by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler Directed by Sean Gray Music Direction by Stephen Olear Choreographed by Halley Hardy Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International The Studio at Long Beach Playhouse Our five-play Studio season is presented with the gracious assistance of cast, crew and house volunteers. Long Beach Playhouse is financially supported through ticket sales; memberships; funding and grants from foundations, corporations and government programs; along with contributions of generous patrons like you. Coming soon... Our 6th Annual Collabortive Series! Visit or call the Box Office 562-494-1014 option 1 for tickets! A note from Executive & Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Vonderschmitt Hello and welcome to the Playhouse. I wanted to take a moment of your time to say thank you. Thank you for your continued support of the Playhouse and thank you for supporting the arts in general. As an artist I understand the commitment and responsibility I have to you, the audience. Art is not created in a vacuum. It takes an observer to finish the formula. This particular art form, on this particular day and time, in this particular venue, is for you, and you alone. I honestly hope that you enjoy your visit with us and that you will return soon. I am always open to comment, complaint, compliment, concern, or just plain conversation. How’s that for alliteration? Of course, I enjoy compliments over complaints, but who doesn’t learn from input of any kind? A healthy dialogue with you, the audience, is very important to me. I can be reached via email, snail-mail, phone, fax, or you can drop by the Playhouse. However you choose to contact me and tell me how I’m doing, I welcome it. Thank you, once again, for your patronage. Enjoy the show. Andrew Vonderschmitt [email protected] • Office: 562-494-1014 ex 503 Cell: 714-390-2107 • Fax: 562-961-8616 5021 E. Anaheim St. LB, CA. 90804 Director’s Notes What can be said about Sondheim's classic? We hope to entertain and concern you with this strange story of obsession. Showing everyone in this theatre how revenge can consume someone completely. Enjoy! Sean F. Gray The Setting London England 1846 There will be one 15 Minute Intermission Behind the Scenes Asst. Music Director/Keyboard Austin James Asst. Choreographer 'Phie Mura Set Design Sean Gray Light Design Donny Jackson Costume Design Donna Fritsche Asst. Costume Design Rebecca Roth Make-up Design Leigh Hayes Sound Design Jessica Westerfield Band- Clarinet Jerry Barba Band- Drums Chris Arechiga Band- Keyboard/Accordian Stephen Olear Prop Master/Designer Larry Mura & Natalie Figaredo Board Operator Jesse Bosworth Live Sound Mixer Gilbert Solorzano Costume Shop Abertha Montgomery, Rebecca Roth, Christina Abbott Photography Michael Hardy Promotional Design Daisy Ramirez-Gutierrez Director Sean F. Gray This marks Sean’s eighth production as a director at LBP. Previous directing credits include Dog Sees God, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, A Midsummer Night’s Gay Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, The Real Thing, Spring Awakening, and Shakespeare's R&J. Sean currently works as the Technical Director and Production Manager at the Playhouse, a position he has held for the last 5 years. He would like to thank the wonderful staff at LBP, his talented artistic team, his supportive friends and family, and most especially, his wonderful cast. Thank you! Music Director Stephen Olear Stephen is excited to be returning as Music Director for his second production at the LBP and to be working on this Sondheim masterpiece Sweeney Todd. He would like to thank Sean and the rest of the awesome playhouse staff for this amazing opportunity. Stephen would also like to thank this hard working and talented group of actors, musicians, and crew for making this such a great experience. Previous credits at the playhouse include, Marat/Sade, JC Superstar, Batboy and A Christmas Carol. Special thanks to Jerry for his constant and continued support. Please enjoy our production of Sweeney!! Choreographer Halley Hardy Halley Hardy is proud to present her choreography in her 6th show at Long Beach Playhouse! After choreographing such shows as Avenue Q and Spring Awakening, she is honored to be working with such talented artists and designers for this production of Sweeney Todd. Halley would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew, her family and husband Mike, and the Talented Sean- for always inspiring her vision! Assistant Director Michael D. H. Phillips Michael is proud to be returning to the Playhouse and is grateful for this opportunity. He is in his final semester at California State University, Fullerton where he is emphasizing in directing. Acting credits include Hanschen in Spring Awakening and Romeo in Shakespeare's R&J. Previous assistant directing credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor and Spring Awakening (CSUF) and The Baker's Wife (The Actor's Co-op). Directing credits at CSUF include Cabaret, Celebrity Row, and Trompe L'oeil. Stage Manager Alex Shewchuk Alex Shewchuk is proud to be a part of this production of one of his favorite musicals. This is Alex's 3rd production Stage Managing at the Playhouse, having previously worked on Bat Boy: The Musical. He is thrilled to be working with a wonderfully talented cast and crew. Alex would like to dedicate the show to his mother, Sandy Shewchuk. He thanks her for all her love and support! Get well soon! Meet The Cast In Order of Appearance KJ Brown.........................................................................ENSEMBLE Steven Shane..................................................................ENSEMBLE Omar Timsah...............................................................JONAS FOGG Carole Louise Duffis.......................................................ENSEMBLE Serena Bottiani Henderson ...........................................ENSEMBLE Christopher Diem .....................................................TOBIAS RAGG Julia Siegel......................................................................ENSEMBLE Anne French....................................................................ENSEMBLE Leigh Hayes.....................................................................ENSEMBLE Dennis Dyck...........................................................ANTHONY HOPE Noah Wagner......................................................... SWEENEY TODD Kyra Kiener...........................................................BEGGAR WOMEN Harriet Whitmyer.........................................................MRS. LOVETT Anissa Leeanna Loer........................................................JOHANNA David Fairchild.........................................................JUDGE TURPIN Robert J. Fetes.................................................BEADLE BAMFORD George Carson.....................................................ADOLFO PIRELLI KJ Brown (ENSEMBLE) KJ is debuting here at the Playhouse with Sweeney Todd. He was recently seen as Judas/John the Baptist in Godspell down at Cabrillo Playhouse. His other notable roles include Georg in Spring Awakening and Hud in Hair. He's also appeared as an ensemble member in a variety of shows such as Spamalot, West Side Story, Oklahoma and Hairspray. His work as a musician includes stints in clubs like Howl at the Moon: Hollywood, and for the bay area band La Montagne. Steven Shane (ENSEMBLE) This is Steve’s sixth show at LBP and, with two turns on the Mainstage as Jacob Marley, his third time wearing Victorian garb provided by the lovely Donna Fritsche. He is very thankful to Sean for the chance to join a stellar cast and crew in staging Broadway’s greatest musical. Elsewhere, favorite roles include Larry in Company and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As ever, much love to Cliff. Omar Timsah (JONAS FOGG) This is Omar's third show at LBP, following Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter) on the Mainstage last year. He would like to thank Sean Gray for the opportunity to be in this incredibly engaging show; the cast, crew, and production team for being amazing to work with and ridiculously talented; and family and friends for all the love and support they've provided him. Carole Louise Duffis (ENSEMBLE) Carole is thrilled to be back on the Studio Stage. You last saw her as the inmate playing Rossignol in Marat/Sade. Other favorite performances include: Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl), The Pirates of Chemo (Karen), and Fiddler on the Roof (Tzietel) Carole would like to thank the LBP creative team, the cast, her family, friends, and her talented husband, Austin. I love you and I like you. Serena Bottiani-Henderson (ENSEMBLE) Serena is thrilled to debut at LBP in Sweeney Todd. She recently appeared as a guest improviser in Spontaneous Rom-Com and Improv Jam! at Modjeska Playhouse. Favorite roles include Megan/Brutus in Julianne Caesar and Professor Anna Young in How Red The Night. Serena lives in Irvine with her husband Jared and cat, Abby Normal and enjoys hiking and swimming in her spare time. Christopher Diem (TOBIAS RAGG) Christopher is thrilled to debut at Long Beach Playhouse in Sweeney Todd. Favorite past roles include Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Christopher would like to thank his close friends and family for all of their support, kindness, and love in his passion for performing. Julia Siegel (ENSEMBLE) Julia is very excited to take part in her first production with LBP. Recently she