The Ovation Repertory Theatre at the Spotlight Auditorium is proud to present:

KAT CLOWES RENEE CLEEK KELSEA JOHNSON in

Music and Lyrics By Book By SHERMAN EDWARDS PETER STONE

Also Starring: BECKY SCHMEIL JENNIFER NEIL AMELIA MEJIA MICHELLE WEINGARDEN-BANDES

With: EMILY ANTHONY DANIELLE CHASE ARIEL CLARK SARAH CLOWES KIERA GILL BREE HALTON STEPHANIE JEAN SCHMIDT KAELAH STEVENS VICTORIA TIGER IRELAND VARNER JOYCE WEINGARDEN DEVA WILOTH

Set Design Costume Design Lighting Design HAL FRIEDMAN ROGER UPTON MICHELLE WEINGARDEN- BANDES

Sound Design Prop Design MICHELLE WEINGARDEN-BANDES JOANNA SANNER

Music Director MICHELLE WEINGARDEN-BANDES

Choreography By SAKINA KURANI

Conducted By JEREMY MARTIN

Directed By MARIA-TANIA BANDES BECERRA WEINGARDEN

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL KAT CLOWES RENEE CLEEK KELSEA JOHNSON as as as JOHN ADAMS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN THOMAS JEFFERSON

BECKY SCHMEIL JENNIFER NEIL AMELIA MEJIA as as as ABIGAIL ADAMS JOHN DICKINSON MARTHA JEFFERSON

MICHELLE WEINGARDEN-BANDES as EDWARD RUTLEDGE CAST CONTINUED

John Hancock ...... Bree Halton

Richard Henry Lee ...... Sarah Clowes

Bartlett/Chase ...... Deva Wiloth

Rodney/Hopkins ...... Joyce Weingarden

Sherman/Witherspoon ...... Emily Anthony

Morris/Hall ...... Kaelah Stevens

Livingston/Leather Jacket ...... Danielle Chase

Wilson/Hewes ...... Kiera Gill

McKean/McNair ...... Stephanie Jean Schmidt

Read/Painter ...... Victoria Tiger

Thompson ...... Ariel Clark A Courier ...... Ireland Varner

ORCHESTRA

James O’Hearn ...... Rehearsal Accompanist and Production Pianist Jeff Ingle ...... Percussion Marcie Maynard ...... Violin Stephanie Wilcox ...... Reeds MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I “For God’s Sake, John, Sit Down” ...... Adams and Congress

“Piddle, Twiddle” ...... Adams

“Till Then” ...... Abigail and Adams

“The Lee’s of Old Virgina” ...... Lee, Franklin, Adams

“But Mr. Adams” ...... Adams, Frnaklin, Jefferson, Sherman,Livingston

“Yours, Yours, Yours” ...... Adams and Abigail

“He Plays the Violin” ...... Martha, Franklin, Adams

ACT II “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” ...... Dickinson and the Conservatives

“Momma Look Sharp” ...... Courier, Leather Jacket nd McNair

“The Egg” ...... Franklin, Adams, Jefferson and Congress

“Molasses To Rum” ...... Rutledge

“Compliments” ...... Abigail

“Is Anybody There” ...... Adams, Franklin, Jefferson and Thompson

There will be one 15-minute intermission. BIOGRAPHIES

Emily Anthony (Sherman/Witherspoon) is excit- (Jo March). Kat has also portrayed various roles ed to be in her first show at the Ovation. When in historical reenactment projects throughout not on stage in a theatrical production, you can the West Coast, her favorite including Queen find Emily performing with her band, Bandrew Elizabeth I and the ill-fated Queen Jane Seymour. Jackson, at local venues such as Sandrini’s During the day she’s a published author and Public House and The Empty Space. Check college and career consultant, helping students them out! through the admissions process with her own business, March Consulting. She would like to Danielle Chase (Livingston/Leather Jacket) has thank the Ovation for the opportunity, her hus- been doing community theatre for almost 20 band Jarred, and her daughter Millie for always years. She is excited to be doing such an im- making her smile. portant show. You may have recently seen her in Legally Blonde, Gypsy, and Promises, Promises. Sarah Clowes (Richard Henry Lee) is very excited She also has been the assistant director for to get back on the stage. At the former Spotlight several shows including last season’s Bonnie Theatre, she was previously seen in The Great & Clyde. She would like to thank the cast and American Trailer Park Musical, Children of Eden crew for just being the awesome people they and The Producers and has been the vocal are. Enjoy the show! director for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Zanna Don’t. In her free time, she works a full-time job Ariel Clark (Thompson) is thrilled to be in- and chases around her two kids. She would like volved in this all female production! You may to thank her husband, mother, and mother-in-law have seen her most recently in Godspell (BCT) who all pitched in to keep the kids busy so she or in Bonnie and Clyde (Ovation). Many thanks could take time to be in this fantastic show. She to the director and cast for their dedication and would also “certain-lee” like to thank Tania and passion for this show! Michelle for giving her the opportunity to play such a great role! Rene Cleek (Benjamin Franklin) is loving this new OVATION theater and grateful for her first Kiera Gill (James Wilson/Joseph Hewes) is thrilled experience as a cast member with the support- to make her debut on the Ovation stage with this ive welcome. She has been singing, dancing wonderful production of 1776! She graduated and acting since she could walk as her mother from Bakersfield High School last month and was a dance teacher. Rene has been involved was last seen as Wildcat Jackson in BHS’s spring with the community theater scene in Bakersfield show, Wildcat. Some favorite past roles include since moving here 10 years ago. She is a sopra- Ginette in Almost, Maine, Beggar Woman/Lucy in no with the Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale Sweeney Todd, and Stephano in The Tempest. She and with the music team at Northeast Christian would like to thank Tania for the opportunity and Church. Rene works as an RN and has been the entire cast and creative team for creating such married to a great husband for 35 years and a fun show. together they have three daughters, two grand- sons, three dogs, and two horses. She played Bree Halton (Hancock) is currently a student Abigail 13 years ago and loves this show. GOD enrolled in the theatre program at CSUB where BLESS AMERICA (God knows the temperature is she recently appeared as Asia in The Profane and hot enough!) as XV-01 in There’s No Such Thing as Diet Soda, a one-act play featured in Theatre of New Voices. Kat Clowes (John Adams) is excited to be return- This will be her last show in Bakersfield before ing to the Ovation Theatre. Past performances leaving to study abroad in Ghana for 10 months. include Legally Blonde! The Musical (Paulette), The Drowsy Chaperone (The Chaperone), Kelsea Johnson (Thomas Jefferson) is so thrilled to Thoroughly Modern Millie (Muzzy), Evil Dead! be a part of this cast of beautiful, intelligent, pow- The Musical (Annie), Noises Off! (Dottie), and erful, inspiring women. She would like to thank Little Women those who continually support her in her pursuits to play dress up and tell stories: her family, BIOGRAPHIES friends, boyfriend, and of course, her unrelenting at CSUB where she was last seen in Pippin. and faithful God. We cannot wait to share this This is only her third show and second musi- piece with all of you! Thank you for coming to cal but she truly enjoys the creative process see us create some history. and cannot wait to be in more productions. Kaelah enjoys singing and practicing ukulele Amelia Mejia (Martha Jefferson) is thrilled to be in her free time. She would like to thank all returning to a stage that has become her home of her friends and family members who have away from home. Most recent credits include supported her. Louise (Gypsy), Pilar (Legally Blonde), and Ensemble (Jesus Christ Superstar). A Bakersfield Victoria Tiger (Read/Painter) is more than ex- Native, she is often seen in productions given cited to join The Ovation Repertory Theatre by BMT/Stars Dinner Theater, and The Spotlight with this production of 1776. As a full-time Theater. She would like to thank her parents for student and previous professional dancer, always motivating her to follow her passions. Victoria has thorough-Lee enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about the creative Jennifer Neil (John Dickinson) has been educating art of Theatre. Thanks Maria and Michelle for the young minds of children in our community the chance to be a part of such an amazing for the past 16 years. Prior to that, she confused cast. She hopes that you enjoy tonight’s narcolepsy with a seizure disorder and Mary performance as much as she has enjoyed Poppins for Julie Andrews in Improv Class. Her preparing for it! big break came in the late 20th century when she was cast as Reno in Anything Goes. She enjoys Ireland Varner (A Courier) is a student at singing and has performed with the Bakersfield Independence High School who loves to College Chamber Singers and the California State sing and perform. She has performed on this University, Bakersfield University Singers and Jazz stage with the Acting Out Theatre Company Ensembles. In her spare time, she enjoys “play- but this is her first time performing in a pro- ing” the ukulele and running away, er, running duction that is part of the Ovation season. In marathons. She would like to thank her family her spare time, Ireland loves to write music. for putting up with her rehearsal schedule and “refined” British accent. Joyce Weingarden (Rodney/Hopkins) returned to Bakersfield in 2005 and has per- Becky Schmeil (Abigail Adams) is delighted to formed in numerous productions at various have her Ovation debut be 1776! She stud- theatres. She has worked with many talented ied Theatre and Music at CSUB and CSUN. directors and actors and has won several Recently she ran the community theatre in Los theatre awards. However, 1776 will be Banos and one of her original plays was recently Joyce’s final show in Bakersfield as she and produced at BCT. Her favorite roles include Mrs. her family are moving to Washington State: Lovett in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Emilia in new life, new theatre. In 1776, she plays two Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, and Suor Dol- very different characters, both of whom are cina in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. She would like dedicated to independence. Rodney is a very to thank her family, especially her husband Carl, sick and determined man while Hopkins as and their two silly boys. an old man who loves his rum; what a grand challenge to play both men. Joyce would Stephanie Jean Schmidt (McKean/McNair) is like to thank Tania for the opportunity to a Theatre major at CSUB who is thrilled to be work with such a great cast as well as for the making her debut appearance on the Ovation chance to finally appear on stage with her stage. She would like to thank her friends, family daughter, Michelle. Joyce would also like to and fiance, Jacob for being so supportive of her thank the Bakersfield Theatre community for theatrical ambitions. all of the wonderful memories!

Kaelah Stevens (Morris/Hall) is a soon-to-be fourth year psychology major and theater minor BIOGRAPHIES

Michelle Weingarden-Bandes (Rutledge/Vocal Di- rector/Lighting Designer) Michelle is very happy Maria Tania Bandes Becerra Weingarden to be back on this stage once again and finds this (Director) is currently a professor of Theatre show to be very bittersweet. This will be the last at California State University, Bakersfield, show that Michelle will be doing in Bakersfield. where she teaches courses in Dramatic Lit- At the end of summer, she will be moving with erature and Theatre History. This fall she will her wife and kids and Mom to the beautiful state begin teaching at the University of Washing- of Washington. Michelle has been very involved ton, Tacoma, where her focus will expand in theater in Bakersfield for the last 11 years. She to include more performance courses. Some has worked at Spotlight, The Empty Space, BCT, of her directing credits include Lorca in CSUB and several high schools in the district. She a Green Dress, In The Next Room or The wears many hats in this industry. She has stage Vibrator Play, Death and The Maiden, and managed well over 40 productions, vocal direct- Real Women Have Curves. Most recently she ed over 20 productions, designed sets, lights and directed a production of Oscar Wilde’s The sound for numerous productions and has been Importance of Being Earnest at CSU, Bakers- seen on stage several times in Bakersfield. Al- field where she switched the gender roles though she is no stranger to the stage, or working in order to explore societal gender norms. with her wife, this marks the first show that she She would like to thank her family for their has actually been directed by her amazing wife. patience and support; more specifically to Michelle’s past local stage credits include Gypsy David and Eliana for their patience in being (Mazeppa), Avenue Q (Princeton), The Producers dragged to rehearsal, Bella for stepping up (Featured Ensemble), A Little Night Music (Fea- and helping with her siblings, and Caleb for tured Ensemble), The Laramie Project, A Piece of his ability to be okay on his own. A special my Heart (Martha) and Eddie in The Rocky Horror thanks to Michelle, (also the Vocal director Show. Some of her favorite shows to vocal direct and Rutledge) for the joy of working on have been In the Heights (TES), High Fidelity another project together. This production is (Spotlight) and Spring Awakening (AOTCB). She bittersweet for Maria-Tania. The first produc- has designed many shows in Bakersfield, some tion she directed outside of CSU, Bakersfield of her favorites are If/Then (Lighting Design), In in the Bakersfield Community happened the Next Room or The Vibrator Play (Set Design), many moons ago at the Spotlight Theatre, Death and the Maiden (Set Design/Lighting and this, her last production in Bakersfield, Design), The Laramie Project (Set Design/Lighting happens in the same space --made all the Design), The Producers (Lighting Design) and more poignant by being surrounded by The Grapes of Wrath (Lighting Design). Thank people she loves: friends, her wife, and even you all so much for coming to see this show and her mother-in-law… a beautiful community being part of a very important and timely piece of indeed. theatre. Also thank you to Tania, for being the best wife anyone could ask for. Sakina Hansford (Choreographer) began dancing at the age of 4 in Anchorage, Deva Wiloth (Chase/Bartlett) is very excited to Alaska where she was born and raised. Over make her debut at Ovation with 1776. She was the years she performed for many groups last seen on stage as Sadel in The Desk Set at including the Wild About Anchorage Critters Bakersfield Community Theater, where she also and Enchanted World. She also became an directed in the One Act Festival in May. Thank instructor at her dance studio. While attend- you to Tania and Michelle for giving her the ing college she discovered a love for show amazing opportunity to return to a stage that she choreography. She choreographs as often loves. Thank you to the cast for being so amazing as she can between raising three daughters and talented and welcoming! And thank you, the with her supportive husband, working with audience, for supporting local theater. Enjoy the autistic preschoolers and teaching at Expe- show! rience Dance. She would like to thank the incredible cast of this show and the staff at Ovation for allowing her to be a part of this amazing show. BIOGRAPHIES

Hal Friedman (Set Designer/Artistic Director) 18 employees to over 40. He has developed has directed over 100 shows and has worked great relationships with other local business- at regional theatres such as the Kennedy Center es and enthralled the community with his (D.C), Arena Stage (D.C.), Signature Theatre witty advertising commercials to promote his (Arlington V.A), Stage 52 (L.A), Rescue Agreement family business. (N.Y.C), the from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Baltimore Theatre Project (Baltimore, Bien Resolme (Managing Director/CFO) was M.D.), Roundhouse Theatre (Bethesda M.D.), and born and raised right here in Bakersfield, the Smithsonian Discovery Theatre (D.C). Hal leaving four years to serve his country in worked for Scott Rudin Productions on such films the US Navy. He has been involved in the as The Royal Tannenbaums, the Academy Award Bakersfield theatre community for over 25 winning The Hours, and Changing Lanes. Hal years. First as a performer and more recently worked for the local Spotlight Theatre and has on the technical side of local productions directed locally at Stars Theatre Restaurant, the by volunteering his time to build sets and Empty Space, BCT, and the Gaslight Melodrama. manage tech crews at local high schools and Hal has published a novel (Afterwinds under the community theatres. Bien has a bachelor’s name Hal Dennis), sold two screenplays, and is degree in Business Administration and is the now the Theatre Teacher at Shafter High School. Technical Director and Technical Theatre Hal graduated with honors at The New York teacher at East High School for the Kern University in Film and Television. Hal dedicates High School District. In his first year of the future of the Ovation Repertory Theatre to the teaching, Bien’s Virtual Enterprise business Bakersfield community and sends his love to his plan team earned the right to compete at amazing children and shining lights, Eleanore, the national level in New York City. The nine Carter, and Isla. years prior to teaching, Bien was a network administrator for the Kern High School Adam Cline (Business Development Director) has District where he employed the business been involved in Bakersfield’s local community principals and skill sets that he now imparts theatre program since 1992. For the past 25 years to his students in the classroom. His passion he has done every role from leading characters to for theatre and education have driven Bien producing, writing, teaching, and directing many to form the Ovation Repertory Theatre with shows for Stars Dinner Theatre and the Bakers- his partners and friends, Adam Cline and field Civic Light Opera (now known as Bakers- Hal Friedman, to insure that the Bakersfield field Music Theatre), and the Melodrama. From theatre community continues and thrives for 1994-1997 Adam taught hundreds of adults decades to come. and children acting classes for television and theatre for the McCright Agency and Stars Megan Dowda-Gillette (Stage Manager) A School of Fine Arts. In 1995 Adam started a graduate of CSUB’s Theatre program and an production company called A.C.T.S. Productions IATSE member for over 10 years is pleased to (Adam Cline’s Theatrical Services), where he met be part of the Ovation’s first theatrical show. the needs of all local theatres and schools to She has been involved with community the- provide sets, lighting, sound and crew to help run atre for the past 15 years. Some of her recent shows, school functions, Christmas parties and favorite shows to work on was the Boys summer workshops throughout Kern County. In and Girls Club Production of Annie Jr., Hal 1996 he was asked to join the family business, Friedman’s production of Fiddler on the of which is a construction glazing contractor and Roof, as well as Bakersfield Museum of Art’s has worked there now for the past 21 years. After production of The Very Ecstasy of Love. learning much about the family business that was established in 1947, he began to increase Terry Dowda-Gillette (Assistant Stage the sales and growth of the company. In 2006 he Manager) A recent graduate from Ashford became the Vice President of Operations and by University has also spent time as a member 2010 was the President of the company. He has of the IATSE Union. She has been working in now grown the company from a small business of community theatre for the past 12 years in varying positions. Some of her recent favorite BIOGRAPHIES COMING SOON shows to be part of were The Last Five Years, Marvin Ramey’s Showcase, Boys and Girls Club Production of Annie Jr., as well as Hal Friedman’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. She is very happy to be part of the Ovation’s first theatrical show, and looks forward to the season.

Joanna Sanner (Props) has been a stage manager for Lost Bakersfield in 2013 and a few church shows over the years. She is so honored to be a part of Jesus Christ Superstar. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with every person in the cast and crew. She would like to thank her roommates Aug. 24th - Sept. 16 for their encouragement and for making sure she didn’t forget to eat. She would also like to thank her family and church family for their support and prayers for this amazing cast and production team! The Spotlight Auditorium The Spotlight Theatre was founded by Emily Roger Upton (Costumes) has been designing and Jaques Thiroux in 2001. It ran successfully costumes and scenery for 45 years and has for 12 years. The theatre was built from scratch over 600 shows to his credit throughout Central out of an old Paper Warehouse. The Hayden and Southern California. Roger is the costume building where it resides is over 100 years designer in residence at CSUB Theatre and Opera old and is a staple of downtown.The Spotlight in addition to his “9-5” as an interior designer for Foundation has since supported local actors, residential and commercial clients, including the youth arts education, and local theatre groups Kern County Museum. Favorite shows include by providing a space for great theatrical work. Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, Hairspray, Pippin, Little Run by Peggy Darling, the Spotlight Founda- Women, Secret Garden, Gypsy, and now Dream- tion has become synonymous with quality the- girls, which was also here at the Ovation. atrical productions and educational programs.

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661.325.5075 • www.dwlawfirm.com Hayden Building • 1626 19th Street, Suite 23 • Bakersfield, CA 93301 Nick Ono Bien Resolme STAFF Jennifer Resolme Owners ...... Adam Cline Abigail Resolme Hal Friedman Sophia Resolme Bien Resolme Josephine Resolme Stage Manager ...... Megan Dowda-Gillette Derreck Reed Asst. Stage Manager ...... Terry Dowda Gillette Paul Sosa Assistant Directors ...... Nichole Heasley Erica Ueberroth Musical Coordinator ...... John Barker Artistic Director ...... Hal Friedman Dance Captain ...... Victoria Tiger Business Development Director ..... Adam Cline Dramaturge/Historian ...... Malinda Bishop Managing Director ...... Bien Resolme Technical Director ...... Bien Resolme Interim Stage Mananger ...... Heather Bennett Build Crew ...... Jarred Clowes Jorge Lopez SPECIAL THANKS Darby Mullins Cruz Rea Back Stage Crew ...... Sara Gervais The Director would like to thank Jennifer Hastings (in no particular order): Alex Shel- Nikki Grisso Tech Trainees ...... Dom Demay bourne, Adam Cline, Bien Resolme, Nicole Grisso Jarred Clowes, Jason McClain, Erica Box Office ...... Nancee Steiger Lynn, Jorge Lopez, Darby Mullins, Allison Craun Cruz Rea, Denise (Boots) Duquette, Erica Lynn Amanda Harmon Daniel Macias, Kimberly Kirchmer, Marketting ...... Erica Lynn David Cole, Peggy Darling & the Nichole Heasley Spotlight Foundation, Travis Ford & Web Design ...... Rock Harbor Marketting Rock Harbor Marketting, Shafter High Interior Design Team ...... Terri Cline Jason McClain School Drama Department, East High Restoration Team ...... Frank Ayala Drama Department, Without every- Chad Borud one’s commitment to excellence this Liz Williams Borud show could not have been produced. Donald Bryant Dominic Cerri Adam Cline Terri Cline Aidan Cline Addison Cline Austin Cline WARNING Jarred Clowes JP De Leon Kyle Gaines e photographing or sound recording Nichole Heasley of any performance or the possession of Carolyn Fox Hal Friedman any device for such photography or sound Eleanore Friedman recording inside this theatre, without Carter Friedman written permission of management, is Isla Friedman prohibited by law. Erica Lynn Joe Lowry Kathi Lowry Jason McClain Amelia Mejia Tessa Ogles NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day” - Thomas Jefferson

I came to the United States for the first time when I was 7 years old, along with my mother, due to the 1979 Nicaraguan Revolution. I was unaware of what this trip meant at the time, and after some time, returned to Nicaragua while my mother set- tled things in San Francisco for us to permanently settle in the U.S. After some back and forth, I returned permanently when I was 13, and it was then I truly understood how different life was in the U.S. versus Nicaragua. Immigrating from a country that was torn apart by civil war, The United States was a beacon, standing for freedom and hope. I imagine the early European immigrants to North America felt similarly. It is because of those immigrants and the hope they sought, that later in our history, men like Adams, Franklin and Jefferson drafted our Declaration of Independence from England, despite some initial social and political opposition. This play focuses on the months before the Declaration was signed. The play humanizes the historical figures whose names we know and endears them to us as an audience. This pro- duction goes further by mixing historical content provided by the playwright with modern touches in the design and stylistic choices in the production in general in order to further humanize both characters and events. This is the story of extraordi- nary individuals fighting against tyranny, high taxes, and injustice. Does this sound familiar? It should. And how fitting to have this production, cast with an all-female cast, say these words, make these landmark arguments, and sing these songs. Our original founding fathers persisted, as we do now. We still strive against tyranny, we still deal with taxes, and we certainly fight against injustices, regardless of gender, and sometimes because of it. This fight, though its circumstances take on a different name, is still present, and so we persist.

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