks Emily David &Venus Narsai New members: · Robert Council & Ann Parks-Coun &Ann Council · Robert Dr. Richard A. Wolitz Wolitz A. Dr. Richard Parlette-Edwards Rebecca M · Kelli M. Frostad · Marjorie Marjorie Frostad · M. · Kelli M M · Marc Blakeman Blakeman · Marc · Caroline Beverstock · Beverstock · · Caroline M · Lori & Michael &Michael · Lori
M · Linda · Linda or [email protected]. 647-2904 510 at Hepps Daria contact or berkeleyrep.org/mls at website our visit amember, becoming on information more For year. after year programs, outreach and education innovative with community the serve and work, new support excellence, artistic of standards highest the maintain to Rep Berkeley enables that stability financial the provide will they where funds, endowment board-designated Rep’s Berkeley of part a become gifts planned otherwise, specifies donor the Unless plans. estate their in Rep Berkeley designated have W. Leibert, Michael Director Founding of honor in is named which Society, this of Members - - Schulz Schulz Tony of Dr. David Taccone · honor in Katz, &Sara Scharlin Dan Salomon · Lisa Rutland · P. Dace Rowe · &Anne Boyard Barnett · &Denise Rosenberg Galen Foundation · Community Bay East the at Fund Rockridge The Roberts · Jody & John Risley · James of ry memo in Risley, Maxine Richardson · Helen Ramos · &Mary David Pauley · & MaryJane Bob Park · Wharton Gerane Man · Michael & Pang Lynette Oken · &Richard Judith one · Odd Saarni &Barbara Oddone Piermaria Murphy · Daniel Morris · &Britt-Marie Brian Rand · &Marc Montgomery Scott Taccone · Tony of honor in Monheimer, Geri Miller · Dan Medak · Ruth Katsaros · &Peter Medak Joanne McCutcheon · &Michael Janet Martinelli · &Adolph Charlotte Marcus · &Selma Mose Weiland, Ruth of memory in Marcus, &Gary Lois Love · &Eileen Jay Wolfram · Sally Woolsey Sally Wolfram · &Peter Wolfram Charles Willrich · Wendy Weisblatt · &Sheila Robert Roo · Van Sarah Sullivan · &Margi Dyk van William Timnick · Henry Test · Sam Terris · Susan Strickberger · W. Monroe Stein · &Jana Gary So · Scott & Alice Smith · Collins Cherida Tubach · &Michael Singhal Amrita Simpson · & Lori Ph.D. · M.D., Shank, Buckhold Brenda Seidl · Marva Leonard · Dr. & Mrs. Francis Barham · Barham · Francis Dr. &Mrs. Leonard · &Jonathan Alkon Abbey (13) · Anonymous Lieber Rowe Jean Kirk · Susan Bridges · Monroe & Kate Avery · Marie Rose Gelb · Marjorie & Aaronson Mark (3) · Anonymous ADVOCATES CONTRIBUTORS Miles & Mary Ellen McKey Ellen &Mary Miles McGehee G. John McCulloch &Charles Suzanne LeValley McArthur Sarah Martinez Rebecca Marshall &Hermine Sumner Marshall &Don Dale Marcus M. Helen Lofstrom Dot Law & Kathy Scott Kossman H. Michael Lynn Komaromi Eve Killip McPherson Bonnie Kaslow Carlos &D. Kelly Janice Johnson C. Robin Hurley Pearce &Dr. J. Lynda Trust Family Hoskins/Frame Hill J. Douglas Hepps Daria Ruth Hennigar Hartwick Fred Harris &Bob Linda Harkness &Paul Julie Halliday &Lois Richard Grether &Becky Don Greene &Judy Sheldon Greene Elizabeth Graves &Nicholas Mary Slyter &Howard Ginsburg Marjorie McPherson &Phillip Gaskin David Fujii K. Laura Frykman Dr. John T. Friedman Paul Friedman &Antonia Joseph Freedman &Deana Dr. Harvey
· Beryl & Ivor Silver · David David Silver · &Ivor · Beryl Silva Kim M K · Teddy & Bruce Schwab · Andrew & & Andrew Schwab · &Bruce · Teddy · Katherine Nolan · Pam Whitman Pam Nolan · · Katherine - - Neff · Beth & Tim Kientzle Kientzle Tim & Beth Neff · &Colleen Kapczynski H. Helmut Kaljot · Kaarel Jordan-Koch · &Daly Claudia Jones · &Margaret Reese Jones · Corrina Johnson · · Jensen &Barbara Peter Jensen · D. C. Mr. &Mrs. Jensen · Douglas & Anne Isbell · M. Harold Mr. &Mrs. Shepherd · David & Hoffman Al Hoel · Jeff Crowley · &Christina Hobe Peter Krois · &Jean Hertz Howard Hepps · & Robert Irene Grether · &Becky Tony Don Taccone · of honor in Greene, &Judy Sheldon Green · &Maya Rico Graham · Joy Linda Geier · &Kathleen Karl McPherson · & Phillip Friedland & Azlynda Alim Alim &Azlynda Friedland Daniel Fitz · Jo Linda Fisher · &Louis gitte Bri Estey · J. Sue Edwards · Peek Burton Drucker · Linda Sabin · &Alix Drooker Nancy Kelly · &Greg Down Kathy Dennis · &Susan Harry DeHart · Bill Damron · Kathleen Custer · &Evan Jill Crane · Mike & Wu ·Pam &Margaret Cox Ciara Chenel · Laura Cant · &Margaret Robert Family · & Campbell Don Buttrick · & Marguerite Jerome Brock · Peter Brandriff · Barbara & Bob Filipek · &David Blatt Beverly Bittenbender · Patti Bischoff · Steve Biondi · A. James Berman · &Kathi Richard Bruce Maigatter & Pamela Partlow · Naomi Naomi Partlow · &Pamela Maigatter Bruce MacClelland · &Kathy Gerry Lurie · & Bob · Jane Manning &Marilyn Lonergan Richard Marduel · &Alix Tom Lockard Linn · C. · Marcia Myers H. &Martin Lewis Deborah Lasinski · &Thomas Barbara P. LaPlant · Carol Kulander · &Monica Ken Kolb · Susan Margo Webster Margo Patterson · &Caitlin Price Rich Laskowski · Linda Huston · Janet Hall · R. Thomas Mr. Glupczynski · Deborah Giorgianni · Karen White · &David Duplessis Virginia · Boyle Colin Beckett · Brenda Badillo · Fearn &Jonathan Badillo Erin Thompson · &Steve Armstrong Keira (3) · Anonymous FRIENDS Dorothy Walker Dorothy Wagner &Arne Gail Turner Kate Janis Trapp &Melody Phillip Tiphane Guy Timnick Henry Susskind &Duncan Andrew Mary, Strunsky Jean Stewart &Anne Dr. Douglas Steinberg &Sue Michael Sopher Valerie Shoemaker Kevin Ph.D. Shank,M.D., Buckhold Brenda Shapiro &Richard Sakai Patricia Ruth Dashow Deborah Rowson E. Tracie Rovno David Tom Roberts Trust Living Ring Bonnie Richardson Gregg Marjorie Randolph Phillips Margaret Regina Phelps Peterson L. Barbara Amy Pearl Parodi Ott Sharon Osborne G. Sheldeen Nichter &Mitch Pam Smits &Bernard Nelson Theresa Nedham &Joe Shirley Toni Mester Stephanie Mendel Murphy &Greg Medak Susan Medak Ruth McKibben &Winton D. Margaret · Ann L. L. · Ann Jetton Bill M M · David Gaskin Gaskin · David · Peggy Kivel · Kivel · · Peggy - Estate of Grace Williams Grace of Estate Weininger Harry of Estate Sloss Peter of Estate honor in Schaefer, C. Stephen of Estate Robinson &Ivy Leigh of Estate Purvine Margaret of Estate Perez-Mendez Gladys of Estate Patterson A. Timothy of Estate Markell Richard of Estate Manning A. &Helen E. John of Estate Lewandowitz R. Ines of Estate Faye LeDuff Zandra of Estate Lasson J. Audrey of Estate Glauser Rudolph of Estate Field &John Carol of Estate Croley Nancy of Estate Paula Carrell of Estate Bryans Jill of Estate Berteaux Nelly of Estate Berg B. Carole of Estate Benesch Fritzi of Estate Barber Helen of Estate Adams Suzanne of Estate Anonymous Rep: Berkeley by received Gifts Martin & Margaret Zankel &Margaret Martin JD Yang, Anders Work &Henry Karen West Susan Family Trust—Weil Family Weil Walter &Holly Barry of Jean and Jack Knox Knox Jack and Jean of Regina Phelps · James F. Pine James Phelps · Regina · Pesso &Charmaine Jr. · Jack Peckham, M. Robert of honor in &Toni Peckham, Bob Hamilton · &Mark Paul Lauri Parsons · D. Brian Olson · S. Suzette Ogle · Judy Nakayama · Ron Nakao · &Emi Aki Feldman · & Richard Motzkin · Patricia Razavi &Caroline tazavi Stuart Kaplan & Meislin Barbara McRee · Brian McGuinn · &John Karen Soriano · &K. Mathews M. Marineau · &Phil Sue Mann · & Bruce Stan Zaks Stan Wright · & Becky Moe Wornick · & Anita Ron T. Weston · Robert Webster · William Mr. &Mrs. Walker · &Larry Louise Wade · Larry Vales Vales Larry Turbow · &Ellen Mike Trautner · Rick Piller · &Geoff Tiedemann Karen Thomson · Judy & Pate Thomas · E. Nancy Taylor · Kathleen Lynn &Timothy Sullivan · Gary Steinle & James Strunsky LJ Snider · Sigrid Smith · & Camilla George Smallwood · &Dick Jerry Slyman · Suzanne Sleight · Carra Sirott · Matthew & Arlene Shortell · &Susan Steve Shaver · E. · Sarah Capeder &Pierre Seifel Libby Schnobrich · · Joyce Schenk &Liz Dale Saxe · R. Dorothy Argue · &John Sales Mitzi Winkel · &Steven Sahm P. Barbara Ruth · Leo of memory in Ruth, Dashow Deborah Robison · C. William Mrs. Ringoen · Susan Ragsdale &Mark Leslie Allen · &Diane Quenneville Kathleen Preston · R. Roxann Placzek · supports the Berkeley Rep staff. Rep Berkeley the supports which Fund, Development Professional Randolph Marjorie The establishing for Randolph toMarjorie thanks Special · Fred & & · Fred Tammen &Margo · Drew · Danielle Rebischung · Todd & & Todd Rebischung · · Danielle M · · Hyung &Jeung Noles Luella Daryoush Mor Daryoush Miner · · Jeff · Mr. Leon Van Steen · Lisa Lisa Steen · Van · Mr. Leon
M · F. Anthony · F. Anthony
11/11/19 12:01 PM
- Artistic Director Managing Director Johanna Pfaelzer Susan Medak STAFF AND BOARD General Manager Theresa Von Klug
ARTISTIC ELECTRICS House Managers Lisa Anne Porter · Diane Rachel · Elizabeth Anne Bertolino · Rolf Saxon · Elyse Shafarman · BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director of Casting & Master Electrician Jerry Chirip · Maggie Collette · Dalia Arje Shaw · Joyful Simpson · Artistic Associate Frederick C. Geffken President Garcia · Aleta George · Cleavon Smith · M. Graham Smith · Gail Wagner Amy Potozkin Assistant Master Electrician Aaron Higareda · Matisse Michalski · Elizabeth Vega · James Wagner · Director, The Ground Floor/ Sarina Renteria Angelica Phung · Tuesday Ray · Dan Wolf Vice Presidents Debra Selman Resident Dramaturg Production Electrician Teaching Artists Bruce Golden Madeleine Oldham Kenneth Coté Lead Concessionaires Miriam Ani · Martha Brigham · Stewart Owen Molly Conway · Nina Gorham · Nicole Apostol Bruno · Michael Curry · Literary Manager Felicia Woytak Sarah Rose Leonard SOUND & VIDEO Johnny Lloyd · Nichelle Pete Allysa Evans · Adrian Gebhart · Artistic Associate Concessionaires Clara Kamunde · Rebecca Longworth · Treasurer Katie Craddock Sound & Video Supervisor April Ancheta · Herman Angulo · Caitlyn Louchard · Dave Maier · Henning Mathew Lane Elms Jessica Bates · Katie Braninburg · Carla Pantoja · Slater Penny · Artists under Commission Radhika Rao · Joyful Raven · Secretary Todd Almond · Christina Anderson · Sound Engineers Suleekho Muse Nicole Bruno · Angela Don Jason Brunswick · Benji Carver · Lindsey Schmeltzer · Kimiya Shokri · Leonard X Rosenberg Lisa Peterson · Sarah Ruhl · Zoe Swenson-Graham · Tori Sampson · Joe Waechter Michael Kelly Si Mon’ Emmett · Lorenz Gonzales · Michelle Hernandez · Julian Islas · Gabriel Vergez · Joshua Waterstone · Chair, Governance Committee Associate Sound & Video Supervisor Elena Wright Stewart Owen Chase Nichter Evan Lester · Mikayla McLaurin · PRODUCTION Suleekho Muse · James Oh · Teen Core Council Win Wallace · Marissa Wolden Milo Bailey · Simon Bhuller-Riordan · Chair, Audit Committee Production Manager Kerry L. Francis Audrey Hoo ADMINISTRATION Ticket Services Manager Fidela Bisseret Martinez · Eleanor Boes · Bianca Carmango · Associate Production Manager Finance Director Dora Daniels Board Members Jared Hammond Lilly-Karin Dandenell · Scarlette De Berit Ashla Zoey Russo Box Office Supervisor Beauvior · Dina Fukunaga · Associate General Manager Julie Gotsch Carrie Avery Company Manager Maera Klein · Malia Lee · Tatiana Lira · Edward D. Baker Amanda Williams O’Steen Morgan Steele Subscription Manager Grace Nelligan Zohar Naaman · David Cox Executive Assistant Laurie Barnes Alex Pansino · Roan Pearl · Anne Nemer Dhanda Madeleine Riskin-Kutz · Jade Rogers · Kate Horton Box Office Lead Lauren Edgerton STAGE MANAGEMENT Avelina Rivezzo-Weber · Bookkeeper Alina Whatley Robin Edwards Production Stage Manager Sarah Schecter Jill Fugaro Kristine Taylor Box Office Agents Michael Suenkel Docent Co-Chairs Karen Galatz Associate Finance Director Chelbi Dickens · Topher Hester · Stage Managers Matty Bloom, Content Steven Goldin Eric Ipsen Oliver Kampman · Victoria Phelps · Scott Haber Lisa Iacucci · Kelly Montgomery · Joy Lancaster, Recruitment Timothy Quirus · Alina Whatley Casey Keller Libby Unsworth · Chris Waters Payroll Administrator Selma Meyerowitz, Off-Sites Katie Riemann and Procedures Michael Kossman Assistant Stage Managers Jonathan C. Logan Chiquita Lu · Sofie Miller · CRM Project Manager OPERATIONS Sandra R. McCandless Megan McClintock · Leslie M. Radin Destiny Askin Facilities Director 2019–20 BERKELEY REP FELLOWSHIPS Susan Medak Production Assistants Mark Morrisette Sudha Pennathur Bret C. Harte Directing Fellow Johanna Pfaelzer Tait Adams · James McGregor · Facilities Manager DEVELOPMENT Nailah Harper-Malveaux Laura Severino Sofie Miller Ashley Mills Director of Development Company Management Fellow Richard Shapiro Lynn Eve Komaromi Building Engineer Reagan O’Malley Roger Strauch Thomas Tran Jean Z. Strunsky STAGE OPERATIONS Associate Director of Development Costume Fellow Kelli Tomlinson Stage Supervisor Daria Hepps Building Technician Anthony Fiore Kevin Pan Steven C. Wolan Julia Englehorn Director of Individual Giving Development Fellow Laura Fichtenberg Facilities Assistants Samuel Levit Past Presidents Lemont Adams · Theresa Drumgoole · Helen C. Barber PROPERTIES Stewardship Officer Education Fellow Sophie Li · Guy Nado · Jesus Rodriguez · A. George Battle Woof Kurtzman Zandra Starks Properties Supervisor LeRoy Thomas Carole B. Berg Jillian A. Green Institutional Giving Manager Graphic Design Fellow Robert W. Burt Julie McCormick Haly Roy Shih-Tso Chen Associate Properties Supervisor BERKELEY REP SCHOOL OF THEATRE Narsai M. David Amelia Burke-Holt Special Events Manager Harry Weininger Sound Fellow Thalia Dorwick, PhD Abbey Bay McSweeney Director of the School of Theatre Jaime Tippett Props Artisan Rachel Hull Nicholas M. Graves Dara Ly Individual Giving Manager Lighting/Electrics Fellow Richard F. Hoskins Kelsey Scott Associate Director Hannah Solomon Jean Knox MaryBeth Cavanaugh Robert M. Oliver Grant & Communications SCENE SHOP Marketing/Digital Stewart Owen Coordinator Associate Director Communications Fellow Technical Director Marjorie Randolph Maddie Gaw Anthony Jackson Katherine Gunn Jim Smith Harlan M. Richter Development Coordinators Education Communications and Peter F. Sloss Literary/ Richard A. Rubin Associate Technical Director Nina Feliciano · Alix Josefski Partnerships Manager Dramaturgy Fellow Edwin C. Shiver Matt Rohner Marcela Chacón Development Database Charlie Dubach-Reinhold Roger Strauch Martin Zankel Shop Foreman Coordinator Data and Tessitura Analyst Production Management Fellow Sam McKnight Jane Voytek Katie Riemann Kali Grau Sustaining Advisors Master Carpenter Community Programs Administrator Properties Fellow Rena Bransten Jamaica Montgomery-Glenn MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Modesta Tamayo Del Hanson Diana Cohen Carpenters William T. Espey Senior Marketing Manager Education Youth Associate Scenic Art Fellow Patrick Keene · Read Tuddenham William Falik Seth Macari Si Mon’ Emmett Samantha (Sam) Welsing David Fleishhacker Communications & Digital Faculty Scenic Construction Fellow Paul T. Friedman SCENIC ART Content Director Bobby August Jr. · Erica Blue · Kathryn Bosch Nicholas M. Graves Charge Scenic Artist Karen McKevitt Jon Burnett · Rebecca Castelli · David Hoffman Stage Management Fellow Richard F. Hoskins Lisa Lázár Eugenie Chan · Iu-Hui Chua · Director of Public Relations Jiwon Chung · Sally Clawson · Elizabeth Kamla Dale Rogers Marshall Tim Etheridge Deborah Eubanks · Susan Garner · Helen Meyer COSTUMES Audience Development & Christine Germain · Nancy Gold · Dugan Moore Group Sales Manager Gary Graves · Marvin Greene · Peter Pervere Costume Director Marjorie Randolph Maggi Yule Arielle Rubin Susan-Jane Harrison · Gendell Hing-Hernández · Melissa Hillman · Patricia Sakai Resident Costume Design Associate Webmaster Jack Schafer Christina Cone William Hodgson · Andrew Hurteau · Cody Von Ruden Anthony Jackson · Kasey Klem · William Schaff Emily Shanks Tailor Video & Multimedia Producer Krista Knight · Julian López-Morillas · Benjamin Michel Dave Maier · Reid McCann · Michael Steinberg Kathy Kellner Griffith Michael Strunsky Patricia Miller · Alex Moggridge · Draper Program Advertising Martin Zankel Edward Morgan · Jack Nicolaus · Star Rabinowitz Pamela Webster Slater Penney · Greg Pierotti · First Hand Front of House Director Janet Conery Kelly Kelley Founding Director Wardrobe Supervisor Front of House Manager Michael W. Leibert Barbara Blair Debra Selman Producing Director, 1968–83
2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 29
DX.program.v5.indd 29 11/11/19 12:01 PM MAKING THEATRE Katy Owen in 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (photo by Steve Tanner) EVERY GIFT
TRAVELING TALES TELLS A STORY. When PigPen Theatre Co.’s Ticket sales cover only 60% of the cost of producing performances like the one you The Tale of Despereaux are seeing today. As a nonprofit theatre, arrived in Berkeley, it Berkeley Rep relies on contributions from came with a few new cast theatregoers like you to make these stories members, including Dorcas possible. Will you play your part? Leung as Despereaux and Yasmeen Sulieman as Princess Pea and Merlot. Immediately embraced by the other artists, Dorcas and Yasmeen jumped into and perfected their roles in rehearsals at our Harrison Street campus. (Not pictured: our third terrific new cast member, John Rapson as Roscuro.)
OUR STORIES. OUR THEATRE. YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY. Text BACKSTAGE to 71777 berkeleyrep.org/give BE A DONOR. BE A REP.
30 · THE BERKELEY REP MAGAZINE · 2019–20 · SPECIAL PRESENTATION
DX.program.v5.indd 30 11/11/19 12:01 PM Katy Owen in 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (photo by Steve Tanner) EVERY GIFT TELLS A STORY. Ticket sales cover only 60% of the cost of producing performances like the one you are seeing today. As a nonprofit theatre, Berkeley Rep relies on contributions from theatregoers like you to make these stories possible. Will you play your part?
OUR STORIES. OUR THEATRE. YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY. Text BACKSTAGE to 71777 berkeleyrep.org/give BE A DONOR. BE A REP.
DX.program.v5.indd 31 11/11/19 12:01 PM SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!
Dianne Wiest in the Yale Repertory Theatre production of Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS JOIN US FOR
Culture Clash (Herbert Siguenza, Suzan-Lori Parks Richard Montoya, and Ric Salinas) Jocelyn Bioh Lisa Peterson John Logan Michael Mayer The Avett Brothers
NEXT UP A world premiere from one of Berkeley Rep's beloved playwrights! BE A SUBSCRIBER.
Becky Nurse is an outspoken, sharp-witted tour guide at the BE A REP. BECKY NURSE OF SALEM Salem Museum of Witchcraft who’s just trying to get by in post- BY SARAH RUHL Obama America. She’s also the descendant of Rebecca Nurse, who was infamously executed for witchcraft in 1692—but things DIRECTED BY ANNE KAUFFMAN have changed for women since then…haven’t they? After losing MAIN SEASON · PEET’S THEATRE her job for calling out The Crucible in front of schoolkids, Becky DEC , JAN , visits a local witch for help. One spell leads to another, and then SUBSCRIBE TODAY everything really goes off the rails. FOR THE BEST SEATS STILL TO COME... AT THE BEST PRICES! WORLD PREMIERE CULTURE CLASH (STILL) IN AMERICA SWEPT AWAY MUSICAL! WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY CULTURE CLASH BOOK BY JOHN LOGAN PLUS, GET THESE RICHARD MONTOYA, RICARDO SALINAS, MUSIC & LYRICS BY THE AVETT BROTHERS AND HERBERT SIGUENZA MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS & ORCHESTRATIONS DIRECTED BY LISA PETERSON BY CHRIS MILLER & BRIAN USIFER GREAT PERKS... MAIN SEASON · PEET’S THEATRE DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MAYER FEB APR , LIMITED SEASON · PEET’S THEATRE DISCOUNTED PRICES JUN JUL , INFECTIOUS COMEDY GUARANTEED SEATS SCHOOL GIRLS WITH TEETH! FREE TICKET EXCHANGES OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY PLUS A SPECIAL NONSUBSCRIPTION EVENT BY JOCELYN BIOH BENEFITS FOR FRIENDS DIRECTED BY AWOYE TIMPO GATZ MAIN SEASON · RODA THEATRE CREATED AND PERFORMED BY DISCOUNTS ON CLASSES MAR MAY , ELEVATOR REPAIR SERVICE TEXT: THE GREAT GATSBY AND SO MUCH MORE BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD HAPPY DAYS DIRECTED BY JOHN COLLINS BY SAMUEL BECKETT SPECIAL PRESENTATION · RODA THEATRE CALL 510 647-2949 DIRECTED BY JAMES BUNDY FEBRUARY , WITH DIANNE WIEST CLICK BERKELEYREP.ORG LIMITED SEASON · RODA THEATRE MAY JUL ,
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DX.program.v5.indd 32 11/11/19 12:01 PM