Little Theatre of Virginia Beach is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission Director’s Note “As an unperfect actor on the stage, Who with his fear is put beside his part, Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage, Whose strength’s abundance weakens his own heart;” This passage from Shakespeare’s Sonnet #23 pretty much sums up my relationship with A Simple Romance. It’s basically saying that an actor can forget his lines due to stage fright, or someone with excessive passion can make them weak. I’m half joking when I relate that to how this process came to be but, in every sincerity, A Simple Romance is a welcomed challenge. Never did I dream that when I sat down to complete this show in February 2020 that it would be in production a year later. But here we are! When I was talking with my friend Robert Shirley about Little Theater of Virginia Beach’s upcoming season, I mentioned I had this 5-person musical based on Shakespeare’s Sonnets…and before I could even think twice about it, Robert had said they are putting it in the season. How could I refuse? I had performed in Virginia Beach a couple times with Virginia Musical Theatre (Kiss Me, Kate, and A Grand Night for Singing) so any excuse to come back is a welcome one! Tackling Shakespeare as a writer/director is challenging because the language is so difficult upon first reading. But I believe with some imaginative staging the story can be made perfectly clear whether you truly grab every piece of poetry that Shakespeare intended. I, of course, have taken some liberties with his actual meaning and spun it to fit this narrative. 2020 was supposed to be my Off-Broadway debut as a writer. Another show I had written, and have been developing for over a decade, was finally going to have its NYC bow… but we all know what happened there. So, I must thank my extraordinary cast, and everyone at Little Theater of Virginia Beach for this unbelievable opportunity. It truly has kept my soul ablaze through what has been a dark time. So, until we get back to “normal”… we have now… and I am embracing it. I thank you for supporting live theater and helping us return to a semblance of creativity and life. I leave you with my favorite couplet from Shakespeare’s sonnet #43: “All days are nights to see till I see thee, And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.” Michael Hunsaker, Director CAST (all fully vaccinated) Eric Strong………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….…..Devil Kai B.White………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………...….……Muse Kathy Hinson………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………..….Parent Alexandra Shephard……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………….………Youth Adam Marino……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………….….Poet Jessi DiPette McGarrah……………………………………………………………………………………………..…...Youth Alternate, Understudy – Muse Nick Richardson……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….Poet Alternate, Understudy - Devil
PRODUCTION STAFF Director……...…………………………..…...…………….Michael Hunsaker Assistant Lighting Designer……………………...……..Chloe Bush Producer………………………………………….…………….Donna Lawheed Light Board Operator………………………….……..….…Carla Roby Stage Managers……………....Melissa Maniglia, Robin Martineau Spotlight Operators………..…..Lisa Annunziato, Rob Mugno, Set Coordinator……………………..…………..………….George Horvath …………………………………………………………………..Sydney Tanner Set Designers………………..…Donna Lawheed, Michael Hunsaker Sound Designer/Operator………………….……...Serenity Jones Set Crew…………….….Paul Berryman, Fred Coates, Ellie Cesario, Costumers………………………....Karen Buchheim, Kay Burcher …………………..Laura Mayo, Michael Hunsaker, Donna Lawheed, Props………………………………………………...……Jessica Martinez …………………….…………………………………………Richard Salomonsky Cover Art Work……...…..…………….…….…..Michael Hunsaker Backstage Crew……….…………………...Kelley Gilliam, Kiwi Hinson Theatre Maintenance……..……………….…..…..Paul Berryman Lighting Designer………….…..…………………..……….…Jeffrey Shook Production Liaison………………………….………….Robert Shirley MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 1 Act 2 Madrigal/Desire………………………………………….…...Devil with All Love Is My Sin…………………………………………………..………….…..All April…………………………………….……………...….Parent, Devil Youth Since I Left You…………………………………………….………………..Poet Catch Her………………………….….……………………….Parent with All Describe Adonis………………………………………………..Poet & Devil My False Eyes………………………………………………….…..……...Youth Black Ink (reprise)………………………………………….…Devil & Muse Music to Hear………………………………………………...Youth & Devil Against That Time………………….………………………………….…Muse Summer’s Day…………………………………..…………….Poet with All Clay………………………………………………….……………………….….Youth Crooked Eclipse…………………………………….…………………...Muse Hate Not You (reprise)………………………………….…..Poet & Youth Better to Be Vile…………………………………….……………….…..Devil The Level of Your Frown………………………...... Parent & Devil Hate Not You…………………………………………..……..Poet & Youth Happy to Die…………………………………………………………………Devil Some Say………………………………………………..…..Parent with All Power to Hurt/Loving Offenders……………………………...... All Invoking the Muse……………………………..………….Devil & Muse The Ballad of Cupid…………………………………………...... All Black Ink…………………………………………………….…..Muse & Poet The Debtor…………………………………………………….Youth & Devil Releasing…………………………………………...Youth, Poet & Parent **There will be a 10 minute intermission** Music to Hear (reprise)……………………….…………………….Muse Kingdom of Hearts………………….………....Muse, Youth, Parent And…/Take All My Loves……….….Devil, Parent, Youth, Muse Many thanks to the local groups who attend LTVB performances regularly: Atlantic Shores, Westminster Canterbury American Association of University Women (AAUW) Williams Farm Recreation Center, Bow Creek Recreation Center, Jewish Community Center Seniors Club Biographies
Jessi DiPette McGarrah (Youth Alternate, Understudy-Muse) is excited for her first performance on the Southside! She was recently seen in productions with the Williamsburg Players. Some favorite roles include Rita LaPorta in Lucky Stiff, Lady Viola/Thomas Kent in Shakespeare in Love, and Fay Apple in Anyone Can Whistle. By day, she works in marketing with William & Mary Theatre and Dance. In her (little) spare time, she enjoys karaoke night, wearing flip-flops year-round, eating ice cream and teaching group fitness to make up for it. Jessi would like to thank Michael and the cast for an incredible journey. Extra-special thanks to her husband for his support and patience. Kathy Hinson (Parent) has been performing since she was a child. She studied music and theatre at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN – which allowed her many opportunities to work with amazingly talented artists in various genres. She has had the privilege to perform in Germany, and in nearly ten states across the US including in New York’s Lincoln Center, and she counts her performances here in Virginia Beach among her favorites. Some of her favorite roles include Violet in Violet, Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein, Daisy in Side Show, and Jenny in It Shoulda Been You. She has been honored to be a part of this production, and to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented performers. Thank you to Michael for trusting us to put your beautiful work on its feet – this has truly been the most challenging but amazing experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever. She gives her undying love to her three children, who make her so proud every day - and a special thanks to Drew for enduring the endless, repetitive singing and for encouraging me to keep going. Adam Marino (Poet) is excited to be making his LTVB debut in A Simple Romance. Adam is a Rochester, NY native who resides in NYC with his fiancée, and fellow cast member, Alexandra Shephard. Adam has worked in various theaters, theme parks, and cruise ships. Select credits include: Grease (Doody), Tarzan (Terk), She Loves Me (Arpad) and I Do! I Do! (Michael). Adam also serves as the current tenor for the Doo-Wop group The Diamonds (http://www.thediamonds.live). Outside of performance, Adam is an avid fisherman, video game nerd, and singer- songwriter. Special thanks to his family, and most importantly Alex, for all of their love and support. Enjoy the show! www.adamdavidmarino.com Instagram: @adammarino Nick Richardson (Poet Alternate, Understudy-Devil) is back at LTVB after performing in Songs for a New Day. For LTVB: A Funny Thing Happened… Forum, Side Show, and Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Other on-stage credits include productions with Zeiders American Dream Theater and Virginia Musical Theatre. Nick holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theatre from Florida State University, where he performed in 11 operas with the College of Music. He thanks Michael for trusting him with this responsibility. www.RichardsonNick.com. Alexandra Shephard (Youth) is so excited to be originating a role in this beautiful show and to be working alongside her fiancé and favorite co-star, Adam Marino! This is her LTVB debut. Originally from Williamsburg, Alex lives in New York City and has performed on stages and at theme parks all over the East Coast. You may have seen her locally in Generic Theater’s Assassins (Squeaky Fromme) or as Heidi in the cabaret series at The Z, or several seasons singing at Busch Gardens Christmas Town. Other favorite credits include Les Misérables (Eponine), I Do! I Do! (Agnes), 25th...Spelling Bee (Logainne), and She Loves Me (u/s Ilona). Endless love and thanks to Adam & The Sheps. Instagram: @alexshep Eric Strong (Devil) is grateful to be making his debut at Little Theater of Virginia Beach. He has been fortunate to have been involved in multiple opera and musical theater productions in his career, as well as film and television. Most notably, Eric was Male Lead Vocalist with Crystal Cruises for thirteen years. He was Off-Off Broadway as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. At Utah Festival Opera he portrayed Etienne Grande in Naughty Marietta, and Curly in OKLAHOMA! at Augusta Opera. Chautauqua, Virginia Opera Young Artist, and most importantly, Seagle Music Colony under Artistic Director Darrin Keith Woods were foundational in Eric’s maturation as a performer. Eric would especially like to thank his long-time voice teacher and mentor, Sondra Gelb-Emmert, for her longsuffering patience and instruction, the significance of which cannot be overstated. Special thanks to fellow Crystal Alumnus Michael Hunsaker. Eric wants to express his deep appreciation to Joan, Ryan, and Katie. Kai B. White (Muse) is thrilled to be back at Little Theater of Virginia Beach. Recent/ Favorite Credits include, Last Five Years, Generic Theater, Lounge Singer/ Performer at The Greenbrier Resort, Mainstage Singer with Disney Cruise Lines, Kiss Me Kate, Virginia Musical Theatre, The Wiz, Virginia Stage Company, Chess, The Generic Theatre, Olympus On My Mind, The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Godspell, The Little Theatre of Norfolk, and Hair, The Cumberland Theatre. Kai is beyond grateful to LTVB for a space to create art and would also like to thank her husband, Nathan, for his constant support. Instagram/ Tiktok: @KaiBWhite Michael Hunsaker (Director/Composer/ Co-Set Designer) is a New York City based performer who writes musicals. He has written several musicals including Out of Frame, Quartet, A Simple Romance, Measures of Man (based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure) and Fetching Water (with collaborator Leslie Becker). Fetching Water is currently under option and was to have made its Off-Broadway bow in Spring of 2020… but… that is on hold. Michael has been a part of several writing workshops including the BMI Lehman/Engel workshop, Dramatists Guild, and The Musical Writers Playground. Michael holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Florida State University and an MFA in Film Production from Full Sail University. Two of his musical short films (Fell at Auld Lang Syne and Status Update) have earned laurels from several Film festivals. As an actor, Michael has performed all over the world. Notable roles include: Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), Fred/Petruchio (Kiss Me, Kate), Jesus and Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar), and Billy Bigelow (Carousel). @michaelthehuns. Robin Martineau (Stage Manager) has really missed theater and is thrilled to be working backstage at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach again. She considers LTVB her home theater and has been involved in over 40 productions since she moved to town. Robin currently serves on the LTVB Board of Directors as the VP of Production. Robin would like to thank Michael for allowing her to be a part of bringing his wonderful show to the stage for the first time. It has been a pleasure working with all of these talented actors and watching them bring Michael’s vision to life. Robin would also like to thank her wonderful husband, Dan, for all of his understanding and support while she follows her heart and “plays” at the theatre. I know you will enjoy this production as much as we have enjoyed presenting it! Melissa Maniglia (Stage Manager) is delighted to be back at LTVB! Past work at the theatre includes the Female Authority Figure in Hairspray as well as a little of this and a lot of that behind the scenes. Thank you to Robin and Michael for this delightful opportunity. Welcome back to LTVB! Instagram:@mimimanigs A LOOK AT THE REST OF OUR SEASON
A Simple Romance A New Musical by Michael Hunsaker May 21—June 6, 2021
Michael Hunsaker Concert May 30 at 8pm and June 5 at 2:30pm, 2021
Lynn Ruehlmann – Storyteller June 12 and 13 at 2:30pm
Liz Terrell – Jazz Vocalist June 11 and 12 at 8pm, 2021
Nunsense The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach is funded, in part, by the citizens of July 16 –Aug 8, 2021 Virginia Beach through a grant from the Shows are subject to availability. City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission. Additional funding is provided through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation from the Carol Chittum Endowment for the Theatrical Performing Arts and Eugenia Smith Kennedy Fund.
The videotaping or other recording of this production is strictly prohibited. A Special Thanks to.... Edward Lawrence and Michael Smiley for Actors ($100 - $249) providing artist housing while Mr. Hunsaker is in residence. Anonymous Robert Korman Spiros Apostolakis Donna & Dennis Lawheed Heather Shannon and Tom Coffey Rose Busetti Stacey Luck Robin & Brenda Chapman Anthony Maniglia Our generous patrons and volunteers who support us during these Tom Coffey Dan & Robin Martineau unprecedented times. Your involvement has significantly Anthony Crudup Erin Matteson contributed to our ability to produce shows in a virtual format. We Pat Ewell Frank McCaffery welcome you back into our socially distanced theater. Lynn Francois K. Spencer McDonald Jodie Frieden Elizabeth Miklos Safety is a priority! Lorie Friedman Wendy Nelson Joyce Gaus Sandy & Pete Nickenig We sincerely thank our donors who have given at the Rosalind Gillett Jeff & Sue Rau following levels: Anne Grant Ross & Jo Anne Rooks Beth Hundley Angels ($1000 and above) Steven Jacobs Sandy Lawrence and Michael Smiley Juanita Felton (Tom) Cameos ($50 - $99) Jim & Jean Russell Marilyn Abernathy Dorothy (Dottie) Holtz Anonymous Susan Hyde Producers ($500 - $999) Anonymous Jay and Nancy Lazier Marisa Barone In memory of Gloria Malbon Lisa Stafford & Sherry Forbes Bonnie Bixby Gloria Maley Robert & Regina Valentine of First Due Delivery Carolyn & Cliff Collings Patricia Paul Kay Burcher Raymond DuBois Beth Reshefskhy Kathryn Sinclair Fenter Len Scofield Directors ($250 - $499) Glenda Gray Stephanie M. Stears Nancy Bloom Linda H. Kaufman Jennifer Hamilton Gwynn Sullivan Starr Janicki MaryLou Mahlman Harley Handy Esther B. Vaughan Gary Thompson Reggie Williams