Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme By Frank McGuinness Directed by Matt Torney Copyright © 2014 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A GREAT PERFORMANCE. UPMC is proud to support the PICT Theatre. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. SYS411939_gh_upmc_pict_theatre_ad_color.indd 1 4/16/14 12:41 PM PICT Classic Theatre presents Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme by Frank McGuinness Directed by Matt Torney Byron Anthony Ciaran Byrne* Dylan Marquis Meyers Raife Baker* Martin Giles* Jason McCune* Tony Bingham* Justin R. G. Holcomb* Jonathan Visser* Scenic Designer / Props Master Costume Designer Lighting Designer Johnmichael Bohach Joan Markert Cindy Limauro Sound Designer Production Manager Stage Manager Angela Baughman George DeShetler, Jr. Cory F. Goddard* Master Electrician Technical Director Assistant Stage Manager Keith A. Truax Nathan Jedrzejewski Liam B. Nute Scenic Charge Artist Assistant Master Electrician Master Carpenter Jennifer Kirkpatrick Regina Tvaruzek Samuel Karas Dramaturg Tyler Crumrine Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, running September 4- 20, 2014, is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Originally produced by The Abbey Theatre in 1985, Dublin. Produced by Lincoln Center Theatre in 2003, New York City. Produced by the Huntington Theatre Company in 2002, Boston. Produced by the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2001. All three productions were directed by Nicholas Martin. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. CAST Old Kenneth Pyper ........................................... Martin Giles* Young Kenneth Pyper ....................................... Raife Baker* David Craig........................................................ Jason McCune* John Millen ........................................................ Ciaran Byrne* William Moore ................................................... Byron Anthony Christopher Roulston ....................................... Justin R. G. Holcolmb* Martin Crawford .............................................. Dylan Marquis Meyers George Anderson ............................................... Jonathan Visser* Nat McIlwaine ................................................... Tony Bingham* PLACE: France and Ireland TIME: World War I OBSERVE THE SONS OF ULSTER WILL BE PERFORMED IN 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES INCLUDING ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. SPECIAL THANKS: Sara Steelman, Mona Rush, Todd Brown, Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Pittsburgh Playhouse, University of Pittsburgh Stages, City Theatre, Gary Cole, and Josh Koshar The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, are strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers, and watches. LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT To our guests, PICT Classic Theatre confronts the most difficult questions facing us. Sons of Ulster causes us to revisit history and to ask whether World War I was worth fighting. Why was there a war? Were we fighting for a cause, or was it merely related royal families engaged in a bloody squabble? What did we accomplish after years of devastating warfare? Were the agonizing losses worth the venture? Historians who have tackled these questions provide different interpretations, but everyone agrees that World War I changed the global map, brought the advent of new weapons of mass destruction, altered the political landscape, and set the stage for more conflict, economic depression, and decades of authoritarian rule. Our play raises a different set of questions; those asked by individuals in the trenches bearing the brunt of warfare. Enduring bonds form in the crucible. Authors and playwrights summon courage, fear, loyalty, duty, and the instinct to survive. But there is a reason why survivors rarely talk about their experiences. A play, hopefully, is the closest that most will get to warfare, but can it really portray the emotions before and after battle? You can decide, you may know, but asking the question can lead to a deeper discussion about why valiant men and women choose to make the sacrifice, when is it right for leaders to call on them to risk life and limb, and how those at home can help those who serve and come back wounded in body or mind. Each of us can assist veterans, who have given so much and fought for us. That is our obligation to them. We also have a responsibility to let our political leaders know our views, whatever they may be, about the significant issues facing our country. Finally, to bring the point back to PICT, please also support the theaters and artists whose inspiration encourages us to take a moment to reflect on the questions that are life-changing for many. Sincerely, Chuck Moellenberg PRODUCTION TEAM Director ............................................................... Matt Torney Scenic Designer .................................................. Johnmichael Bohach Props Master ....................................................... Johnmichael Bohach Costume Designer ............................................... Joan Markert Lighting Designer ............................................... Cindy Limauro Sound Designer ................................................... Angela Baughman Production Manager ............................................ George DeShetler, Jr. Stage Manager .................................................... Cory F. Goddard * Master Electrician ............................................... Keith A. Truax Technical Director ............................................... Nathan Jedrzejewski Assistant Stage Manager ..................................... Liam Nute Scenic Charge Artist............................................ Jennifer Kirkpatrick Assistant Master Electrician ............................... Regina Tvaruzek Master Carpenter ................................................. Samuel Karas Dramaturg ........................................................... Tyler Crumrine Light Board Operator .......................................... Matt Shearer Sound Board Operator ........................................ Elizabeth Bailey Wardrobe ............................................................. Lindsay Tejan Painter ................................................................. Lindsay Coda Sound Engineer ................................................... Kevin Rudolph LEVINFURNITURE levinfurniture.com & levinmattress.com Proud to Support Great Theatre in Pittsburgh WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST Byron Anthony (William Moore) is thrilled to be making his PICT debut. He is a member of The Amoralists theater company in New York. Recent New York credits: The Cheaters Club, The Bad and the Better, The Picket Line, Pink Knees on Pale Skin, Hamlet, The Trip Back Down, A Very Long Christmas, and The Zoo Story. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the City College of San Francisco. Raife Baker (Young Kenneth Pyper) is happy to be in his first season at PICT. New York City credits: Potion and The Man Who Laughs (Stolen Chair Theatre), As You Like It, Hamlet, Plunge, The House of Yes, and Chocolates on the Pillow. Regional credits: Twelfth Night (California Shakespeare Theater), Richard III, A Christmas Carol, and The Government Inspector (American Conservatory Theater), and King John and Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). He is a graduate of The American Conservatory Theater (MFA, Acting), and Emory University (BA, Theater Studies and Philosophy). We would like to thank our media sponsors for their generous support! WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST Tony Bingham (Nat McIlwaine) is in his third season at PICT. PICT credits: School for Scandal and The Mask of Moriarty. Other Pittsburgh credits: Heads, Antarktikos, Becky's New Car, The Goat, and The Chicken Snake (The Rep) and End of the Affair, Twelfth Night, and The Task (Quantum Theatre), Louder/ Faster and Missionary Position (City Theatre), Our Town, Royal Family, and Midsummer Night's Dream (Pittsburgh Public Theater). T.V. & Film: Supah Ninjas, Progression, Trapped, and America's Most Wanted. Ciaran Byrne (John Millen) is making his PICT debut. Ciaran is a Company Member of New York City's Irish Repertory Theatre and an Artist in Residence at THE CELL - A Twenty First Century Salon. Select Theatre Credits: Blood (THE CELL),The Freedom of the City and the Callaway Award-winning and Drama Desk nominated Juno and the Paycock (Irish Repertory Theatre). TV & Film Upcoming: Fanny Gaelle-Gentet's Trifles for a Massacreand Public Morals (TNT) with producers Ed Burns and Steven Spielberg. Ciaran is a proud member of AEA. Special Thanks: Mona Rush, Mary Harden, George Heslin, Jennifer Gelfer, Matt Torney, and all at PICT. Dedication: LTC Daniel French USA, ret. With love to Kate, Ella, and Mabel. Martin Giles (Kenneth Pyper) is in his thirteenth season with PICT and most recently played Gogo in Waiting for Godot. PICT credits: Beautiful Dreamers (playwright and director), Lady Windermere's Fan, The Kreutzer Sonata, The Gigli Concert, Uncle Vanya, and Beckettfest. Other Pittsburgh credits: John Gabriel Borkman and Parlour Song (director, Quantum Theatre),