trinity repertory company THE STATE THEATER OF RHODE ISLAND

bOOk, muSIc & LyRIcS by

LioneL Bart

Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 1 2/3/14 10:01 AM

TRINITY REP Photos | For Immediate Release: 02/21/14

Oliver! Book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart Directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins Now playing through March 30, 2014 in the Chace Theater, Trinity Rep

Providence, RI: Trinity Rep continues its 50th anniversary season with the highly anticipated return of former artistic director and Academy-award nominated actorRichard Jenkins and his wife Sharon Jenkins to bring the beloved musical Oliver! to the Providence stage. The show runs now through March 30, 2014 in Trinity Rep's Chace Theater. This new Trinity Rep adaptation of the classic vividly brings to life Dickens� timeless characters, from the orphan boy who dares to ask for �more� to the Artful Dodger, the kind-hearted Nancy, mischievous Fagin and the violently sinister Bill Sykes. Join Oliver as he navigates the streets of 19th-century London, on a search for love and family and his place in the world. Winner of three Tony Awards. This production of Oliver! is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Arts and supporting sponsor The Washington Trust Company. Tickets are on sale now at www.trinityrep.com, by calling (401) 351-4242, or at the theater�s box office at 201 Washington St., Downtown Providence.

Thumbnails are for your reference only. HTML links are to Hi-resolution photos.

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_6693.jpg The cast of Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_1429.jpg Phineas Peters as Oliver in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_2872.jpg Rachael Warren as Nancy and Phineas Peters as Oliver in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_6480.jpg The childrens cast of Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_9401.jpg Stephen Berenson as Fagin, Timothy John Smith as Bil Sikes and Phineas Peters as Oliver inOliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_8702.jpg The Cast of Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_6478.jpg The childrens cast of Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_6599.jpg The Cast of Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_2825.jpg Rachael Warren as Nancy in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_6428.jpg Phineas Peters as Oliver and Noah Parets as The Artful Dodger in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_9296.jpg Anne Scurria and Tom Gleadow in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

http://www.trinityrep.com/DownloadDocs/OLIVER_2385.jpg Stephen Berenson as Fagin in Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins. Now playing through March 30, 2014 at Trinity Rep. Set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by William Lane, lighting design by Brian Lilienthal. (Photo: Mark Turek)

Curt Columbus, Artistic Director Michael Gennaro, Executive Director

201 Washington Street Providence

Rhode Island 02903 www.trinityrep.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2014 CONTACT: Myah Shein, Public Relations & Advertising Manager, (401) 521-1100 ext. 226 mshein@trinityrep.com Marilyn Busch, Director of Marketing & PR, (401) 453-9228 mbusch@trinityrep.com

TRINITY REP PRESENTS OLIVER! THIS FEBRUARY RICHARD AND SHARON JENKINS BRING CLASSIC TRINITY REP STYLE TO THE STAGE

Providence, RI: Trinity Rep continues its 50th anniversary season with the highly anticipated return of

former artistic director and Academy-award nominated actor Richard Jenkins and his wife Sharon

Jenkins to bring the beloved musical Oliver! to the Providence stage. The show runs February 20 to

March 30, 2014 in Trinity Rep's Chace Theater. The pair returns to direct and choreograph the Tony

Award winning musical packed with favorite songs such as “Consider Yourself,” "Who Will Buy?" and

“Food, Glorious Food”. This production of Oliver! is made possible by support from the National

Endowment for the Arts and supporting sponsor The Washington Trust Company. Tickets are on sale

now at www.trinityrep.com, by calling (401) 351-4242, or at the theater’s box office at 201

Washington St., Downtown Providence.

“It is an understatement to say that we are thrilled that Richard and Sharon have agreed to join us to

bring Oliver! to the stage this season! They are both longtime members of the Trinity Rep family - not to

mention world-class talents,” states Artistic Director Curt Columbus. “To have them return home for our

anniversary season is just a treat for all to enjoy!"

Director Richard Jenkins was a company member at Trinity Rep for 14 seasons, starting in 1970. He

served as Artistic Director for four seasons (1990-1994) and directed numerous productions during that

time. Richard has appeared in over 60 feature films, and has been nominated for three Screen Actors

Guild Awards, two Independent Spirit Awards, a Critics Choice award, a Gotham award, and won a

Satellite award as well as an Academy Award nomination for his performance in The Visitor. In 2014, he

can be seen in the film God's Pocket with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Trinity's own Peter Gerety, as

well appearing opposite Frances McDormand in the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge.

Sharon Jenkins has been a choreographer at Trinity Rep for over 40 years, where she has worked with

artistic directors Adrian Hall, Richard Jenkins, Amanda Dehnert, Oskar Eustis, and Curt Columbus. She

has choreographed The Music Man, Annie, West Side Story, The Fantasticks, The Mystery of Edwin

Drood, Cabaret, and Camelot. Jenkins spent 20 years as the dance director at Hope Arts Magnet School

in Providence, 15 years as a dance specialist with the RI State Council on the Arts, 10 years as a dancer

with RI Dance Rep, and 10 years as choreographer for The Arabella Project. In addition to her work at

Trinity Rep, Sharon has worked at Long Wharf Theatre, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage, Center Stage, South

Coast Rep and was the choreographer for Paramount Pictures feature School Ties.

While Trinity Rep's production of Oliver! marks the first time the pair have co-directed a show together,

the two share a similar aesthetic when it comes to staging theater. "We are definitely approaching this

show as gritty rather than glossy," Sharon Jenkins explains. Richard adds, "It's not about giant scenery or

special effects, but instead telling a story onstage that's live, sweaty and raw. This is where a less-is-

more approach lets the audience make a palpable connection to the actors."

This new Trinity Rep adaptation of the classic will vividly bring to life Dickens’ timeless characters, from

Oliver (Phineas Peters) the orphan boy who dares to ask for “more” to the Artful Dodger(Noah Parets),

the kind-hearted Nancy(Rachael Warren), mischievous Fagin (Stephen Berenson) and the sinister Bill

Sykes (Timothy John Smith). Audiences will join Oliver as he navigates the streets of 19th-century

London, on a search for love and family and his place in the world.

Local audiences are pleased to welcome resident company member Rachael Warren home to the Trinity

Rep stage after spending the past year with Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the starring role of Eliza

Doolittle in their nine month run of My Fair Lady. The Times Standard called Warren’s performance

"feisty, exquisite and totally endearing," and proclaimed her a "treasure in the role." During her tenure

at Trinity Rep, local audiences have enjoyed her in many plays and musicals, among them My Fair Lady,

Cabaret, The Fantasticks, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Paris by Night and Songs of Innocence, Songs of

Experience.

Fourteen year-old Noah Parets makes his Trinity Rep debut in Oliver! as The Artful Dodger. Noah is a

Massachusetts based actor, singer, and dancer who recently lead the National Broadway tour of Billy

Elliot the Musical. Ten year-old Phineas Peters is no stranger to the Trinity Rep stage having performed

in A Christmas Carol the last three seasons and last year's House & Garden.

The cast also features resident company members Anne Scurria and Stephen Thorne with guest artists

William John Austin, Lauren Gemelli, Tom Gleadow, Erick Pinnick, Timothy John Smith, and

Brown/Trinity Rep MFA actress Whitney White, ’15.

Of course, no cast of Oliver! would be complete without an assortment of street urchins and the musical

features a seven member children’s ensemble. Bringing their energetic singing and dancing to the Trinity

Rep stage are: Cranston resident Benjamin Thornton, 12; Cumberland resident Tara Sullivan, 11; East

Greenwich resident Alexander LeBlanc, 11; Providence resident Samia Nash, 10; Tiverton resident Lily

McMahon; Warwick residents Emma Senerchia, 11 and Eva Senerchia, 10.

To create the down and dirty London setting for the production, Richard and Sharon Jenkins have

reunited with longtime collaborator and Tony Award-winning set designer, Eugene Lee. The full team

creating this “gritty rather than glossy,” world of Dickens' 19th century England includes resident

costume designer William Lane, lighting designer Brian J. Lilienthal, musical director Michael Rice and

sound designer Peter Sasha Horowitz.

Continuing Trinity Rep’s tradition of offering affordable tickets for all, the theater will have discounted

previews of Oliver! from February 20 through February 22 at 7:30pm. Friday February 21 is a Pay What

You Can (PWYC) performance with tickets on sale at 6:30pm that evening, limit one per person.

Saturday, March 22 at 2pm will include American Sign Language interpretation and patrons may

request seats in view of the interpreter when purchasing. Sunday, March 23 at 2pm will be Open

Captioned. Additionally, talkbacks will be held after every performance of Oliver! Audiences are invited

to share their response to the production and themes for approximately twenty minutes following the

performance.

During the run of Oliver!, Trinity Rep is proud to serve as a drop off location for the Washington Trust

Peanut Butter Drive, which is currently in its 14th year of collecting donations of jars of peanut butter

for local Rode Island food banks. Patrons are encouraged to bring a jar of peanut butter with them

when they come to see a performance and drop it in one of the lobby collection bins on their way into

the theater. One jar of donated peanut butter will make 16 sandwiches for a hungry family!

Trinity Rep’s 50th Anniversary season is sponsored by NBC 10, with supporting sponsors Cox Media,

Rhode Island Monthly and RISCA.

The State Theater of Rhode Island, Trinity Repertory Company is now celebrating its 50th Anniversary

Season. Since its founding in 1963, Trinity Repertory Company has been one of the most respected

regional theaters in the country. Featuring the last permanent resident acting company in America,

Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated

annual audience of approximately 145,000. In its 50-year history, the theater has produced 62 world

premieres, mounted national and international tours, and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds

of new actors and directors. This season marks the 46th year of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's

pioneering educational outreach program. Last season, Trinity Rep’s educational programs reached

nearly 15,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut students through matinees as well as in-

school residencies and workshops. Brown University/Trinity Rep offers professional training for actors

and directors in a three-year MFA program. Trinity Rep's 50th Anniversary season continues with the

world premiere of Veronica Meadows by Stephen Thorne and A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard. For

more information, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at

www.trinityrep.com.

DETAILS AT A GLANCE Oliver! book, music and lyrics Lionel Bart

based on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

directed and choreographed by Richard and Sharon Jenkins

February 20 - March 30, 2014

in the Chace Theater, Trinity Rep

Richard and Sharon Jenkins bring classic Trinity Rep style to this boisterous, high energy tale of the kind-

hearted orphan boy. Packed with musical favorites including, “Food, Glorious Food,” and “Consider

Yourself.”

Directors Richard and Sharon Jenkins

Choreographer Sharon Jenkins

Music Direction Michael Rice

Set Design Eugene Lee

Lighting Design Brian J. Lilienthal

Costume Design William Lane

Sound Design Peter Sasha Hurowitz

Stage Manager M. William Shiner

Cast: Resident company members Stephen Berenson, Anne Scurria, Stephen

Thorne, and Rachael Warren with William John Austin, Lauren Gemelli,

Tom Gleadow, Noah Parets, Phineas Peters, Erick Pinnick, Timothy

John Smith, and Brown/Trinity Rep MFA student Whitney White, ’15.

Children’s Cast: Benjamin Thornton, Tara Sullivan, Alexander LeBlanc, Samia Nash, Lily

McMahon, Emma Senerchia and Eva Senerchia.

Press Night Sunday, February 23 at 7:30pm; Critics rsvp@trinityrep.com

Discounted Previews Thursday February 20 at 7:30pm, Friday February 21 at 7:30 pm and

Saturday February 22 at 7:30

Pay What You Can Friday February 21 at 7:30pm, on sale at 6:30, limit 1 per person

ASL interpreted performance Saturday March 22 at 2:00pm

Open Captioned performance Sunday March 23 at 2:00pm

Website www.trinityrep.com

Box Office (401)351-4242, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903

Admission Ticket $28-72

Show sponsor National Endowment for the Arts

Supporting sponsor The Washington Trust Company

Season Sponsor NBC 10

Season Supporting Sponsors Cox Media, Rhode Island Monthly and RISCA

Oliver! Performance Schedule February 20 - March 30, 2014

Thursday, February 20, 2014 7:30 PM Preview Friday, February 21, 2014 7:30 PM Pay What You Can Preview Saturday, February 22, 2014 7:30 PM Preview Sunday, February 23, 2014 7:30 PM SOLD OUT Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2014 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2014 7:30 PM Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:30 PM Friday, February 28, 2014 7:30 PM Saturday, March 01, 2014 2:00 PM Saturday, March 01, 2014 7:30 PM Sunday, March 02, 2014 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 05, 2014 7:30 PM Saturday, March 08, 2014 7:30 PM Sunday, March 09, 2014 2:00 PM Sunday, March 09, 2014 7:30 PM Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:30 PM Thursday, March 13, 2014 7:30 PM Friday, March 14, 2014 7:30 PM Saturday, March 15, 2014 7:30 PM Sunday, March 16, 2014 2:00 PM Sunday, March 16, 2014 7:30 PM Tuesday, March 18, 2014 7:30 PM Thursday, March 20, 2014 7:30 PM Friday, March 21, 2014 7:30 PM Saturday, March 22, 2014 2:00 PM American Sign Language interpreted

performance Saturday, March 22, 2014 7:30 PM Sunday, March 23, 2014 2:00 PM Open Captioned performance

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 26, 2014 7:30 PM Thursday, March 27, 2014 7:30 PM Friday, March 28, 2014 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 30, 2014 7:30 PM

2013–2014 Season at the Lederer Theater Center under the direction ofCurt Columbus and Michael GennaroThe Richard L. Bready Executive DirectorArtistic Director

THE arTisTic TEam Directed and choreographed by Richard & Sharon JenkinsMusical Direction/Supervision by Michael RiceSet design by Eugene LeeCostume design by William LaneLighting design by Brian J. LilienthalSound design by Peter Sasha HurowitzSpeech & voice direction by Thom JonesProduction stage managed by M. William Shiner*

February 20 – March 30, 2014 in the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Theater

Supporting Sponsor

with Support from

Trinity Rep’s 50th season is sponsored by

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Trinity Rep gratefully acknowledges the support of the B.B. Lederer Sons Foundation, the State of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence.

Many thanks to Rustigian Rugs for their assistance on this production.

on the cover L to r: wiLLiam john austin & phineas peters, photo by michaeL guy

THE casT (in alphabetical order)

Noah Claypole William John Austin*Fagin Stephen Berenson*Mrs. Sowerberry, Bet Lauren Gemelli*Mr. Bumble Tom Gleadow*The Artful Dodger Noah Parets*Oliver Phineas PetersMr. Sowerberry, Dr. Grimwig Erick Pinnick*Mrs. Corney, Mrs. Bedwin Anne Scurria*Bill Sikes Timothy John Smith*Mr. Brownlow Stephen Thorne*Nancy Rachael Warren*Charlotte, Old Sally Whitney White*

Children Alexander LeBlanc, Lily McMahon, Samia Nash,Emma Senerchia, Eva Senerchia, Tara Sullivan, Benjamin Thornton

Keyboard/Synthesizer Michael RiceCello Kett LeeReeds Jason MayPercussion Mike SartiniHarmonica, Euphonium, Recorder, Penny Whistle, Percussion Chris Turner

Oliver! is performed with one intermission.

Production Director Laura E. Smith

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Licensed by arrangement with Oliver Productions, Ltd. and Oliver Promotions, Ltd.

trinity repertorycompany

TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY • 201 WASHINGTON STREET • PROVIDENCE • RHODE ISLAND • (401) 351-4242 • WWW.TRINITYREP.COM

Book, Music and Lyrics by

LioneL Bart

PLEASE NOTE: audience members are requested to turn off all cell phones, beepers, pagers, and watch alarms during the perfor-mance. texting and other cell phone use is limited to intermission, outside the theater. photography is not allowed during the show.This poster is number 5 in a series of 7. To see the complete gallery, go to deltadentalri.com/trinity.

Delta Dental_OLI.14.indd 1 1/20/14 2:27 PM Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 3 2/3/14 10:01 AM

FROM THE RicHaRd l. bREady aRTiSTic diREcTOR

MuSical nuMbERS

ACT ONE “Food, Glorious Food” —Oliver & Ensemble “Oliver ” —Mr. Bumble, Mrs. Corney & Ensemble “boy for Sale” —Mr. Bumble “That’s your Funeral” —Mr. Sowerberry & Mrs. Sowerberry “Where is love?” —Oliver “consider yourself” —Artful Dodger, Oliver & Ensemble “Pick a Pocket or Two” —Fagin with the Boys “it’s a Fine life” —Nancy, Bet & Ensemble “i’d do anything” —Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin & Boys “be back Soon” —Fagin, The Artful Dodger & BoysACT TWO “Oom-Pah-Pah” —Nancy & Ensemble “My name” —Bill Sikes “as long as He needs Me” —Nancy Reprise: “Where is love?” “Who Will buy?” —Oliver, Street Criers & Ensemble Reprise: “it’s a Fine life” —Nancy, Bill Sikes, Fagin & The Artful Dodger “Reviewing the Situation” —Fagin Reprise: “Oliver” —Widow Corney and Mr. Bumble Reprise: “as long as He needs Me” —Nancy Reprise: “Reviewing the Situation” —Fagin

This theater operates under agreements with The League of Resident Theatres Actors’ Equity Association (the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States), the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and United Scenic Artists.

Trinity Rep is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for non-profit theater.

Dear Friends,welcome to our production of the musical classic, Oliver! this

show is special to us for so many reasons that it’s hard to know where to begin, so i will start with the progenitor of the story, charles Dickens. many in our audience are well acquainted with Dickens’ work having attended our annual production of A Christmas Carol. but it’s rare that i have an opportunity to draw your attention to Dickens as a literary genius, particularly as the author of the novel Oliver Twist.

Oliver Twist was only Dickens’ second novel, which he began writing when he was 24, at the same time that he was finishing his first, The Pickwick Papers, and writing four plays. it was the first victorian novel to have a child as its protagonist, and it captured the collective imagination of the english reading public immediately. the young Queen victoria was said to have stayed up late into the night discussing aspects of the story with her intimates.

the novel gripped the attention of a nation at the height of its prosperity because of its blunt portrayal of the appalling conditions in the country’s orphanages, workhouses, and prisons. Karl marx asserted that Dickens “…issued to the world more political and social truths than have been uttered by all the professional politicians, publi-cists and moralists put together.” Dickens shocked his middle class readers by making the connection between poverty and criminality, and yet, his genius lay in his ability to tell a thrilling, satisfying, literary narrative, all while promoting a troubling social agenda. 

charles Dickens became one of the most popular and widely published english language writers of all time. his works have never gone out of print since their original publication, they have been adapted to the stage countless times (including many productions during his own lifetime), and they have been adapted to the screen since the invention of cinema. over 200 works of television and film based on Dickens’ stories have been documented.

Lionel bart’s brilliant adaptation for the stage distills what is extraordinary about  Oliver Twist  into a clear and highly theatrical form. he musicalizes the novel’s social commentary in ways that were without precedent when the show first appeared in 1960. you are going to hear songs about child hunger, the abuse of children, and the abuse of women, among others. but like Dickens, bart’s genius lies in his ability to balance this commentary with pure, joyous entertainment.

we wanted to produce this adaptation because it brings us back to Oliver Twist  in such a genuine way. and sadly, Dickens remains relevant to us today because the issues he addressed continue to haunt us. i was struck by the opportunity to re-engage our community’s discussion about issues of child poverty and welfare, all while providing a thrilling, satisfying evening in the theater. so i needed some of the greatest artists i know to bring the whole event to vivid life…

that’s why you’re seeing the work of sharon and richard jenkins here tonight, two of the seminal artists in our theater’s history, as well as that of eugene Lee, another seminal figure in trinity rep’s development. we welcome back company member rachael warren from her year at the oregon shakespeare Festival to sing one of the great women’s roles of the musical theater. acting company members stephen berenson, annie scurria, and stephen thorne, as well as the many other talented artists involved, will make this an evening to remember and to talk about for a long time.

i look forward to seeing you at the theater.

—Curt Columbus

Please join us after the show for a 20-minute talkback. The Civic Center Parking Garage at 165 Washington St. will stay open until the discussion ends.

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SC Hospital_INT.13.indd 1 12/23/13 3:21 PM Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 5 2/3/14 10:01 AM

OnSTaGE aT TRiniTy REP

Let’s Hear it from the BoysAn interview with Trinity Rep’s own Oliver and Artful Dodger — Phineas Peters and Noah Parets

Before the show starts… audience members are asked to turn off all cell phones, beepers, pagers, and watch alarms during the show. texting and cell phone use is limited to intermission, outside the theater. cameras (including cell phone cameras) and recording devices are not permitted.

Did you forget yourreading glasses? if you are having trouble reading this, please see our house manager for a complimentary pair of magnivi-sion reading glasses, compliments of FgX international.

Want updates, behind-the-scenes info, and special offers by e-mail?join our e-mail list at trinityrep.com

Attention smokers:For the comfort of all our patrons, we have designated a smoking area on the east side of the building along adrian hall way.

We recycle! if you are not adding this program to your collection, please recycle it in the bin in the lobby!

Trinity Rep Membershipsave money and be on the inside track ! with a tax- deduc tible donation of $50 or more, you save 10% on tickets, and avoid handling fees. For more info, please call Kristen at (401) 453-9235.

For a memorable evening… consider making your next group outing a show at trinity rep! afford-able group rates are available for parties of 10 or more (20 or more for A Christmas Carol). contact group sales at (401) 351-4242.

Camron Parker, the child coordinator for Trinity Rep’s oliver!, sat down with Noah Parets (below left) and Phineas Peters (right) to find out more about these talented young performers. What doesn’t come through in this interview are their captivating grins and copious giggles.

Camron: alright boys, let’s kick this interview off! what is your past theater experience and how has that helped you prepare for this show?

Phineas: the first play i did profession-ally was A Christmas Carol here at trinity rep, and i’ve done that for a few years now. i was also in House & Garden which was a lot of fun. pretty much anything that would come up i thought “oh, that’s trinity rep, i’ll do it.”

Noah: i actually haven’t been in theater for very long, only about two years. i was a dancer for a really long time, and then i booked the role of billy elliot in the Billy Elliot national tour. that pretty much sums up the theater i’ve done, but it’s really brought me great joy, so that’s why i’m here.

Camron: tell us how you landed Billy Elliot, and what the process was like.

Noah: i auditioned about two years ago, and i got a call about two weeks later saying, “we really liked you, but we don’t have a spot for you right now.” about four months after that they said, “okay, we’re going to have you in for a callback,” and then they told me i would be going on tour. it was like the best day of my entire life — i never thought anything like that would happen. while on tour i went to 35 us cities and five in canada. it was amazing — there’s nothing i’ve ever done that really compares to it.

Camron: phineas, on top of performing at trinity rep, you’ve spent summers at our

young actors summer institute — yasi. what were your favorite parts of that?

Phineas: i think the things that prepared me the most for Oliver! at yasi were the singing and dancing classes. i found out how much i like singing; i never thought i

liked it that much before. i’d usually just be singing in the shower, or as i walk around the house, but the classes were great for me.

Camron: you have plenty of time to figure out what you hope to be when you grow up, but do you see yourself with an acting career, or something different?

Noah: i just know that i want to be onstage. i love being in front of people and entertaining. i also would love to be in a dance company or a choreographer. i just love this whole world.

Phineas: i’ve always wanted a horse farm, but i also think it’d be nice to be an engineer.

Camron: noah, you pick up the choreography for the show before sharon jenkins even finishes showing it to you. Dancing is clearly in your blood. tell us a little bit about your dancing background.

Noah: i started when i was seven and i’ve been doing ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and contemporary. i train six days a week when i’m not doing theater, and i love it.

Camron: what are you looking forward to most about your experience in Oliver!?

Noah: i’m just excited to work with new people and be onstage again. and be so close to home that my friends and family can come see it. it’s gonna be really fun.

Camron: and you, phin?Phineas: that would be probably either

being tossed around or stuffed in a coffin. Camron: ha, great, it sounds like this will

be an incredible experience for you! what other interests besides acting and dancing do you guys have?

Noah: i love dogs and my family and science. i take physics now in school and love learning about that and doing experiments — it’s really fun. i also like writing poetry.

Camron: what about you, phin? Phineas: okay, sit down, get a drink.

horseback riding… swimming… riding my bike. singing and dancing, obviously. also drawing… art… painting…

Camron: he’s being modest. he also plays a mean drum set and violin.

photo by camron parKer

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OnSTaGE aT TRiniTy REP his parents to remove him from school at the age of 12. when his father was imprisoned for failure to pay his debts, Dickens went to live in a boarding home and earned his keep working in a bootblacking factory. his early poverty gave him deep compassion for the poor, and a keen understanding of the grave injustices of the british social system, all of which would inform the commentary that drove his work.

at 19, Dickens became a newspaper reporter. his writing garnered acclaim when, under the pseudonym “boz,” he published short essays on London’s social scene known as “sketches by boz” between 1833 and 1836. shortly thereafter, he published the lighthearted novel The Pickwick Papers and the much darker, socially resonant Oliver Twist simultaneously in serial monthly installments between january 1837 and march 1839. its dark subject matter and the corrupt charac-ters shocked some audiences but also fueled the story’s immense popularity. by the time british composer Lionel bart adapted Oliver Twist into a musical in 1958, the story had already enjoyed a long life off the page. it had been adapted for the stage during Dickens’ lifetime, and by the turn of the century was being filmed for the silver screen, including a few silent versions (bart was inspired at 18 by David Lean’s classic 1948 film adaptation).

while child labor, prostitution, and homelessness may seem like difficult subjects for the broadway stage, the theatricality of Dickens’ writing and his ability to wrap social commentary with popular content made Oliver Twist the perfect source material for the accessible, highly sentimental world of musical theater. today, musical adaptations exist of nine of Dickens’s works, but Lionel bart’s Oliver! remains the standout favorite.

bart grew up one of seven children in a poor jewish family in east London. he began his career writing songs for amateur theater and pop music, and had some success

From Boz to Bart to Trinity Rep

by Lexi Diamond

“I have yet to learn that a lesson of the purest good may not be drawn from the vilest evil… I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the very dregs of life, so long as their speech did not offend the ear, should not serve the purpose of a moral, at least as well as its froth and cream.”

—charles dickens, in the preface to the 1841 third edition of Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens’ celebrated legacy is based in part on his ability to create exceptionally vivid and memorable charac-ters, and Oliver Twist proves

to be no exception. through the eyes of the ever-hopeful orphan, Dickens explored victorian London, focusing on the seedy underbelly where criminals and the poor populated the city streets. in doing so, Dickens created a tale that outlived his age and has truly stood the test of time. his story, with its colorful characters, has been adapted numerous times over, even into a musical version by Lionel bart

Dickens himself was no stranger to the cruel world he wrote about — born to a struggling family, financial difficulty forced

with his small-scale musicals Lock Up Your Daughters (1958) and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (1960). his first major triumph, though, was Oliver!, for which he wrote the book, music, and lyrics.

bart’s greatest challenge was convincing producers that the dark content of the novel could work as family fare, not to mention merging the “british-ness” of the original piece’s content and style with the form of a traditional american musical. bart had to eliminate many plot points and minor charac-ters in order to do away with the episodic nature of the novel, and simplify many of its bleaker elements. make no mistake though: the musical still includes many of the gritty realities present in Dickens’s original work, but bart’s adaptation stresses the innocence of the title character, and his desire for family above all else.

perhaps the greatest change can be found in the character of Fagin, whom bart made significantly more relatable by removing Fagin’s culpability in some of the more tragic events of the story. bart also toned down some of the character’s offensive, stereotypical characterizations, which were more commonplace in Dickens’s time. Furthermore, bart gave the character songs to explain his motives and provide the character’s perspective, making Fagin more accessible (and in some ways even endearing) to theater audiences.

Oliver! opened on London’s west end in 1960 to great critical success, running for over six years. it transferred to broadway in 1963 where it also enjoyed a long, successful run. the original production and subsequent revivals have won dozens of major awards, and the film adaptation won an oscar for best picture in 1969. it holds a distinguished place as a much-beloved piece in the canon of musical theater, and trinity rep is thrilled to bring you this production.

LOOKING BACKTrinity Rep is no stranger to

Dickens characters and orphans that sing and dance.

LEFT: the mystery of edwin Drood, Rupert Holmes’ musical based on Dickens’ unfinished novel, set by Eugene Lee, lights by Brian J. Lilienthal, 2005. RIGHT: annie, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin & book by Thomas Meehan, set by David Jenkins, lights by Bryon Winn, 2003. Both directed by Amanda Dehnert, with costumes by William Lane & photos by T. Charles Erickson.

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THE aRTiSTic TEaM

LionEL BarTBook, Music & Lyrics bart was born Lionel begleiter, the youngest of seven surviving children in east London to galician jews, and grew up in stepney. the first major british songwriter of the postwar era to gain international fame in musical theater, bart was a rare british triple-threat - composer, lyricist and librettist. in addition to Oliver!, bart wrote Blitz, about world war ii-era London, Maggie May, Twang! and La Strada, based on the Fellini film. mr. bart also wrote the theme of the film, From Russia with Love, and a number of pop songs, including “Living Doll.” in 1986, bart received a special ivor novello award for his life’s achievement.

ricHard JEnkinsDirectorrichard jenkins was a trinity rep acting company member for 14 seasons, starting in 1970. he served as artistic director for four seasons (1990-1994) and directed numerous productions during that time. richard has appeared in over 60 feature films, and has been nominated for three screen actors guild awards, two independent spirit awards, a critics choice award, a gotham award, and won a satellite award as well as an academy award nomination for his performance in The Visitor. in 2014, he can be seen in the film God’s Pocket with philip seymour hoffman and trinity rep’s own peter gerety, as well as appearing opposite Frances mcDormand in the hbo miniseries Olive Kitteridge. he’s thrilled to be back home collaborating with his wife, sharon.

sHaron JEnkinsDirector/Choreographersharon jenkins has been a choreographer at trinity rep for over 40 years, where she has worked with artistic directors adrian hall, richard jenkins, amanda Dehnert, oskar eustis, and curt columbus. she has choreo-graphed The Music Man, Annie, West Side Story, The Fantasticks, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Cabaret, and Camelot. sharon spent 20 years as the dance director at hope arts magnet school in providence, 15 years as a dance specialist with the ri state council on the arts, 10 years as a dancer with ri Dance rep, and 10 years as choreographer for the arabella project. in addition to her work at trinity rep, ms. jenkins has worked at Long wharf theatre, arena stage, hartford stage, center stage, south coast rep and was the choreographer for paramount pictures feature School Ties.

micHaEL ricEMusical Directortrinity rep credits include Paris by Night, Cabaret, Camelot and A Christmas Carol (twice). highlights this year include two productions of 1776, directed by Frank galati, Next to Normal at the meadow brook theatre in michigan, and Avenue Q at arkansas rep. he is the composer of Fireflies and Shooting Stars, which inspired ed raarup’s award-winning children’s book of the same name. they are currently developing this into a theater piece (firefliesandshootingstars.com). as a composer/lyricist, rice adapted a version of brecht’s The Good Woman of Setzuan (samuel French) with eric bentley, and composed the musical American Beauty, written with jack heifner, romulus Linney and others, which has been produced throughout the country. he is currently completing an opera set in his native Desha county, arkansas.

EUGEnE LEE Resident Set Designer eugene Lee’s career has spanned over five decades and nearly all visual media: televi-sion (39 seasons of nbc’s Saturday Night Live), regional theater (resident designer at trinity rep for over 40 years), broadway and international productions (Wicked and A Streetcar Named Desire, recently), and film (Mr. North, Hammet, Vanya on 42nd Street). recent projects include My Name Is Asher Lev and Ride the Tiger at Long wharf theatre, Velocity of Autumn at arena stage, Proof at the mccarter, Designated Mourner at the public theater, Secondhand Lions at seattle’s 5th avenue theatre, and House & Garden, Crime and Punishment, and Social Creatures at trinity rep. he has been awarded the tony, the elliot norton award for sustained excellence, and the emmy. he is a recent inductee into the new york theater hall of Fame, and lives in providence with his wife, brooke.

wiLLiam LanE Resident Costume Designer bill is a native of st. Louis, missouri. he has an mFa in theatrical design from northwestern university. before moving to providence he was a teacher and freelance designer in chicago. this is bill’s 35th season as trinity rep’s resident costume designer. he has designed over 265 productions with this extraordinary company and has had the opportunity of collaborating with all of trinity rep’s artistic directors: adrian hall, anne bogart, richard jenkins, oskar eustis, amanda Dehnert and curt columbus. bill shares a home in providence with his longtime partner and friend robert whitney and their wheaten terrier maggie.

Brian J. LiLiEnTHaLLighting Designer Trinity Rep: The Syringa Tree, Shapeshifter, Some Things Are Private, The Clean House, Our Town, Boots on the Ground, Hamlet, Indoor/Outdoor, Cyrano de Bergerac, A Christmas Carol, Suddenly Last Summer, Edwin Drood. Off-Broadway: cherry Lane, 29th street rep, La mama etc. Regional: actors theatre of Louisville, arden theatre, arizona theatre co., merrimack rep, cleveland playhouse, milwaukee rep, geva theatre. Opera: bard summerscape, Long beach opera, portland opera repertory theatre. Other: mr. Lilien-thal holds an mFa from california institute of the arts. he currently teaches lighting design at tufts university, and plays drums in a boston-area rockabilly band.

PETEr sasHa HUrowiTzResident Sound Designer peter has designed the sound for over 75 productions at trinity rep. Last season’s designs include Social Creatures, The How and the Why and House & Garden. this is his 18th season with the company, where he serves as sound engineer. mr. hurowitz also designed sound for the east coast premiere of A Long Bridge Over Deep Waters at emerson college and the world premiere of On the Line at the cherry Lane theatre, as well as for perishable theatre and the brown new play Festival.

THom JonEs Speech and Voice DirectorFourteen seasons with trinity rep. he is also the head of voice and speech for brown/trinity rep’s mFa program. Regional: chautauqua theatre Festival, the public theater, new york shakespeare Festival, yale rep, Dallas theater center, hunting-ton theatre, actors theatre of Louisville, cleveland playhouse, mccarter theatre, Long wharf, alabama shakespeare Festival. Film/TV: nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole (oscar nomination for best actress), The Paperboy, Grace of Monaco, Just Go with It, Trespass; emma watson, The Bling Ring; sandra bullock, The Heat; alan rickman, vanessa redgrave, robin williams, minka Kelly, james marsden, alex pettyfer, The Butler; ben mendelsohn, The Place Beyond the Pines, Trespass; mel gibson, ray winstone, Edge of Darkness; brendan gleeson, melissa Leo, Black Irish; Brotherhood.

ADDITIONAL STAFF Asst. Director Flordelino Lagundino Asst. to Directors rebecca miller Asst. to Set Designer patrick Lynch Asst. Lighting Designer Kyle grant Asst. to Costume Designer erin meghan DonnellyYoung Performer Supervisor camron parkerFight Consultant craig handel

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THE caST WILLIAM JOHN AuSTIN*

Trinity Rep: solicitor, u n d e r t a k e r ’s m a n , A C h r i s t m a s C a r o l ; Lorenzo, The Merchant o f Ve n i c e . B r o w n /Tr i n i t y R e p: e i l e r t Lovborg, Hedda Gabler; peaseblossom/egeus, A Midsummer Night ’s

Dream; wilmore, The Rover; monster, The Boy Who Lived Forever; mccarthy, The Time of Your Life; hugh Dorsey, Parade; The Threepenny Opera; The Misanthrope. Other Theaters: As You Like It, the here and the now; Franken-stein, ensemble for the romantic century; Measure for Measure, Sauce for the Goose, uc berkeley theater; Detective reynolds, The Killing of Michael X, brown/trinity playwrights rep. Other: william is a graduate of the brown/trinity rep mFa acting program; ba in political science from uc berkeley. www.williamjohnaustin.com

STEPHEN BERENSON*Tr i n i t y R e p : 2 5 t h season; grampa joad, The Grapes of Wrath; the Fool, King Lear (and at Dallas theater center); shylock, The Merchant of Venice; sydney, Absurd Person Singular; herr schultz, Cabaret; harry,

Paris by Night; puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; jack, Into the Woods; scrooge (2001, ’02, ’04). Other Theaters: nyc’s town hall; bam; Kennedy center; 17 summers with bread Loaf acting ensemble (polonius, Dogberry, Friar Lawrence); tours in the u.s. and canada; appearances at the white house and on a float in the macy’s thanksgiv-ing Day parade. Other: Director of brown/trinity mFa programs and member of the acting faculty; new england theatre confer-ence award; providence mayor citation; Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship.

LAuREN GEMELLI*Trinity Rep: debut. B r o a d w ay & N YC : B ro a d wa y B a re s 23, Broadway Bares: Beach Burlesque, Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque, and Gypsy of the Year 2012, to benefit broad-way cares/equity Fights

aiDs. National & International Tours: The Drowsy Chaperone, The Phantom of the Opera, 42nd Street. Other Theaters: elsa schraeder, understudy for maria rainer, The Sound of Music, theatre by the sea; ivy smith, On the

Town, Lyric stage company; velma Kelly, Chicago, metro stage company; Forbidden Broadway: Tampa; A Chorus Line; 42nd Street; Sweet Charity. Other: boston ballet school, summa cum laude graduate; manhattanville college, ba in theatre and criminal justice. thanks to gbm, DDo, ps, everyone at trinity rep, and my rock star friends and family. www.laurengemelli.com.

TOM GLEADOW*Trinity Rep: Fezziwig, A C h r i s t m a s C a r o l (20 07); topper, the undertaker’s man, A Christmas Carol (2008); reader/charles Dickens, Fezziwig, old joe, A Christmas Carol (2012 & 2013). Other Theaters:

the gamm theatre, commonwealth shake-speare company, ocean state theatre company, theatre by the sea. Other: tom is a graduate of uri and adjunct faculty at salve regina university. he is the proud father of two — charlotte and max.

NOAH PARETS*Trinity Rep: thrilled to be making his debut! National Broadway Tours: billy elliot, Billy Elliot the Musical. New York: noah Freeman, T h e D a r k I K n o w , midtown international theatre Festival; dancer

and soloist with project moves, joyce theater. Other: noah is an actor, singer, dancer and acrobat from massachusetts. one of his proudest moments was singing the national anthem at Fenway park and performing at Broadway Under the Stars at the hudson riverfront performing arts center. much love and thanks to mom, Dad, joel and all my family and teachers. grateful to trinity rep for this opportunity! www.noahparets.com

PHINEAS PETERSTrinity Rep: turkey boy, A Christmas Carol ( 2 013 ) ; H o u s e a n d Garden; t iny tim, A Christmas Carol (2012 & 2011). Other: phineas is homeschooled and l ives in providence with his parents and

his brother, elliot peters, who is also an actor.

ERICK PINNICK*Trinity Rep: bert healy, A n n i e . B r o a d w a y /O f f- Broadway: mr. smythe, A Christmas Carol; walter peyton, Tin Pan Alley Rag. Tours: Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar. Other T h e a t e r s : D o c t o r

moran, The Completely Fictional — Utterly True — Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe; henry brown, Race; curtis, Dreamgirls; tin man, The Wiz; jake, Side Show; valentin, Kiss of the Spiderwoman; Daniel, Once on This Island; eugene, Yellowman; no moe, Five Guys Named Moe; adrian, Smokey Joe’s Café. Other: mr. pinnick is a graduate of james madison university. Recordings: Lost Broadway Volume 6; Follies, papermill cast recording. www.erickpinnick.com

ANNE SCuRRIA*Trinity Rep: highlights from over 100 produc-tions: ms. joad, The Grape of Wrath; bev/Kathy, Clybourne Park; marion, Absurd Person Singular; elizabeth, The Syringa Tree; homebody, Homebody/Kabul; vivian

bearing, Wit; martha, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Lady macbeth; Lilbit, How I Learned to Drive; scrooge, A Christmas Carol; mary tyrone, Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Other Theaters: new york public theater, circle rep, intiman theatre, arena stage, actors theatre of Louisville, pittsburgh public theater, Long wharf theatre, williamstown theatre Festival, circle rep, Lyric stage, speakeasy stage, new century theater, and perseverance theatre. Other: anne was a Kaplan Fellow and a graduate of the trinity rep conservatory. she teaches acting in the brown/trinity rep mFa program.

TIMOTHY JOHN SMITH*Trinity Rep: as You Like It; A Christmas Carol; My Fair Lady; King henry vi, Richard III; Le mec, Paris by Night; martin Dart, The Receptionist. Other Theaters: tim has worked extensively around boston at the

huntington theatre, north shore music theatre, theatre by the sea, wheelock Family theatre, speakeasy stage, new repertory, boston theatreworks, stoneham theatre and Lyric stage where he won an irne award for playing richard henry Lee in 1776. Other: tim is a 2001 graduate of the trinity rep conservatory and is thrilled to be back home.

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Program. She holds a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University. Special thanks to her incredible and loving family!

M. WILLIAM SHINER*Production Stage ManagerTrinity Rep: King Lear. New York: Dan Sullivan’s production of As You Like It with Lily Rabe, Measure for Measure (NYSF, Delacorte), Titus Andronicus, Stew and Heidi Rodewald’s new musical The Total Bent (Public Theater, NYC), The 39 Steps (NY). Other Theaters: Mary Zimmerman’s production of Disney’s The Jungle Book, Franco Dragone’s water circus House of Dancing Water in Macau. Six seasons as resident PSM at the Tony Award-winning Shakespeare Theater Company, Washington, DC; three seasons as resident PSM at Dallas Theater Center; and three seasons at the La Jolla Playhouse.

DANIELLE ZANDRI*Assistant Stage ManagerTrinity Rep: Assistant stage manager, House & Garden; production assistant, Clybourne Park, It ’s A Wonderful Life, The Merchant of Venice, Boeing-Boeing, King Lear, Crime and Punishment, Social Creatures. Other Theaters: Les Miserables, Ocean State Theatre Company; 42nd Street, The 39 Steps, The Weston Playhouse; The Glass Menagerie, The Ugly One, Speaking in Tongues, My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, The Walnut Street Theater.

With (children): ALEXANDER LEBLANC, LILY McMAHON, SAMIA NASH, EMMA SENERCHIA, EVA SENERCHIA, TARA SULLIVAN,BENJAMIN THORNTON

Dance Captain: Erick Pinnick*Fight Captain: Timothy John Smith*

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

THE MUSICIANSKETT CHUAN LEE Cello Kett Chuan Lee holds performance diplomas from The Boston Conservatory and Longy School of Music, where he studied under the tutelage of Rhonda Rider and Mihail Jojatu. An active freelancer in the greater Boston area, he currently plays the principal chairs of the Symphony Nova, Waltham Philharmonic, and Stow Festive Orchestra. He is also a member of the nationally acclaimed Boston String Quartet, part time faculty at Dean College and regular pit cellist of The Company Theatre, Vokes Theatre, Blue Spruce Theatre, Gloucester Stage company, Theatre By The Sea and many others.

STEPHEN THORNE*Trinity Rep: This is Mr. Thorne’s 14th season. Favorite roles: Tom Joad, The Grapes of Wrath; Homer Wells, The Cider House Rules; John Proctor, The Crucible; Arthur, Camelot; Hamlet; S t e p h e n , T h e L o n g

Christmas Ride Home; Hal/Henry V, The Henriad; Matt, The Fantasticks; Heisenberg, Copenhagen; Quango, Homebody/Kabul; Garry, Noises O�. Other Theaters: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Long Wharf Theatre and Riverside Shakespeare Festival. He has been a member of the Bread Loaf School of English Acting Ensemble since 1999. Other: Stephen also wrote The Completely Fictional — Utterly True — Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe, produced at Trinity Rep in 2011, and Veronica Meadows, to be produced this season at Trinity Rep.

RACHAEL WARREN*Trinity Rep since 2000: Sally, Cabaret ; Eliza, My Fair Lady ; Betsy/ Lindsey, Clybourne Park; Antigone, The Dreams of Antigone; Songs of Inno cence, Songs of Experience ; Ophelia, Hamlet; Wendy, Peter

Pan; Isobel, The Secret Rapture; Rebecca, The Long Christmas Ride Home; Sabina,The Skin of Our Teeth; Lady Percy/Katherine, The Henriad; Mary, Dublin Carol; Mary Warren, The Crucible; Truvy, Steel Magnolias. National Tours: Tommy, Chess, Company. Other Theaters: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, A.R.T., Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cleveland Play House (Aldonza, Man of La Mancha), Williamstown, Hartford Stage Company, Virginia Stage. Training: A.R.T. Institute at Harvard, Illinois-Wesleyan University.

WHITNEY WHITE*Brown/ Trinity Rep: Hester, In the Blood ; Maria, Twelfth Night ; Sikolasitika, He Is Here H e Sa ys I Sa y ; Fr iar Francis, Much Ado About Nothing. Off-Broad-way: Love, Loss and What I Wore; Sing Harlem

Sing! Regional: Sophie, Ruined; Desi, Passing Strange; Rita, Educating Rita; Radio, Caroline or Change; Joanne, Rent; Delia, Spunk!; Tribe, Hair; Maddie, The Hundred Dresses; Gospel Choir, Cotton Patch Gospel. TV: “Barney/Never,” Louie (FX); The Playboy Club (NBC). Other: Whitney is a vocalist and second-year student in the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Acting

JASON MAY Reeds Jason is a freelance multi-instrumentalist, who has most recently been heard at Yale Rep in The Winter’s Tale, on the national tour of The Color Purple and the Istanbul, Turkey production of Grease the Musical. Jason is a specialist on all woodwind instruments and has done pit orchestra engagements with Phoenix Entertainment, the Lyric Stage of Boston, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Ocean State Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Playhouse, State Theatre (Cleve-land), Ogunquit Playhouse, and Theatre By The Sea. He is also a jazz and classical musician and has played with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony, Warren Chamber Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony, Cab Calloway Orchestra, The Stars of The Lawrence Welk Show, Frankie Vallie, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and was a member of Pittsburgh’s premier swing band, Dr. Zoot.

MIKE SARTINI Percussion Mike has been a professional musician since 1990, performing Grease with Phoenix Entertainment in China (2007), the �rst U.S. national tour of Doctor Dolittle, and with Trinity Rep, Theatre By The Sea, Ocean State Theatre Company, University of Rhode Island, Company Theatre (Norwell, MA), Dean College, Brown University and Orpheum Theatre. Mike teaches drumset and percussion; is the Head of Applied Music, faculty percussionist for the dance department, and sound consultant for Dean College; and is the Percussion Ensemble Instructor for Woonsocket High School and Mount St. Charles Academy. He is also the musical contractor for Theatre By The Sea, Ocean State Theatre Company, La Salle Academy, Brown and URI. A Rhode Island native, Mike studied at the Berklee College of Music and graduated summa cum laude from URI with a BM in Music Performance.

CHRIS TURNER Harmonica, Euphonium, Recorder, Penny Whistle, Percussion Chris is a harmonica virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist hailing from London, England, who has been involved in over 30 productions at Trinity Rep since 1987. He has performed with orchestras including the Rhode Island Philharmonic as a harmonica soloist, performs with numerous local bands, and has written many original composi-tions for harmonica. He currently lives in Providence.

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About Trinity RepFor YourInformation• trinity Repertory company 201 Washington Street Providence, RI 02903 www.trinityrep.com info@trinityrep.com• Box office (401) 351-4242

Noon–8:00pm Tuesday–Sunday Monday: phone service only• subscriber services:

(401) 351-4242 subscriptions@trinityrep.com

Noon–8:00pm daily• Administrative offices

(401) 521-1100 9:00am–5:00pm Monday–Friday • our performances begin on time.

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of house management, and until then will be able to view video monitors in the lobby.

• emergency safety: The theater is protected by emergency lighting and sprinklers. Our house staff and security staff are experienced in first aid. In an emergency, please contact an usher or house manager.

• Assistive listening devices are avail-able at the box office and reception desk at street level.

• smoking is not permitted inside the building.

• Cameras (including cell phone cameras) and recording devices are not permitted. Please turn all cell phones and pagers to silent mode.

• Group sales: For information on discounts and special services, call (401) 351-4242.

• physicians and others who may need to be reached during a performance are asked to register their names and seat locations with a house manager. Emergency contact numbers are (401) 521-1100 x241 (Dowling Theater lobby) and (401) 521-1100 x282 (Chace lobby).

• children age four and over are welcome at performances — age two and over for A Christmas Carol. Younger children will not be admitted.

• Gift cards: The perfect gift! Available in any amount, at the box office, at www.trinityrep.com, or (401) 351-4242.

Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company — recently named the State Theater of Rhode Island — under the leadership of The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus and Executive Director Michael Gennaro, is thrilled to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary season. From its humble roots in 1963 in the Trinity United Methodist Church, Trinity Repertory Company has undergone an incredible transformation in 50 years, becoming one of the most respected regional theaters in the country

Featuring the last permanent resident acting company in America, Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated annual audience of approximately 145,000. In its 50-year history, the theater has produced 62 world premieres which have gone on to have productions at other theaters throughout the country.

Local, national and international recog-nition has consistently come to Trinity Rep. In 1968, it was the first American theater company invited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland and in 1981 it received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company.

Arts education at all levels is central to Trinity Rep’s mission. This season marks the 47th year of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep’s pioneering educational outreach program. Last season, Trinity Rep’s educational programs reached over 16,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut students through matinees as well as in-school residencies and workshops. The Young Actors Studio allows thousands of students participate in after-school enrichment activities at the theater as well as

in drama therapy programs designed for children on the autism spectrum. Brown University/Trinity Rep offers professional training for actors and directors in a three year MFA program which combines in-depth classroom curriculum with hands-on experi-ence with a working professional theater. Lifelong learning thrives in talkbacks after every performance, theater arts classes for adults and public forums.

In 1973, Trinity Repertory Company moved to its present home in the Lederer Theater Center at 201 Washington Street, downtown Providence. Formerly known as the Majestic Theatre, the historic build-ing houses two performance spaces: the 500-plus seat Chace Theater and the 300-seat Dowling Theater, as well as offices, production shops, and rehearsal halls. The theater is wheelchair accessible and offers an Assistive Listening System for the hearing-impaired.

The Pell Chafee Performance Center, located at 87 Empire Street, is home to Brown/Trinity Rep’s MFA program and Trinity Rep’s educational activities for grades K–12, with classrooms and a flexible theater space.

As Rhode Island’s largest arts organiza-tion, Trinity Rep has a significant impact on the community, and is a linchpin of Providence’s arts and entertainment district. The theater employs over 100 artistic and administrative staff and annually generates nearly $12 million in economic activity.

Curt Columbus became artistic director in January 2006, following Amanda Dehnert, Oskar Eustis, Richard Jenkins, Anne Bogart and Adrian Hall.

For more information, please visit www.trinityrep.com.

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TRInITY ReP’s 2013–2014 seAson

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath adapted by Frank Galati directed by Brian McEleney • Sept. 5 – Oct. 6, 2013

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Adrian Hall & Richard Cumming directed by Tyler Dobrowsky • Nov. 9 – Dec. 28, 2013

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang Nov. 21 – Dec. 22, 2013

Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage • Jan. 30 – March 2, 2014

Oliver! book, music & lyrics by Lionel Bart • directed and choreographed by Richard & Sharons Jenkins • Feb. 21 – March 30, 2014

Veronica Meadows by Stephen Thorne • directed by Michael Perlman • April 3 – May 4, 2014

A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard • directed by Brian Mertes • May 29 – June 29, 2014

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CURT COLUMBUSThe Richard L. Bready Artistic Director

Curt Columbus joined Trinity Rep as artistic director in Januar y 2006. His directing credits  for Trinity Rep include  His Girl Friday, The Merchant of Venice, C a m e l o t ,   C a b a r e t , The Odd Couple, The

Secret Rapture, The Receptionist, A Christmas Carol, Memory House,  Blithe Spirit,  Cherry Orchard and the world premiere of Stephen Thorne’s The Completely Fictional — Utterly

True — Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe and Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Social Creatures. Three of his plays — Paris by Night,  The Dreams of Antigone, and  Sparrow  Grass — premiered at Trinity Rep. His adaptation of Crime and Punishment (with Marilyn Campbell) is published by Dramatists’ Play Service. Curt’s translations of Chekhov’s plays are published by Ivan R. Dee, include a collection, Chekhov: The Four Major Plays. The Dreams of Antigone and Sparrow Grass are published by Broadway Play Publishing. Curt lives in Pawtucket with his husband, Nathan Watson.

MICHAEL GENNAROExecutive Director 

Michael joined Trinity R e p a s e x e c u t i v e director in 2007. He was executive direc-tor for eight years at Steppenwolf Theatre where Curt Columbus was associate artistic director. He has also

been executive director at Pennsylvania Ballet, managing director at Ford’s Theatre and Producing Director and CEO at Paper Mill Playhouse. Michael has served on grant panels for the NEA, TCG and the Doris Duke Foundation and was a RI Foundation Fellow in 2011. He is also licensed in NY as an attorney and is currently a referee with the Providence Roller Derby. Michael’s wife Donna Lee is a special events coordinator and his son Brendan is a musician in Chicago.

TYLER DOBROWSKYAssociate Artistic Director

Tyler has worked at Trinity Rep since 2003, where he has directed Its A Wonder ful Life (2010, 2011), Love Alone (2012, co-directed with Deborah Salem Smith), A C h r i s t m a s C a r o l (2012). As Trinity Rep’s

Education Director, he was instrumental in the expansion of the Young Actors Studio after-school and summer arts programs, and helped to strengthen Trinity Rep’s landmark Project Discovery program. Tyler is the associate producer for Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep, and teaches for the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program as well as Trinity Rep’s educational programs for children and adults. Tyler received his MA from Brown University, and studied theater at Holy Cross.

LAURA SMITHProduction Director

Ms. Smith is in her 17th season with Trinity Rep. She was the associateproduction manager at Trinity Rep for six years and the capital projects manager for two years, overseeing the construction of the

Pell Chafee Performance Center. In the past, she has been the production manager for the Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance at Brown University and the Berkshire Opera Company. She has also stage managed for institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Juilliard School.

STAFF FOR TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY

Grapes of Wrath_2013.indd 32 8/20/13 10:02 AM

rEsidEnT acTinG comPanYStephen Berenson, Angela Brazil, Timothy Crowe, Janice Duclos, Mia Ellis, Rebecca Gibel, Mauro Hantman, Phyllis Kay,Brian McEleney, Barbara Meek, Anne Scurria, Fred Sullivan, Jr., Stephen Thorne, Charlie Thurston, Rachael Warren,Joe Wilson, Jr.

arTisTic and maBEL T. wooLLEYLiTErarY dEParTmEnTThe Richard L. Bready Artistic Director .................. Curt ColumbusAssociate Artistic Director ................................... Tyler DobrowskyResident Designer ....................................................... Eugene LeeAssociate Directors ..........................Brian McEleney, Brian MertesResident Costume Designer ......................................William LaneResident Artist.....................................................Michael McGartyPlaywright in Residence .............................Deborah Salem SmithDirector of Voice & Speech ..........................................Thom JonesLiterary Intern ..........................................................Lexi DiamondArtistic Management Intern .....................................Molly Greene

EDUCATIONEducation Programs Manager & Teaching Artist ................................... Jordan ButterfieldSchool Partnerships Manager ................................Matthew TibbsEducation Intern .............................................. Zia Affronti MorterCommunity Engagement Coordinator & Teaching Artist .......................................... Rebecca NoonTeaching Artists .........................Jamie Arnold, Shura Baryshnikov

Angela Brazil, Ted Chylack, Jackie Davis, Lexi DiamondTyler Dobrowsky, Amanda Dolan, Billy Domineau

Vicki Dorazio, Mia Ellis, Rebecca Gibel, Mauro HantmanAnne Harrigan, Katie Leeman, Zdenko Martin, Nikki Massoud

Mike Miele, Sophie Netanel, Cari Platt, Barry PressDave Rabinow, Matt Russell, Anne Scurria, Marcus Stacy

Fred Sullivan Jr., Linda Sutherland, Stephen ThorneCharlie Thurston, Hans Vermy, Rachael Warren

Joe Wilson Jr., Diana Young

ProdUcTionProduction Director .................................................Laura E. SmithAssociate Production Director..................................... Mark TurekAsst. Production Director ....................................Anne L. HarriganProduction Assistants ................ Meg Tracy Leddy, Carolyn Reich

Sara SheetsStage Management Intern ................................. Meagan E. Garcia

SCENERYTechnical Director...........................................................Karl OrrallDraftsman ................................................................ Dylan CalleryCharge Scenic Artist ..................................................Philip CreechCarpenter .........................................................Christopher LevineOverhire Carpenters ..... Jason Inman, Jose Nunez, Timothy O’NeilStage Carpenter ................................................ Thomas Buckland

LIGHTINGMaster Electrician....................................................... Ross ChabotAssistant Master Electrician .............................Matthew DonnellyFirst Electrician .......................................................Steve McLellanBoard Operator ........................................................... Kristen RothLighting Intern .....................................................Virginia Herbert

COSTUMESCostume Shop Director................................ Alison Walker CarrierCutter/Draper ...................................................... Kerry DeLaGarzaCostume Technicians/Wardrobe ............... Erin Meghan Donnelly

Gillian Green, Rachel DuludeCostume Technician/Craftsperson ....................................Sylvi ReCostume Intern ...................................................Patria FerragamoStitcher/Cutter........................................ Yvonne Henson Maloney

PROPERTIESMaster ................................................................... S. Michael GetzArtisan .........................................................................Molly Thuot

AUDIOSound Engineer ........................................... Peter Sasha HurowitzSound Technician ......................................Andrew Bradford FerrySound Board Operator ...............................................Brian MerckxSound Intern................................................................... Sarah Jick

adminisTraTionExecutive Director ...............................................Michael GennaroGeneral Manager ........................................................Katie ByrnesSenior Accounting Assistant ............................... Kathy SantagataStaff Accountant .........................................................Cyndi WoodExecutive Assistant ........................................ Lauren UstaszewskiBusiness Assistant .................................................. Camron ParkerHouse Manager ........................................................... Ted ChylackAssistant House Managers ..................Ann Hayes, Stephen Lehrer

Kelly McDonald, Karen Pigeon, Jennifer WilsonGeneral Management Intern ................................ Christian LeahyReceptionist ..........................................................Kelly McDonald

BUILDING OPERATIONSDirector of Operations & Capital Projects ........... Robert WhitneyFacilities Supervisor ............................................. Michael BeasleyMaintenance Technician ........................................... Kaii AlmeidaSecurity Supervisor .............................................. Shawn WilliamsSecurity ...........................................Daniel Meath, Ian Sauvageau

MARkETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONSDirector of Marketing & PR...................................... Marilyn BuschCreative Director ....................................................... Michael GuyDirector of Sales ........................................................Linda Barone

Public Relations and Advertising Manager ................. Myah SheinMarketing Intern ..................................................... Corrie IgnagniGraphic Design Intern...........................................Lauren Prospere

DEVELOPMENTDirector of Development .................................. Kathryn A. CalnanAssociate Director of Development ...................... Jennifer CanoleManager of VIP Services & Special Events ................ David AzulayAnnual Fund & Database Manager............................Kristen OrrallIndividual & Legacy Giving Officer ....................... Carol E. DrewesDonor Programs & Individual Giving Officer ................Kate KatajaGrants Writer .........................................................Emily AtkinsonDevelopment Intern ............................................... Rebecca Miller

BOX OFFICE AND AUDIENCE SERVICESBox Office Manager .................................................Brian AndradeTicket Sales Supervisors ..................Amanda Mann, Walter PrinceLead Ticket Sales Reps ................ Daniel Meath, Katherine Rourke

Lenny Schwartz, Evan TessierTicket Sales Reps ............................Dan Boucher, Stephanie Carey

Joharlen Carvajal, Patricia Centofanti, Steven LloydTheresa Rowland, Kathleen Sands, Mary Staubitz

Emily Surabian, Corinne SouthernVolunteer Coordinator ........................................... Stephen LehrerAudience Service Reps............ Brendon Boucher, Stephanie Carey

Desiree Clements, Mike Daniels, Lexi DiamondMichael Grabosky, Alyssa Gerundio, Molly Greene

Christian Leahy, Deanna Marandola, Zia Affronti MorterDale Murgo, Dan Rowland, Marybeth Rowland

Stefanie Sevcik, Meredith Wilcox

VoLUnTEErsMany thanks to our dedicated volunteer ushers

STaFF FOR TRiniTy REPERTORy cOMPany

bROWn univERSiTy/TRiniTy REP MFa PROGRaMThe Richard L. Bready Artistic Director, Trinity Repertory Company ......................... Curt ColumbusDirector, Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs ..... Stephen BerensonHead, MFA Acting .................................................. Brian McEleneyHead, MFA Directing ................................................. Brian MertesHead, Voice & Speech ..................................................Thom JonesHead, Movement & Physical Theatre ......................... Daniel SteinChair, Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies ............................................. Erik EhnDirector, Academic Graduate Studies ......................Spencer GolubArtistic Director, Rites and Reason Theatre .....Elmo Terry-MorganProgram Administrator .................................................... Jill JannProduction Manager ........................................ Margaret E. O’NeilPCPC Tech Supervisor ...........................................Jason EckenrothProduction Coordinator............................................ Cole RatkoskiActing .............. Stephen Berenson, Lowry Marshall, Anne ScurriaDirecting ................................... Curt Columbus, Melissa Kievman

Kym Moore, Joanna SettlePlaywriting ........ Erik Ehn, Marcus Gardley, Deborah Salem SmithVoice ................................................... D’Arcy Dersham, Carol GillSinging .............................................................Kathryne JenningsDance ...................... Shura Baryshnikov, Michelle Bach-Coulibaly

Julie Adams StrandbergDesign ......................................................................... Eugene LeeClown/Mask .................................................................. Kali QuinnAlexander Technique .......................................... Christine StevensYoga ................................................................ Olivia D’AmbrosioProfessional Development .................................. Tyler DobrowskyCommunications ........................................ Barbara TannenbaumTheatre History .................................. Patricia Ybarra, John EmighPerformance Studies ............... Eng Beng Lim, Rebecca SchneiderBrown/Trinity Rep Intern ..................................Christina Henricks

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJonathan Duffy ChairPaul Choquette Vice-ChairBarbara Schoenfeld Vice-ChairJohn S. Lombardo TreasurerSuzanne Magaziner SecretaryHannah Bell-LombardoRichard BerettaAngela Brazil Acting CompanyLinda CohenCurt Columbus The Richard L. Bready Artistic DirectorBrian Daniels Tracey DaughertyJoseph L. Dowling, Jr.Michael Gennaro Executive DirectorMark K.W. GimPhilip GouldWilliam F. GreeneLaura HarrisSally HerreidElizabeth (Beppie) HuidekoperDeb ImondiPeter L. LewissDoris LichtPeter LipmanGil MacLeanJoseph MaddenChris MarsellaBrendan McCarthy

bOaRd OF TRuSTEESJack McConnellBrian McGuirkHeidi Keller MoonJohn Palumbo Marc PerlmanMichael PrescottDonald R. QuattrucciKibbe ReillyKathryn SabatiniD’Anna D. SoehngeAllison VareikaMaribeth Q. Williamson

TRUSTEES EMERITUSRichard L. BreadyArnold B. Chace, Jr.Johnnie C. ChaceLiz ChaceMichael CorrenteGeoffrey B. DavisSally T. DowlingConstance EvrardRhoda FlaxmanFrederick G. Frost IIILeslie Y. GuttermanLouis HafkenJohn M. HarpootianMary D. HigginsRobert J. HigginsBarry G. HittnerMichael E. HogueJohn H. HowlandCharles T. Hutchinson Eugene LeeMayer A. LevittRobert A. ReichleyMyrna K. RosenLila Sapinsley

Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 17 2/3/14 10:01 AM

BILL HuTCHINSONthe communit y as a whole has gained so much because of trinity rep being here and i want to acknowl-edge that. and how appreciative we are for all the artists who have worked here and have become a part of our community and who have enhanced our lives through their

art and through the good work they’ve brought to us. both in an entertaining way, but also a very informative way about our society and our values.

LINDA SuTHERLAND For me, trinity rep has always been about family and i think of the theater as family. it’s where i’ve grown up. it’s where i’ve trained; it’s where i’ve worked. so when i come to trinity rep as an audience member,

i feel very comfort-able. when i come to trinity rep and teach a class, i feel like i’m home. and when i do a talkback, i feel like its just conversation with the community and with lots and lots of friends.

PATRICIA BIRKES trinity rep is still thriving and h a s c r e a te d s o m u c h abundance and so much more theater within the community. i always say it was the beginning of the renaissance for providence, downtown. i ‘m just so proud to have had anything to do with trinity and i carry it in my heart. i love coming back and seeing the plays when i can. i’ve seen a lot of Christmas Carols, i must admit. i had to come at christmas time. i’m just so happy for everyone here and the community which has gained so much — and i have too.

BETSY McNEIL o n e p l a y i remember was T h e D e a t h o f Bessy Smith — t h at w a s my f irst introduc-tion to edward a l b e e , a n d that was really something. here i was living in the middle of providence

in a very normal, conservative family and i would step out of my comfort zone, i would step out of my world and i would become part of trinity rep. it was such an amazing, special thing and every time we would hear about Katherine helmond being on television and richard Kneeland performing on the west coast and adrian hall moving to texas, it would feel like they were our people who were doing something in the world.

liFElOnG lEaRninG

summertime and the Livin’ is Easy

by Jordan Butterfield

Theaters often close for the summer between seasons, with actors and directors f locking to summer stock programs across the country. not so at trinity rep, where

each summer the theater is alive with the young actors summer institute, better known as yasi. From july 1 to august 2, the month-long intensive program welcomes students between fifth and twelfth grade looking to study theater and performance from professional artists.

yasi is unlike any other performing arts program in new england. students can choose from a wide variety of electives, ranging from dialects to stage combat to musical theater to shakespeare. it caters to the broadway-or-bust young actors as well as fledgling playwrights and designers. Depending on their preference, a student could spend the entire day writing, with sketch comedy, theater for social change and the yasi gazette. another student could focus on dance, and take movement and the actor, physical theater and hip hop. yasi is not just for actors, but artists of all mediums and backgrounds. the combination of different interests make the program unique: there are singers, actors, playwrights, designers, stage managers, dancers, direc-tors as well as general theater fans.

beyond the great education you receive at yasi, you instantly become part of a family. in his sixth summer, student thomas Luongo reflects, “yasi is much more than an educational experience. it has become a lifestyle that promotes love, acceptance, health, dedication and trust.” our students learn that kindness, positive energy and fun are a way of life. it’s our hope that they learn to not just be great performers, but also be great people, and that they bring a bit of what they’ve learned back to their schools.

many of the child actors you see performing in Oliver! honed their skills at the young actors summer institute, including phineas peters who plays the titular charac-ter himself. phin started three summers ago as a nine-year-old and impressed us with his great ear for music, his hilarious personality and wonderful stage presence. when the casting was announced, the theater was

I am Trinity Rep. I am 50.

Few theaters can boast the intimate relationship Trinity Rep has with patrons, students and artists across the state. Rhode Islanders of all ages have shaped Trinity Rep’s rich history, and we are proud to be your State Theater. You are Trinity Rep — you are 50! Below are excerpts from stories collected at our 50th Anniversary Open House in August. Visit our YouTube page throughout the season for more memories and tributes.

pho

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by m

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Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 18 2/3/14 10:01 AM

overjoyed — we all knew from his yasi performances that phineas would make a great oliver twist.

if you know a child who dreams of performing on stage, yasi is the perfect gift. at the end of the summer, every student stars in a showcase where we present a variety of scenes, songs, monologues, dances and original pieces. how many people get to say they performed at trinity rep? yasi students share that honor with famous actors like viola Davis, peter gerety and Oliver! director richard jenkins, among countless others. there’s no better way for a talented young artist to spend the summer!

For high school yasi students, who cannot get enough william shakespeare, we have a special extension program: yasi shakes. associate artistic Director tyler Dobrowsky leads a group of 20 students to put on a full-fledged shakespeare play in just one week. casting and classes take place during yasi, but it all comes together in the final five days: august 4-9. yasi shakes has produced exceptional performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and Much Ado About Nothing in the Dowling theater. the young actors attack the language with energy and vigor in professional-quality performances. they would make the bard himself proud.

children entering first through fourth grade are also in luck! we also hold a week-long theater program called yasi jr., august 11–15. in this half-day class, students build a play from scratch, creating characters, costumes, props and backdrops. they use a beloved book or story, or sometimes they write their own play. every year we are amazed at how remarkable their final perfor-mances are, producing work well beyond their five to nine years. yasi jr. focuses on the art of acting, but also is a great environment for shy children to socialize and express themselves.

this summer, we are launching a new program called yasi masters. this is a series of master classes focused on various subjects taught by our resident acting company and artistic staff. yasi masters is for high school and college students who are serious about a career in the performing arts. a full sched-ule and menu of classes will be released in april, but highlights include viewpoints with choreographer shura baryshnikov, molière with resident acting company member angela brazil, Directing with artistic Director curt columbus and much more.

For all of our summer programming, visit trinityrep.com/education or email jbutterfield@trinityrep.com. make the most of this summer. make art, make friends and make memories at trinity rep.

photos From yasi 2013 by marK tureK

Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 19 2/3/14 10:01 AM

by Carol Drewes

For ann mason, who has attended trinity rep “since the church” and is now enjoying new connections on our theater tours, in acting classes

and as a campaign donor, the arts have always been personal. her family has been involved with folk dance across new england as callers, dancers and musicians for over 50 years. as a child she studied ballet, and began folk dancing when her brother took up contra dance. Living in washington, Dc

in the ’60s, ann danced with the washington contemporary Dance group, led by Louis tupler. her late husband ed was a dedicated morris dancer. ann still spends time each summer at pinewoods Dance camp in plymouth, and visits nantucket for Daffodil Days to cheer on morris dancers. “when i saw stephen thorne do a morris dance in House & Garden last year, i wanted to recruit him—he did an excellent job!”

with so much time devoted to dance, and four children, how did ann get involved with theater? ann and ed moved to town in 1967 when he accepted a professorship at brown, and were introduced to trinity rep by Lee and Florence clapp. “they took us to see Feasting with Panthers — and we were so impressed, we were hooked! i’ve always been fascinated by theater — how actors prepare and remember their lines and m o v e m e n t s ; how it’s happen-ing live for the f i rs t t ime for

each audience — it amazes me. and while this is going on in front of you, behind the scenes there is a whole other dance unfolding — i enjoy seeing that kind of collaboration.”

ann and ed passed their passion for trinity rep on to their children and grandchildren, who enjoyed their introduc-tion to theater via A Christmas Carol. several participated in project Discovery programs and her daughter took classes with former resident acting company member william Damkoehler.

when her children were grown, ann became a nurse midwife and began meeting trinity rep company members and friends in the delivery room. she fondly remembers “catching” Damkoehler’s daughter when she was born. she recalled seeing Same Time, Next Year: “i had so much fun watching richard jenkins trying to keep it together during the birth scene — his character was just unhinged. Later at rhode island Lying in hospital, i encountered him nervously pacing the halls while his wife sharon delivered their second child — déjà vu!”

ann is currently involved at trinity rep on several levels. as a traveler, she has enjoyed trinity rep’s theater tours to washington, Dc and portland, oregon and is looking forward to new york city in june. as a student, ann is taking her third class with teaching artist Katie Leeman, who calls ann, “a tremendously inspiring person — and not just because she’s the only person over age 80 in the class! ann is vibrant, lively, smart, and every day

pushes herself beyond where s h e ’ s b e e n before.” ann s ays : “ t hese classes are fun, challenging, and energizing. we get to know each other very well and enjoy spending time

with each other after classes too. i am amazed by the creativity everyone brings.”

ann supports the trinity rep annual Fund and theater for every generation campaign. she also volunteers for Families First and new england volunteer optom-etrists in service to humanity (nevosh ). “i learned very early about giving back. when i was six, we hosted a german family who

had escaped from the holocaust. as a teenager i spent three summers as a mother’s helper in pennsylvania and switzerland. the father was regional director for care international, the development and relief organization. they opened up my world view and impressed on me that there is always a way to help.” recently ann returned from ten days in panama with her grandson for a nevosh project. he is her fourth grandchild to volunteer

in this way, proof that ann is passing the philanthropic torch to another generation. “one of the great things i learned with midwifery and seeing womens’ strength during birth, and that i’m re-learning in my improvisation classes, is that in life you are faced with challenges and you have to carry on and do it.”

“i choose to make a financial commit-ment to trinity rep because of the many years of entertainment, thoughtful conversation and education it has provided me personally and continues to provide in our community.”

we are very grateful that ann has chosen to carry on so fully with trinity rep.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT, A FEW OF ANN’S FAVORITE TRINITY REP PEOPLE AND MOMENTS: Stephen Thorne, Angela Brazil & Joe Wilson, Jr. in house & garden by Alan Aykbourn, directed by Brian McEleney, set by Eugene Lee, costumes by William Lane, lights by Bryon Winn & photo by Mark Turek, 2013; husband and wife William Damkoehler and Cynthia Strickland in a christmas carol by Charles Dickens, directed by Curt Columbus, production design by Blair Thomas, costumes by William Lane, lights by Brian J. Lilienthal & photo by T. Charles Erickson, 2006; Tom Mason, Richard Kavanaugh, William Damkoehler, Robert J. Colonna, Daniel Von Bargen, Timothy Crowe and Robert Black in Feasting with panthers by Adrian Hall & Richard Cumming, directed by Adrian Hall, set design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Betsey Potter, lights by Shirley Prendergast & photo by William L. Smith,1973.

one seat over:Ann Mason

One donor discusses how Trinity Rep enriches her life

Trinity Oliver_2014.indd 21 2/3/14 10:02 AM

  Curt Columbus, Artistic Director   Michael Gennaro, Executive Director 

201 Washington Street  Providence  Rhode Island 02903    www.trinityrep.com  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 20, 2014 CONTACT: Marilyn Busch, Director of Marketing & PR (401) 453‐9228 mbusch@trinityrep.com  Myah Shein, Public Relations & Advertising Manager, (401) 521‐1100 ext. 226   mshein@trinityrep.com 

 2014‐2015 SEASON ANNOUNCED AT TRINITY REP 

Ivanov, Barefoot in the Park, Glass Menagerie, A Flea in Her Ear and more  

PROVIDENCE, RI: Tony Award‐winning Trinity Repertory Company, under the leadership of The Richard 

L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus and Executive Director Michael Gennaro is pleased to 

announce their 2014‐2015 season line‐up of plays.  

 

“In putting together our upcoming season, we wanted to take audiences on a dramatic voyage courtesy 

of some of the world’s greatest playwrights, “ explains Columbus, “And of course, bring their work to life 

with that inimitable “Trinity Rep” flair — with performances that are electric, immediate, funny as 

anything, and daring to chart new territory.” 

 

Trinity Rep’s 2014–2015 season starts in Russia with the world premiere of Curt Columbus’ new 

translation of Ivanov by Anton Chekhov. Columbus and Trinity Rep’s resident acting company have 

been working on this new adaptation for a few years. "Although a lesser known Chekov play, Ivanov is 

often referred to as the ‘comic Russian Hamlet’, “ says Columbus, “In the talented hands of director 

Brian McEleney, the show promises to bring the same dramatic punch as his stunning production of The 

Grapes of Wrath.” 

 

Back again after a sold‐out run is the holiday classic – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – now 

available on sale to subscribers. A Christmas Carol will start performances in November and has been 

extended through New Year's Eve. 

 

Meanwhile in the downstairs Dowling Theater, the theater unwraps Neil Simon’s delightful romantic 

confection, Barefoot in the Park. From one of the funniest, most beloved playwrights of his generation, 

Barefoot in the Park is the hilarious and sweet story of two newlyweds making a life together in 60s New 

York.  

 

Columbus then stages the bittersweet metaphysical gem Middletown by Massachusetts‐born 

playwright Will Eno. “Eno is a great contemporary American writer,” states Columbus, “while 

Middletown takes its themes from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, his style is very contemporary, and very 

funny.  

 

The dramatic highlight of the season promises to be the poetic masterpiece The Glass Menagerie about 

longing, unfulfilled dreams and the power of memory. Considered by many to be one of the greatest 

American plays ever written, this classic from the brilliant Tennessee Williams will be directed by Brian 

Mertes (Crime and Punishment, Clybourne Park) and performed in the upstairs Chace Theater. 

 

No theatrical journey would be complete without a large dose of laughter, and no play tickles audiences 

more than the wildly funny French farce A Flea in Her Ear by Georges Feydeau. “A Flea in Her Ear is just 

flat out funny,” proclaims Columbus “Feydeau’s plots are so precisely constructed, yet there is a huge to 

degree of mayhem.” 

 

Trinity Rep closes their season with the highly anticipated world premiere of a musical adaptation of 

Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play with a new score by Todd Almond. “What’s interesting about this play is 

that people will say, “Oh no, Melancholy Play, it must be sad,” says Columbus, “but its title is part of the 

joke. The play is about a woman so beautifully sad that everyone falls in love with her. But what 

happens when their love actually makes her happy?” 

 

Featuring one of the last permanent resident acting company in America, Trinity Rep’s subscription 

season presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated annual 

audience of 145,000. In its 50‐year history, the theater has produced 63 world premieres, mounted 

national and international tours, and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and 

directors. 

 

Full season subscriptions for all six plays are now on sale by calling the box office at (401) 351‐4242. 

 Subscribing now also gives you immediate access to pre‐sale tickets for A Christmas Carol. Subscribers 

receive tickets up to 30% off regular single ticket prices. Subscriber benefits also include free ticket 

exchanges, parking and dining discounts, and invitations to special backstage events. Flex Pass 

Subscriptions and special discounted packages are also available for seniors, military and students. The 

Trinity Rep box office is located at 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI, 02903, and can be reached by 

calling (401) 351‐4242. 

 

2014‐2015 Season | September 2014 – June 2015 

 Ivanov by Anton Chekhov A world premiere translation by Curt Columbus directed by Brian McEleney September 4 ‐ October 5, 2014 in the Dowling Theater In this fascinating early work by Anton Chekhov, we see the union of humor and pathos that would become his trademark. In a sparkling new translation by Curt Columbus (whose Chekhov translations have been proclaimed by Variety as “savvy, clear, fair‐minded and right‐headed”) and helmed by Brian McEleney (Grapes of Wrath.)  Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon November 20 ‐ December 21, 2014 in the Dowling Theater Hilarious, sweet, and ultimately moving, Barefoot in the Park tells the story of two newlyweds: Paul, a buttoned‐down lawyer, and Corie, his free‐spirited wife, as they learn to love each other for who they are. From one of the funniest, most beloved playwrights of his generation, Barefoot in the Park is romantic delight not to be missed.    Middletown by Will Eno directed by Curt Columbus January 22 ‐ February 22, 2015 in the Dowling Theater “Middletown. Population: stable; elevation: same. The main street is called Main Street. The side streets are named after trees. Things are fairly predictable. People come, people go. Crying, by the way, in both directions.”  This is how we are introduced to the eponymous town in Will Eno’s bittersweet gem, which has universally been hailed as one of the best plays of the past few years. “Middletown glimmers from start to finish with tart, funny, gorgeous little comments on big things: the need for love and forgiveness, the search for meaning in life, the long, lonely ache of disappointment.” – The New York Times   The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams directed by Brian Mertes February 26 ‐ March 29, 2015 opening in the Chace Theater Perhaps one of the greatest American plays ever written, this classic from the brilliant Tennessee Williams is Trinity Rep’s Project Discovery Centerpiece production. Directed by Brian Mertes (Clybourne Park), The Glass Menagerie is a dazzling, poetic masterpiece about longing, unfulfilled dreams and the power of memory.  

 A Flea in Her Ear by Georges Feydeau March 26 ‐ April 26, 2015 in the Dowling Theater Slamming doors. Mistaken identities. Rendezvous gone awry. When the wife of an insurance magnate thinks her husband is cheating on her, she decides to catch him in the act…only to turn their world hilariously upside down. Prepare to be delighted by this wildly funny French farce. “Where does one begin in praising Feydeau? Perhaps with the thrift and beauty of his plotting…the result is a heartlessly funny evening of whirlwind insanity.” The Guardian  Melancholy Play: a new chamber musical  A world premiere by Sarah Ruhl, music by Todd Almond May 28 ‐ June 28, 2015 in the Dowling Theater Meet Tilly. She’s depressed. She’s so fantastically, alluringly depressed, in fact, that everyone can’t help falling in love with her, including her therapist and her bank teller. But what happens when their love actually makes Tilly. . .happy? Trinity Rep is proud to premiere this new musical comedy from Sarah Ruhl, with beautiful music by Todd Almond.  Non‐subscription Holiday Programming  A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens, adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming November 8, 2014 ‐ December 31, 2014 Trinity Rep’s annual production of this holiday classic has completely sold out the past three years.  Titles, dates and directors are subject to change.   The State Theater of Rhode Island, Trinity Repertory Company is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season. Since its founding in 1963, Trinity Repertory Company has been one of the most respected regional theaters in the country. Featuring the last permanent resident acting company in America, Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated annual audience of approximately 145,000. In its 50‐year history, the theater has produced 63 world premieres, mounted national and international tours, and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and directors. This season marks the 47th year of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program.  Last season, Trinity Rep’s educational programs reached nearly 15,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut students through matinees as well as in‐school residencies and workshops. Brown University/Trinity Rep offers professional training for actors and directors in a three‐year MFA program. Trinity Rep's 2013‐2014 season continues with Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, the world premiere of Veronica Meadows by Stephen Thorne and A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard. For more information, call the box office at (401) 351‐4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.trinityrep.com.  

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