THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN KLEZMER
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Songs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Created and Written by Joseph Vass; Directed by Peter Moore
DEC 2 – 31 on the Proscenium Stage
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53rd Performance Season | mndance.org | Dear Park Square Patron,
What a joy to have the musical melting pot that is George Gershwin back on stage! His blend of Jewish immigrant and African-American music styles created the American Songbook – putting stars in the eyes of each new generation of fans.
With your help, we put stars in the eyes of the nations’ largest teen theatre audience. More than 33,000 teens come to us from schools as close as Humboldt and Harding and as far away as Superior, Wisconsin and Cresco, Iowa. They leave here inspired by a new understanding of the human spirit – challenged to rethink their role in life.
Special partnerships put Park Square stars in the classroom. Artists Doug Scholz- Carlson and Kym Longhi are helping the immigrant students at Leap High School devise an original play in English and their (24!) native languages. The students want to share their dreams for college and demonstrate how more education will build social equity and greater financial security for their families. These students will perform their original play for their families and community elders on our stage next spring.
We need you (yes you) to keep our “stars” working on stage and in the community. Your tax-deductible contribution helps teens of all backgrounds envision bright futures through theatre that matters. Thank you for your generosity!
Richard Cook, Artistic Director C. Michael-jon Pease, Executive Director, CFRE 651.767.8482 | [email protected] 651.767.8497 | [email protected]
OUR MISSION is to enrich our community by producing and presenting exceptional live theatre that touches the heart, engages the mind and delights the spirit.
3 MUSICAL SELECTIONS
ACT ONE Portamento (George Gershwin)...... Klezmerica Vodka* (Instrumental) (George Gershwin)...... Klezmerica On Tin Pan Alley The Sidewalks of New York (Lawlor & Blake)...... The Griot The Banks of the Wabash (Paul Dresser)...... The Chanteuse She Is More to be Pitied Than Censured (W. Gray)...... The Chazzen Oyfen Pripetshok (Mark Warchafsky) ...... The Griot A Mixed Blessing (Burton, Henry and Vass)...... The Griot & The Chazzen The Man I Love (George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Chanteuse Heyser Bulgar (Traditional)...... Klezmerica I Got Rhythm (George and Ira Gershwin)...... Ensemble INTERMISSION ACT TWO Bulka’s Song (Instrumental) (Joseph Vass)...... Klezmerica Embraceable You (George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Griot Noach’s Teive (Abraham Goldfaden)...... The Chazzen ‘S Wonderful (George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Chanteuse Someone To Watch Over Me (George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Chanteuse Dybbuk #2 (Joseph Vass)...... Klezmerica Summertime (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Chazzen Two Hebrew Melodies (Traditional)...... The Chazzen It Ain’t Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin)...... The Chanteuse There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York ...... The Griot (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin) Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin) ...... Ensemble Life of a Rose** (George Gershwin and Buddy De Sylva)...... Ensemble I Got Rhythm (reprise)...... Ensemble
*“Vodka,” music by George Gershwin and Herbert Stothart, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach **“Life of a Rose,” music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Buddy DeSylva
4 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Songs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Created and Written by Joseph Vass
Director Peter Moore Musical Arranger Joseph Vass Musical Director Joseph Vass Scenic Designer Dean Holzman Sound Designer Jacob M. Davis Costume Designer Jason Lee Resler Lighting Designer Michael P. Kittel Stage Manager Megan Fae Dougherty* Assistant Stage Manager Samantha Diekman CAST George Gershwin Michael Paul Levin* Chanteuse Maud Hixson Griot (Storyteller) Geoffrey Jones Chazzan (Cantor) Maggie Burton KLEZMERICA Drums Jay Epstein or Nathan Norman Woodwinds Doug Haining Trumpet Adam Meckler Violin Carolyn Boulay or Gary Schulte Bass Chris Bates Piano Joseph Vass
SETTING: Time: Now. Place: Park Square Theatre. America’s greatest composer George Gershwin tells a story of his music… PERFORMANCE TIME: The performance will run approximately two hours with one 20-minute intermission.
The worldwide copyrights in the works of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for this presentation are licensed by the Gershwin Family The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited. As a courtesy to our actors and those around you, please DEACTIVATE all PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Park Square Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.
5 AUTHOR’S NOTE
Michael Paul Levin photo by Petronella J. Ytsma
FROM THE AUTHOR, JOSEPH VASS: I first heard George Gershwin’s music as a child. I loved it immediately. Much later, when I began to listen to traditional Jewish music, I made the connection. To me, Gershwin’s music is Jewish. At first, I knew this merely in a purely subjective, spiritual sense. It sounded Jewish to me. Then I learned that Gershwin himself labeled his own melodies as Jewish “according to the deep emotional element that flows in them.”
But, back in 1997, when I proposed to the Of course, once I tagged Gershwin with the Jewish Community Center of St. Paul a con- provocative label “klezmer,” I complicated cert entitled Gershwin the Klezmer, I confess the issue. Not all Jewish music is “klezmer.” that’s about all I knew. I did not yet know: The Jewish musical tradition extends over thousands of years and styles, including • The extent to which other Jewish- not only Torah chant and cantorial singing American songwriters (and at least one but also the music few American Jews rec- gentile, Cole Porter) attributed their ognize, like Bukharan and Ethiopian. These inspiration to the Jewish tradition; days, the word klezmer usually signifies a th • The depth of Gershwin’s natural immer- few 19 -century Eastern European dance sion in the Jewish culture from which he styles. Any association with purveyors of came; and American “show tunes” like Gershwin’s will horrify some folks. Most klezmer • The astonishing degree to which bands routinely perform show tunes – but Gershwin music sings in the melodies only from the Yiddish theater. Apparently, and dances and in the rhythms of the being sung in Yiddish certifies these songs Jewish tradition. as “authentic.”
6 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org THE AUTHOR & BAND
But originally, a klezmer is a person; in the almost-lost music 19th-century Eastern Hebrew, an instrument of song – in other European klezmers played at Jewish words, a musician. Klezmers play all kinds events. Then people began to use the word of gigs. They play their own core klezmer as an adjective to describe Jewish styles, but also perform a musical style. other music an audience will pay to hear, whether polkas, Romany So, a klezmer is a person. So (so-called “gypsy”) music, or for what? Does that make George that matter, show tunes – just as Gershwin a “klezmer?” I’m not rock bands at weddings play Hava Nagilah going to repeat the show here. Enjoy, and and The Hokey Pokey. In our generation, judge for yourself. —Joseph Vass American musicians began to reconstruct
JOSEPH VASS conceived and wrote The Soul of Gershwin: The Musical Journey of an American Klezmer, for which he won the Twin Cities’ prestigious Ivey Award. Vass also wrote the play and the music for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Great Nome Gold Rush, recently a record-setting hit in its world premiere at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, as well as Words By Ira Gershwin / A Musical Play By Joseph Vass, which has been performed across the U.S., including at Park Square Theatre in 2013. He created the book, music and lyrics for the stage musical Mishegass! produced by the Actors Theater of Minnesota. He has composed, performed and recorded the dramatic music for stage productions like The Chosen and The Last Seder, as well as all the songs used in the score of the Canadian National Film Board filmI Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors. He is the guiding spirit behind Klezmerica, the contemporary Jewish music ensemble which has performed in all corners of the United States and at the International Klezmer Festival in Israel. Vass wrote all the original music and lyrics on all of the band’s many recordings. Vass is a member of The Dramatists Guild. For more information, please visit JosephVass.net.
KLEZMERICA is a leading creator and performer of contemporary Jewish music. Klezmerica has performed all over the United States and in Tsfat, Israel and Toronto, Canada. The many Klezmerica recordings have been received with near-universal acclaim. Klezmerica performs in every kind of venue, including synagogues and churches, jazz hotspots (like Minnesota’s renowned Dakota Bar and Grill) and rock clubs (like Minneapolis’ famed First Avenue), concert halls, and on live television and radio. Unlike George Gershwin, Klezmerica even does weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. To learn more about Klezmerica, visit their website at www.klezmerica.com.
7 www.moundstheater.ORG CAST MAGGIE BURTON Minneapolis Theatre: Mishegoss; In Chazzan (Cantor) the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Park Square The Soul of Mask Theatre: Wild Swans; Illusion Gershwin (1999 and 2011) Theater: Amazing Grace Film Voice Representative Theatre of the title character in the animated Garden of Song Opera: Cendrillon; Gilbert short feature John Henry (Disney’s & Sullivan Very Light Opera: HMS Pinafore; Tall Tales and Legends series) Other Minnesota Opera: Anna Bolena; Cross Toured with Sounds of Blackness Community Players: Oklahoma; Morris (Grammy Award-winning music Park Players: Sound of Music Training ensemble); Recorded with Stevie B.A., Music, University of Minnesota; Wonder, Andrew Lloyd Webber M.M., Vocal Performance, University of and Elton John. Directs the Men Minnesota Awards/Other Soprano soloist of New Hope (a 12-member choral with 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band; ensemble); Volunteers for the Cub Cantor/cantorial soloist for Jewish High Scouts of America Holy Days MICHAEL PAUL MAUD HIXSON LEVIN* Chanteuse George Gershwin Park Square Debut Park Square The Representative Theatre Diary of Anne Guthrie Theater, Dowling Frank, Of Mice and Men, The Red Studio: Coward’s Women Awards/Other Box, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Three-time recipient of the Minnesota August: Osage County, The Sisters State Arts Board’s Artist Initiative Grant; Rosensweig, The Soul of Gershwin McKnight Foundation’s “Next Step” Representative Theatre Illusion Grant recipient; Two-time performer at Theater: Bill W. & Dr. Bob; Actor’s Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall in the Theater of MN: Sleuth; History New York Cabaret Convention Upcoming Theatre: The Immigrant; St. Croix Projects Touring with Listening For Your Valley: My Fair Lady; Mixed Blood Song (A Musical Companion to the Betsy- Theatre: The Boys Next Door; Paul Tacy Books by Maud Hart Lovelace) Bunyan Playhouse: I Ought to Be in Pictures TV/Film Thin Ice, Hiding GEOFFREY JONES Victoria, I Am Not A Serial Killer, In Griot (Storyteller) an Instant, The Jingle Dress, Don’t Park Square The Color Blow It Training American Academy Purple, The Soul of of Dramatic Arts, West Awards/ Gershwin Representative Other Morrow-Heus Screenwriting Theatre Guthrie Theater: The Night Before Fellowship; Fargo-Moorhead Christmas - A Musical Fantasy; Penumbra Community Theatre Playwright Theatre: Black Nativity, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Award Upcoming Projects A Prairie Lost in the Stars; Women’s Club of Home Companion
9 BAND CHRISTOPHER J. BATES CAROLYN BOULAY Bass Violin Park Square The Soul of Park Square Debut Gershwin Representative Representative Theatre Guthrie Theater: Theatre Theater Latté Warm Beer, Cold Women; Ten Thousand Da, Children’s Theatre Company, Things: Raskol; Ordway: Dinah Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Guthrie Was Training Music Performance, Theater Training Studied classical violin University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire with Mary West as a child, and later with Awards/Other McKnight Composers Shirley Santoro, John Tartaglia and Lea Fellowship 1999; Chris Bates’ Red 5 Foil at the University of Minnesota, where “New Hope” only jazz album in Twin she served as Concertmaster Other Cities Critics Roundup Top Albums of Carolyn was a first violinist in the San 2012 Other Member of award-winning Antonio Symphony, plays Swedish folk groups Atlantis Quartet, Red Planet, fiddle, Klezmer, Renaissance, and country Framework, Motion Poets; worked with fiddle. She has played in bands opening Mose Allison, Lee Konitz, Ari Hoenig, for artists such as Vince Gill and the Bill Carrothers, Joe Lovano, John Gatlin Brothers. She plays at the Basilica Medeski; 2015 McKnight Performers of Saint Mary and St. Bartholomew’s, Fellow with Atlantis Quartet and teaches at Mount Olivet.
UPCOMING AT ILLUSION THEATER MIRANDA FRIDAY, JAN. 27–SATURDAY, FEB. 18
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10 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org BAND JAY EPSTEIN (Adam Meckler Orchestra’s debut Drums release When The Clouds Look Like Park Square The Soul This); 2011 semi-finalist - National of Gershwin, Gershwin Trumpet Competition, Jazz Division the Klezmer Training Other Adam holds Faculty positions studied with Barry Altschul (drummer, in Trumpet, Jazz and Music Theory Chick Corea’s Circle) Awards inducted at McNally Smith College of Music, into Mid-America Music Hall of and MacPhail Center for Music. Fame Other European tours with He tours with Youngblood Brass pianists Bill Carrothers & Giacomo Band and plays regularly with many Aula; Performed with Barney Kessel, Twin Cities bands including Nooky Manfredo Fest, Sheila Jordan, Terry Jones, The Jana Nyberg Group, Gibbs, Ernie Watts, Karrin Allyson, The Graydon Peterson Quartet and Kenny Werner, Howard Levy, Toots The Pete Whitman X-Tet. His latest Thielemans, Avashai Cohen, and release Wander is available through Sarah Vaughan; CDs “Long Ago” & ShiftingParadigmRecords.com “Easy Company” with bassist Anthony NATHAN NORMAN Cox and pianist Bill Carrothers; Drums Currently working with the bands Park Square Debut Red Planet, Klezmerica, Framework, Representative Firebell, and Five By Design; Theatre Illusion jayepstein.weebly.com Theater: Fever: A Tribute to Peggy DOUG HAINING Lee, Blues in the Night; The Southern Woodwinds Theater: The Dragons Are Singing Park Square Johnny Tonight TV Performance with Debbie Baseball Representative Duncan on Minnesota Original (tpt) Theatre Ordway: West Training B.M., Eastman School of Side Story, Chicago, A Christmas Story, Music, University of Rochester; Damn Yankees; Illusion Theater: Only Studied with The Percussion Group One Sophie Training B.A., Music Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati Education, St. Olaf College College Conservatory of Music Awards/Other Member of the award- ADAM MECKLER winning group The Illicit Sextet; Trumpet Regular performances with various Park Square The Soul of local jazz artists; Past performances Gershwin Training B.M., with The Minnesota Orchestra and Trumpet Performance, Mannheim Steamroller Upcoming Jazz Studies, Lawrence University; Projects Public and private M.M., Trumpet Performance, performances with various local University of Minnesota Twin Cities jazz artists Awards iTunes “Best of 2014” list
11 BAND GARY SCHULTE and Zorongo Flamenco. Sought after Violin as a jazz violinist, he has gigged with Park Square The Soul some of the greatest artists of the of Gershwin Training Gypsy Jazz genre, including guitarist Violin Performance, legend Dorado Schmitt Indiana University School of Music (teachers: Rugierro Ricci, and Josef JOSEPH VASS Gingold) Other Gary Schulte is a Piano violinist and performance composer see bio on page 7 to whom Stephane Grappelli gave his most sincere blessing. A veteran of A Prairie Home Companion, he has done everything from classical *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Actors’ Equity improvisation with harpsichord Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live master Layton James to the avant theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres garde with David Byrne, and extensive across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and collaborative work with groups such working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed as Ancestor energy poetry-jazz, Ballet to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of of the Dolls, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, performing arts unions. For information, visit www.actorsequity.org.
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12 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org ARTISTIC STAFF PETER MOORE Todd; Nimbus Theatre: The Kalevala; Director Theatre Pro Rata: Beauty Queen of Park Square Sherlock Leenane; Tedious Brief Productions: Holmes and the Ice Meed Hall; Gremlin Theatre: Palace Murders, Sea Marks; Minneapolis Musical The Red Box, King Lear, The Soul of Theater: Big River Training M.F.A., Gershwin, The Last Seder, Becky’s New Sound Design, California Institute Car, Spider’s Web, Sherlock Holmes: of the Arts; B.F.A., Theatre Design, The Final Adventure, The Chosen, You University of Minnesota Duluth Can’t Take It With You, June Moon, Awards/Other Professional Member: Fortinbras, On Borrowed Time, Harvey, Theatrical Sound Designers and Gershwin The Klezmer, Morning’s At Composers Association; Company Seven, Born Yesterday, Merton of the Member: Theatre Pro Rata; Member: Movies Representative Theatre Guthrie United Scenic Artists, Local USA- Theater, Coconut Grove Playhouse- 829 Upcoming Projects Park Square: Miami Fl, Virginia Stage Co.-Norfolk, Flower Drum Song, Nina Simone: Four Winter Garden Theater-Toronto, Parker Women; Theatre Pro Rata: Goodbye, Playhouse-Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, York Cruel World Theater-(Off-B’way), Torch Theater, MEGAN FAE DOUGHERTY* Actors Theater of Minnesota, San Stage Manager Diego Repertory Theatre, Hennepin Stages, Illusion Theater, History Park Square Great Expectations, My Theatre, Virginia Premiere Theatre- Children! My Africa!; Elliot, A Soldier’s Williamsburg Va, Theatre in the Round, Fugue; The Other Place; The Color University of Minnesota, Playwright’s Purple; Sexy Laundry; Behind the Eye; Center TV/Film (as Director) Autistic Cyrano; Good People; Stick Fly; Or License; (as Stunt Coordinator) Wilson Representative Theatre TigerLion (with Woody Harrelson), Thin Ice (with Arts: Nature, The Dragons Are Singing Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin), Factotum Tonight; Troupe America: A Christmas (with Matt Dillon), Old Explorers (with Carol; Utah Shakespeare Festival: 2007 James Whitmore and Jose Ferrer), Season; Santa Fe Opera: 2006 Season Vampire’s Embrace (with Alyssa Milano Training B.A., Theatre Administration, and Martin Kemp), In An Instant (ABC- Bemidji State University TV) Training B.A., Penn State University DEAN HOLZMAN Awards/Other Best Educational Film, Scenic Designer Autistic License, L.A. International Family Park Square Of Mice and Men, Hot Film Festival Chocolate, The Soul of Gershwin, An JACOB M. DAVIS Experiment with an Air Pump, Master Sound Designer Class, Gershwin the Klezmer, Three Park Square Love Person, Nina Days of Rain Representative Theatre Simone: Four Women Representative Eye of the Storm: Quills; Pillsbury Theatre Theater Latté Da: Sweeny House Theatre: Jesus Hopped the
13 ARTISTIC STAFF ‘A’ Train; Illusion Theater: Artistic Medora Musical; Phoenix Theatre: Associate/Resident Set Designer, Nine, The Spitfire Grill, La Cage Three Viewings; Minnesota Opera aux Folles; Commonweal Theatre Company: Don Giovanni; History Company; Illusion Theatre; History Theatre: The Brotherhood; Madison Theatre; Cortland Repertory; Hope Repertory: Miss Evers’ Boys Awards/ Summer Repertory Film Costume Other McKnight Fellowship for Crafts Supervisor, The Looking Theater Artists; Consulting Artist for Glass (Film Acres) Training B.A., Excelsior and Grand development; Western Michigan University; M.F.A., Jerome Foundation Commission; University of Minnesota Other CUE award from the City of Assistant Professor of Costume Minneapolis Planning Department Design, Indiana University South and the Committee on Urban Bend Upcoming Projects Medora Environment Musical (2017); claponcue.com MICHAEL P. KITTEL JOSEPH VASS Lighting Designer Musical Arranger and Musical Park Square Over 120 productions (as Director Resident Lighting Designer) including see bio on page 7 Great Expectations, The Color Purple, Red, Ragtime, Grey Gardens, Democracy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Production Staff & Crew Rock ‘n’ Roll Representative Theatre Assistant Stage Manager: Ordway, Frank Theatre, Stages Samantha Diekman Theatre Company, Steppingstone Sound Operator: Charlotte Deranek Theatre, Mu Performing Arts, Dressers: Emily Jannusch, Bloomington Civic Theatre TV tpt: Hanna Fiedler The St. Olaf Christmas Festival Wardrobe Supervisor: Training University of Wisconsin- Clara Cavins-Wolford River Falls Awards Ivey Award for The Pillowman (Frank Theatre); Lavender Technical Director: Rob Jensen Magazine 2008 & 2009 Best Lighting Assistant Technical Director: Design Ian Stoutenburgh JASON LEE RESLER Paint Charge: Angelique Powers Costume Designer Lead Carpenter: William Bankhead Park Square 2 Pianos 4 Hands, Carpenter: Mitchell Foth Hot Chocolate, Opus, The Odyssey Master Electrician: Brent Anderson Representative Theatre Idaho Electricians: Phillipe Uttech, Shakespeare and Great Lakes Sam Golding Theater Festivals: An Ideal Husband; Stagewest Entertainment: The Sound Supervisor: Charlotte Deranek
14 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org BRING THE
BRING THE
BRING MUSIC-MAKINGTHE FUN FOR VOICES OF ALL ABILITIES. Sign up for a unique choral experience. Part sing-along, part workshop, it’s an event you shouldn’t miss!
ROCHESTER | January 14 DULUTH | March 25 Additional event to be announced soon! Details at classicalmpr.org/choral
ROCHESTER | January 14 DULUTH | March 25 MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY
E.J. Subkoviak* / photo by Brad Stauffer / *member, actors’ equity association E.J. Subkoviak* / photo by Brad Stauffer *member, By Joseph Goodrich A World Premiere Commission by our Directed by Peter Moore Mystery Writers Producers’ Club Adapted from the Novel by Rex Stout
on the Proscenium Stage JUN 16 – JUL 30 OUR CONTRIBUTORS SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HISTORIC HAMM BUILDING Their investment of $12,000,000 in donated rent and use of facilities over our 40-year tenure creates a vibrant cultural life in downtown Saint Paul.
LEAD FUNDING PARTNERS: Margaret H. and Caroline Mardag Amplatz James E. Kelley Foundation Foundation
Shubert Foundation
ANNUAL FUND $5,000-9,999 INDIVIDUALS LEADERS $2,500+ CORPORATIONS, RW Baird Foundation, Inc CHAMPIONS $25,000+ John L Berthiaume & FOUNDATIONS AND Hardenbergh Foundation Anonymous Dr. Joanne B Votel GOVERNMENT The Hubbard Broadcasting Linda Boss Rolf & Chris Bolstad $10,000-24,999 Foundation Timothy & Gayle Ober Jeffrey Bores & Fred C. & Katherine B. James B. Linsmayer Michael Hawkins Foundation DIRECTORS $10,000+ Barb Davis Andersen Foundation Betty Anderlik Hugh J. Andersen Foundation JP Morgan Chase Jim & Dianne Falteisek Macy’s Foundation in memory of John W. Harris Boss Foundation Joseph Anderlik City of St. Paul Cultural STAR Michaud, Cooley, Erickson Andrea Trimble Hart David and Karen Olson Anonymous Jeff & Kathy Johnson Colle + McVoy* David Duddingston & Deluxe Corporation Foundation Family Foundation John & Jeanne LeFevre Securian Foundation Clayton Halunen Eric & Celita Levinson Ecolab Foundation John Larsen through the EMC Paradigm Publishing* Standard Heating & Steven Kent Lockwood & Air Conditioning John Larsen Family Richard Cook General Mills Foundation Foundation Harlan Boss Foundation Thomson Reuters Jack & Jeanne Matlock for the Arts Zelle Hofmann FANS $5,000+ Paul & Tara Mattessich K Foundation $2,500-4,999 Anonymous Benedict & Rita Olk Ruth Easton Fund of the AARP Minnesota Ron & Nancy Ankeny* C. Michael-jon Pease & Edelstein Family Foundation Highlands Foundation John Burbidge Christopher Taykalo Walter McCarthy and Clara The Poehler-Stremel Mary Ebert & Paul Stembler Greg & Naomi Pesky Ueland through the Greystone Charitable Trust Nancy J. Feldman Thomas & Nancy Rohde Foundation Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Jerri Freier James Rustad & National Endowment for the Arts Ciresi L.L.P. David & Genevieve Freier Kay Thomas RBC Wealth Management Lillian Wright & Phyllis Goff Tom Park & Kari Ruth Foundation C. Emil Berglund Robyn Hansen & John Joe & Christi Schmitt Scrooby Foundation Foundation Clarey Carolyn Sorensen & Karen B. Heintz David Kelm Travelers $1,000-2,499 VSA Arts of Minnesota Paul & Renee Johnson Edward & Victoria Szalapski Dramatist Guild Fund Peter Maye & Betsy Cobb George Tyson Xcel Energy Foundation One Beacon Wells Pianos* Hella Mears Susan Wenz Charitable Trust Peter & Sara Ribbens Ann Wynia UBS Financial Paul & Pat Sackett Terri Uline These activities are made possible Helen Wagner by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board John & Sandra White Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Many thanks to ALL our donors. Every gift makes a difference and all Foundation Minnesota. donors are listed at parksquaretheatre.org/contribute/individualsupport
16 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org OUR CONTRIBUTORS PACESETTERS $1,500+ BENEFACTORS $500+ Bonnie Hancock & FRIENDS $150-249 Suzanne Ammerman Jim Altman Joe Weyendt Mr. & Mrs. James Andrews Lynne Beck Elizabeth Andrews William & Linda Holley Karen Avaloz Charles & Laura Cochrane Anonymous Todd & Mary Jacobson Kay C. Bach The Crabb Family, Ken, Gwen, Ms. Ani Backa Nancy Jones J. Michael Barone Casey & Rachael John & Barbara Balfanz Art & Martha Kaemmer Bruce & Carol Barry Tom & Mary Lou Detwiler Judy Bartlett Susan Kimberly Susan Baxter LEAD FUNDING PARTNERS: Jewelie Grape Susan & James Berdahl Linda Klaver Mark Bintzler Wesley & Deirdre Kramer Thelma Boeder Peter & Bonnie Kramer Judy & Arnold Brier Ray Krause Paul & Tina Casey Ruth Ladwig Jane Carlstrom & Dave Decker James E Lafave Karin Collins Colles Larkin David Colwell John & Karen Larsen in memory of Mary & David Don & Julie Cox Jim Lewis Dr. Thomas Collins Lundberg-Johnson Joanne Englund Rosanne Nathanson Kathy Cristan Michael Mallory & Mr. & Mrs. Tom Farnham Joan T. Smith Fran Davis Catherine Gray Susan Flynn GUARANTORS $1,000+ Litton Field Ron & Mary Mattson Jeremiah & Karen Gallivan Steve & Nancy Apfelbacher Carolyn Fiterman Sue McAllister Jack & Nancy Garland Corrie Ooms Beck K. Paul Freborg Mr. & Mrs. Dennis McGuire Sandy Gehrmann Sara & Tim Beckstrand Reynolds & Mary Guyer Kathleen McLeod & Robin Hubbell Sharon & R. Michael Conley Gerald Holt Eric Hepp Craig & Nicola Hyser Janet Ekern & David Robinson Mary Jacobs Ed Moersfelder Alfred & Sharon Kauth Tim & Susan Flaherty Donald & Carol Jo Kelsey Beverly Ward Montgomery Jan Konke Edward Fox Lynn Kvalness James & Nancy Mulvey Keith Kuffel Therese Gahler Daniel & Chris Mahai Merritt Nequette David & Pamela Lande Kristin Taylor Geisler Frank P. Mayers in memory of Edward & Judith Malecki Deborah & Philip Gelbach David & Karen Olson Pauline Lambert Mary Markgraf Jim & Judy Haigh Ms. Jewel Olson Theodore Neuhaus Anne Markle David & Ann Heider Timothy M. Scanlan Bonnie Palmquist Dr. Virginia McFerran Sharon Hildrum Summer Seidenkranz & James Persoon & Gerald Meigs Scot Housh Clark Schroeder Barbara Schmidt Persoon Muriel Nelson Lucille & Robert Ingram Douglas J. Stubeda Sidney & Decima Phillips Joann Nelson Bruce Jones & Joann Nordin Randy & Barbara Sutter Charlie & Nicole Prescott Mary O`Keefe Thomas & Mary Krick Jon & Lea Theobald Brad & Linda Quarderer Jim Ostlund William & Mary Krueger SUSTAINERS $250+ Lawrence Redmond Don & Kathy Park Kent & Diane Krueger Carolyn M. Adams Jack & Judy Schlukebier Sydney Phillips Sharon & James Lewis William A. Anderson Jane Schmidt James & Nancy Proman Rita McConnell Anonymous Jim Seidel Sharon Radman William & Virginia McDonald Marcia J. Aubineau George Skinner & William & Barbara Read Douglas & Carol Ogren Terry Banaszewski Anne Hanley Ferrol & Catherine Robinson Susan Rostkoski Robert & Mary Beck Mr. & Mrs. Mark Stange Shelly Rucks Ken & Nina Rothchild Dan & Dee Bender Erica Stern Michael Ryan Edwin & Jennifer Ryan Iris Bierbrauer Marcia & John Stout William & Glennis Schlukebier Paula Schad Jon & Laura Bloomberg Stanley & Connie Suchta Pam & Jeff Schweitzer Art & Jan Seplak Stuart & Sue Ellen Borken Donald M. & Bruce & Julianne Seiber Dan & Emily Shapiro Jean & Carl Brookins Ruth Patricia Sullivan Connie Shaver Jim & Miriam Stake C.C. & Dawn Clawson Andrew Tucker Lee & Lois Snook in memory of Ron & Kathy Colby Debra Venker Michael & Sherry Spence Gary Berggren Roger Cone Jenifer Wagner & Irene Suddard Missy Staples Thompson & Sheila Faulkner James Vogel Michael Symeonides Gar Hargens Richard & Beverly Fink Leon & Lindy Webster Orlette Tatley Fred & Alice Wall Mike & Carol Garbisch Virginia Yingling Edwin & Beverly Thiede Bess Gold Sheri Zigan Joyce Thielen Sara Graffunder Gerald & Beth Voermans Jennifer Gross Carol Westberg Don & Claudia Wiebold Terry & Susan Wolkerstorfer * in-kind gift Individual support was received between 9.1.2015 and 8.31.2016. Please help keep our records correct by contacting us with any changes or oversights. Contact Rachel Bentley at 651.767.8483 or [email protected]
theatre because of you. (yes you.) 17 PARK SQUARE STAFF Richard Cook, Artistic Director FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Michael-jon Pease, CFRE, Executive Director Sheri J. Zigan, Finance & Operations Director ARTISTIC Jackson Smith, Finance Coordinator Rob Jensen, Technical Director Dave Peterson, Facility & Event Manager Ian Stoutenburgh, Assistant Technical Director John Romano, Donna Handson, Megan West, Production Manager Facility & Event Associates Laura Leffler-McCabe, Temporary Production Manager Amanda Lammert, Audience Services Director Jamil Jude, Artistic Programming Associate Front of House Staff: (Evening) Jiffy Kunik - Performance Michael P. Kittel, Resident Lighting Designer Supervisor; Jimmy Vincent - Lead House Manager; Matt Erkel, Lead Carpenter Adrian Larkin, Ashe Jaafaru, Federic Nobello, Jackson Charlotte Deranek, Sound Supervisor Smith, Kasey Tunell, Mariah Christensen, Michelle Clark, John White, Literary Management Volunteer Missy Keller, Sarah Bauer, Justin Campbell, Kristen Parizek, Kellie Nitz, Maria Perez, Laura Hall; (Daytime) EDUCATION Adrian Larkin - Lead House Manager; Federic Nobello - Mary M. Finnerty, Education Director House Manager; Gayle Smith, Louise Rosemark, Ann Megan Losure, Education Sales & Services Manager Feider, Patricia Arnold, Paula Manzuk, Ting Ting Cheng, Connor M. McEvoy, Education Associate Liz Englund Marcia Aubineau, Post-show Discussion Moderator Ticket Agents: Ben Cook-Feltz - Ticket Office Supervisor, Arianna Diaz-Celon, Education Intern Jimmy Vincent, Kristen Parizek Immersion Day and Ambassador Program Usher and Friday Morning Club Coordinator: Teaching Artists: Tessie Bundick, Josh Campbell, Shanan Judy Bartlett Custer, Carson Kreitzer, Annie Enneking, Mary K. Flaa, Christina Ham, H. Adam Harris, Steve Hendrickson, ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES: Aditi Kapil, Playwright, Brian Hesser, Katharine Horowitz, Stephen Houtz, JuCoby Director and Actor; Carson Kreitzer, Playwright; Ricardo Johnson, Aditi Kapil, Mike Kittel, Kym Longhi, Katy McEwen, Vázquez, Playwright and Actor; James A. Williams, Leslye Orr, Joe Papke, Aaron Preusse, Doug Scholz-Carlson, Director, Actor and Teacher Jen Scott, Eric Sharp, Dane Stauffer, Regina Marie Williams ACCESS SERVICES STAFF: Audio Description: Rick EXTERNAL RELATIONS Jacobson, Laurie Pape-Hadley, Elana Centor; ASL: Paul Connie Shaver, Marketing & Deeming, Shelley Lehner, Susan Masters, Linda Gill, Audience Development Director Carlos Grant, Nella Titus, Alicia Hoch; Open Captioning: Rachel E.H. Bentley, Marketing & Kathleen Conroy, Elana Centor, Laura Wiebers Development Associate CONSULTANTS: Assignment Writers: Ting Ting Linda Twiss, Group Sales & Cheng, Matt DiCintio, Vincent Hannam, Eric “Pogi” Community Engagement Manager Sumangil; Auditor: Clifton Larson Allen; Community Lynne Beck, Development Consultant Engagement Consultants: Jamil Jude, Alicia Wiesneth; Madge Duffey, Graphic Designer Disability Advisor: Jill Boon; Marketing Consultant: Petronella J. Ytsma, Photographer Christopher Taykalo; Volunteer Curator: Toni Dachis Michael Hanisch, Videographer VOLUNTEERS: Friday Morning Club: Susan Adix, Jim Heideman, Telemarketing Services Doreen Aszmus, Sue Bjerke, Pat Dalluhn, Monica Fritzen, Alicia Pedersen, Marketing Coordinator Pat Sackett; Thank you to all of our Volunteer Ushers Rachel Wandrei, Graduate Intern, Development
Save the Date! AVANA NIGHT Monday, April 24, 2017 H S A Cuban-inspired celebration to raise funds for Park Square Theatre, serving the largest teen theatre audience in the nation! Live Music, Seated Dinner, Conga Line, Auction and Cabaret
More info to come at parksquaretheatre.org
18 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS EDUCATOR ADVISORY BOARD Tim Ober (President) Marcia Aubineau, University of St. Thomas, retired President, Red Oaks of Dakota County Inc. Liz Erickson, Rosemount High School, retired John L. Berthiaume (Vice President) Theodore Fabel, South High School VP, Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth Management Craig Farmer, Perpich Center for Arts Education Karen Heintz (Treasurer) Amy Hewett-Olatunde, LEAP High School Senior VP, Branch Manager, Robert W. Baird Cheryl Hornstein, Freelance Theatre and Music Educator Kristin Taylor Geisler (Secretary) Alexandra Howes, Twin Cities Academy Principal, Iris Consulting, LLC Daniel Boone Executive Director, Integrated Programs Dr. Virginia McFerran, Perpich Center for Arts Education Marketing Services, DELUXE Kristin Nelson, Brooklyn Center High School Kristine Clarke Learner Representative, Mari O’Meara, Eden Prairie High School University of Minnesota: College of Continuing Education Jennifer Parker, Falcon Ridge Middle School Barb Davis Realtor, Coldwell Banker Burnet Maggie Quam, Hmong College Prep Academy Jim Falteisek Sales and Marketing Director, 3M Kate Schilling, Mound Westonka High School Nancy Feldman President and CEO, UCare, Retired Jack Schlukebier, Central High School, retired Jewelie Grape Partner, Conner & Winters, LLP Tanya Sponholz, Prescott High School Andrea Trimble Hart CPCU, Senior VP, Willis of Minnesota, Inc. Jill Tammen, Hudson High School, retired Jeff Johnson (Immediate Past President) CFO, Amesbury Truth Craig Zimanske, Forest Lake Area High School Paul Johnson VP, Investor Relations, Xcel Energy John LeFevre Community Volunteer (Deluxe, Retired) Paul Mattessich Executive Director, Wilder Research Foundation THEATRE AMBASSADORS Kristin Berger Parker Partner, Stinson, Leonard, Street Payton Anderson (Shell Lake High School), Marissa Kari Ruth Director of Strategic Communications, Bergin (Columbia Heights High School), Alex Boss Hennepin Theatre Trust (Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists), Amiri Paul Sackett Professor of Psychology and Liberal Arts, Burns (Harding High School), Arianna Diaz-Celon University of Minnesota (SPCPA), Soren Eversoll (Highland Park High School), Paul Stembler Consultant Schyler Fish (Highland Park High School), Greta Helen Wagner Community Volunteer (3M, Retired) Hallberg (Minnehaha Academy), Madisyn Haukland Susan Wenz Director of Programming – KSTP-TV & 45TV (Coon Rapids High School), Thomas Henry (Trinity School at River Ridge), Mairi Johnson (Mounds View High School), Elizabeth Koetz (South High School), Right Down the Hall Jonah Schmitz (Buffalo High School), Katherine From Park Square! Swartzer (Buffalo High School), Emma Symanski (SPCPA), Ava Tesmer (Eagle Ridge Academy), Emily Twardy (Buffalo High School), Claire Umolac-Bunker (Highland Park High School), Catherine Vorwald (Twin Cities Academy), Brigham Williams (SPCPA), Kiersten Ziegler (Minnehaha Academy)
DINE | DELIGHT | INDULGE | EXPERIENCE
These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from CALL (651) 291-2715 FOR RESERVATIONS the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo NO COVER CHARGE WITH PARK SQUARE TICKET STUB Foundation Minnesota. VANA NIGHT PARK SQUARE INFORMATION HA S CONTACT TICKET OFFICE HOURS Park Square Theatre Tuesday – Friday: 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 110, Saint Paul, MN 55102 12:00 – 5:00pm & 6:30 – 8:00pm (performance days only) Ticket Office: 651.291.7005 12:00 – 5:00pm (non-performance days) Usher Hotline: 651.767.8489 Saturday: 2:00 – 8:00pm* (performance days only) Education: 651.291.9196 *For Sat matinees, ticket office & phones open at1:00 pm Donor Development: 651.767.8497 Sunday: 1:00 – 3:30pm (performance days only) Audience Services: 651.767.8487 Group Sales: 651.767.8485 Proscenium Stage seats 348. Andy Boss Thrust Stage seats 203. The Historic Hamm Building is smoke-free. Audition Hotline: 651.767.8491 Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the House Manager. Restrooms and water fountains on main floor and lower level. Cameras/audio/video equipment and laser pointers prohibited. BRAILLE
19 DON’T MISS WHAT’S COMING IN 2017!
Presented and Created by the Sandbox Theatre Ensemble Led by Derek Lee Miller On May 19th, 1984, a live studio audience watched Michael Larson win an unprecedented $110,000 on the game show “Press Your Luck.” Was he on the level? In January 2017, Sandbox will explore this one man’s obsession to beat the odds and win the cash. Big bucks, no whammies! Peter Heeringa / photo by Matthew Glover Jan 12 – 28 Drama-Comedy / Andy Boss Thrust Stage
Co-Produced with Mu Performing Arts Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Book by David Henry Hwang; Directed by Randy Reyes Father produces Peking Opera. Son knows nightclub acts sell better. Immigrants in 1950s Chinatown rediscover their roots (and find love) in the new world. American razz- ma-tazz and stylized Chinese opera create a beautiful score that is by turns lushly romantic and showbiz-brassy. Hwang’s new script crackles with authenticity and humor. Meghan Kreidler* and Sherwin Resurreccion / photo by Rich Ryan Jan 20 – Feb 19 Musical / Proscenium Stage
By Christina Ham Directed by Faye M. Price Back by popular demand – now with added music! Writing “Mississippi Goddamn” in a bombed
* / photo by Petronella J. Ytsma Birmingham church, Simone meets three strong women bound by tragic circumstance. Together, they sing their truth and rise triumphant with classics like “Sinner Man” and “I Loves You, Porgy.”
Regina Marie Williams *member, actors’ equity association Feb 7 – 26 Play with Music / Andy Boss Thrust Stage
651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org