WEST VALLEY LIGHT OPERA PRESENTS Our 39th Season:2003-2004 SlYII BlIDIS . ~oa SlYIHEOTHIIS Performing at the SARATOGA CIVIC THEATER 13777 FRUITVALE AVE. in SARATOGA June-July 2004 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Welcome to the third and final production ofWVLOA's 39th season, "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful romance of seven wild backwoodsmen from an Oregon pioneer family. You're InvitedlWhether you are already one of our 1,600+ subscribers or here in the Saratoga Civic Theater for the first time, we invite you to join us this coming November for West Valley Light Opera's 40th season. It will open with Roger Miller's "Big River", the musical based on Mark Twain's classic tale of Huck Finn's adventures; followed by "Smokey Joe's Cafe", the high-steppin' celebration of two song writers, Lieber and Stoller; and will close with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song", the original 1958 version, based on c.Y. Lee's novel of the same name. Look at Our Centerfold! Included in this program is a special blue insert which we invite you to use to subscribe to WVLOA's 40th musical season. Subscribe NOW to ensure good seats and substantial saving over the cost of individual rickets. Current subscribers may also use this form to renew for next season. All subscriptions and individual ticket orders will be processed according to the date on which they are received, but actual tickets will not be mailed until after this season's last production has concluded in August. Let me close by stating that you, the audience members who share your support and enthusiasm for WVLO's endeavors, make it a truly gratifYing experience for all of us involved, both on the stage and behind the scenes. And we extend our special gratitude to those subscribers who have donated additional funds to ensure the excellent quality of sets and costumes that we strive to bring to this stage. We hope that you have a marvelous time at this musical and that you will join us for our future productions. Edward Hand, President West Valley Light Opera Association WEST VALLEY LIGHT OPERA ANNOUNCES NEXT SEASON: 2004-2005 We invite you to become a subscriber to WVLO's New Season. Please use the insert in this program! Subscribe NOW to assure good seats and substantial savings. Current subscribers may use this form to renew for next season. _ 'West 'l/affey Light Opera ~atlcf\.~1 Presents RIDBS Sir ij'JOB SlYIIDOT Music by Gene dePaul; Lyrics by Johnny Mercer Book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay New Songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn Based on the MGM Film and "The Sobbin' Women" by Stephen Vincent Benet Starring Paul Buszkiewicz and Megan Tipton Director: Jeff M. Hicks Music Director: David B. Herberg Vocal Director: Diane "Mom" Reynolds Choreographer: Michael MacLaren Producers: Edward Hand and Nancy Kwong • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Gala Opening: Saturday, June 26, 2004 8:00 PM • • • • Fridays: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8:00 PM • • Saturdays: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 8:00 PM • • • ·• .Sunday....Matin..ees:...Ju.ne.27,..Ju.ly.1.1,18,25.........2.:30..PM...• "Seven Brides for Seven Brorhers" is presented through special arrangement wirh and all aurhorized performance materials are supplied by Music Thearre Inrernational, 420 W 54rh Sr. New York, NY 10019. Visit our web site: www.wvlo.org e-rnaih [email protected] A Note From Our Director, Jeff M. Hicks Welcome to West Valley Light Opera and our production of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". It has been an absolute pleasure to work with all of the talented artists, technicians, actors, musicians and designers to recreate a classic piece of musical theatre. "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers'" transfer from hit musical movie to theatrical experience debuted in June of 1982, featuring original stars Howard Keel and Jane Powell as the beloved Adam and Milly Pontipee. And while the faces were familiar, some exciting changes occurred. Originally, the film version was envisioned as a low-budget, feel-good musical with minimal dancing. But when the film caught a lot of attention among some stiff competition and became one of the most successful movie musicals, it was the memorable "barn raising" scene in the middle of the piece that made us all remember "Seven Brides ... " as one of the greatest dance musicals of all time. Taking its cue off the popularity, the stage production unveiled, not only some wonderful new music, rich characterizations and magnificent sets, but added many new stunning dance sequences. It is in the spirit of the Oregon Territory that we bring you the all-dancin' stage version of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". Thank you and enjoy the show. jeffM Hicks WINNER OF THE GENE PINCUS MEMORIAL THEATER ARTS SCHOLARSHIP We are pleased to announce the winner of the WVLOA Gene Pincus Memorial Theater Arts Scholarship who has been awarded $500 to assist her in furthering her theatrical career. Congratulations to: - CORINNE PERERA - Sunnyvale Resident HS: Fremont High in Sunnyvale College: Sonoma State Major: Theatre Arts 2 CAST OF CHARACTERS Milly Megan Tipton Adam Pontipee Paul Buszkiewicz The Pontipee Brothers Gideon PJ. Gallego Benjamin John Gaunt Caleb Daniel Wood Daniel Ken Liu Ephraim Jerry Rosas Frank Brett Carlson The Brides Alice Tracy Lynn Coad Dorcas Patrisha Dwyer Ruth Jill Reasoner Liza Erin Kelly Martha Vanessa Randazzo Sarah Rachael Towner The Suitors Jeb Adrian Manuel Joel Gabriel Sickel Matt Matthew Tipton Zeke Will Tipton The Townspeople Preacher Doug Hughes Mr. Bixby Tony Zambito Mrs. Bixby Marcia Sternin Mr. Perkins Doug Hughes Other Residents Karin Hughes, Steven Mclellan, Nicole Zambito ORCHESTRA Conductor: David B. Herberg Reeds: Jenny Anderson, Ande Jacobsen, Marty McHan, Jack Stanley, Nick Stumbaugh, Roxann Wahl Brass: Ethan Andelman, Caitlin Baiko, Mark Bishop, Gordon Bowman, Larry Foster, Jack Godwin, Brian Kilgore, Tina Lin, Jason Loveman Strings: Susan Anderson, Lynda Bloomquist Alonzo Hernandez, Tony Lacy-Thompson, Pam Robinson, Scott Spangler, Faye Yang Keyboards: Diane "Mom" Reynolds, Bob Sunshine, Lynn Woolhouse Percussion: Bob Wylie Not all instrumentalists will play for each performance. 3 SYNOPSIS OF SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I: Oregon Territory, early 1850's Overture Orchestra Scene 1 - On the Road "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" Adam Scene 2 - The Town Square Scene 3 - The Restaurant "Wonderful, Wonderful Day" Milly and The Brides Scene 4 - Pontipee House "One Man" Milly Scene 5 - Pontipee House, later that evening Scene 6 - Pontipee House, the next morning "Gain' Courtin" Milly and The Brothers Scene 7 - Church Yard "Social Dance" Milly, Adam, Brides, Brothers, Townspeople Scene 8 - The Road Home Scene 9 - Pontipee House "Love Never Goes Away" Adam, Milly and Gideon Scene 10 - Pontipee Barn "Sobbin' WOmen" Adam and The Brothers Intermission ACT II Entr'acte Orchestra Scene 1 - The Town Scene 2 - Echo Pass "The Townsfolk's Lament" Townspeople Scene 3 - Pontipee Yard '54 Woman Ought to Know Her Place" Adam Scene 4 - Pontipee Barn "we Gotta Make It Through The Winter" The Brothers\ "You've Gotta Make It Through The Winter" Reprise Milly and The Brides Scene 5 - Pontipee Yard "Spring Dance" Brides and Brothers Scene 6 - The Trapping Cabin '11Woman Ought to Know Her Place" Reprise Adam and Gideon Scene 7 - Pontipee House "Glad That You were Born" Milly, Brides and Brothers "Love Never Goes Away" Reprise Milly and Adam Scene 8 - The Woods Scene 9 - Church Yard "Wonderful Wonderful Day" Reprise Milly and Adam "wedding Dance" Adam, Milly, Brides, Brothers, and Townsfolk 4 Production Staff Producers Edward Hand and Nancy Kwong Director JeffM.Hicks Assistant to the Director. Katie Brennan Musical Director David B. Herberg Vocal Director Diane "Mom" Reynolds Choreographer Michael MacLaren Assistant Choreographer. Chenoa Johnson Production Designer Stephen C. Wathen Technical Director Ed Hand Master Carpenter William Shepard Lighting Designer Michael Glen Munoz Assistant/Programmer David Yoder Sound Designer Bob Nelson Production Stage Manager Bob Wallitner Assistant Stage Manager John Palmer Stage Crew Hayley Allison, Chris Bollinger, Katie Brennan, Galite Kohm, Thomas Logue and Elisa Herberg Costumer Rebecca Eagleson Costume Construction Patti Evens, Cele & Judy Pincus Properties Alice Ray Set Construction & Painting Paul Buszkiewicz, Brett Carlson, Les Dale, Ed Hand, Mike Mackenzie, Jerry Rosas, William Shepard, Stephen C. Wathen, and Cast members Lighting Board Operator. Elizabeth Dale Sound Operator Bob Nelson Spot Light Operator Les Dale House Manager Nancy Kwong Audition Assistants Cele and Judy Pincus Rehearsal Pianist Diane "Mom" Reynolds Program, Lobby & Publicity Photos Edmond Kwong Program and Publicity Marge Hand Reservations and Box Office Ed and Marge Hand Opening Night Refreshments Elizabeth Dale, Kris Dudley & Judy Pincus Lobby Refreshments Cele Pincus, Eileen Chavarria, Angels Unlimited Lobby Design, Display & Company Photos Edmond Kwong Program Graphics Diane Hoxeng Poster/Flier Design Nuberry Advertising Poster/Flier/Program Printing Simpson Printers qratefu{ !lLci(nowfedgements Gerald Carter & West Valley College, John Palmer, Les Dale, Saratoga Drama Group, Sunnyvale Community Players 5 WHO'S WHO IN OUR CAST Paul Buszkiewicz (Adam Pontipee) - Fresh from being a cut dancer/pit singer/ ASM in "A Chorus Line" and Stanley, the Waiter, in "Hello, Dolly", Paul joins us for his third on-stage production with WVLO. He had also worked crew for our "George M!" last summer. He just recently workshopped/recorded a demo sound track for a new musical entitled, "Lights, Karma, Action"! A Theatre Arts major at SJSU, Paul's hobbies include playing guitar, singing and songwriting. His career highlight to date is being selected to play the leading role of Adam in this show. His thanks go to his family and friends who supported him along the way. Brett Carlson (Frank Pontipee) - A newcomer to the stage, Brett makes his theatrical debut in this production.