Director/Choreographer Nancy Flaster Proudly presents Producer Daiva Paulis Production Assistant Amanda Nianick Stage Manager Daiva Paulis Music Director Robert Deason Sound Design Richard Neumann Lighting Design Matt Kooi Set Decoration Sharon Damisch Set Construction Jason Clark Costume Design Patty Halajian Set Design Rick Paul 1 Leader of the Pack
1 Leader of the Pack Proudly presents Big Noise Theatre Company is a division of Winnetka Theatre and a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres. The use of recording devices, as well as the taking of flash photographs, is strictly prohibited Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Samuel French, Inc. 847.604.0275 * www.bignoise.org * [email protected]Book by ANNE BEATTS Based on the original play by MELANIE MINTZ Music and Lyrics by ELLIE GREENWICH & FRIENDS Additional Material by JACK HEIFNER Costume Design Patty Halajian Set Design Rick Paul Set Construction Jason Clark Set Decoration Sharon Damisch Lighting Design Matt Kooi Sound Design Richard Neumann Producer Daiva Paulis Director/Choreographer Nancy Flaster Stage Manager Daiva Paulis Production Assistant Amanda Nianick Music Director Robert Deason Associate Music Director Michael Goldman Co- Choreographer Ann Fink
Transcript
1Leader of the Pack
Proudly presents
Big Noise Theatre Company is a division of Winnetka Theatreand a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres.
The use of recording devices, as well as the taking of flash photographs, is strictly prohibitedLeader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical is presented by special
arrangement with Samuel French, Inc..All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Samuel French, Inc.
Today, as I walked through a shopping mall, the song piped in overhead was “Be My Baby.” Wow, I thought, I wonder how many shoppers know that song was released in 1963 and was written by a relative unknown: Ellie Greenwich.
Who was this woman whose songs include Chapel of Love, Hanky Panky, Not Too Young to Get Married, Da Doo Ron Ron, River Deep Mountain High and many more? “Leader of the Pack” is her story--the story of an extraordinary girl from Levittown, New York. This “juke-box” musical, which Ellie herself created, opened on Broad-way in 1985 and garnished Grammy and Tony nominations.
Ellie Greenwich died in 2009 at the age of 68. At the time of her death, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said, “She was the greatest melody writer of all time.” Songwriter Diane Warren quoted, “Those songs are part of the fabric forever.”
It is with great joy that we bring you Ellie’s story.
Nancy Flaster, Director
SPEC IAL THANKS
Shelli Sarg and the Prairie Lakes Community Center staff
Gina Di Sandro and the Winnetka Community House Staff
Jim and Nancy Moran
Dan Primozic and Oce North AmericaThe SaintsAbracadabra ProductionsWR Imaging
BIG NOISE THEATRE /WINNETKA THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve MaloneEvie MurphyDaiva PaulisScott J. SumerakTom WalkerMelissa Young
places to wine & dine
before or after the show
For advertising opportunities, call 888.376.3700.
W W W . F O O T L I G H T S . C O M
3Leader of the Pack
CAST OF CHAR ACTERS ( i n o r d e r o f a p p e a r a n c e)
Darlene Love ..................................................................................................Pascale M. TrouillotAnnie Golden ...............................................................................................................Danae ErvinEllie Greenwich ....................................................................................................Christie BurgessRosie, Ellie’s Mother ..............................................................................................Linda AndrewsShelley ...................................................................................................................... Penny S. ShackMickey .....................................................................................................................Kelly MaryanskiJeff Barry ..............................................................................................................Tommy ThurstonGus Sharkey ............................................................................................................David WhitlockWaitress ..................................................................................................................... Danielle DavisDancing Couple ............................................................... Kelly Maryanski & Mark KomiskeyFeatured Singer .....................................................................................................Linda AndrewsGuys and Girls ......................................................................... Linda Andrews, Danielle Davis, Mark Komiskey, Kyle Kuhlman Kelly Maryanski, Peter Rasey, Penny S. Shack, Brent Walker, Krysten Williams
The action takes place in the here and now – and in the days of beehives and 45’s
Act IIf You were Around in 1963 ....................................................................................Darlene LoveBe My Baby ............................................................................................Annie, Danielle, KrystenJivette ..............................................................................................................Ellie, Shelly, MickeyWriter’s Cross ..................................................................................Brent, Kyle, Mark, Peter, JeffWhy Do Lovers ....................................................................................... Darlene and EnsembleToday I Met ............................................................................................. Darlene and EnsembleI Wanna Love Him, Do Wah Diddy ................................................... Ellie, Jeff and EnsembleAnd Then He Kissed Me ...............................................................................Ellie, Danielle, Kelly, Krysten, Linda, PennyHanky Panky ........................................................................Jeff, Danae, Kelly, Krysten, Penny, Brent, Kyle, Mark, PeterNot Too Young ...........................................................................Darlene, Kelly, Krysten, PennyChapel of Love ................................................................................................................ EnsembleBaby I Love You .....................................................................................Annie, Danielle, KrystenLeader of the Pack ....................................................Featuring Annie and Jeff(The Leader) With Danielle, Kelly, Krysten, Penny Brent, Kyle, Mark, Peter
Act IILook of Love .............................................................................................................Linda Andrews Featured Dancers – Kelly and MarkChristmas Baby Please Come Home ............................................ Darlene, Danielle, KrystenI Can Hear Music............................................................. Jeff, Ellie, Gus, Annie, Darlene, LindaRock of Rages ................................................................................................................................EllieDa Do Ron Ron, What A Guy, River DeepWe’re Gonna Make It .......................................................................................................Ensemble
MUSIC CREDITS
“I Want To Love Him So Bad,” “Do Wah Diddy,” “Maybe I Know,” “Look of Love” used by permission of Trio Music Co., Inc; “Be My Baby,” “Wait `Till My Bobby Gets Home,” “And Then He Kissed Me,” “Not Too Young (To Get Married),” “Chapel of Love,” “I Can Hear Music,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” “Baby I Love You,” “Christmas - Baby Please Come Home,” “Da Doo Ron Ron” used by permission of Trio Music Co. Inc./ Mother Bertha Music. “Hanky Panky,” “What A Guy” used by permission of Alley Music Corp./Trio Music Co. All rights administered by Hudson Bay Music, Inc. (BMI) “Leader of the Pack” “Why Do Lovers Break Each Others’ Hearts” and “Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” used by permission of Unichappell Music. Inc. “Leader of the Pack” used by permission of Screen Gems (BMI), Alley Music Corp./ Trio Music Co. Inc. (BMI).
5Leader of the Pack
PRODUCTION STAFF
Producer ........................................................................................................................Daiva PaulisDirector/Choreographer .......................................................................................Nancy FlasterMusic Director .......................................................................................................Robert DeasonCo-Choreographer ........................................................................................................... Ann FinkAssociate Music Director ............................................................................. Michael GoldmanStage Manager ............................................................................................................Daiva PaulisProduction Assistant ........................................................................................Amanda NianickScenic Design ...................................................................................................................Rick PaulCostumer ................................................................................................................... Patty HalajianLighting Design............................................................................................................... Matt KooiLight Execution ....................................................................................................Aaron AndrewsSound Design ..................................................................................................Richard NeumannSound Execution ...................................................................................................... Blake BortnikSet Construction .......................................................................................................... Jason ClarkSet Decoration ....................................................................................................Sharon DamischStage Crew .......................................................................................................... Mildred SchmalzDance Captain ....................................................................................................Amanda NianickTickets ................................................................................................................Marsha RutenbergAuditions ....................................................................................Daiva Paulis, Mildred SchmalzProgram ............................................................................................................Marsha Rutenberg
B IOGR APHIES
LINDA ANDREWS (Linda, Rosie Greenwich) Linda is beyond thrilled to be a part of this fabulous production! Other
Big Noise productions include Beehive the 60’s Musical and Urinetown. Most recently you may have seen Linda as the Narrator in Joseph… with North Shore Theatre and Rusty in Footloose with UAC. Some other favorite roles include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Little Red in Into the Woods, Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Gertrude McFuzz and the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical and Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie. Love to my darling husband, snaps to 507, and a great big okerrrrrr to the Heathers!
CHRISTIE BURGESS (Ellie Greenwich) is excited to be making her debut with Big Noise Theatre with the
very talented cast and crew of Leader of the Pack! Previous credits include: Marriott Theatre’s Shout! (Swing), The Andrews Brothers (u/s Peggy Jones) Metropolis Theatre, Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine Colgate), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Miss Peretti). A BFA Acting graduate from UW-Stevens Point, she’d like to thank the artistic team of Leader of the Pack for this fulfilling and highly entertaining opportunity! All of her love to Dan for his support and every late-night dinner.
DANIELLE DAVIS (Danielle/Backup singer) is thrilled to be working with Big Noise Theatre! She received a B.F.A. in Acting
from the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She was last seen as Wigmaker and Cobbler’s Wife in Rapunzel at Winnetka Theatre. Other credits include: The Wiz and
6 Big Noise Theatre Company
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Nunset Boulevard (Theatre at the Center); In Darfur (TimeLine Theatre); Scapino! (Roosevelt University); Quest Theatre Ensemble’s Drum Circle Pandora and Evolution/Creation (Jeff Award), Godspell (Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, Missouri), and A Midnight Cry (Auditorium Theatre/Tour). Enjoy the show!
DANAE ERVIN (Annie Golden) Danae Ervin is thrilled to be doing her second show with Big Noise Theatre. She was
recently in Let My People Come with Street Tempo Theatre and spent all last summer performing over 400 performances at Darien Lake Theme Park. She is a graduate of Columbia College. She’d like to thank her own leader of the pack Scrabble!
MARK KOMISKEY (Mark, Featured Dancer) Mark is stoked to be a part of another Big Noise production. Last seen as Mr.
Bratt in How to Succeed..., his other Big Noise credit includes George in Drowsy Chaperone. Other favorite roles include Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain, and Billy Krutzik in Zombies from the Beyond. When not on the stage, Mark works as an actuary with the “Good Hands” people. Thanks, RMPS. Enjoy the show!
KYLE KUHLMAN (Kyle) is very excited to be making his debut at Big Noise in Leader of the Pack. Kyle is graduating from
Columbia College with a Bachelors in musical theatre. Kyle has most recently been seen in Barnum! As Tom
Thumb at Quest Theater Ensemble. Other shows include Spring Awakening (Ernst), Bat Boy: The Musical (Pan), and Let My People Come. Kyle would like to thank his family, and friends for supporting everything he has always wanted to do.
KELLY MARYANSKI (Kelly/Featured Dancer) is thrilled to be back with Big Noise Theatre where she was recently seen in
How to Succeed…! Kelly has danced and choreographed in the Chicagoland and Columbus areas and has performed at Dance Chicago’s Best of New Dances and Valentine Dances, the AAHPERD National Convention, The Wexner Center for the Arts, and Walt Disney World Resort. She has also appeared in Hairspray (Lou Ann/Dance Captain), Footloose (Featured Dancer), and recently in Oakton Studio One’s Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes/Dance Captain). This fall, Kelly will be playing Charlotte in Light Opera Works’ production of Oliver! In her free time, she plays the role of a published illustrator and pianist. She is a graduate of Denison University where she received her BFA cum laude in studio art and dance.
PETER RASEY (Peter) is delighted to return to Big Noise; he has been involved in approximately 20 of their productions
over the years. Most recently he produced BN’s productions of Butterflies Are Free and Beau Jest and appeared in All Shook Up and Sleeping Beauty (as a sassy dragon). Elsewhere, Peter recently directed Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and choreographed Bye Bye Birdie, both for HPP. Favorite credits include Cabaret
7Leader of the Pack
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
(Cliff ), Beauty And The Beast (Lumiere), The Full Monty (Malcom), and Dial M For Murder (Tony). He has long loved the music of Ellie Greenwich and he is thrilled to perform it with so many talented friends. Peter likes vodka martinis, extra olives. Cheers!
PENNY S. SHACK (Penny, Shelley) After a 6 year hiatus from performing, Penny is thrilled to be back on stage where she belongs!
Before taking a break, Penny performed professionally around the states for two years. Now you can find her focusing on her organic, alternative style catering business, Penny’s Pastries. Penny would like to thank her friends for positively pushing her to get back on stage, Adam for “Be[ing] My Baby”, and her parents for their everlasting support in whatever she does!
TOMMY THURSTON (Jeff Barry) is so stoked to be making his debut at Big Noise Theatre in this super fun 60’s
show! Past credits include: Rapunzel (Prince Brian) with Winnetka TYA, The Andrews Brothers (Max U/S) with Metropolis Performing Arts, Carousel (Enoch Snow) at the Wallace Bowl, Hairspray (Link Larkin) with North Shore Theatre of Wilmette, The Wedding Singer (Ensemble) with Circle Theatre, Company (Robert) with Gallery Players, Honk! The Musical (Cat) with Huron Playhouse and Debbie Does Dallas (Rick) with Ms. Rose’s Dinner Theater. Tommy would like to thank his family and friends for all their love and support. Special thanks to Nancy Flaster for this opportunity and James for being his constant rock. This performance is dedicated to the amazing co-residents of Birchwood
Ave who will soon be parting ways and without whom he would have never made it this far- Cory, Tiff, Hil, Poptart, Dean, Meownie & Rattle Ann.
PASCALE M. TROUILLOT (Darlene Love) is excited to be back on the Big Noise stage where she last appeared as Sylvia
in All Shook Up. Frequent Winnetka Theatre and Big Noise subscribers may remember Pascale from their 1995 production of Leader Of The Pack, where she also played Darlene Love. Other Winnetka/Big Noise credits include: Gina, Aretha, & Tina in BEEHIVE - THE 60’s MUSICAL, Mrs. Crosby in The Goodbye Girl, and Sr. Mary Hubert in Nunsense. Pascale was last seen as Nettie Fowler in Starlight Theatre of Wilmette’s production of Carousel. Some of her favorite roles include: the Narrator in Joseph And The Technicolor Dream Coat, Armelia in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and being part of the Ensemble cast of Duke Ellington’s Jump For Joy. Pascale has also lent her voice to church events, fundraisers, weddings and receptions in the Chicagoland and Miami, Florida areas. Pascale thanks the talented staff, cast and crew for a GREAT show with a special thanks going to her friends and family for their continued encouragement, love and support. For more info on Pascale visit her website at PascaleSings.com. Pascale hopes you enjoy the show and thanks you for supporting live theatre!!
BRENT WALKER (Brent) is thrilled to be working with this awesome group again after having performed in Winnetka Theatre’s
production of Rapunzel this winter. Other previous credits: Thoroughly Modern Mille, Hortensio in Kiss Me, Kate,
8 Big Noise Theatre Company
PRODUCTION STAFF B IOGR APHIES
NANCY FLASTER (Director/ Co-choreographer) has directed Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, Jane Eyre, the Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change, Beehive and All Shook Up for Big Noise Theatre, and Leader of the Pack (1995) and Joseph… for Winnetka Theatre. She has collaborated with her favorite side-kick/choreographer/director Ann Fink on all of these shows. As a choreographer for Big Noise, she has created dances for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Barnum, Big River, and The Drowsy Chaperone among others. She is delighted to work this time with the amazing Robert Deason, her old friend and classmate, genius Rick Paul (we have a long history), and of course, Daiva. The added talents of Michael Goldman and Amanda Nianick have been
invaluable. Nancy is the very proud artistic director of Big Noise—and the even more proud “na” of Jackson, Melanie and Macy.
DAIVA PAULIS (Producer/Stage Manager) is shocked to realize that Leader of the Pack is her twenty-first Big Noise and Winnetka Theatre production! During this time, her contributions to Big Noise Theatre have been invaluable. In addition to helming the show as producer and serving as stage manager, Daiva is a one woman production staff, manning the desk at auditions, setting up for rehearsals, running sound and light boards, serving as projectionist, operating a spotlight, building, painting and always doing the unimaginable. We couldn’t put up a show without her! Most recently, she was the producer for The Drowsy Chaperone, and Stage Manager for How
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Evil Eye Fleegle in Li’l Abner, Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace, Matthew in Jesus Christ Superstar, Tulsa in Gypsy, Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad, Snoopy in Snoopy!!!, Rooster in Annie, Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin, Mikey in Hairspray, Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie, and most recently - Charlie in Willy Wonka with the Highland Park Players. Offstage, Brent is an artist at WMS Gaming and, as you can see, enjoys referring to himself in the third person. Schmee!
DAVID WHITLOCK (Gus Sharkey) Big Noise credits: How to Succeed… (J.B. Biggley), All Shook Up (Jim Haller), Sunday in the Park
with George (Mr./Charles Redmond), On Golden Pond (Charlie Martin), and Over the Tavern (Chet Pazinski). Other credits include Hello Dolly with Light Opera Works and Annie with Highland Park
Players. David lives in Northbrook and is a proud member of the Whitlock family.
KRYSTEN WILLIAMS (Krysten, Backup Singer) is an actress, singer, and dancer. She has been performing since the young age
of 4. She moved from Los Angeles to Chicago in 2004 to further her education at Columbia College, Chicago where she recently received her B.A. in Theatre- Acting. A few of her credits for acting, dance, and singing include works for AFC Theatre The Oz, Cinderella Sista, Royal Child, New Studio Theatre at Columbia College The Etymology of Bird, My Secret Language of Wishes which were both directed by Chuck Smith; Hairspray, The Wiz, and many more productions. Krysten is excited to be in Chicago and to be a part of the theatre experience in this city.
9Leader of the Pack
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
to Succeed in Business… and Winnetka Theatre’s “just for kids” production of Rapunzel. As if all that isn’t enough, Daiva is now a member the Board of Governors of Big Noise/Winnetka Theatre and she is spearheading our upcoming Theatre benefit, just another endeavor she was “dragged” into smiling and laughing all the way.
ROBERT DEASON (Music Director) Robert is THRILLED to be returning to Big Noise, where he recently music directed their hit productions of How to Succeed in Business….and The Drowsy Chaperone and Winnetka Theatre’s Rapunzel. Other music direction credits include Sunset Boulevard at Timber Lake Playhouse, The Wedding Singer with Big Deal Productions, and the premiere reading of Join The Club, a new musical, as well as a variety of schools around the Chicagoland area. On stage, he has been seen at Theatre at the Center, Pheasant Run Resort, Circle Theatre, and The Bailiwick Rep. and at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora. In addition, he can be seen around the city and suburbs as a dueling pianist. www.robertandsaraduel.com. Thanks to Nancy for this fantastic opportunity, and the rest of the cast and crew for all their hard work and dedication to this project. Enjoy the show!
ANN FINK (Co-Choreographer) is happy to be working again with Nancy Flaster to provide choreography for another great Big Noise Theatre production. Past collaborations have included Beehive, Patent Leather Shoes…, Barnum, Cinderella, (Winnetka Theatre’s first production of ) Leader Of The Pack, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and All Shook Up among others. She is also happy to be working again with Robert Deason. Ann’s performance credits include Cha Cha in Grease (TOTL), the Mute in The Fantasticks, (WTC), and Val in A Chorus Line (ATC), and numerous productions with BNT/WTC, among others.
AMANDA NIANICK (Production Assistant / Dance Captain) is thrilled to make her staff debut at Big Noise Theatre for Leader of the Pack!! Hailing from Long Grove, IL Amanda is a grad of Indiana University earning a BA in Theatre and Drama with a minor in Music. Amanda has taught Theatre and Music classes at the Long Grove Performing Arts Academy and The Lake Forest Children’s Theatre Company, her favorite class being a Glee-tastic Workshop! A performer first, Amanda has made the transition to artistic staff with a new found love of the “behind-the-scenes” work and looks forward to continue working with Big Noise on many more productions! She would like to thank Nancy Flaster for her guidance and for believing in the talents she had to offer. Also a huge “Thank You!” the rest of the cast and production staff for all of their hard work put into this show! Lastly, many thanks to her family and friends for their continued love and support, which includes always trekking out to who-knows-where to make it to every show she’s ever worked on! Thanks a bunch, couldn’t do it without you! www.wix.com/anianick/arn
RICK PAUL (Set Design) This is Rick Paul’s second Big Noise production following his inspirational set that brought The Drowsy Chaperone to life. Rick began his award winning career at the Winnetka Community House with the first all student run high school theatre group in the country, Summerset Players. Since then his designs have been seen in Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia and all fifty states. He is still working on Africa. Rick was a pioneer of what came to be called Chicago’s Off Loop Theatre Movement, designing many of its seminal world premiere hits, including: Grease, Tennessee William’s Out Cry, Status Quo Vadis, E/R Emergency Room, and recently Hizzoner. He designed numerous films that inexplicably gained cult status like: Henry:Portrait
10 Big Noise Theatre Company
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Of A Serial Killer, Normal Life, Butch Camp and most recently Hannah Free with Sharon Gless. He has designed for over a dozen international festivals including New World Miami, Spoleto, Filmex Los Angeles, Edinburgh Fringe, Singapore Movement Theatre, and Stars Of American Ballet. He currently teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. “It’s great to work with high school classmate Nancy Flaster again and all the riotously talented Big Noisers!”
PATTY HALAJIAN (Costume Designer) is very proud and happy to be asked back to costume for Big Noise Theatre for a 5th time, having previously costumed How to Succeed…, The Drowsy Chaperone, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and All Shook Up. Patty is a freelance costume designer working in the Chicago area for many years. She is currently the resident designer for Music On Stage in Palatine, proudly designing the midwest premieres of both Jekyll and Hyde and Dracula. Patty has sewn for ballet companies all over the country, including Charleston Ballet Theatre in South Carolina, Carolina Ballet Theatre in North Carolina, Provo Civic Ballet in Utah, Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Vermont, and the Festival Ballet Nutcracker in Florida. Her costumes have been worn by Burklyn Youth Ballet at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland 3 times.Patty also works wardrobe for Jam Productions and chicagostagehand.com at the Chicago Theatre, Akoo Theatre in Rosemont, and the Venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Patty lives in Kildeer with her 3 cats and 6 sewing machines. Patty would like to thank her friend and co designer, Jean Rebeka, for her tireless work and never-ending friendship.
MICHAEL GOLDMAN (Associate Musical Director, Conductor, Keyboard) Big Noise Theatre is thrilled to welcome back Mike for his second Big Noise show following How To Succeed…..last fall. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and recipient of the Caldwell Piano Scholarship, Mike Goldman is an active pianist, accompanist, arranger and music director in the Chicago area. He has an extensive background in musical theater and in addition to Big Noise, he has performed with Light Opera Works, ShawChicago, Up & Coming Theatre, and many other regional theater companies. Mike also has a strong background in arts administration. He served as an artistic coordinator for the Heifetz National Music Institute in New Hampshire and was a music librarian for the Broadway production of Wicked in New York City. An invaluable asset to our production staff, we are so fortunate that he has shared his talent and upbeat attitude with us throughout the rehearsal process. We hope to be fortunate to work with Mike on many future productions!
MATT KOOI (Lighting Design) works as a freelance designer in and around Chicago. Leader of the Pack is his eighth production with Big Noise Theater Company. Matt previously designed lights on this stage for Butterflies are Free, How to Succeed…., Beau Jest, Spelling Bee, Rent, I Hate Hamlet and All Shook Up. He is the resident light designer for Oakton Community College. Matt would like to thank: Nancy, the cast and crew, and his wife Kathryn.
RICHARD NEUMANN (Sound Design) this is the ninth Big Noise/Winnetka Theatre show for which Rich and his company Abracadabra Productions have provided sound design. Previous productions on this stage include Rent,
11Leader of the Pack
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Sleeping Beauty, All Shook Up. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Red And Her Friends, The Drowsy Chaperone, How to Succeed…and Rapunzel Abracadabra Productions is a full service audio, video and production company located in Skokie, Illinois. www.abraprovideo.com
JASON CLARK (Set Construction) Big Noise welcomes Jason back for his second production with us after Jason built our set for Butterflies are Free. It is a pleasure to work with Jason as he always seems agreeable to any task he is presented by our designers! Jason has much experience in set construction and we hope to have him on our team for many shows ahead.
SHARON DAMISCH (Set Decorator) Leader of the Pack is Sharon’s second production with Big Noise after painting their production of Butterflies Are Free in January. As the proud owner of Only Faux You decorative painting company, Sharon has painted over thirty-five sets for various theatre companies since 2005, and numerous private homes using the latest specialty finish products. Thanks to Nancy, Daiva, Marsha, Rick and Jason. Love to my family, Rich, Bridie and Tim for their patience while I’ve indulged my creative cravings over the last decade. (Onlyfauxyou.com)
AARON ANDREWS (Light Execution) Aaron is pleased to continue his role with Big Noise Theatre as the company lighting technician. Past productions include Sunday in the Park with George, RENT, All Shook Up, Putnam County Spelling Bee, Beau Jest , The Drowsy Chaperone, How to Succeed…,and
Butterflies are Free. Whether in the booth or clambering the catwalks above he is always ready to light up the stage. While each production is special, Aaron is especially excited this time to light his lovely wife Linda as she graces the stage. He sends his love to Linda, and congratulations to the cast and crew for another great production. Enjoy the show!
BLAKE BORTNIK (Sound Execution) Big Noise Theatre welcomes Blake on “board” for his first show with us! Blake is currently training to be an elementary school teacher, and will be graduating from Aurora University with a degree in Elementary Education in May. While Blake has always hoped to be a teacher, he also has a lot of interest in the audio/visual area, and has consistently volunteered in tech departments of various Christian venues for over seven years.
MILDRED SCHMALZ (Stage Crew) “As a lifetime devotee of the theater, when circumstances placed me at a cross roads of life, I found time to indulge my passions to help in many ways and view the world from my favorite spot, “back stage”. Thanks to Big Noise for making me a part of each production.” From the time that Millie approached Big Noise and offered to volunteer, her involvement as a part of our production family has been all encompassing. We marvel at all Millie can do…whether painting sets, serving as stage crew, dressing our actors, handling ticket orders, or distributing publicity materials, Millie inspires us all with her wonderful stories, fabulous attitude, and generosity of spirit.
12 Big Noise Theatre Company
BECOME AN ANGEL .. .
Angels are the financial backers of theatre productions. Your financial support al-lows us to produce excellent shows at affordable prices. Send your check (payable to Winnetka Theatre, our corporate parent) along with your name as you wish it to appear in the program to Marsha Rutenberg, Treasurer, 1895 Clavey Road, High-land Park, IL, 60035. Winnetka Theatre is a 501(c)3 organization, so your contribu-tion is tax deductible. Thank you!
Corporate SponsorRobert W. Baird &
Company
Archangels $1000 – moreSandy & Nancy FlasterBill and Marsha
Rutenberg
Angel $200 - $900Marian & Stan KaderbekPeter Rasey
Cherub $5 - $199Marlon & Dennis Barden
in memory ofDan Loftus
Joyce Bishop in honor of Nancy Flaster and Marsha Rutenberg
Nancy Goodman in honor of husbandJoan & James Leeney, Jr.Leonard & Rikki Levine
in honor of Nancy Flaster
Selwyn GoodmanNancy & Jim MoranJoe SchmittLorraine Tancredi
Can’t wait until showtime?
At Footlights.com you can preview the program before opening night!
Just visit our Companies and Venues page, find your event and start reading!
Or scan this QR code with your smartphone and be directed to the website!
