10th – 14th November 2015 Evenings at 7.45pm, Saturday matinee at 2.30pm Book by Mark O’Donnell Thomas Meehan Music by Marc Shaiman Lyrics by Scott Whittman Marc Shaiman An amateur production by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York ST ALBANS MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (formerly St Albans Operatic Society) presents Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by JOHN WALTERS Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler Arrangements by Marc Shaima samtc.org.uk An amateur production by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York ST ALBANS MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY (formerly St Albans Operatic Society) presents Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association
Transcript
10th – 14th November 2015Evenings at 7.45pm, Saturday matinee at 2.30pm
Book by Mark O’DonnellThomas Meehan
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott WhittmanMarc Shaiman
An amateur production by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITEDon behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York
ST ALBANS MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY(formerly St Albans Operatic Society)
presents
Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by JOHN WALTERS Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler Arrangements by Marc Shaima
samtc.org.uk
An amateur production by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITEDon behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York
ST ALBANS MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY(formerly St Albans Operatic Society)
presents
Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association
HAIRSPRAY is a 2007 American musical romantic comedy based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John Waters’s 1988 comedy film of the same name.
Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland – Tracy Turnblad is a “pleasantly plump” high-school student whose only dream is to be on a local Baltimore teen dance programme. While her father tells her to follow her dreams, her mother Edna reminds her that she doesn’t look like the girls on that show. But Tracy is adamant and after impressing the show’s host, she earns herself a coveted spot on the programme, which in turn attracts the attention and wrath of the prettiest girl in school – a girl whose mother just happens to operate the local television station. Tracy’s visit to detention hall opens her eyes to the racial tension on the show, as does the budding relationship between her best friend and an African-American boy named Seaweed.
Will Tracy’s new status as a teen sensation be enough to topple Corny’s reigning dance queen and bring racial integration to the show?
Sound & Lighting for Theatre, Music & Corporate Eventsaudio
Seventh Wave Audio is pleased to supply the sound and lighting for St Albans Musical Theatre Company's production of “Hairspray”
RECENT WORK INCLUDES:
“Blood Brothers" - London“Jesus Christ Superstar" - 2014“Lee Mead” - UK Tour 2014“Jimmy Carr”“Derren Brown”
Clive Ogden – Musical DirectorClive is delighted to be Musical Director for the 5th time for St Albans Musical Theatre Company, following Grease, Follies, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Clive has also been MD for many societies in the surrounding area, his favourites being Anything Goes, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Cabaret and many more. Clive would like to thank the entire cast for working so hard and for putting up with his demands when they were trying to learn the many dance steps – especially in the last number! Welcome to Baltimore – where the beat really doesn’t stop!
Claire Stanley – ChoreographerFollowing on from the success of Grease last year, this is Claire’s second show as choreographer for SAMTC collaborating again with Alan, Clive and Henry. Claire first appeared on stage aged 3 and has been in numerous shows and pantomimes since. She attended Swindon Academy of Dance but went on to pursue a career in science. After a few years away from performing she joined SAOS in 2009 as a dancer in the ballet in the King & I and has since appeared in a number of SAOS shows. Claire is very excited to be choreographing Hairspray, a show where dancing takes centre stage as a catalyst for breaking down barriers (what better medium could there be?!). Again Claire is delighted to be working with a highly energetic and dedicated cast, and has thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a talented directing team. She would also like to recognise the production team and backstage crew who are all part of what is the Hairspray experience. Enjoy the first SAMTC show!
Henry Cox – Choreographer – ‘I Can Hear the Bells’ and ‘Run & Tell That’Henry made his stage debut at the tender age of two as a Bumblebee and, nineteen years later, many would claim he hasn’t matured much!After co-choreographing Grease for SAMTC last year, he is delighted to be returning alongside the lovely Claire Stanley to tackle Hairspray! Favourite roles include, Hamlet in Hamlet, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Cliff in Cabaret and Mike in A Chorus Line. Henry is currently at the University of Exeter, in his third year, studying for a BA in Drama.
Once again, he is amazed that Alan has agreed to work with him, and would like to thank everyone involved in the production for all their hard work and perseverance throughout this entire process!
Alan Cox – DirectorHairspray marks Alan’s fifth production for the society as our director. He was previously responsible for directing our productions of Sweeney Todd, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies and last year’s uber energetic and runaway hit, Grease. He has also directed numerous productions for Watford Operatic at the Palace Theatre including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend, Cabaret, Mack & Mabel, West Side Story, Kiss me Kate!, Annie, Chess, Beauty and the Beast and Gypsy, as well as many productions for other local societies. Alan is also actively involved with the Pump House Theatre Company in Watford, where he has directed many plays – Absent Friends, Equus, What the Butler Saw,
Teechers, Lend me a Tenor, Dead Funny, Habeas Corpus, Absurd Person Singular, God of Carnage and The Happiest Days of your Life, being some of his favourites. He has also directed many of their award-winning drama festival productions, all of which have won copious awards, including best director. On many occasions his productions have reached the finals of the All England Drama Festival. Last year, Alan was invited back to adjudicate the Bushey and South West Herts Drama Festival. “Staging Hairspray has certainly been challenging, but immense fun at the same time. This production brings together lots new and talented faces to the society, many of whom are making their stage debuts at the Alban Arena. I would like, once again, to take this opportunity of thanking everyone involved on, and off stage, for working so hard and for embracing my ideas. I hope you enjoy the show”. Alan will be back with us again next year to direct Sister Act.
For everyone’s enjoyment We want you to enjoy the performance to the full so, as a courtesy to
both audience and cast, please switch off all mobile phones and electronic devices. Video or audio recording of this performance is strictly prohibited.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Welcome to the 60’sGood evening ladies and gentleman and all those young at heart, and welcome to the 60’s. To a time when skirts got shorter, hair became bigger and music became more pop than rock. When the world became more aware of the inequality of race and the battles some people had to endure to become integrated into society. Set in America in the 60’s, Hairspray tells exactly this story but in a light hearted and fun way. It also looks at the struggle of the generously sized woman. Something which is so topical in today’s society.
This is the first show we are staging under our new name of St. Albans Musical Theatre Company. Brought to you by the same team that produced our enormously successful and sell out show, Grease last year, we hope that after being suitably coiffed and pampered you can sit back and enjoy mixing with ‘The Nicest Kids in Town’.
Jane Foufas Chairman
Amber Von Tussle – Kate PalmerKate discovered musical theatre at the age of 10 and has never looked back! After moving to St Albans 4 years ago she has been an active member of a number of societies in the local area performing in; Kiss me Kate, Rent, Anything Goes, Footloose, Annie and now Hairspray! Kate is thrilled to be playing the morally reprehensible role of Amber alongside such an immensely talented cast. Special thanks to Alan Cox, Clive Ogden and Claire Stanley for their faith, support and encouragement throughout.
Corny Collins – Justin JeffreysIt may sound ‘Corny’, but Justin is beyond excited to finally have the chance to play his dream role in his debut performance for St Albans Musical Theatre Company. His previous credits include Oscar in Sweet Charity, Princeton in Avenue Q, Mark in RENT, Cliff in Cabaret, Bud in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Michael in The Witches of Eastwick. By day he works as a Publicity Manager for ITV, and is currently in the midst of the latest series of The X Factor. Justin’s parents have both performed with The Company of Ten, and Justin has acted with The Company of Teens (when he was still young enough to be one of the ‘Nicest Kids In Town’).
Tracy Turnblad – Elise AllansonElise is delighted to be performing once again with SAMTC having made her debut as Rizzo in Grease. Other favourite roles have included Babe in The Pyjama Game (Kings Langley Operatic Society), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Ruislip Operatic Society), Helene in Sweet Charity and Nancy in Oliver, (both Harrow Light Opera Company.) Elise also performs on a regular basis with sixties soul trio The Estrellas. When she isn’t prancing around on stage and singing in concerts she is Youth Minister for Pinner Parish Church. Elise is very excited to be playing Tracy, one of her dream roles, and would like to dedicate her performance to her much-missed friend Emily.
Wilbur – Robert MilnerRob comes fresh from directing SAMTCs production of ‘Oliver!’ earlier this year. He has performed in numerous production with the SAMTC, notable roles include: Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Fred (Kiss Me Kate), Pirate King (Broadway Pirates) and Curly (Oklahoma). Creaking knees and receding hairlines mean he’s finally graduated to parental roles! Rob’s been a regular with other societies playing many G&S roles with Abbots Langley G&S and his favourite role of Higgins in My Fair Lady with Letchworth. Rob’s other passion is choral music – he founded and now runs the junior choir at St Michael’s church (new members always welcome!).
Edna Turnblad – Matthew GregoryMatthew trained at the Royal Academy of Music and has been performing with St Albans Musical Theatre Company for more than 20 years. Operatic experience includes Banquo, Macbeth; Escamillo, Carmen; Faffner, Das Rheingold; Pistola, Falstaff; Doctor, La Traviata (Coro Ambrosiana, Varese), Death, Savitri; and Lockitt, Beggars Opera. Favourite musical theatre roles include the title roles in Sweeney Todd and Beauty and the Beast; Fred Graham, Kiss me Kate; Emile de Becque, South Pacific; Isaac, Hired Man; Molokov, Chess; Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane; Captain Von Trapp, Sound of Music and Jud Fry, Oklahoma! Matthew is delighted to be working with such a talented cast and production team and hopes you enjoy the show!
Penny Pingleton – Stefanie ChadburnStefanie joined SAMTC last year, where she made her debut as Jan in their production of Grease. She has reignited her love of musical theatre and is very excited to be part of another show with the company. Stefanie has previously performed in a range of musicals, including principle dancer in Fame, Barnum, Copacabana and titled roles in Summer Holiday, Seussical the Musical, Smokey Joe’s Café and Grease. When Stefanie is not performing, she enjoys sharing her love of dance with children of all ages as a Physical Education teacher. Stefanie has really enjoyed embracing the awkward, over enthusiastic character of Penny and has had fun working alongside the rest of the cast!
Little Inez – Estelle QuayeEstelle discovered her love for performing arts at the tender age of three years old. She then spent the next ten years developing her skills at Carol Kristian Theatre School. She is currently studying for her A-levels at St Clement Danes School, where she is also an active member of the Gospel and Chamber Choir. Performance credits include: High School Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol. She has loved every show she has been involved in and is excited to be playing Little Inez in this production of Hairspray with SAMTC.
Male Authority Figure – Matthew ClothierFor reasons that are not entirely clear to him, Matt keeps getting cast as grumpy uptight middle-aged white guys. His recent roles include Sam Silver (Copacabana), Max Dettweiler (Sound of Music), Daddy Warbucks (Annie), Carmen Ghia (The Producers), and God (Children of Eden). He lives in Harpenden with his wife and three teen-aged children, who can attest to his sunny good nature, if they know what’s good for them!
Female Authority Figure – Jackie PulfordJackie is delighted to be part of the Hairspray cast and playing the triple role of Prudy Pringleton, Gym Teacher and Prison Matron. She began singing at a young age, with a background in country and Irish music. A love of Musical Theatre came through performing as a principal of an amateur sketch comedy & musical revue, in Dublin, covering music from Porgy & Bess, Calamity Jane, and Oklahoma to name but a few. After a break to have her three children, 2013 saw Jackie revisit the stage, and the last two years have included roles as Conchita in Copacabana for HLOS, Christine in Follies and Grace in Annie, both for SAMTC. Working with this cast has been an amazing experience and she is looking forward to an exciting show week.
Seaweed – Omar BoothmanFrom a young age Omar developed a deep interest in all aspects of Performing Arts. It was this passion that led him to Middlesex University where he studied Theatre Arts specialising in Performance. Omar is excited to be making his SAMTC debut, arriving fresh from playing the role of Seaweed for Green Room Productions earlier this year. He hopes to continues on the Performing Arts dream and further his skills at drama school.
Motormouth Maybelle – Sharon SepalaSharon gained a 1st Class BA (Hons) in Dance and Related Arts at Chichester Institute of Higher Education, a PGCE in Secondary Dance Education from Brighton University and an MA in Choreography from Middlesex University. Whilst studying, she won a choreographic competition and received funding from Southern East Arts to run a dance tour which included presenting work at the Elia Conference in Lisbon, Portugal and the Sadlers Wells Theatre, London. Sharon has devoted the last 15 years of her career to Dance in Education, working as Head of Dance and Head of Year 11 in a secondary school in Hertfordshire. She has had the privilege of choreographing for HRH The Prince of Wales and has premiered her own work at The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Sharon now mentors trainee teachers in secondary dance education from the Royal Academy of Dance. Her stage roles include: Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Rizzo from Grease the musical, Calamity Jane and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. Sharon is thrilled to return to the stage to play the part of Motormouth Maybelle under the esteemed direction of Alan Cox.
Velma Von Tussell – Fenella LeeFenella is a freelance director and drama workshop facilitator. She was director of local drama group Rising Stars for many years where she co-wrote and devised all productions. She is director of arts collective Self Assembly creating inspiring arts projects. She has performed extensively with Trestle Theatre Company, producing large scale community projects and devising mask theatre. Fenella also enjoys running storytelling and music sessions for early years groups. For WOS she starred as Mama Rose in Gypsy and for SAMTC - she played the evil Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Phyllis in Follies. Fenella’s one woman concert, Songs In The Key Of Lee, enjoyed a sell out at the Maltings Arts Theatre in 2013 and plans are underway for a second concert in 2016! Fenella is also lead vocalist for popular Hertfordshire based functions band Picture This.
Link Larkin – Daniel QuirkeDaniel has been performing in shows around Hertfordshire over the past 9 years. He has also been acting in short films, adverts and TV shows, including playing the part of Zac in E4’s comedy sketch show, Cardinal Burns. Most recently Daniel has written and starred in a web series called Quirkology which is currently being released on YouTube. The show was selected to be a part of Raindance Festival 2015 line up and went on to win the award for best writing. He has taken part in several Musical Revue Shows over the years and in 2012 played the part of Henrik in Luton Light Operatic Society’s version of Stephen Sondhiem’s ‘A Little Night Music’. Daniel is thrilled to be playing the role of Link Larkin as his SAMTC debut.
Prologue:
Good Morning Baltimore .....................................................................................Tracy & Ensemble
Scene 1: TV Station WZZT & The Turnblad Home
The Nicest Kids in Town ..........................................................................Corny Collins & Council
Mama I’m a Big Girl Now ........................Penny, Amber, Tracy, Prudy, Velma & Edna
Scene 2: TV Station WZZT
I Can Hear the Bells .............................................................................Tracy, Council & Ensemble
Miss Baltimore Crabs .................................................................................................Velma & Council
Transition to Detention .........................................................................................Tracy & Little Inez
Scene 3: A Classroom at Patterson Park High School
Scene 4: The Gym at Patterson Park High School
The Madison ...............................................................................................Corny Collins & Ensemble
Scene 5: TV Station WZZT
The Nicest Kids (reprise) ..........................................................................Corny Collins & Council
It Takes Two .............................................................................................Link, Tracy & The Linkettes
Timeless To Me ...................................................................................................................Wilbur & Edna
Scene 3: Tracy’s Jail Cell & Penny’s Bedroom
Without Love ........................................................Link, Tracy, Seaweed, Penny & Dynamites
Scene 4: The Record Shop
I Know Where I’ve Been ......................................................................Motormouth & Ensemble
Scene 5: The Baltimore Eventorium
It’s Hairspray ....................................................................................................Corny Collins & Council
Cooties ................................................................................................................................Amber & Council
You Can’t Stop the Beat .................................................................................................Full Company
Guitar 2 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Nick Hill
Directed and Staged by ......................................................................................................................................... Alan Cox
Musical Director .................................................................................................................................................Clive Ogden
Choreographers ..........................................................................................................................Claire Stanley, Henry Cox
Production Manager ..........................................................................................................................................Joyce Smith
Production Secretary ..............................................................................................................................................Di Martin
Assistant to Director .....................................................................................................................................Lesley Duggan
Stage Manager .................................................................................................................................................... Chris Rook
Stage Crew ...............................................Mel Adlam, Nick Shaw, Colin Adlam, Charlotte Adlam, Terry Catchpole,
.......................................................Mike Smith, Phil Hancock, David Halshaw, Graham Blundell, Maggie Bradburn
Sound & Lighting supplied by .....................................................................................................................Seventh Wave
Set supplied by........................................................................................................................................Scenic Projects Ltd
Additional set construction ................................................................................................................................. Ben David
Hair ........................................................................................................................................................ Chestnut Hair Salon
Dance Captain ..................................................................................................................................... Andrea Campusano
Ticket Secretary ........................................................................................................................................................Pam Kell
Programme ...........................................................................Andrea Campusano, Graham Blundell, Paragon Printing
Front of House .............................................Mary Myers, Carol van Zyl and members and friends of the Company
Rehearsal Accompanists .......................................................................................... Simon Gargrave, Daniel Ephgrave,
Photography ............................................................................................................................................ Michael Readman
Rehearsal and show refreshments ........................................................Carol van Zyl and Members of the Company
Many thanks to: The Alban Arena, the St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Aboyne Lodge School,
