Azuka Celebrates... our 10th Anniversary and

Michael Norris!

Azuka Theatre’s Board of Directors and Honorary Chairs Harvey and Virginia Kimmel welcome you to

Azuka Celebrates...our 10th Anniversary and Michael Norris!

Saturday, May 8, 2010Prince Music Theatre, Philadelphia PA

A Message from the Producing Artistic DirectorI first met Michael Norris in the fall of 1998 when I started to volunteer at the Arden Theatre Company. At the time, the offices were set up in a very open way, and I was doing most of my work next to Michael. (Of course my ‘work’ consisted of sending out a fax to every school in Philadelphia…one at a time. Don’t ask.) My first impression of Michael was just how warm he was, then I realized how smart he was, and THEN I realized how funny he was! I loved spending time in that office. I felt like I was learning so much about the ‘business’ of theater, and what better teacher to have than Michael! He made me realize just how integral the administrative team of a theater company was to its overall success. Not only could the shows not happen without them, but the work itself belonged to them as much as anyone on the creative team. When a show opened or did well there was as much a sense of accomplishment in the office as there was on stage.

A few years later when I found myself in the rather surprising position of Producing Artistic Director of Azuka Theatre I began to try and put the company’s organizational ducks in a row. My first visit was to Michael to ask him if he would serve on our Board of Directors. His response was, “Well, if you think there’s a place for me, I’d be happy to.” A place for you? Are you kidding? And so began as wonderful a working relationship as I’ve ever had. Michael’s intelligence and pragmatism guided Azuka through our first strategic plan (no easy task!), our first musical (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), and the most significant growth spurt in Azuka’s existence. None of it would have been possible without Michael.

So, as Azuka enters our 11th season, it seemed most fitting to honor the man who helped get us through our first decade. Though he no longer officially sits on our board, Michael is still with the company in so many ways -- his is still the first number I dial when faced with a new situation or a problem I’ve never encountered. He’s at all of our shows, all of our benefits, all of our readings. He is Azuka’s biggest fan! I can’t think of another sentence that would make me prouder than that one.

Thank you Michael,

Enjoy an evening of song by some of Philly’s finest actors...and some surprises!

HostsKeith Conallen

(Kid Simple, 2008; Whiskey Neat, 2009;

The Long Christmas Ride Home, 2010)

Steven Wright(Laura’s Bush, 2004 & ‘Twas the Night, 2006)

PerformersFran Prisco

(Azuka-thon 1 & 2)

Dallas Drummond(Hope Street, Staged Reading 2009)

Kim Carson(Hedwig and the Angry Inch, 2008, Barrymore Award winner)

Mary Martello(The Boys, 2003, Barrymore Award nomination)

Leah Walton(Nerve, 2010)

BandChristopher Colucci – Guitar

David Ames – PianoJoseph Getz – DrumsAndrew Nelson – Bass

Please join us after the show for

dessert and coffee by Catering By Design.

“You’re a star!” – Tracey Batt

“Smooches!” – Jennie Eisenhower

“Your leadership and commitment to the arts in Philadelphia is a constant inspiration. Thanks for showing the way.”– Steve & Jane Heumann

“In honor of Michael!” – Katayun Jaffari

“It is impossible to imagine how much less evolved theater in Philadelphia would be without

Michael Norris all these years.” – Seth Rozin

“Happy Anniversary! XOXO.” – Pam Shropshire

“Congratulations and thanks for making the Philadelphia Theater scene so exciting!” – John Urofsky

“Feel proud for all you do and all you help.” – Harvey & Virginia Kimmel

“You’ve made a difference for theater in Philadelphia!” – Ellen Mulroney

“Congratulations on a job well done!” – Andrew & Leslie Swinney

“Congratulations to Michael and to Azuka!” – Karyn Tufarolo

“Congratulations to Michael!” – Stephen & Rosalyn Weinstein

“So happy for you!” – June & Steve Wolfson

“Congratulations for all the wonderful work you do!” – Linda & Tony

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The Board of Directors of Azuka Theatre is proud to honor

Michael Norris

We applaud Michael for all he has done for Azuka Theatre and all he continues to do for the

Philadelphia Arts Community.

David Fedor, President Heather Evans, Vice-PresidentMark H. Andrews, Secretary Andrea Sheaffer, Treasurer

Natalie Diener ~ Kevin Glaccum ~ Annie Goldenberg ~ Brian Moore

Happy 10th Birthday Azuka! In honor of our good friend Michael Norris for his boundless contribution not just to Azuka, but to the entire community of Philadelphia.

Michael, you’re the best!

–The Board and Staff of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is proud to join Azuka Theatre

in honoring Michael Norris for his outstanding work.

!

Congratulations toAzuka Theatre on their

10th Anniversary Season

and Michael Norrisfor his devoted support of the arts in Philadelphia

We have 25 years ofembarrassing storiesabout Michael Norris!

And we love himall the more.Congratulations, Michael.Your friends from theTemple/London Class ofFall 1985Professor Edward TrayesTracey I. BattLorraine BergmanJill S. Burke and Michele HuyetteDavid and Carmen CherryLorraine HoffmanStephanie MillerKathleen RiesMary Elizabeth Williams

Board of Directors2009-2010David Fedor – PresidentHeather Evans – Vice-PresidentAndrea Sheaffer – TreasurerMark H. Andrews – SecretaryNatalie DienerKevin GlaccumAnnie GoldenbergBrian Moore

Azuka Theatre StaffProducing Artistic DirectorKevin GlaccumDirector of MarketingMark H. AndrewsLiterary ManagerAllison HeishmanArtistic Associate – EducationMike DeesProduction ManagerTerry SmithAdministrative InternsGary RantzDanielle Mangano

Event StaffStage ManagerNora Berger-GreenMusical DirectorAndrew NelsonSound TechnicianMichael TronconeVideographerJanelle Kauffman

VolunteersAndrew BealElizabeth EllisJohn FrisbeeTamanya GarzaJames HaroBryce HumphreysZura JohnsonMeghan KarsteinDebby LauAlex LombardiTaylor MondakGina PiccariJessica RoloffNatalia de la Torre

Special ThanksMatt VarratoHatboro BeveragesCatering By DesignJim Griffiths and The Prince Music TheaterSuzanne BakerCorinna BurnsCaitlin SpeersJim KirbyDan GannonAustin AlgeoAcademy of Vocal ArtsScott VradelisTre RiosMichael Weiss and the staff of Woody’sMikaal Sulamin

Azuka Theatre Offices525 S. 4th Street, Ste. 362Philadelphia, PA 19147(215) 733-0255info@azukatheatre.orgwww.azukatheatre.org

Staff and Credits

Full season details will be released and Azuka Theatre Memberships will go on sale June 1!

We are pleased to announce our 2010-2011, 11th Anniversary Season including 2 premiere productions and a special new workshop production included with membership! Wait, did we say membership? Beginning this season, we will offer Azuka Theatre Memberships which make our low ticket prices even more affordable!

OCTOBER 2010 | Philadelphia Premiere!

by Jennifer Haley | directed by Kevin GlaccumThe Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater | 2111 Sansom Street

In a suburban subdivision with identical houses, parents find their teenagers addicted to an online horror video game. The game setting? A subdivision with identical houses. The goal? Smash through an army of zombies to escape the neighborhood for good. But as the line blurs between virtual and reality, both parents and players realize that fear has a life of its own.

FEBRUARY 2011 | A NEW Azuka Workshop Production!Free with membership!

Azuka is joining forces with other local artists to create new theatrical works! We’re spending two intense weeks together to workshop a new piece culminating in a special limited-run performance – an unique opportunity for you to see a production take its first steps from script to stage!

APRIL 2011 | World Premiere!

by Jaqueline Goldfinger | directed by Allison HeishmanThe Latvian Society | 531 N 7th Street

A wicked dark comedy of friendship, obsession and Southern sensibilities. Accidents seem to happen in the little bar off the interstate where three friends work together and keep a sinister secret. When one of them hides her own terrible secret from the others, everything begins to unravel. Starring Kristy Chouiniere, Zura Johnson & Amanda Schoonover.

CAPTIVATINg STORIES. POWERFUL VOICES. UNExPECTED PERSPECTIVES.