Archives for October 2014
Current Issue – Oct. 29-Nov. 11, 2014
Don Maranell – From Heartland America to Submarine Service
by Maya Jung
Young Don Maranell had never seen the ocean when he departed land locked Iowa in 1974 as a recently graduated high school student and enlisted in the Navy. In his 20 year and two day career, he would see it from the surface often and spend months beneath it
“It was at the height of the Cold War,” said Maranell, “the U.S. was quietly battling the Soviet Union for control of the seas. The Navy seemed like a fine place to assist my Nation and have some adventure in the process. We won the Cold War and I had more adventure than I could have bargained for. The 18 year old kid made a wise decision, so much of what I am today that is positive I owe to my career in the Navy.”
Maranell modestly accesses himself, his positives have benefitted all in both his Navy and civilian years.
Recruit Maranell did his Boot Training at Orlando, Florida. The Navy quickly recognized his intellect and dedication and next assigned him to the prestigious Machinist Mate “A” School at the Great Lakes Training Base. The best of the best that successfully complete the School are then slotted for the most complex and challenging training the Navy offers – Nuclear. Cramming what amounts to a hands-on Engineering Degree in to half the time, Don completed Nuclear Training School and Nuclear Prototype Training and joined the Fleet. A stint on the USS Orleck provided him with the surface vessel experience all Submariners must have. His first Sub was the Kamahamen and from there to the Sub Greenling.
Much of Don’s career was months at sea beneath the surface. “70 days deep down, 120 men operating the finest and most complex piece of machinery in the world, never knowing if a ‘Launch IBMs’ command would be given. The men I served with became my Brothers, our Mission could only be accomplished if each and every man performed his job.”
Asked to cite an example of that dependent team work under duress, Don paused, and said, “We were deep surfaced when a fire broke out on the USS Greenling. It is difficult to describe to any but one who has been awarded the Dolphins of the Submarine Service – suffice to say, imagine being in total darkness, great heat, the air filled with smoke, and in a metal tube hundreds of feet down in the ocean. Expertise, training, and loyalty to ship and shipmates saved the day. We all did what we had to do. That event formed me for life.”
In his Navy career, Don earned a B.S Degree from Southern Illinois University and a Masters from RPI. He was sent to Officer Candidate School and affirmed as what his Mom and Dad in Iowa had already molded – a Gentleman – he retired as a distinguished Officer. “The best route for a young man or woman who has no money is the Military,” Don advised, “work hard and they will help you fulfill potential – in return you serve your Nation with pride. Best career I could imagine!”
Post Navy Don Maranell has continued to serve. A bulwark of Stonington, he served his Town in its highest elected office – First Selectman. Married to his beloved wife and competitive Ball Room Dancing Partner Mary, together they are the proud Parents of adopted Son Sam. Despite being afflicted from infancy with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, Dominican Republic born Sam is a Second Degree Black Belt and college student – no doubt Dad’s Navy courage and dedication provided the inspiration and example.
The RESIDENT salutes Veteran Donald Maranell this Veterans Day!
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Phil Overton USCG: The Environment and Economy
by Maya Jung
From the time he was a child, Phil Overton was enraptured with the sea. One of his earliest memories is of viewing three Coast Guard Cutters and being fascinated by the intricacies of their design and the clarity of their purpose of protecting the ocean and those who traveled upon it. At age 19, Phil enlisted in the Coast Guard and considers his time in the ranks to have changed him for the better, provided him with the confidence to strive and succeed, and deepened a love of the wonders of the ocean and all that lies beneath it.
Phil fondly remembers his Boot Camp Training Officer, Petty Officer Ishman. “He saw in me potential I had not seen myself, he inspired me, mentored me, and honed a dedication and work ethic that has served me well in all of my life,” said Phil. The Petty Officer was a former Presidential Honor Guard member, a stickler for bearing and protocol. “In a short period of time, Coast Guard training turns raw recruits into able persons,” recounts Phil. “A highlight of my life was being the Honor Graduate of my Recruit Training Class.”
Advanced schools and training followed and Phil was assigned to duty at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London.
“I was a busy young man” recalls Phil,” the Military is unique, in that it places great responsibility in a person’s hands at an age far younger than would occur in the private sector – security for a major installation, logistics, and supplies being some of those.” Phil cites time management as a key skill instilled by the Coast Guard and points to the fact that concurrent with his duties he was able to do college degree work as an enlisted man.
On discharge, Phil embarked upon a career with Prudential Insurance as a Certified Financial Planner; he has now been with them for over 30 years. “The values instilled in me by the Coast Guard and by other branches of the military in those who served make the civilian world a better place–team work, loyalty, honesty, and dedication. Veterans may leave the Military–the Military never leaves them!” Phil proudly stated.
Married for 25 years to beloved wife Faye Barbone, Phil is an ardent Environmentalist. Hikes through the wilderness are surpassed only by his love of scuba diving. Phil is a Certified Dive Master and Instructor, enjoying the seas from below that he once protected from above. As all Veterans do, he continues to serve his community, presently as a candidate for Town Council in Westerly, RI.
The RESIDENT salutes Coast Guard Veteran Phil Overton!
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Robert R. Simmons – Army Infantry Combat Veteran
by Maya Jung
A college cross-country and track star, six time letterman and Team Captain, Robert was well proven as a competitor and one who ran to a goal to win. Upon earning his college degree, he did as too few others were doing – he walked to the Army Recruiting Station and enlisted. America was at the height of the Vietnam War.
The Army noted Robert’s Boot Camp performance, read his DI’s and Peers Leadership evaluations, noted the exemplary scholarship of his undergraduate transcripts, and ordered him to Officer Candidate School with an MOS of Combat Infantry. Vietnam was in need of brave, daring 2ND Lt. Rifle Platoon Leaders, the position’s motto of “Follow Me” put them constantly at risk and in short supply. Robert would lead his men from the front of the ranks for 19 months. Two Bronze Stars are the testimony to what he did and what he survived.
Robert will not speak of the horror of combat. He simply sums it up by stating, “In combat, one comes to Jesus or goes crazy. One tells oneself, if I live I owe giving back in memory of those who did not survive.”
He does, however, speak of what he learned in combat, “A life’s infusion of values – honesty, integrity, and leadership. I saw it modeled by brave men and women every day. Their inspiration and example has never left me.”
Robert went on to become a CIA operative in Southeast Asia and China, it was his and peers efforts that prevented the entirety of the subcontinent from coming under Communist rule. One can exist only so long in the eye of the storm, what Robert had experienced, accomplished, and learned had now to be utilized in decision making Washington, DC. Two United States Senators who were themselves WWII combat heroes, Senator John Chaffee and American Icon Senator Barry Goldwater, recruited Robert to positions as Lead Staff and Chief of Staff.
Concurrent with his DC positions, Robert maintained military enlistment as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He would eventually retire as a Colonel in 2003 after 37 years of active and reserve service. Somehow, in doing all this, he made time to earn a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. He married his love Heidi, now a retired Education Literacy Coach, and together proudly raised children Robert and Jane.
In case the use of the name Robert threw the reader, you probably know him best as “Rob,” former Congressman, State Representative, College Professor, and Town of Stonington Selectman. Quietly or if need be vocally, acting as the prime mover in countless charity and altruistic endeavors, he is still the Infantry Officer – leading from the front! The RESIDENT salutes Colonel Rob Simmons.
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Veteran Tom Hall: Submarine Qualified
Story and photos by Karen Butera
In October of 1965, a year after graduating from high school, Tom Hall decided to join the Navy during the Vietnam War era, prepared to fight for his country. His decision came because of a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, also a Navy man as a Seabee years earlier. His six-year hitch in the Navy started in boot camp in San Diego, California, then onto school where the Navy sent him to learn to be an electrician. The Navy was not finished with Hall’s training yet, sending him on to Nuclear Power School, and then for prototype training at a submarine school on the Groton Navy Base.
After his original six-year hitch, Hall found himself with a decision to make. “I originally didn’t plan on joining the Navy for a career, but as things change in your life, you find your path in life changes also,” said Hall. “I had the choice to reenlist or get out.” With the money incentive they offered, Hall decided it was a good idea to reenlist, especially since he enjoyed what he was doing. Before he knew it, that six-year hitch turned into 21 years, and in the end, Hall was an Electrician’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer, Submarine qualified.
Once completed with his training, Hall was assigned on a fast attack submarine, the USS Sargo, as a Nuclear Electrician stationed in Pearl Harbor for two years. Submariners who operate the vessels that carry weapons under the sea are called “The Silent Service.”
“Our job was to stand watch, keep the boat repaired and trained for properly controlling the reactor and keeping it safe. Part of our job was keeping an eye on the Russians during the Cold War while they kept an eye on us,” said Hall. For two years, the sub was stationed off the Vietnam Coast.
For Hall, one of the nicest things about the Navy was “We docked in Singapore, Philippines, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong for a few days, getting to see places we wouldn’t have normally seen, and do things we wouldn’t have done otherwise.”
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Three Full Scholarships for High School Students to Study Abroad
U.S. State Department Wants High School Students to Say ‘YES’ to Studying Overseas in 2015
U.S. high school students who want to experience another culture can apply for full scholarships to study abroad next year through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program. The program connects high school students with overseas communities and cultures, preparing students to collaborate on today’s global challenges such as human rights, community development, workforce development, climate change, and global health.
Sponsored by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the YES Abroad program is a component of the Kennedy-Lugar YES exchange program that also brings almost 900 high school students from approximately 40 countries with significant Muslim populations to the United States to study each year.
For the 2015-16 academic year, full scholarships are available to live with host families and study for an academic year in countries that currently include: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey. Additional countries, including Egypt and Tunisia, may also be added to the program at a later date. The merit-based scholarship covers domestic and international travel; tuition and related academic preparation; accommodations with a host family; educational and cultural activities in the host country; orientations; applicable visa fees; three basic meals per day; and medical benefits.
First authorized by the U.S. Congress in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the YES program empowers the next generation of leaders and establishes long-lasting ties between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations. As YES Abroad scholars, American high school students form lasting relationships with their host families and communities and understand global engagement on a whole new level. YES Abroad is administered by a consortium of non-profit organizations, including American Councils for International Education, AFS-USA, AMIDEAST, and iEARN-USA.
Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in high school at the time of application and be between the ages of 15 years and 18 years and six months at the start of the program. Additional criteria are detailed on the program website and in the application.
For more information on the YES Abroad program and to access the application, visit www.yes-abroad.org The deadline for applying is January 7, 2015.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) launches its national 2015-16 academic year scholarship for high school students and recent graduates to study abroad in Germany. 250 scholarships are available from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to fully fund students for an academic year of study and cultural immersion. Scholarship recipients will gain new perspectives on global current affairs and German social, economic and political life, all while learning the German language through day-to-day life in the culture, attending at a local high school and living with a host family. Participants serve as “youth ambassadors” from the United States while participating in educational, cultural and political events, including receptions and meetings with government officials.
Initiated in 1983, CBYX was created to strengthen ties between Germany and the United States through citizen diplomacy. Over the past 30 years, CBYX has administered exchanges for over 23,000 American and German students. Dedicated supporter Richard Lugar (former Senator, IN) calls CBYX “an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the world, gain a deeper understanding of people and issues, build lifelong skills, and expand horizons.” Former Secretary Hillary Clinton called exchanges like CBYX “an important tool of U.S. Diplomacy. Few other experiences can substitute for seeing another country first-hand, learning more about its culture, meeting people face-to-face.”
To learn more about CBYX, including information about eligibility and how to apply for the 2015-16 academic year, visit www.usagermanyscholarship.org
CBYX is administered by a partnership of non-profit exchange organizations. AFS-USA administers the program in the following Northeastern United States locations: CT, D.C., DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, and VT.
The application deadline for the Northeastern United States is January 8, 2015; residents of this region can call (800) AFS-INFO x 2161 or email cbyx@afsusa.org for more information.
For the application deadline and contact information for all other regions, visit www.usagermanyscholarship.org
Approximately 600 scholarships are available for the 2015-16 academic year for American high school students to study language through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program seeks to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of critical languages by providing formal and informal language learning through a study abroad experience, which includes language classes and living in a local community abroad, often with a host family.
Scholarships to participate in summer or academic year programs are available for the study of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish. The merit-based scholarships cover domestic and international travel, tuition and related academic expenses, daily language classes, supporting cultural activities, room and board, and secondary health benefits for travel abroad.
Launched in 2006, the goal of NSLI-Y is to increase the number of young Americans with the language skills necessary to advance international dialogue and increase understanding between cultures. Alumni of NSLI-Y can become leaders in a variety of international fields in the private, academic or government sector. NSLI-Y is administered by American Councils for International Education, in cooperation with AFS-USA, iEARN, American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES), AMIDEAST, Legacy International, Russian American Foundation (RAF), and University of Delaware.
To be eligible for 2015-16 program scholarships, applicants must be:
• U.S. citizens
• High school students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher at time of application
• 15 – 18 years of age at the start of the program
• Additional detailed eligibility criteria can be found at www.nsliforyouth.org
For more information about the NSLI-Y program or to apply, visit www.nsliforyouth.org
The application deadline is October 30, 2014.
HerTube Celebrates its 1 Year Anniversary; What’s Next For The Hybrid Company
HerTube TV Celebrate 1 Year Anniversary
HerTube which is a video & TV network about women and what women care about was launched October 2013 celebrates its one year anniversary. HerTube is the brainchild of Audrey Bell-Kearney and is under the umbrella of Ms. Boss Media a marketing and consulting firm where Audrey is the president. HerTube host a roster of women who produce their own show that is distributed across the HerTube media network which includes online, Roku, Smart TVs, Vimeo and YouTube where Audrey is a YouTube Partner. The content produced by the women is also distributed across the HerTube app that can be downloaded to your IPhone, Samsung phones & tablets including Amazon Kindle Fire. So the network hosts over 200 videos from its producers. HerTube is a win win for all involved because when we launched we needed content so we looked for women who wanted to be on TV and that’s how we got our first group of producers states Audrey. The next round of women producers came from business women, motivational speakers and authors looking for a platform that they could use to create more exposure for their business and that’s what HerTube offered.
Audrey has been an entrepreneur for over 15 years and believes that if opportunities aren’t coming to you, then create them for yourself. 95 percent of the women on the network are actresses looking for more face time to hone their craft of acting and HerTube puts them on TV every week when they release a new show because of our partnership with Roku states Audrey.
Over the past year HerTube has had some challenges one of which is monetizing all of content that is being produced on the network. There is a lot of competition out there when you are looking for advertisers to support the network states Audrey. We have to get our numbers up to attract advertisers and that has been a challenge for us. We want to create revenue for the company and also help the women create income. We partnered with an ad network that run ads on our Roku channel, but the revenue from that is extremely small, so moving forward we are have found a model that we think will work for HerTube and the women who produce shows. We call it HerTube 2.0. With this new model we can charge our producers a monthly subscription fee for their own channel and the producers can then in turn charge their subscribers a subscription for their channel, offer pay per view options and run advertising on their channel. This is a great model for anyone who wants to create massive exposure and be in a position to monetize their channel at the same time. Speakers, trainers and entertainers can charge for live events. Filmmakers can charge for film screenings online and on TV. HerTube 2.0 offers a lot of great options and we are glad that we will be launching this new platform and our very own HerTube set-top-box on Christmas Day. What a way to start off the new year with a solid plan and platform ready to go for 2015 says Audrey.
For more information contact Audrey at 678-254-2911 or via email Audrey@HerTube.TV or visitwww.HerTube.TV or for HerTube 2.0 visit www.HerTubeTV.com
JOSH KAUFMAN Performs in the Musical Revival of “PIPPIN”
2014 WINNER OF NBC’S “THE VOICE”
JOSH KAUFMAN
WILL NOW BEGIN PERFORMANCES ON OCTOBER 31 IN
THE TONY-WINNING BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
PIPPIN
FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
Now Playing on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre
Josh Kaufman, who in May of 2014 was announced as the winner of Season 6 of NBC’s hit show “The Voice” as a member of Usher’s team, will now make his Broadway debut earlier than previously announced. Kaufman will step into the title role in the Tony Award winning PIPPIN for a limited engagement beginning Friday, October 31 and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, January 4, 2015. Kyle Dean Massey is set to perform the role on Broadway through Wednesday, October 29. PIPPIN is now playing at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).
Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz’s Tony Award winning musical comedy PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers).
The current cast also features Carly Hughes as Leading Player, Tony Award nominee John Dossett as Charles, Tony Award nominee Charlotte d’Amboise as Fastrada, Rachel Bay Jones as Catherine and Lucie Arnaz as Berthe. Other members of the company include Mike Schwitter, Eli Tokash, Ashton Woerz, Kristin Allen, Mackenzie Bell, Colin Cunliffe, Ariana DeBose, Andrew Fitch, Lauren Joy Herley, Naël Jammal, Nicolas Jelmoni, Kai Johnson-Peady, Sam Lips, Richard Maguire, Brad Musgrove, Adam Roberts, Masha Terentieva, Kristen Beth Williams, Lara Seibert Young.
PIPPIN is the winner of four Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Diane Paulus). The show is also the recipient of four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Diane Paulus) and Outstanding Choreography (Chet Walker and Gypsy Snider). The production also led the winners of the Outer Critics Circle Awards with seven wins including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Diane Paulus), Outstanding Choreographer (Chet Walker) and Outstanding Lighting Design (Kenneth Posner). PIPPIN received the Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical and two Fred and Adele Astaire Awards including Outstanding Choreographer of a Broadway Show (Chet Walker) and Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show (Charlotte d’Amboise).
With a book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, PIPPIN features music supervision and arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo, orchestrations by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman, scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by Tony Award nominee Dominique Lemieux, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Award nominees Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm. Casting by Telsey + Company.
Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan present the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) production of PIPPIN with Lisa Matlin, Kyodo Tokyo, A&A Gordon/Brunish Trinchero, Tom Smedes/Peter Stern, Broadway Across America, Independent Presenters Network, Norton Herrick, Allen Spivak, Rebecca Gold, Joshua Goodman, Steve McManus, David Robbins/Bryan S. Weingarten, Philip Hagemann/Murray Rosenthal, Jim Kierstead/Carlos Arana/Myla Lerner, Hugh Hayes/Jamie Cesa/Jonathan Reinis, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner, Ben Feldman, Square 1 Theatrics, Wendy Federman/Carl Moellenberg, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Infinity Theatre Company/Michael Rubenstein, Michael A. Alden/Dale Badway/Ken Mahoney.
Royal heir Pippin is spurred on by a mysterious group of performers to embark on a death-defying journey to find his “corner of the sky.” The original production of PIPPIN, directed by Bob Fosse, premiered on Broadway in 1972. It won five Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, and ran for close to 2000 performances before closing in 1977. This production of PIPPIN made its debut at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA, where Diane Paulus serves as Artistic Director; December 5, 2012 to January 20, 2013. PIPPIN is noted for many Broadway standards including “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic To Do,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow,” and “Love Song.”
PIPPIN is now playing a U.S. National Tour. Productions are also planned for London, Australia and Amsterdam in 2015. The New Broadway Cast Recording for PIPPIN is now available on Ghostlight Records.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for PIPPIN are available through www.telecharge.com/pippin, by calling 212-239-6200, and in person at the Music Box Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street). Tickets range in price from $157.50 to $69 (all prices include a $2.00 facility fee). Premium seating is available.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday – Saturday @ 8pm, Wednesday & Saturday @ 2:30pm (note the curtain time), Sunday at 3pm
For more information, visit www.PippinTheMusical.com
Follow PIPPIN on Twitter: @PippinMusical or on Facebook.
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Broadway Musical Gigi Coming Soon
Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark is Mamita Alvarez,
Three-Time Tony Award-nominee Dee Hoty is Aunt Alicia in the
New Broadway Production of Lerner & Loewe’s
Production also stars Vanessa Hudgens,
Howard McGillin, Corey Cott and Steffanie Leigh
Pre-Broadway Engagement at The John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.,
at the Eisenhower Theater, January 16-February 12, 2015
Re-envisioned production adapted by Heidi Thomas
Choreography by Joshua Bergasse
Directed by Eric Schaeffer
Complete principal casting has been announced for the new Broadway production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s beloved Oscar and Tony Award-winning film and stage musical, Gigi. Victoria Clark, who won a Tony Award for her luminous performance in The Light in the Piazza and was also Tony-nominated for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Sister Act, will star as Mamita Alvarez. Dee Hoty, who has starred on Broadway in City of Angels, Me and My Girl and Mamma Mia! and is a three-time Tony Award nominee for The Will Rogers Follies, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and Footloose, will star as Aunt Alicia. Gigi also stars Vanessa Hudgens in the title role, two-time Tony Award-nominee Howard McGillin (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera) as Honore Lachaille, Corey Cott (Newsies) as Gaston Lachaille and Steffanie Leigh (Mary Poppins) as Liane d’Exelmans.
Gigi will be directed by Eric Schaeffer (Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), in a re-envisioned adaptation by British playwright and BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated screenwriter Heidi Thomas (“Call the Midwife,” “Cranford,” “Upstairs, Downstairs”). Emmy Award-winner Joshua Bergasse (On the Town, “Smash”) will choreograph the production.
Gigi will play a pre-Broadway engagement in the Eisenhower Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (David M. Rubenstein, chairman, Deborah F. Rutter, president) in Washington, D.C. from January 16-February 12, 2015. Opening night is January 29, 2015.
Tickets for the Kennedy Center engagement are on sale to the general public. Visit www.kennedy-center.org for further details. Gigi will open on Broadway in 2015 following the Kennedy Center engagement.
| Victoria Clark (Mamita Alvarez) won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Light in the Piazza. Her Broadway credits include Cinderella (Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations), Sister Act (Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations), The Snow Geese at Manhattan Theatre Club, Titanic, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Urinetown, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, A Grand Night for Singing, Sunday in the Park With George. Encores!: Follies, Juno, Bye Bye Birdie. Off-Broadway: When The Rain Stops Falling (Drama Desk nomination), A Prayer for My Enemy, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, The Agony and the Agony, Marathon Dancing. Follies (LA). Film: Archeology of a Woman, Harvest, The Happening, Tickling Leo, Main Street, Cradle Will Rock. Television: “Law & Order,” “Mercy,” Ma Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath” at Carnegie Hall; frequent appearances with symphony orchestras, including New York Philharmonic. She is a Master Teacher in the US and abroad and is currently Artist-in-Residence for the Musical Theater program at Pace School of the Performing Arts, where she is currently directing The Light in the Piazza, opening October 29 at the Sheen Center. Board member: New York City Center and Kurt Weill Foundation. | |
| Dee Hoty (Aunt Alicia) earned three Tony nominations for starring roles in Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and The Will Rogers Follies. She starred on Broadway and in eight major U.S. cities (including at the National) as Donna in Mamma Mia! More Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie (Roundabout), City of Angels (Outer Critics nomination), Me and My Girl, Big River, The Five O’Clock Girl and Shakespeare’s Cabaret. Other highlights: Diana Vreeland in Full Gallop, Polly in Other Desert Cities, tours of 9 to 5 (Violet), Barnum (opposite Stacy Keach), Doctor Dolittle (opposite Tommy Tune), Phyllis in Follies (Paper Mill Playhouse, cast recording), Kay Thompson in Stormy Weather (Barrymore Award, L.A. Ovation Award nomination). Film and TV: “Elementary,” “Smash,” “Law and Order(s),” soaps, commercials, voiceovers, recordings, cabaret work. Most recently, Dee created the role of Eve Walker in Rich Girl at the George Street Playhouse and the Cleveland Play House, as well as Dr. Alexandra Bloomfield in The Preacher and the Shrink at the Beckett Theatre in NYC. She has discovered that coaching and giving Master Classes bring her the joy of ‘paying it forward.’ She is an Otterbein College graduate/ Honorary Doctorate and a proud Equity member. |
The cast also features Cameron Adams, Max Clayton, Madeleine Doherty, Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, Hannah Florence, Allison Jantzie, Brian Ogilvie, Ian Paget, James Patterson, Justin Prescott, Manuel Stark, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, Amos Wolff and Ashley Yeater.
Scenic design is by Tony Award-winner Derek McLane, costume design is by five-time Tony Award winner Catherine Zuber, lighting design is by four-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz and sound design is by Tony Award nominee Kai Harada. Hair design is by David Brian Brown. Musical director is James Moore. Orchestrations are by August Eriksmoen. Vocal and incidental music arrangement is by Matt Aument. Dance music arrangements are by Sam Davis.
Based on the 1944 novel by Colette, Gigi was first adapted for the Broadway stage in 1951 by Anita Loos, with an unknown Audrey Hepburn in the title role; then, following their success with My Fair Lady, the team of Alan Jay Lerner (screenplay and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) adapted the material for the 1958 movie musical, winner of nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film, directed by Vincente Minnelli, is widely considered the last great MGM movie musical, and is beloved for its wit, charm and sumptuous costume and production design. GIGI includes such numbers as “Thank Heaven for Little Girls,” “I Remember It Well” “The Night They Invented Champagne” and the Oscar-winning title song, “Gigi”. Gigi also won the Tony Award for Best Score in 1974.
This new adaptation of Gigi will feature all of the songs from the movie, including two songs, “The Parisians” and “Say a Prayer for Me Tonight,” which were dropped from the previous stage version. The production also includes four songs written and added to the score by Lerner and Loewe in 1973, “Paris is Paris Again,” “I Never Want to Go Home Again,” “The Contract,” and “In This Wide, Wide World.”
Gigi is produced by Jenna Segal. General management is by Foresight Theatrical.
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| Vanessa Hudgens (Gigi) A California native, Vanessa Hudgens began her career in musical theatre at the age of eight, performing in productions of Evita, Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King & I, The Music Man, Cinderella and Damn Yankees. She made her feature film debut in Catherine Hardwick’s Thirteen, starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood, and co-starred in the action film, Thunderbirds. She is best known for her role as Gabriella Montez in Disney Channel’s breakaway hit, “High School Musical” and its follow up films, “High School Musical 2” and the theatrical release, High School Musical 3: Senior Year. She followed her “High School Musical” success with the critically acclaimed Bandslam, as well as Beastly and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Recent credits include Frozen Ground, directed by Scott Walker, Spring Breakers, opposite James Franco and Selena Gomez and directed by Harmony Korine, and Gimme Shelter, directed by Ron Krauss. In 2010, she won the ShoWest Award for “Female Star of Tomorrow” and the Trendsetter Award at the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards. | |
| Howard McGillin (Honore Lachaille) Broadway: The Phantom Of The Opera, Kiss of the Spider Woman, She Loves Me, The Secret Garden, Anything Goes (Tony, Drama Desk Award nominations), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Tony, Drama Desk nominations; Theatre World Award), Sunday in the Park with George. London: Mack and Mabel, Anything Goes. Off-Broadway: It’s a Wonderful Life, I Remember Mama, High Spirits, As Thousands Cheer, La Boheme (Drama Desk Award nomination). National Tour: Peter Pan. Regional: Damn Yankees, It Shoulda Been You (George Street Playhouse), The 39 Steps (Cape Playhouse), Stephen Sondheim’s Bounce (Goodman Theatre, Chicago and Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. – Helen Hayes Award nomination). Films: South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, The Swan Princess. Concerts: Ragtime, Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Solo CD: Howard McGillin: Where Time Stands Still, available online. | |
| Corey Cott (Gaston Lachaille) Immediately following graduation from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Corey Cott made his professional debut starring on Broadway for two years as Jack Kelly in Newsies. His other stage credits include university productions of Suddenly Last Summer, Assassins, Sweeney Todd and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Recently, Corey has been involved in the development of several new musicals including Anastasia (McNally/Ahrens & Flaherty), Father of the Bride (Disney) and the Untitled Radio City Project. He will make his television debut this fall in “Madam Secretary” on CBS. A native of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Corey made his solo concert debut in 2013 at the Kennedy Center as part of the ASCAP Centennial Celebration. He is represented by Gersh, Soffer/Namoff Entertainment and attorney Michael Mahan. Twitter/Instagram: @NapOnACott | |
| Steffanie Leigh (Liane d’Exelmans) Broadway/National Tour: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins,) NYC/Regional: Dani Girl (Exit Pursued by a Bear), Venus in Fur (Singapore Repertory Theatre), Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Alliance Theatre), Into the Woods, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera). TV: “The Good Wife,” “Members Only.” Film: PROGRESS And Unrelated Things, They’re Out of the Business. BFA Acting/Musical Theatre: Carnegie Mellon. www.steffanieleigh.com
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| Cameron Adams (Ensemble) Broadway: The Music Man (Zaneeta), Oklahoma!, Hairspray (u/s Amber), Cry-Baby (u/s Allison), Shrek, Promises, Promises (Miss Della Hoya), How To Succeed… (u/s Rosemary), Nice Work If You Can Get It (u/s Billie and Jeannie). Off-Broadway/Regional: Follies, Little Me both at NYCC Encores!, Inventing Mary Martin at The York Theater, The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Maureen) at The DCPA. TV: NBC “The Sound of Music Live!”, ABC/Disney’s “The Music Man” (Zaneeta). Love to my family and my Jeremy. Twitter/Instagram: @CameronAdamsNYC
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| Max Clayton (Ensemble) is excited to be making his Kennedy Center debut! Regional: On The Town (Gabey, Marriott Theatre), Footloose (Ren, Kansas City Starlight), Oklahoma! (Slim, Lyric Opera of Chicago), The MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, MTWichita, Palace Theatre. BFA, CCM. Endless love and thanks to the Gigi creative team, cast and crew, Mom, Dad, Missy, JennyBenny, the Claytons and Truncies, and CGF Talent. For Mimi and Boopa! Twitter/Instagram: @maxmclayton | |
| Madeleine Doherty (Ensemble) Broadway: The Producers (Original Cast, Hold-Me-Touch-Me), A Christmas Carol (Original Cast), Sister Act (Original Cast, Sister Mary Theresa), Les Miserables (Mme. Thenardier, Dance Captain). Regional: Guthrie Theater, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Sacramento Music Circus, Kansas City Starlight, North Shore Music Theater, Hollywood Bowl, York Theater Company and more. National Tours: Flashdance (Hannah), The Pirates Of Penzance (Edith), 25th Anniversary of Stop The World starring Anthony Newley, 101 Dalmatians, and 9 to 5. Madeleine just completed a workshop of an upcoming Broadway musical called Gotta Dance, directed by Jerry Mitchell and written by the late Marvin Hamlisch.
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| Ashley Blair Fitzgerald (Ensemble) from Ellicott City, MD, most recently performed in Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Arena Stage. New York theater includes:The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Company (New York Philharmonic). National Tours include: Come Fly Away (2013 Helen Hayes nominee, outstanding actress) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Fosse. International credits include Come Fly Away, Trip of Love and Fosse. Television/Film credits: “Smash” (NBC Pilot), special guest appearances on the Tony Awards and Company. Over the past two years, Ashley has been reconstructing Bob Fosse’s work for The Verdon Fosse Estate. Ashley sends love to her always supportive family. | |
| Hannah Florence (Ensemble) is delighted to make her Kennedy Center debut in Gigi! Hannah was most recently seen as Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary North American Tour. Broadway/New York: Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson, Anna Nicole the Opera (NYC Opera/Brooklyn Academy of Music), It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman! (NY City Center Encores!). TV: “One Life to Live”. Huge thanks to Tara Rubin Casting, Nicolosi & Co, Josh Bergasse. WBSS.
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| Alison Jantzie (Swing) On the Town (Marriott Theatre), Mary Poppins (MUNY), Fiorello! (Encores! at City Center), Aida (Starlight Theatre), Cats (Theatre Calgary), The Drowsy Chaperone (Manitoba Theatre Centre), High School Musical (Drayton Entertainment), as well as one season at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Alison has also been a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall for three seasons. | |
| Brian Ogilvie (Ensemble) is so excited to make his Kennedy Center debut. He was a member of the Broadway company of Mary Poppins, where he was a dancing statue, dancing chimney sweep, dancing bunny and understudy for Bert and Robertson Ay. Other credits include the title character in Tarzan (Arvada), Zach in A Chorus Line (Maltz Jupiter), Eddie in Funny Girl (Vero Beach Riverside), Buzz in South Pacific (Paper Mill) and regional productions of Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie and 42nd Street. Brian also appeared in HBO’s “True Blood”. All my love to my wife Dana and our beautiful son Shane. | |
| Ian Paget (Swing) is stoked to be making his Kennedy Center debut with Gigi! Broadway: Soul Doctor, Leap of Faith, Mamma Mia! West End: West Side Story. Regional: “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” at La Jolla Playhouse (Director Des McAnuff) Film/TV: Rock of Ages, Step Up Revolution, “Mozart in the Jungle,” “One Life to Live,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “Saturday Night Live” with Miley Cyrus and Anna Kendrick. Endless love to Dad, Mom, Sacha and Alyssa! Twitter/Instagram: @ijpaget | |
| James Patterson (Ensemble) has been seen on Broadway and in National Tours including Mary Poppins, The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, Cats, State Fair and Off-Broadway in The Chocolate Show!, Sail Away, Stairway to Paradise and The Iron Curtain. Other recent favorites include Ragtime (Henry Ford/Milwaukee Rep), Chamberlain (Joshua Chamberlain/ MSMT), Le Comte Ory (The Metropolitan Opera), the tour of Backwards in High Heels, What a Glorious Feeling (Gene Kelly), 42nd Street (Sacramento), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson/North Shore) and Mame (Kennedy Center). Thanks to the great folks at Henderson/Hogan and my family, especially BJH…you are my heaven. | |
| Justin Prescott (Ensemble) A native of Houston, TX, Justin received his BFA in Dance (Cum Laude) from SUNY Purchase College. Shortly thereafter, he made his Broadway debut in the energetic and revolutionary Broadway hit Fela! Other credits include Broadway/Off Broadway: After Midnight, Motown, Lost in the Stars (City Center Encores!). Tour: Fela!, Memphis. Regional: The Scottsboro Boys (Ahmanson Theater), TV: NBC’s “Smash,” New York Theatre Workshop: Bacha Bazi. Justin gives all thanks to his Creator and loving family! | |
| Manuel Stark (Ensemble) Broadway: West Side Story at the Palace Theatre (Chino); Off-Broadway: Venice at the Public Theatre; TV: “Smash” on NBC (14 Episodes); Regional: Footloose at Pittsburgh CLO (Ren), A Chorus Line at Paper Mill Playhouse (Paul), Aladdin at 5th Avenue Theatre (Prince Abdullah), West Side Story at Ogunquit Playhouse (Bernardo), Bull Durham at the Alliance Theatre (Kevin); City Center’s Encores!: Applause, It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, Little Me, The Most Happy Fella, and Irma la Douce. Thanks to Mom and John for all their support! | |
| Tanairi Sade Vasquez (Ensemble) is excited to be performing at the Kennedy Center and to be part of this production of Gigi. Broadway credits: Wonderland, West Side Story 2009 Revival Cast (u/s Consuela). Tours: 1st National Tour of Come Fly Away 2011-2012, choreographed by Twyla Tharp (u/s Babe, Slim), Asian and European tour of West Side Story. Off Broadway: Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, Flashdance and Fly, Gigi and On Your Feet workshops, On the Town Dance Lab, The Capeman at the Delacorte Theater. Film/TV: “Orange is The New Black” (season 3) recurring role Annie Valdez, “America’s Got Talent” Season 9 dancer/choir, “Smash” Season 2 dancer, Lucille Roberts Commercial, “Dancing with the Stars,” “Good Morning America”. So much love to my family and friends for their support and my agents! | |
| Amos Wolff (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at The Kennedy Center having performed there in 2011 in Follies and the Lincoln Center touring production of South Pacific. Broadway/National Tours: Chicago, A Chorus Line. Other New York: Piece of My Heart (Signature), Guys and Dolls (Carnegie Hall), Little Me and Where’s Charley? (Encores!), First Wives Club (NYC workshop). Amos holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The University of Michigan, Shakespeare Intensive Training through RADA, London and is a recent teacher-training-graduate from Laughing Lotus Yoga Studio in NYC. A million thanks to Eric, Jim and Josh for reuniting me with the good time guys. www.amoswolff.com | |
| Ashley Yeater (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back performing at the Kennedy Center. Broadway/NYC: Pippin, Big Fish, Follies, On The Town (Encores!), The Producers. National Tours: A Chorus Line, Chicago, The Producers. Love and thanks to my amazing parents, H/H, and Rikki for your constant support. | |
| Alan Jay Lerner (Book, Lyrics) wrote these plays with Frederick Loewe: Life of the Party, What’s Up, The Day Before Spring, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, Camelot, Gigi. He also wrote Love Life with Kurt Weill, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and Carmelina with Burton Lane, Coco with Andre Previn, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with Leonard Bernstein and Dance a Little Closer with Charles Strouse. He wrote the libretto and/or lyrics for the following films: An American in Paris, Gigi, The Little Prince, The Royal Wedding and film versions of his plays. He wrote two books – On the Street Where I Live and The Musical Theatre: A Celebration. Mr. Lerner died in 1986. | |
| Frederick Loewe (Music), an Austrian-born musical prodigy at age four, was the youngest piano soloist to play with the Berlin Philharmonic when he made his debut at 13. He came to the United States in 1924. In 1942, Loewe approached Alan Jay Lerner in New York to say he would like to collaborate with him on a musical show. The two went on to enjoy an extraordinary partnership resulting in the stage musicals My Fair Lady, Camelot, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon and The Day Before Spring, the films Gigi and The Little Prince and the stage version of Gigi. Loewe died in Palm Springs on February 14, 1988 at 88, the winner of numerous Tony, Academy and Golden Globe awards. | |
| Heidi Thomas (Adaptation) is one of the UK’s top dramatists and her acclaimed career in stage, film and television drama spans 25 years. Her award-winning theatrical work has been produced by the Liverpool Playhouse, Almeida, Royal Court and Chichester Festival Theatres and by the National Theatre Studio and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her classic adaptations for the large and small screen include “Cranford,” “Return to Cranford,” “Madame Bovary,” “Ballet Shoes” and “I Capture The Castle”. Other credits include the revived “Upstairs Downstairs,” and her hit BBC show “Call the Midwife,” which is seen in 197 countries worldwide. Heidi’s work has been acknowledged and awarded by the Emmys, BAFTA, the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Christopher Society, the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Royal Television Society. | |
| Eric Schaeffer (Director) On Broadway, his productions include Putting It Together starring Carol Burnett, Glory Days, Million Dollar Quartet and the Tony Award nominated Follies. In the West End/London, he has directed The Witches of Eastwick and Million Dollar Quartet. He is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Signature is an award-winning theatre that produces world premiere plays and musicals as well as reinvents new interpretations of the American musical. Signature was awarded the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award for excellence in the theatre. Signature Theatre has been awarded 90 Helen Hayes Awards along with 340 nominations for artistic excellence. Schaeffer has received six Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Direction along with 28 nominations. He also received a Drama Desk nomination for Follies. Schaeffer has directed over 80 productions at Signature and served as the Artistic Director of the Sondheim Celebration at The Kennedy Center, where he directed Sunday in the Park with George and Passion. He also directed Mame, First You Dream and Follies at The Kennedy Center. He has also directed at the Mark Taper Forum, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage and Disneyland. He holds a B.F.A. and Honorary Doctorate from Kutztown University and Honorary Doctor of Arts from Shenandoah University. | |
| Joshua Bergasse (Choreography) won the Emmy Award for NBC’s “Smash”. Theatre credits include On the Town (Broadway), Little Me and It’s A Bird…It’s A Plane… It’s Superman (Encores!), Guys And Dolls and The Sound Of Music (Carnegie Hall), the Off-Broadway productions of Bomb-Itty Of Errors and Captain Louie, national & international tours of Fame The Musical, NERDS (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Barrymore Nomination), Secondhand Lions (Fifth Avenue Theatre), West Side Story (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Barrington Stage Company), On The Town, Guys And Dolls, Carousel and The World Goes Round (Barrington Stage). Also for television, Bergasse choreographed for Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Upcoming: Bull Durham (Broadway), Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse), The Honeymooners (Goodspeed). |
Derek McLane (Set Design) Credits include: Beautiful; Anything Goes; How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying; Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo; Ragtime; Million Dollar Quartet; 33 Variations; The Pajama Game; Grease; The Threepenny Opera; Little Women; I Am My Own Wife; The Women; Present Laughter; Holiday; Ruined; Lie of the Mind; Becky Shaw; Rafta, Rafta; 10 Million Miles; Things We Want; The Voysey Inheritance; Two Trains Running; Hurlyburly; Abigail’s Party. Awards: 1997 and 2004 Obie Awards; 2004, 2005, 2007 Lucille Lortel Awards; 2011 Drama Desk Award; 2009 Tony Award.
Catherine Zuber (Costume Design) Broadway: Golden Boy; How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying; Born Yesterday; Edward Albee’s Seascape; Dinner At Eight; Twelfth Night (Tony Nominations); The Royal Family, South Pacific, The Coast of Utopia, The Light in the Piazza, Awake and Sing! (Tony Awards); The Bridges of Madison County, Outside Mullingar, Macbeth, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone; Women on the Verge . . .; Doubt, among others. Upcoming: The King & I (Lincoln Center). Off-Broadway: BAM, The Bridge Project 2009/10/11. Television: “The Sound of Music,” “Peter Pan,” NBC/Universal. Graduate: Yale School of Drama.
Natasha Katz (Lighting Design) Broadway: The Glass Menagerie (Tony Award), Once (Tony Award), The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), Aida (Tony Award), Aladdin, Motown, Follies, Hedda Gabler, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Sweet Smell of Success, The Capeman, Beauty and the Beast and Gypsy. Extensive designs Off-Broadway, at American regional theatres, concerts and permanent installations. Opera and dance include Royal Opera House, Dutch National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera and NYC Opera. Awards: Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Hewes Award, Whatsonstage, Joseph Jefferson Award, Ruth Morely Design Award, National Broadway Theatre Award.
Kai Harada (Sound Design) Designs include On the Town, Follies (Drama Desk & Tony Award nominations); Fun Home (Drama Desk nomination); First Date (Broadway); Million Dollar Quartet; Zorro (Moscow, Atlanta); Hinterm Horizont (Berlin); The Pirates of Penzance (Portland Opera); She Loves Me (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); First You Dream (Kennedy Center); Rent (5th Avenue Theatre) and Barbie Live! Associate design credits to Tony Meola include A Christmas Carol; Disney’s Der Glöckner von Notre Dame; Kiss Me, Kate; Man of La Mancha and Wicked. Audio Consultant for Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway. Education: Yale University.
David Brian Brown (Wig/Hair Design) Broadway highlights: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, If/Then, Bridges of Madison County, Macbeth, The Nance, The Invention Of Love, Romeo and Juliet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Death of a Salesman, Follies, Sister Act, Arcadia, A Steady Rain, Shrek, The Country Girl, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Butley, Tarzan, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, The Odd Couple, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Fiddler on the Roof, Nine, Gypsy, Flower Drum Song, Sweet Smell of Success, Aida, The Iceman Cometh, Annie Get Your Gun, Chicago, Side Show, Steel Pier. Off-Broadway: Far From Heaven, Giant. Film credits: “The Sound of Music Live,” It’s Complicated, “Angels In America” (Emmy Nominated), To Wong Foo…
James Moore (Musical Director) Broadway: On the Town, Follies (revival), South Pacific (Lincoln Center), Ragtime (revival), Steel Pier, Company. National Tours: The Producers, Kiss Me, Kate, Crazy for You, The World Goes ‘Round – The Songs of Kander and Ebb. Mr. Moore has a long relationship with The Kennedy Center, where in addition to conducting Follies and Ragtime, he has also helmed Mame (starring Christine Baranski) and concert versions of My Fair Lady (starring Jonathan Pryce) and Camelot featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and the National Symphony Orchestra. Regional: Ford’s Theatre, Signature Theatre, The MUNY. James holds Master and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
August Eriksmoen (Orchestrator) has worked on the Broadway productions of First Date (orchestrations), Hugh Jackman, Back On Broadway (additional orchestrations), The Addams Family (dance arrangements), Memphis (dance arrangements), Million Dollar Quartet (associate music supervisor), Ring of Fire (associate music director), All Shook Up (music director) and Rent (associate conductor). His Off-Broadway credits include Bare (orchestrations), Romantic Poetry (orchestrations), Walmartopia (orchestrations/supervision) and Imperfect Chemistry (orchestrations/supervision). His television orchestrations credits include the 2011 Billboard Music Awards and 2014 Tony Awards. He has created orchestrations for the touring and regional productions of I Am Harvey Milk, Bright Star, Bull Durham, Kristin Chenoweth (in concert), Chita Rivera (in concert), Brother Russia, James and the Giant Peach and All Shook Up (first national tour, dance arrangements/additional orchestrations). His other orchestration credits include Universal Orlando’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” Always…Patsy Cline, Honky Tonk Angels, and Winnie the Pooh (Disney Junior).
Sam Davis (Dance Music Arranger) Broadway: An American in Paris, Side Show, Big Fish, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Scandalous, Curtains and The Apple Tree. Musical supervisor for Dreamgirls (Apollo, national tour, Korea and South Africa), orchestrator for The Trumpet of the Swan (Kennedy Center). As composer: Red Eye of Love (AMAS Theatre), Bunnicula (DR2 Theatre), Love and Real Estate (59E59) and the album Love on a Summer Afternoon (P.S. Classics). Winner of the Jonathan Larson Award and graduate of the University of Michigan.
Matt Aument (Vocal and Incidental Music Arranger) is a New York-based orchestrator and music director focused on new musicals. Recent productions include Tamar of the River (Prospect Theatre Company), Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), new orchestrations for Camelot (Drury Lane Theatre) and several editions of The 24 Hour Musicals. He has arranged and played for Kristin Chenoweth, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Tonya Pinkins and enjoys frequent collaboration with composer Sam Willmott.
onStage at Connecticut College presents ‘TEA FOR THREE’
NEW LONDON, Conn. – onStage at Connecticut College presents “TEA FOR THREE: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty,” a behind-the-scenes look at three influential U.S. First Ladies, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center.
One actress portrays all three women in the show: Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford. Elaine Bromka came up with the idea for “TEA FOR THREE” while she was starring as eight First Ladies opposite Rich Little in the PBS and stage show “The Presidents.” Audience members will recognize the Emmy-winning Bromka from numerous appearances on film, television and the stage, including “Girls,” “E.R.,” “The Sopranos,” “Law and Order,” “Playing for Time,” “The Rose Tattoo,” “Macbeth” and “Uncle Buck.”
In an interview about “TEA FOR THREE,” which she co-wrote with Eric H. Weinberger, Bromka said, “These were women of intelligence and grit who suddenly found themselves in a fishbowl. I realized I wanted to tell the story from their point of view.”
The result is a heartwarming look at the evolving role of women during challenging, dynamic moments in history. And it is for those reasons that Director of Arts Programming Rob Richter ’82 deliberately slated the “TEA FOR THREE” performance to follow the midterm elections.
“The heavy-handed campaigning that goes on during election season can make us forget that, despite outward signs in some cases, politicians and their families are human,” he said. “Elaine Bromka’s skills as an actress, plus a great script, humanizes these three iconic women who have what Pat Nixon called ‘the hardest unpaid job in the world.’”
Tickets are $18, $16 for seniors and $9 for students. For tickets and information, call 860-439-2787 or visit onstage.conncoll.edu.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college’s 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.