SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

Book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller music by Jim Wise

Directed by Joshua Finkel

Music Directed by Sean Paxton Choreography Jeffrey Scott Parsons

There will be one 15-minute intermission

Dames at Sea is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

Season Underwriters

Ward & Louise Calaway

Maggi & David Gordon

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

No food or beverages (other than water) are permitted in the seating areas.

Please turn off all electronic devices.

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Welcome home to SMP! What better way to beat the heat of summer than with a charming ode to those great movie musicals of the thirties! Those wonderful all-singing, all tap-dancing confections will be well represented by this Dames at Sea AND our new movie series which we are calling Off the Screen @ SMP! I have wanted to produce Dames at Sea for a long time. I have long thought that it would be perfect for SMP. I think you’ll agree that I was right!

Dames isn’t produced very often – and only now do I appreciate why - it takes real “triple threats”! For those unfamiliar with the term – it means the rare actor who can act AND sing AND dance. We are incredibly lucky that so many wonderfully talented ones showed up to make this show happen.

The cast has been led by Joshua Finkel who directs a Main Stage show for the first time after directing for our Off the Page @ SMP reading series. I’ve been looking for the right project to get him to share his particular talents with us and I think we found it! Joshua and I trained together in conservatory many years ago and I am so happy to work with him again.

Joshua introduced me to our choreographer Jeffrey Scott Parsons and I’m thrilled he is now part of the SMP family – his work is so clever as you will soon see. Big thanks to our long-time collaborator Sean Paxton who is music directing the show and is our one-man orchestra.

SMP is really only alive when our patrons are in the house. I love being here when there is a buzz of excitement before a show with our loyal friends milling in the lobby and finding their seats. That’s why it has long been my goal to have as many offerings for our patrons as possible. Now with the launch of our Off the Screen @ SMP film series (which will be an integral part of each show’s programming from now on) we’ll offer one more reason to visit us. There is a listing of the series a few pages away.

Now it’s time see if Ruby, a small town girl new to the Big White Way can go out there a chorus girl and come back a star – and land a husband along the way. Is there any doubt? Oh, did I mention the tap-dancing?

Have a great summer!

Christian Lebano

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the joyous, hilarious and heartwarming world of Dames at Sea, a small musical that pays homage to the wonderful Busby Berkeley Movie Musicals of the 1930’s - performed with a ‘cast of thousands.’ That is one of the hilarious elements of this show as spelled out by the show’s creators: trying to recreate Busby Berkeley ‘but on a postage stamp’ using only 6 actors! Even though it’s ‘small and simple’ in appearance, it’s quite deceptive and complex! I could not have pulled it off without this TREMENDOUS team of cast and crew. It truly does ‘take a village’ to ‘lick that postage stamp and make it stick!’ I’m so grateful to every member of this team onstage and off, who gave their all to create this magical show. Dames at Sea is based on such classic films as 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, and Footlight Parade -- all of which will be shown here as part of the Off the Screen @ SMP Film Series. I really hope you can take them in as part of this experience. They are delightful, and you’ll be glad you did! You will appreciate the show even more if you do! In those films and in this show, you will be tickled by the optimism, crazy coincidences, and wonderful, familiar and archetypal characters portrayed in both. Even the characters’ names in the musical pay tribute to some of the legendary actors in the original films: Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, and Joan Blondell. Set in the trying and stressful time of The Great Depression of the 1930’s, this show and those films reflect the spirit of America. In the 1930’s, movie audiences were desperate for escape. As they stood on breadlines and dealt with incredible stress in their daily lives, audiences often scraped together a nickel and escaped their troubles by staying inside darkened movie theaters where they could forget their troubles. They needed the optimism and promise of success these films would provide. The American Dream could be realized if one just had enough ingenuity and put in enough hard work. It is amazing how timely this message is in today’s world, isn’t it? That is the real gift of this show. It’s a perfect time to see it. So join us and escape into this warm and wonderful world. Forget your troubles, laugh, be swept away with romance and innocent joy, and truly believe that ‘Good Times are Here to Stay!”

Joshua Finkel

FEATURING

Lucky .............................................................................. Ruben Bravo* Ruby .......................................................................... Katie Franqueira Mona ............................................................................. Jennifer Knox* Joan .............................................................................. Marissa Mayer Hennessey/Captain ..................................................... Chuck McLane* Dick ................................................................................... Aaron Shaw

*Member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director........................................................................... Joshua Finkel Music Director .................................................................. Sean Paxton Choreographer ................................................... Jeffrey Scott Parsons Producer .................................................................. Christian Lebano Set Designer .....................................................................Jeff G. Rack Costume Designer .......................................................... Shon LeBlanc Resident Lighting Designer............................................... Derek Jones Sound Designer .......................................................... Danny Fiandaca Properties Master ................................................................... Jen Gies Hair and Make-up Designers ............................................... Judi Lewin Production Stage Manager .......................................... Kelsey O’Keeffe Assistant Stage Manager ............................................ KC Read-Fisher Dressers ...................................................... Jen Gies, KC Read-Fisher Production Manager .......................................................... Owen Lewis Technical Director .......................................................... Todd McCraw Set Builder ............................................... Sets to Go, Mark Henderson Carpenter .............................................. David Campfield, John Dimitri Proscenium Scenic Artist ...................................................... Jeff Raum Costume Associates ................... Sarah Rekow, A. Jeffrey Schoenberg Assistant Lighting Designer ...................................... Evie Nootenboom Electricians .................................... David Campfield, Courtney Rhodes Lobby and Special Events Curator .................................. Diane Siegel Program .................................................................... Christian Lebano Production Photography ....................................................... Gina Long Poster & Graphic Design ............................................. Ricardo Mesina Video Production Services........... Transcendental Media, Patrick Shen Publicist ............................................................................ Phil Sokoloff

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE Wall Street ................................................................................... Mona It’s You .......................................................................... Dick and Ruby Broadway Baby ............................................................................. Dick That Mister Man of Mine ........................................... Mona and Chorus Choo Choo Honeymoon .............................................. Joan and Lucky The Sailor of My Dreams .............................................................. Ruby Good Times are Here to Stay ................................ Joan and Company

ACT TWO

Dames at Sea........................................................................ Company The Beguine ............................................................ Mona and Captain Raining in My Heart .................................................. Ruby and Chorus There’s Something About You ....................................... Dick and Ruby Raining in my Heart (Reprise) ...................................................... Ruby The Echo Waltz ................................ Mona, Joan, Ruby and Company Star Tar .................................................................... Ruby and Chorus Let’s Have a Simple Wedding ................................................ Company

CREATORS

George Haimsohn (Book & Lyrics) was born in St. Louis, MO, and graduated from the University of California. In his varied career, he was also a professional photographer who worked under the name Plato and wrote erotic gay fiction under the name Alexander Goodman. His other stage credits include the musicals Now, Zing! and Johnny American. Mr. Haimsohn died in 2003 at the age of 77. Robin Miller (Book & Lyrics) born in England, he attended Eton, and served as a Grenadier Guard in Palestine in World War II. On leaving the military, he migrated to New York, where he became a journalist and met his co-creators. His other musicals include Vanity Fair, Yankee Ingenuity and the children’s musical Olaf. Mr. Miller died in 2010 at the age of 82. Jim Wise (Music) was born in Akron, OH, and majored in music and English at Wooster College. He earned a master's degree in English from Columbia University and then taught at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, retiring in 1989. In addition to Dames at Sea, which was his major show, Mr. Wise wrote specialty material for Dodi Goodman, Gloria DeHaven, Pat Carroll and Jane Connell. Mr. Wise died in 2000 at the of 81.

A BRIEF HISTORY The musical was originally a short sketch, based on the Warner Bros. Gold Diggers movies and the lavish production numbers staged by Busby Berkeley. The sketch proved successful and it was lengthened to 50 minutes. It first played Off Off Broadway in May,1966 at Caffé Cino in Greenwich Village as Dames at Sea, Golddiggers Afloat, where it ran 148 performances. When the actress playing Ruby withdrew during rehearsals, choreographer Don Price recommended Bernadette Peters. And a star was born. She still performs "Raining in My Heart" in concert. The show reopened with the shorter title and it’s two-act structure at the East Village’s Bouwerie Lane Theatre on December 20, 1968. It transferred to the Theatre de Lys [now the Lortel] on April 22, 1969 and closed on May 10, 1970 after 575 performances. It is one of the few major to get its start Off Off Broadway and is regularly revived around the world. The Off Broadway production won Drama Desk Awards in 1969 for Best Performance (Bernadette Peters), Outstanding Director, and Outstanding Lyrics.

CAST Ruben Bravo* (Lucky) is thrilled to be appearing in his debut performance at SMP! Ruben would like to thank his incredibly supportive family, without which none of this would be possible. To my parents, thank you mom and dad for always pushing me. To my grandparents, thank you for all your support and love. To my siblings, thank you for always being there. To Nelsie, I love you and thank you for all you do for me and us. Favorite past roles include Sonny, In the Heights; Pharaoh, Joseph…and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; and Shorty, Red Car Newsboys.

Katie Franqueira (Ruby) is an actress, singer, dancer, and model from Danbury, Connecticut. Katie is proud to have graduated this past February from the AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts with her BFA in Musical Theatre with training on both the NYC and Hollywood campuses. Some credits include Scott Robbins and the Traveling Show, Once Upon A Mattress, and the short films For Emily and Sleepover. Katie would love to thank her parents and her boyfriend, Matt, for always believing in her and for their endless support as they constantly serve as an inspiration to her. Be sure to follow Katie on instagram @katie.franq or view her website www.katiefranqueira.com

Jennifer Knox* (Mona) West Coast: Singin' in the Rain (Lina Lamont, Sacramento Music Circus); Catch Me If You Can (Cheryl Ann, Musical Theatre West); Minnie's Boys (MTG). Off/Off-Off Broadway: Seth Rudetsky's Disaster!; A Chorus Line (Cassie, Kudos Award - Lead Actress in a Musical); Convicted (Amy); National Tour: Cats (Demeter). Selected Regional: Showboat (Ellie, Goodspeed); Sugar (Sugar, Drury Lane); Chicago (Roxie Hart); Damn Yankees (Lola); Oklahoma (Ado Annie, ATC); Mamma Mia (Tanya, Paramount); Beauty

CAST

and the Beast (Babette) and Disney's When You Wish (World Premiere, Hercules' Muse) with Tuacahn. Film/Television: The Dark Knight; The Blacklist; Stuck. Member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, MTG; currently training at the Steppenwolf West. Thanks to Christian, Joshua, Jeffrey, Sean, the Krasny Office, and YOU! Marissa Mayer (Joan) is thrilled to be playing this dream role! Originally from LA, Marissa received her BA in Musical Theatre, and Dance Minor, from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Regional credits: Bebe/Dance Captain in A Chorus Line (Sierra Repertory Theatre), South Pacific (Rubicon Theatre). Other favorite credits: Fay in The Boyfriend, and Penny in Hairspray. Prior to joining the musical theatre “world”, Marissa’s training was spent in concert dance. She trained all over LA and attended intensives at Ballet Chicago and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She thanks the creative team, cast, DDO Agency, and her family for trusting and encouraging her. Marissa believes in authentically inspiring others to enjoy this life fully… and to enjoy the show! www.marissa-mayer.com @mayer_marissa

Chuck McLane (Hennessey/Captain) is pleased as punch to make his Sierra Madre Playhouse debut in Dames at Sea! Mr. McLane’s work has been seen all across these United States as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and musician. Some favorite acting roles include: Billy, Once the Musical (Oregon Cabaret); Genie, Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular! (Disney CA Adventure); and The Vagabond, The Tavern by George M. Cohan. Other theatres: PCPA, The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Thanks to Christian,

Joshua, Jeffrey, and everyone at SMP.

CAST Aaron Shaw (Dick) is honored to be joining the cast and crew of Dames at Sea. Aaron holds a BA in Dance from BYU. Some of Aaron’s credits include; Don, A Chorus Line; Robert Martin, The Drowsy Chaperone; Kyle, Legally Blonde; Rod, Singin’ in the Rain; IQ, Hair Spray; and Vernon, Damn Yankees. Additional show credits include; The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, 9 to 5, The Music Man, Mary Poppins, Victor Victoria, Shrek, No No Nanette and Young Frankenstein. Aaron is so grateful to be working with the creative team of Dames at Sea and hopes that you will enjoy your time AT SEA!

PRODUCTION TEAM Joshua Finkel (Director) Selected Acting: Kiss of the Spider Woman (Molina, Broadway/London/Toronto/India/MTG.) Regional / National Tour / Hollywood Bowl: Les Miserables (Thenardier), Parade (Leo Frank), Romeo and Juliet (Tybalt, Bartlett Sher Director). Selected Director/Choreographer: Violet (El Portal Theater, Scenie Award), A Ring in Brooklyn (Noho Arts Center, Scenie Award), The Spitfire Grill (Actors Co-op, Ovation Nomination), Songs for a New World (San Francisco Premiere), Together at Last (54 Below, NYC), Funny Thing…Forum and The Fantasticks (Hillcrest Center for the Arts, VeeCee Awards), Hollywood Revisited (Ongoing Internationally). Joshua coaches at his own Creative Combustion Acting Studio in Studio City, runs the Actor Master Classes at NMI, and teaches CLU’s Musical Theatre Emphasis. Favorite film credit: being the live action reference model for Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Upcoming: A Gentleman’s Guide…Tuachan, Utah www.joshuafinkel.com Danny Fiandaca (Sound Designer) is excited to be working on his first production at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Danny is a southern California foothill native and grateful new father of two. He began as a musician and sound engineer before branching off to a sound design career starting as an assistant and then associate. Credits include assistant/associate sound designer Come Fly Away (Atlanta/Broadway/1st national/Las Vegas), Catch Me if You Can (1st National), Sister Act (Asia), Legally Blond (2nd National), Lonesome Traveler (Laguna Playhouse), A Word or Two (Ahmanson theatre), sound designer for Magic to Do, Born to Dance &

PRODUCTION TEAM

The Secret Silk (Stephen Schwartz/Princess cruises productions) and Fantastic Journey (Princess Cruises, 2018 THEA award winner). Jen Gies (Properties Master / Dresser) did a ton of tech theater as a Northwestern undergrad. She has previously worked at SMP as Props Master (Tuesdays with Morrie), Production Manager (The Glass Menagerie) and ASM (A Little House Christmas, Bee-luther-hatchee). These days, her creative energy is being channeled into researching and writing a screenplay with Rami Malek in mind for one of its lead roles. Derek Jones (Resident Lighting Designer) For SMP: Bee-luther-hatchee, The Marvelous Wonderettes, A Christmas Story (2017, 2018), Nothing Is the Same, The Immigrant, Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Gin Game, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Stuart Little. In LA, he has worked as a lighting designer at REDCAT, Rockwell Table and Stage, Playwrights' Arena, and Mixed eMotion Theatrix. Highlights outside of LA include New York Fashion Week, Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, and the Virginia Opera. Derek has an MFA in Lighting Design from Indiana University and a BA in Theatre and a BS in Physics from The George Washington University. He is the lighting design professor at Glendale College, Long Beach City College, and Los Angeles City College and an associate designer at Stories Illuminated Entertainment. www.derekjonesdesignarts.com Shon LeBlanc (Costume Designer) celebrates 34 years designing costumes in California and across the country. He has designed shows for SMP (most recently A Christmas Story), Fountain Theatre, Colony Theatre, 3D Theatricals, Odyssey, Matrix, Theatre 40, Hudson, El Portal, Open Fist, Rubicon, Actors Co-Op, Greenway Court, Kentucky Shakespeare, Kentucky Opera, and Charlottesville Opera (VA) to name a few. Currently he is designing costumes for the new TV show Encore. Most recently he designed Singing in the Rain, for McCoy-Rigby and All My Sons at The Lounge Theatre. Shon is a multi- Award winning Costume Designer, with multiple Ovation, Drama Critics Circle, LA Weekly, and Garland awards and nominations. He is the owner of The Costume House, located in North Hollywood where the costumes for tonight’s show were created. Judi Lewin (Hair/Wig/ Makeup Designer) is a seasoned Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer in and around Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Judi has lived in Los Angeles with her family since 1990, having moved from Toronto, Canada. In Toronto, Judi worked primarily in theatre

PRODUCTION TEAM

and for the Canadian Opera Company. Since moving to LA she has incorporated film and television into her repertoire. Some of the theatre companies Judi has designed for include: Pasadena Playhouse, Rubicon, Fremont, Interact, Blank, Fountain, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Sacramento Music Circus, Theatre 40, Group Rep, and West Coast Jewish Theatre. Judi has also designed national tours and a European tour. Judi is happy to be designing Dames at Sea for the wonderful Sierra Madre Playhouse and wishes a successful run to everyone. Owen Lewis (Production Manager) A graduate of Arizona State University in Drama, Owen has worked in all aspects of production on hundreds of projects, including as tour manager for the Martha Graham Dance Company and Todd Rundgren, and as technical support on Broadway with Bob Fosse’s Chicago and Tom O’Horgan’s Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. He studied acting with Uta Hagen in New York City and Ron Sossi in Los Angeles, performing off-Broadway and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Recently retired as production manager for UCLA’s Center for the Performing Arts in Royce Hall, Owen joined SMP to manage the 2017 production of A Christmas Story and is pleased to serve as Resident Production Manager and Associate Artist for the Playhouse. Todd McCraw (Technical Director) moved here from NYC where he spent 28 years working in all aspects of theater tech, in nearly every theater in NYC. He is head rigger for Fly-By-Night Dance Theater. He rigs for many other silk acts, trapeze acts & other theatrical productions. Todd spent four years in Big Apple Circus, assisting world-famous horse trainer & performer Katja Schumann. Todd brings to LA his production company Sounds Like Art Inc. SLA supports live music, festivals, & corporate events. Regular clients: World Music Institute, Irish Arts Center, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, & Korean Arts. As SMP’s Technical Director, Todd is responsible for all aspects of the technical demands for each show. This is his twelfth production at SMP since The Glass Menagerie. Evie Nootenboom (Assistant Lighting Designer) is excited to be involved in her first production at SMP. After graduating from Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, Evie relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her degree in Theatre Arts. She now attends Glendale College where she’s happily exploring a newfound love for technical theater. Evie couldn’t be more excited to help design the lighting for Dames at Sea, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

PRODUCTION TEAM

Kelsey O’Keeffe (Production Stage Manager) is so excited to finally be stage managing the summer musical at SMP. She was first introduced to Dames at Sea in high school, where she sang “Sailor of my Dreams” for a summer camp and has loved the show ever since! In addition to stage managing regularly at SMP, Kelsey teaches, music directs, and choreographs at Theatre 360, teaches musical theatre and dance with SODE School of Performing Arts, music directs and choreographs for Cantwell Sacred-Heart of Mary High School, and teaches line dancing to the wonderful residents at Atherton Baptist Homes. Kelsey is a proud alumnus of the Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance Department and Theatre 360. Hope you enjoy your musical experience on the high seas! Tap it out! Jeffrey Scott Parsons (Choreographer) is happy to be making his SMP debut as choreographer for Dames at Sea. As a director, he recently helmed productions of Freaky Friday and Thoroughly Modern Millie for Studio C Performing Arts. As a performer he’s been seen as Bobby Child in Crazy for You (San Diego Musical Theatre), Phil Davis in White Christmas (Musical Theatre West), and Dick in Dames at Sea (42nd Street Moon). As the Emcee in Cabaret (Welk Resort) he was nominated for the Craig Noel Award - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical. His one man show COMFY was awarded the Billy Barnes Award for Best Cabaret Performance of 2018 and continues to be seen around the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @jeffreysparsons Sean Paxton (Music Director & Pianist) is a composer, pianist, and musical director who returns to SMP after writing music for Stuart Little, Deathtrap and A Wrinkle in Time, and music directing Always…Patsy Cline, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Pump Boys and Dinettes in which he also performed. He started his career in Los Angeles at USC and has since scored films, composed for theater, and orchestrated or arranged for everything from orchestral to pop to jazz ensembles. In the past year Sean has worked on Man of La Mancha, The Fantasticks, Sister Act, Candide, Beehive, and The Robber Bridegroom. He is a recipient of ASCAP's Harold Arlen award, and former participant in the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop. Jeff G. Rack (Set Designer) Probably best known to Los Angeles theater patrons for his award-winning set designs, Jeff has designed and built over 300 productions from Santa Barbara to Edinburgh, Scotland. Jeff is happy to be back at SMP, having designed Pump Boys & Dinettes last year. Jeff is one of the founders of Unbound Productions and its flagship

PRODUCTION TEAM

production, Wicked Lit. Jeff recently directed two world premiere productions, Villainy, about serial killer H.H. Holmes and Martians – An evening with Ray Bradbury. Recent directing credits include: It Is Done and Stories from the Zone for Theatre 40. As an Art Director and an EFX artist, Jeff’s work can be seen in: Planet of the Apes, Armageddon, Con-Air, Flubber, and Mighty Joe Young. Jeff also currently teaches set and production design at FIDM LA. Jeff Raum (Proscenium Scenic Artist) The gold ornamentation around the proscenium is Jeff's first contribution to SMP. He enjoys many aspects of the theater, often wearing three hats in productions he's involved with - as actor, scenic artist, and makeup designer. He was the makeup designer for the original Broadway production of Into the Woods. His signature role is Scrooge. His profession, being a muralist and faux finisher, his creations may be viewed on his website: jeffraum.com KC Read-Fisher (Assistant Stage Manager / Dresser) is excited and grateful to be working on such fun musical production at SMP! Originally from New Jersey, she has a BA in Theatre and a BA in Media Studies from Scripps College. Her past Stage Managment credits include Stuart Little (SMP) She Kills Monsters (CSArts), Normal (The Vagrancy), In The Works (Pomona College), and Assistant Stage Managed Good People (Chance Theater). She would like to thank her friends and family for their humor and unconditional support. Much love to Mom and Dad. Diane Siegel (Lobby and Special Programming Curator) My first tap recital for Irma Baker's Dance Studio in Auburn, New York was titled "Under the Sea." I was a seven-year-old tap- dancing sea urchin in a fuchsia satin costume with lavender fringe on my elbow length gloves. It was wonderful! This is Diane’s 23rd lobby design for SMP: Battledrum, 6 Rms Riv Vu, A Walk in the Woods, The Odd Couple, Einstein/Putting it Together, Always…Patsy Cline, A Christmas Memory, Deathtrap, Charlotte’s Web, The Glass Menagerie, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Little House Christmas, Bee-luther-hatchee, Belle of Amherst/Wrinkle in Time, The Marvelous Wonderettes, A Christmas Story, Nothing is the Same, The Immigrant, Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Gin Game, 2018’s A Christmas Story, and Tuesdays with Morrie/Stuart Little.

THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

Artistic Director .......................................................... Christian Lebano Managing Director ..................................................... Estelle Campbell Operations Director ....................................................... Ward Calaway Production Manager .......................................................... Owen Lewis Technical Director .......................................................... Todd McCraw Company Manager ............................................................ Brett Moore Digital Marketing Director ...................................... Vanessa Silberman Box Office Manager ........................................................... Mary Baville Volunteer Coordinator, Lobby and Special Events Curator ............................... Diane Siegel Associate Artist - AKT Youth Workshop.................. Alison Eliel Kalmus Educational Programming Coordinator .................... Christa Backstrom Off the Page Readings Coordinator ............................ Roxanne Barker Off the Screen Movies Coordinator ....................................Rich Procter Accountant .................................................................. Louise Calaway Publicist .......................................................................... Philip Sokoloff Organizational Consultant ..................................................... Tim Dang Board Members ........................................... David Gordon (President)

Louise Calaway (Treasurer), Estelle Campbell, Frank Costello Christian Lebano, Rich Procter, Vanessa Silberman, Sarah Spector

Advisory Board ................ Tim Dang, Susanna Guzman, Lynda Jenner

Georgie Kajer, Alison Eliel Kalmus, Liza Kerrigan, John Sparks

The Unexpected Portrait – 626.372.7539 – GinaLong.Smugmug.com

We thank the following for their contributions to this production: Christ Church Sierra Madre and Alvar Nelson for so generously donating audition & rehearsal space. Amie Hanrahan for allowing us to use her dance studio for our dance rehearsals. Sarah Rekow and A. Jeffrey Schoenberg for all their work and assistance making the actors look wonderful in their beautiful costumes. The Only Place in Town for providing our delicious coffee. Dave Kalmus and Axiom Printing for his good-humor and patience with our last-minute requests.

Bridget Shinnerer and the staff at Vroman’s Book Store in Hastings Ranch for hosting our Dames at Sea Kick-Off party

Martha Matthews and Yolanda Vera for donating our new upright piano.

Jerry Siegel for being indispensable and generous with his time.

Adrienne Bass for her help monitoring auditions.

Lisa Krause for her creative touches to the lobby.

The Volunteers of the Sierra Madre Playhouse for contributing their time and talents as ushers, marketers, assistants at public programs and so many other tasks that help the Playhouse.

How to Support the Playhouse Without Writing Us a Check!

You must renew yearly – in September – please do.

Sign up your Ralphs’ Rewards Card and up to 4% of your grocery bill will be donated to Sierra Madre Playhouse.

1. Visit Ralphs.com and sign-in or register for a Ralphs’ online account. 2. Click the My Account button and select Account Settings. 3. Scroll to Community Rewards and search for Sierra Madre

Playhouse or enter our group number 83942 4. Select us under Organization Name. Click Save!

And that’s all there is to it!

2019 SMP Season August 23 – October 5

The Joy Luck Club by Susan Kim

adapted from the novel by Amy Tan directed by Tim Dang

Four Chinese-American mothers, four American-born daughters and the rich complexities of family ties and history as the eight women reach across a seemingly unbridgeable divide. “Blending hilarity and heartbreak, the play has moments both side-splitting and shattering.” – LA Times

October 17 – November 3

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

adapted and directed by Artistic Director, Christian Lebano A co-production between SMP and California School for the Arts- San Gabriel Valley. The classic story of the March sisters which has inspired women and girls for 150 years. “Even contemporary girls who can't imagine wearing silk dresses or being too ladylike to run will identify with the March sisters' strong bonds and earnest efforts to overcome their faults.” – Common Sense Media

December 6 – December 29 Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)

by Michael Carleton, Jim FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez with original music by Will Knapp

directed by Patrick Towne An outrageous holiday romp for the whole family (except those who still believe in Santa!) “Takes the audience on a high energy romp through a variety of Christmas traditions, holiday classics and songs. It's incredible and difficult to describe, so get your tickets to experience it for yourself!” –

Broadway World

The Marquee Circle* The Sierra Madre Playhouse thanks the following members of the

Marquee Circle for their generous contributions in support of our work.

Season Underwriters Ward & Louise Calaway David & Maggi Gordon

Angels ($5,000 and higher) Estelle Campbell Frank Costello Christian Lebano

Producers ($2,500 - $4,999)Anonymous Chang Huan Hsueh Laura Lin

Sarah Spector Ying Jianhui (Jimmy) & Ying Jun

Backers ($1,000 - $2,499) Caplin Foundation Maria S. Chorng Jill & Patrick Holland Kehrer Family Foundation Ellen & Harvey Knell

Kathy McCormick Louise Neiby Paul Scranton

Vanessa Silberman & Joseph Widman

Promoters ($500 - $999) Brian & Delna Abernathy Wendy Chang Millicent & Sidney Kanazawa Martie & Bob Kawahara Carole & Donald Roback

Rodney & Joan Spears Glenda & Greg Vanni Karen Wong Robbie & David Zeidberg

Patrons ($250 - $499) Jeanne Adams Albert Aubin Gina Calvelli John Cappocia Ilse & William Cassell Darrell Cummings Martha Denzel Nancy Dorn Marlene Enmark Jane & Robert Guentert

Suzanne Haller Don & Helen Horwitz In Honor of the Gordons Liza Kerrigan Karen Hsueh & Patrick Shen Rose Loui Jeanne Sakata & Tim Patterson Diane & Jerry Siegel Bob & Sue Spears

Fans ($100 - $249)Chris Adams Shirley & Ken Anhalt Rick & Shirley Arthur Barbara Barbarics J&P Barron Family Trust Adrienne Bass Sue Beall Julia Ann Collins Margaret Cooney Joan Crow Barbara Ehrlich Michael & Maggie Ellis George & Barbara Garcia Sheila Gebhardt Ruth Goldstein John Gong Mindy & Jim Halls Michael Hegeman Amy Hill

Dorothy Keane Sheila Lamson Jeff Levy Carol & Richard Libby Daniel Mayeda M & Bonner Meundell Geoffrey Middlebrook Stacy & Stuart Miller Irene & Shinji Nakagawa Mary & Bill Payne David Rambo James Reynolds Grace Shiba Sierra Madre Woman’s Club Randall Tamura Joan Tenedine Pearl Tyree Jane Zamanzadeh

Foundations, Grants, & Underwriters Los Angeles County Arts Commission

Rotary Club of Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Civic Club

Sierra Madre Community Foundation Spero Foundation

Tournament of Roses Foundation

*The gifts listed above were received between May 1, 2018 and May 30, 2019.

Your gift is deeply appreciated by all of us here at SMP, to report a

misspelling or omission, please contact Info@SierraMadrePlayhouse.org.

Monthly Reading Series

Selected Mondays @ 7pm at SMP

July 29 Permanent Collection

By Thomas Gibbons Directed by Barbara Schofield

Soon after African-American businessman Sterling North becomes the director of the Morris Foundation, he discovers that this world-famous art collection includes several significant African sculptures tucked away in storage. His proposal to add them to the public galleries is opposed by the foundation's long-time education director. This clash escalates to public accusations of racism and a bitter struggle for control of the collection. Permanent Collection is a searing examination of racial politics that ultimately asks how much space -- literally and figuratively -- the white world gives to African-Americans. "Gibbons' intellectually charged drama is a beautifully balanced dialectic that treats a complicated and emotional issue without cheap conclusions..." - Los Angeles Times

August 26 A Thousand Clowns

By Herb Gardner Directed by Cate Caplin

This benchmark of Broadway comedy produced one of the theatre's most beloved roles: unconventional Murray Burns, uncle to precocious nephew, Nick. Tired of writing cheap comedy gags for "Chipper the Chipmunk", a children's television star, Murray finds himself unemployed with plenty of free time with which to pursue his...pursuits. Lectured by his conventional brother Arnold and hounded by "the system", Murray is paid a visit by bickering, uptight social workers, Sandra and Albert, and finds himself solving their problems as well as most of his own. “Filled with laughter and warmth and sweetness and inspired daffiness. One of the quintessential New York comedies." - New York Daily News

The Joy Luck Club: Mothers, Daughters, and Mahjong

By Fran Syverson When four Chinese women play mahjong every week for years, you can be sure that confidences will be shared: stories of hard lives, tragedies that drove them from China to America, the search for a better life or at least a different one. They call themselves The Joy Luck Club, for the joy they seek and the good luck they hope will come to them. Some ran from forced marriages; some left children behind; there were deaths, abuses, betrayal, painful secrets all told over hands of mahjong. Their American life brought new challenges - each now had a daughter, born of new marriages. These daughters live lives quite different from their immigrant mothers. This is the story of the estrangements and misunderstandings between two generations shaped by different cultures. As the play unfolds before us, we learn all eight of the women’s stories and we share with them their hopes and dreams, not always realized. Regardless of culture, the stories of immigrant mothers and daughters are not so different. The bonds between parents and children are not specific to any culture. In The Joy Luck Club, we see how stories can help us bridge the differences and bind us together through understanding and compassion. The Playhouse focuses on plays by American playwrights telling American stories. The adaptation written by Susan Kim, and the novel on which it is based by Amy Tan, tell a story of immigrants. And, as is Artistic Director Christian Lebano’s intent with all of the stories told at the Playhouse, it tells another version of what is the quintessential American experience. Tim Dang, the former Artistic Director of East West Players, will direct the The Joy Luck Club, back after giving us Nothing is the Same last season. The Joy Luck Club previews August 23 and opens August 24 and plays through October 5 – tickets are on sale now at SierraMadrePlayhouse.org or 626.355.4318.

(626)381-9003 Balletwithmissamie@gmail.com www.balletwithmissamie.com

Be a part of a vibrant center of the arts at the beloved SMP. You can usher, inform people about our plays and programs, or interact with people at creative outreach events. We need people with all kinds of interests and skills. Come “Play” with us!

More information at our website or email Diane at Diane.Siegel@SierraMadrePlayhouse.org

SMP is recruiting new members to its board. If you are interested, please contact David Gordon at david@gordonadvisory.com BOARD of DIRECTORS Louise Calaway, Treasurer Louise – and her husband Ward - have been involved with the Playhouse for many years. They are excited by its recent productions (while keeping a close eye on their costs!). She lives in Sierra Madre. Estelle Campbell, Managing Director Estelle is a former interior designer and an architectural project manager when she joined the board of the Sierra Madre Playhouse in 2010. She has been the MD since 2013. She lives in Pasadena in an artist complex she developed from obsolete warehouses. Frank Costello Frank is a Senior Partner in the Los Angeles office of law firm Holland & Knight LLC and a longtime fan of the Playhouse. He lives in La Cañada with his wife Cindy. David Gordon, President David is a former art museum director and consultant who discovered the Playhouse and became an enthusiast. He lives in Sierra Madre. Christian Lebano, Artistic Director Christian has been AD since 2014 and joined the Board in 2012. He has produced, directed or acted in over 35 shows and 30 readings at the Playhouse. He and his family live in Eagle Rock. He thinks of Sierra Madre as his second home. Rich Procter Rich is an award-winning writer with BRC Imagination Arts, creators of museum experiences and corporate welcome centers. He has been a Disney Imagineer, a Groundling (improv), and a writer/producer for the Discovery Channel. He is a film buff among other polymathic interests. He lives in Sierra Madre. Vanessa Silberman, Digital Marketing Director Vanessa is senior director of communications and strategic initiatives at The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. She grew up with a love of performance and live theater. She lives in Sierra Madre. Sarah Spector Sarah is a CPA and runs Spector Wellman, an accounting/consulting firm supporting small- to mid-sized businesses. Sarah has loved the theater since childhood. She lives in Studio City with her husband, dog, 3 turtles, and a lizard.

COUNCIL of ADVISORS Tim Dang, originally from Hawaii, was Producing Artistic Director of East West Players, the longest running professional theatre of color in the U.S., for 23 years until 2016. He is an adjunct professor for the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Tim directed Nothing is the Same for SMP’s Field Trip Series in 2018 and will direct The Joy Luck Club later this year.

Suzanna Guzmán is a celebrated mezzo soprano who has appeared as a principal artist with international orchestras and opera houses since 1985, most recently in the War of the Worlds with the LA Phil. A TV and radio host, she is currently in the inaugural artist roster of “The Company” with Yuval Sharon’s experimental opera theater, The Industry. She is a passionate advocate of arts education. She lives in Sierra Madre. Lynda Jenner, a former school teacher, went on to get a degree in television production; her shows won a Peabody, an Emmy and New York Television award. She was Director of Community Programs at the Los Angeles Music Center. Along the way she sang professionally for many years. She now brings the leaders of local arts organizations together for their mutual benefit. She lives in Pasadena. Georgie Kajer is an architect with a background and interest in historic restoration, historic preservation issues and regional design. Kajer Architects, based in La Cañada, specializes in residential renovation and new construction. She welcomes the resurgence of the Playhouse. She lives in Pasadena. Alison Eliel Kalmus left corporate marketing to become an educator. She developed the AKT Youth Academy at SMP in 2000. As a director, producer and performer, she has toured nationally and internationally in theater and opera. A fourth-generation Pasadenan, she has an avid interest in Craftsmen Architecture, especially that of her uncles, the Heineman Bros. Liza Kerrigan did her architectural studies in the East, graduating from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design with a Master’s in Architecture. In 1998, she started her own residential design firm, Blue Studio. Recently it received the Pasadena Historic Preservation Award for Residential Rehabilitation. She lives in Sierra Madre. John Sparks written works include Babes in Barns, Hans Brinker and Wanting Miss Julie. Artistic Director, Theatre Building Chicago, 1999-2009, Founding Director, New Musicals Inc (Los Angeles) 1979 – present. John’s workshops in LA and Chicago have nurtured writers of musicals for 39 years, including Tony Award winning Mark Hollmann (Urinetown).