Theatre Palisades Youth Presents

Book by Douglas

Jeff

Carter Beane

Music and Lyrics by Lynne and John Farrar

Based on the Universal Pictures Film Screenplay by Richard Danus & Marc Rubel Directed and Choreographed by

Lara Ganz

Musical Director

Dana Greene

Assistant Director

Jenny Jerome Produced by

Jody Crabtree

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Tara Smith/B. Swibel, Sara Murchison/Dale Smith & Carl Smulyan

CAST OF CHARACTERS (in alphabetical order)

Medusa / Greek Chorus

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexandra Abraham

Melpomone / Ensemble

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren

Zeus / Greek Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriella Abraham

Calliope / Ensemble

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eliza

Sonny Malone / Ensemble

Danny / Ensemble

Bernstein

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kerry

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rex

Byrnes

Cooper

Crabtree

Kira-Clio / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isabella Dixon

Melpomone / Ensemble

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barrett

Eastman

Hermes / Greek Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Callum Ganz Clotho (Fate) / Siren

Danny / Ensemble

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mirielle

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel

Ganz

Grossman

Erato / Patty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safiye Gurdil Urania / Centaur

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sophie

Herron

Lachesis (Fate) / Siren. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Jeffers Sonny Malone / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Jeffers

Thalia / Cyclops / Maxene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evangeline Lindes

Calliope / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Lindgren

Terpsichore / Hera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madeline Milam

Polyhymnia / Laverne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lexie Palmer

Thetis / Greek Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleo Schwartz Euterpe / Aphrodite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyneth Seelinger

Kira-Clio / Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riley Stoler

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE “I’m Alive” “Magic” “Evil Woman” “Suddenly” “Whenever You’re Away From Me” “Dancin’ ” “Strange Magic” “All Over the World” ACT TWO “Don’t Walk Away” “Suspended in Time” “Have You Never Been Mellow” “Xanadu”

What is THEATRE PALISADES YOUTH? TPY is the youth theater production group at the Pierson Playhouse in Pacific Palisades for kids in grades 3-9. There are two productions a year: Winter and Summer. Winter productions have auditions in November, rehearsals in January and February and then shows are usually late February and early March. Summer shows hold auditions in April, rehearsals in July and the shows are in late July and early August.These are professional quality shows performed in our 125-seat community theater, before paying audiences.

How can I get involved? The best way to find out about TPY and how you can be a part of it is to follow us @TPYouth on Twitter or on the Theatre Palisades Facebook page. We will post there when auditions are for Winter and Summer shows. Or check in on the Theatre Palisades website for all information about the Youth program www.theatrepalisades.org.

PRODUCTION STAFF

Co-Stage Managers . . . . . . . . . . . Maria O’Connor, Josh Harper Scenic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sherman Wayne Set Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Cooper, Jeff Dixon Set Painting . . . . . Tania Collas, Sasha Galbraith, Tricia Taper, Kendall Crabtree, Jocey Crabtree Light & Sound Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Frew Lighting & Technical Support . . Clayton Collins, Dylan Port, Jack Jeffers Production Assts / Running Crew . . . . . . . . . . Katie Reinhold, Sandy Esperanza, Mia Ruhman, Maya Millner, Lily Koenig, Ethan Egilsson, Zoe Egilsson Costume . . . . Adriana Ruhman, Erin Herron, Sarah Seelinger Hair & Make-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tricia Grossman, Erin Herron, Ricarda Ankenbrand-Lindes, Cathy Stallings Props . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Herron, Tania Collas Concessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vivica Schwartz, Alison Lindgren, Emily Sikking, Christine Abraham Publicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lara Schrader Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Bernstein Photography/Lobby Board . . . Regan Eastman, Alison Lindgren Program Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manfred Hofer Program Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cathy Stallings Poster Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanne Reich Box Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Grant Feltham

PRODUCTION STAFF BIOS

Lara Ganz (Director and Choreographer) received her BA in Psychology from UCLA, graduated from AMDA, school for performing arts in NYC and is currently studying to be a drama therapist. However, learning to parent her two enchanting children, Callum and Mireille, has been, by far, her greatest education. She feels extremely grateful for the uplifting experience of working with the TPY members over the past 3 years. She would like to thank Jon, for well . . . EVERYthing. She thanks Cici and Papa for their inspiration, support and for always seeing the best in her.

Dana Greene (Musical Director) brings a lifetime of expertise to Theatre Palisades Youth. Veteran singer, musician, performer and a leading vocal teacher for children and emerging voices, she has brought her talents to the Walt Disney Studios, serving as vocal coach for the movie Newsies, and conducts The New Moon Women’s Choir, a local choir in the Palisades. Her students have won high honors, including multiple Grand Prize winners of the Music Center Spotlight Awards for non-classical voice, and are gracing Broadway stages and concert halls around the country. She runs To Dream Music Studios in Pacific Palisades with her husband, Jim Avakian.

Jenny Jerome (Assistant Director) is delighted to be working with such a talented cast and TPY team. A native New Yorker who grew up in Brooklyn Heights, she attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts in the Stella Adler Conservatory and worked at the Actors Studio in New York. She’s worked with renowned directors Rob Reiner, Arthur Penn, Arthur Storch, Anne Bogart, Richard Foreman, Robert Wilson, James Nicola, Elizabeth LeCompte, Marcia Haufrecht, Ellen Stewart and Judith Malina of the Living Theatre, among others. Since moving to California she has been working with child and adult actors coaching privately and on-set for film and TV in such wide ranging productions as Girl Meets World and James Franco’s Bukowski. She’s received several arts grants for writing and directing her plays and is now developing film and TV projects. She is the proud mother of three Palisadians, two of whom are in the Xanadu cast!

Jody Crabtree (Producer). This is Jody’s 5th time as producer for Theatre Palisades Youth. She last co-produced James the Giant Peach with April O’Sullivan. She was introduced to the program when her daughter Kendall was cast in Willy Wonka, Jr. She earned her B.A. at Bucknell University. Her most recent theatre appearance was as Alice in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in high school. She is a docent at the Getty Villa. Jody is grateful for the opportunity to work with TPY, and thankful to everyone who makes this show possible!

Maria O’Connor (Co-Stage Manager) is pleased to be returning to TPY as co-stage manager for Xanadu. Last season she assisted in James and The Giant Peach and had a wonderful time with the talented cast and crew! Maria is also an actress and has performed here at Theatre Palisades. Some of her favorite roles here have been Sister Woman in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Julie in Perfect Wedding and Suzanne in Don’t Dress For Dinner. She has also appeared in episodic television and independent films. Cheers and enjoy the show!

Josh Harper (Co-Stage Manager) is thrilled to return for his 22nd production at the Pierson Playhouse. He started in 2010 as a member of the stage crew for TPY’s production of The Wind in the Willows and grew to be a stage manager with both TPY and mainstage productions, while playing music and working full-time. In addition, Josh was associate producer for five TPY shows and has made cameo appearances in Has Anybody Here Seen Roy? and Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. He was most recently stage manager and filled in on sound for The Spitfire Grill. “Break a leg!”

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

A children’s musical based on a critically-annihilated 1980 movie about a muse inspiring a frustrated Venice Beach-based artist to build a roller disco . . . Uh, like, totally, for sure!! Sign me up! As a child of the ‘80s, my grandest wish was to be Olivia Newton-John. I spent my summers creating and directing shows with my friends and, somehow, I managed to always cast myself as a wholesome, soft-spoken, angelic Sandy from Grease or Kira from Xanadu-type lead character. I even went so far as to spend a year in Australia as an exchange student, in hopes of becoming more like my first muse, Olivia! And strangely, I, like Clio in Xanadu the musical version, developed a pretend Australian accent for a while (yikes!). When it came time to choose a summer show, Xanadu wasn’t even on my radar, but the muses stepped in and “destiny arrived.” Although the movie version of Xanadu was an easy target for film critics and, apparently, the reason why the “Razzie awards” were invented, the musical version spells out its profound message. That is, in Zeus’s own words, “the greatest achievement any of you might hope for . . . To love someone else and create art. That is . . . Xanadu!” There are many muses behind this production that I wish to thank. When I think of our new musical director, Dana Greene, the first word that pops into my mind is, appropriately, “MAGIC!” Thank you for sharing your magic with us, Dana! To Jenny Jerome, who is truly a muse’s muse, your presence, wisdom and expertise on all things theatrical is a gift from “the Gods.” To Jody Crabtree, you are the backbone of TPY. There aren’t enough words to properly thank you for your tireless efforts as our fearless producer. And finally, to the muse children of TPY, “a million lights are dancing and there you are, the shooting STARS!” Thank you for “bringing all my dreams alive!”, as this production is truly a dream come true! Enjoy! — Lara Ganz, TPY Program Director

CAST BIOS

Alexandra Abraham (Medusa/Greek Chorus) makes her debut appearance with TPY this season! After watching big sister Gabriella performing in TPY, she has been waiting for her chance to be a part of the show! This fall, Alex will be entering third grade at Notre Dame Academy Elementary School, where she hopes to find a fun and challenging theatre program to join. Since kindergarten, Alex has enjoyed performing in plays at Marquez Elementary School’s STAR program, under the direction of Dorothy Blue. In addition to musical theatre, Alex also enjoys creating art, cooking, tap dancing, playing board games, traveling, being a Girl Scout and riding her bike. Alex thanks everyone for their love and support.

Gabriella Abraham (Zeus/Greek Chorus) rejoins the cast and crew of TPY for her third performance! She played Pop Becker and the Ventriloquist/Dummy team in Bugsy Malone, Jr. and the Jester and Oswald (of the dragon bottom) in Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood. This fall, she will be entering sixth grade at Notre Dame Academy Elementary School, where she looks forward to continuing with musical theatre. Gaby has enjoyed performing in plays since the first grade at Marquez Elementary School and has played the role of the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and Homer in Charlotte’s Web. In addition to musical theatre, Gaby enjoys biking, skateboarding, playing guitar, reading, traveling, doing magic tricks, being a Girl Scout and making people laugh. Gaby thanks her family and fellow cast members for their support and dedication. Lauren Bernstein (Melpomone/Ensemble) is very excited to be performing in this year’s TPY production of Xanadu Jr. She is thirteen years old and will be starting ninth grade at Pali High this fall. Outside of theatre, Lauren enjoys dancing at the D.C. Dance Center. She spends many hours in the studio where she takes jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, lyrical and contemporary dance. Her other hobbies include sewing and sketching.

Eliza Byrnes (Calliope/Ensemble) is twelve years old and going into seventh grade at Our Lady of Malibu. She has been singing since she was two years old and performed in her first play when she was just five at Young Actors Project in Malibu. This is her second production with TPY and she is thrilled to be playing Euterpe (muse) and an Andrew’s sister. Previously she played Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach at TPY, Elsa in Frozen at the Malibu Playhouse and was one of The Stepsisters in Cinderella. She is so excited to be doing her second show at TPY!

Kerry Cooper (Sonny Malone/Ensemble) is excited to be returning to her seventh show here at Theatre Palisades. Previously, she has played Sponge in James and the Giant Peach, Blousey in Bugsy Malone Jr., the Queen in Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood, Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical, Old Weeping Lady #2 in The Ever After—A Musical and Phelicia Trout in Willy Wonka Jr., along with making appearances in school plays. She has written and starred in two short films for Paul Revere Middle School’s annual film festival, such as her first place live-action short Paranormal Activity and second place for her live action short Sockspeare in 2015. Kerry plays the tuba in her school’s concert and jazz band and spends her free time sending audition tapes to Hamilton (all of which have so far been unsuccessful). Rex Crabtree (Danny/Ensemble) is thrilled to return for his fifth show at Theatre Palisades. He is ten years old and entering fourth grade at Calvary in the fall. Rex’s previous theater roles at Theatre Palisades include Centipede in James and the Giant Peach, Dandy Dan in Bugsy Malone, Jr., a knight in Shrek, The Musical and Sam in The Ever After—A Musical. His interests outside the theater include basketball, Minecraft, playing with his dog and golf.

Isabella Dixon (Kira-Clio/Ensemble) is once again over the moon to be a member of the amazing family here at TPY. As soon as she found out she was playing Kira, she has spent every single night since on her roller skates, honing her skills. This is her fourth production with TPY, previously playing Emma in Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood, Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, Jr. and James in James and the Giant Peach, Jr. Bella is heading into the eighth grade at Paul Revere Middle School and her parents still can’t fully comprehend it. She plays the guitar, keyboard and drums, and enjoys everything musical. She’s obsessed with Hamilton and will rap any song from it on cue. She thanks Lara and every single member of the TPY family for making this amazing experience special. She also thanks her family for their endless support and for tirelessly dealing with her Hamilton infatuation.

Barrett Eastman (Melpomone/Ensemble) is eleven years old and super excited to be appearing in her second show at Theater Palisades. She will be entering fifth grade at Corpus Christi School this fall. Barrett’s previous theater roles include The Music Man, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Fiddler on the Roof, Bugsy Malone, Ruthless, Into the Woods, Matilda and Frozen. Singing and acting are Barrett’s greatest passions! Barrett also enjoys reading, skiing, ice skating, being a Junior Girl Scout, making music videos and having fun with family and friends.

Callum Ganz (Hermes) is making his debut performance at Theatre Palisades! When not performing musicals about Greek gods in Venice (CA) in the ‘80’s (1980s), Callum enjoys soccer, swimming, playing drums and piano and memorizing the names and abilities of all 700+ Pokemon. Mireille Ganz (Clotho [Fate]/Siren) is making her debut performance at Theatre Palisades! When not gliding about on stage, Mireille enjoys gliding about in general; ballet, tap and hip hop dancing; singing; swimming, monkey bars; designing clothing for puppies; and everything to do with Beanie Boos (and puppies).

Rachel Grossman (Danny/Ensemble) is going to be an eighth grader at New West Charter and is so excited to be performing in her seventh TPY show. She starred as James in James and the Giant Peach, Blousey Brown in Bugsy Malone Jr., Fiona the Ogre in Shrek the Musical and was Cinderella in The Ever After—A Musical. Singing, acting and exploring are her greatest passions. She also absolutely loves Dr. Who and basically anything and everything related to cats. Rachel would like to thank her wonderful family for supporting her in whatever she does (sometimes it’s outrageous) and letting her be a part of TPY.

Safiye Gurdil (Erato/Patty) will be entering fifth grade at Palisades Elementary in the fall. Safiye loves music and plays violin in the Children’s Music Workshop All Schools Honor Chamber Orchestra, which performed at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall in May. Safiye also loves art and cats, but most of all, she loves Theatre Palisades Youth! She performed with TPY for the first time in their recent production of James and the Giant Peach, playing the roles of Chris Cryermouth and Bitsy Botana. Safiye is thrilled to be part of another amazing TPY production and would like to thank Lara, Jenny and all the TPY staff for making TPY such a wonderful theatrical experience! Sophie Herron (Urania/Centaur) is thrilled to participate in her first show with Theatre Palisades Youth. Soon to be a fifth grader at Palisades Elementary, Sophie appeared in two Star theater productions last year: Two Sides to Every Story (Eve) and Screen Time (Zombie Kid 6). In addition to acting, Sophie enjoys reading, writing, swimming and playing with her dog Boomer. She would like to thank her parents for encouraging her to try new things and she thanks TPY for this fun opportunity!

Katie Jeffers (Lachesis [Fate]/Siren) is very excited to be making her TPY debut. She has previously performed in many ballet recitals, and at school has played Mary in Mary and Joseph, the Princess in Princess and the Pea, Cordelia in King Lear and one of the three witches in Macbeth. She also had fun doing a Broadway review at Adderley where she sang “Loathing” from Wicked as Glinda. At home, she has written and performed many plays, skits and songs, her favorite things in the world to do. She loves nature, art and skiing. She would like to thank her mother, father, two brothers and extended family.

Nick Jeffers (Sonny Malone/Ensemble) is ten years old and going into the sixth grade. He is so happy to be back at TPY after performing in last summer’s smash hit Bugsy Malone as Ritzy and Paperboy, and where he was bitten by the theatre bug. Since then, Nick has sung on the Dolby Theatre stage with Andrea Bocelli in Great Performances’ “Cinema” which aired on PBS, played Schroeder in Charlie Brown, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof and Daddy Warbucks in Annie. He’s loved writing and performing stand-up comedy and enjoys writing songs, stories and plays. His favorite sports are skiing and swimming. He wants to thank his mom and dad and brother and sister and pets and friends and extended family and TPY and pretty much everybody he knows. Evangeline Lindes (Thalia/Cyclops/Maxene) is excited to make her TPY debut this summer in Xanadu, Jr. She just finished fourth grade at Pali Elementary. She has been performing since she was three years old and has performed and studied acting at the Santa Monica Playhouse and Gary Spatz’s The Playground Young Actor’s Conservatory and Margie Haber Studio. She is currently studying acting with John Kirby, VO with Lynnanne Zager and singing with Mika Newton. She has been in several commercials and global print campaigns like Disney and Tommy Hilfiger, a TV pilot and did VO for a TV show. In 2016 she shot a fantasy movie and has an editorial in the 2016 March issue of Elle magazine. She would like to thank her parents and grandma for all of their love, inspiration and support to pursue her acting and singing career dreams.

Emma Lindgren (Calliope/Ensemble) is excited to rejoin the cast and crew of Theatre Palisades Youth for her second performance! She played Shake Down Louis in last summer’s TPY production of Bugsy Malone Jr. and most recently played James Madison in her school’s production of Miracle in Philadelphia. Emma is eleven years old and going into sixth grade at Berkeley Hall School. She enjoys musical theater, singing, dancing, acting, bike riding, swimming and spending time with friends. She would like to thank her family, friends and teachers for all of their love, support and encouragement.

Madeline Milam (Terpsichore/Hera) is eleven years old currently going into sixth grade at The Mirman School. She has most recently performed in the Adderley School performances of Into the Woods as the Witch and then as Yente in the Arte performance of Fiddler on the Roof. She plays basketball, volleyball and softball and is in a theater on ice production.

Lexie Palmer (Polyhymnia/Laverne) is excited to be in her first TPY show! She loves musical theatre and has been in nine Adderley/Adderley ARTE shows, with favorites being Wicked (Elphaba) and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally). It was also a thrill to be in Brentwood School’s All-School Musical Les Misérables (Young Cosette). Favorite hobbies include tap dancing, piano, voice, soccer, writing and drawing. Huge hugs to her family, friends and dogs. Heartfelt thanks to her music, musical theatre and tap teachers. Cleo Schwartz (Thetis/Greek Chorus) will be making her TPY debut this year. She is a fifth grader at Manzanita School in Topanga Canyon who loves to sing and act. She has appeared in Aladdin and Peter Pan at Topanga Elementary School and has years of experience singing solos at camp cabaret. Cleo is a competitive gymnast and spends alot of her free time learning new gymnastics skills. She is also passionate about reading and dancing.

Gwyneth Seelinger (Euterpe/Aphrodite) is in the fifth grade and this is her second TPY Production. Gwyneth has performed in James and the Giant Peach (TPY), Hairspray—A Dee-Lightful Production and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Theatricum Botanicum Shakespeare Camp. She would like to thank her mom and dad, her voice coach Beth Andersen, Lara and the staff at TPY.

Riley Stoler (Kira-Clio/Ensemble) is heading into sixth grade at New West Charter. This is her seventh show with TPY. Some of her favorite TPY roles are Spiker in James and the Giant Peach, Lord Faarquad in Shrek, The Musical and The Mirror in The Ever After—A Musical. When not performing, Riley practices flying trapeze and aerial arts, makes short films, draws, plays flute and piano, loves zip lining and any activity where her parents are required to sign a liability waiver. What she really wants to do is direct. She hopes to learn to skydive and to not fall onstage in her roller skates. She would like to thank her parents, her sister, Morgan and the entire TPY Team!