THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN KLEZMER

THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN KLEZMER Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Songs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose ...
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THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN KLEZMER

Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Songs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Created and Written by Joseph Vass; Directed by Peter Moore

DEC 2 – 31 on the Proscenium Stage

special thanks to

2016–2017 SEASON

BWBR Architects

Colle + McVoy

Minnesota Dance Theatre

“...a marvel of balletic storytelling.” -Star Tribune

December 16-23, 2016 State Theatre with the Nutcracker Orchestra Ticketmaster.com or 800-982-2787

“A towering ambition and multidisciplinary triumph.” -Pioneer Press

January 20-22, 2017 The Cowles Center Tickets: thecowlescenter.org 612-206-3600

53rd Performance Season | mndance.org |

Dear Park Square Patron, What a joy to have the musical melting pot that is George Gershwin back on stage! His blend of Jewish immigrant and African-American music styles created the American Songbook – putting stars in the eyes of each new generation of fans. With your help, we put stars in the eyes of the nations’ largest teen theatre audience. More than 33,000 teens come to us from schools as close as Humboldt and Harding and as far away as Superior, Wisconsin and Cresco, Iowa. They leave here inspired by a new understanding of the human spirit – challenged to rethink their role in life. Special partnerships put Park Square stars in the classroom. Artists Doug ScholzCarlson and Kym Longhi are helping the immigrant students at Leap High School devise an original play in English and their (24!) native languages. The students want to share their dreams for college and demonstrate how more education will build social equity and greater financial security for their families. These students will perform their original play for their families and community elders on our stage next spring. We need you (yes you) to keep our “stars” working on stage and in the community. Your tax-deductible contribution helps teens of all backgrounds envision bright futures through theatre that matters. Thank you for your generosity!

Richard Cook, Artistic Director 651.767.8482 | [email protected]

C. Michael-jon Pease, Executive Director, CFRE 651.767.8497 | [email protected]

OUR MISSION is to enrich our community by producing and presenting exceptional live theatre that touches the heart, engages the mind and delights the spirit. 3

MUSICAL SELECTIONS ACT ONE Portamento (George Gershwin)............................................................. Klezmerica Vodka* (Instrumental) (George Gershwin)........................................... Klezmerica On Tin Pan Alley The Sidewalks of New York (Lawlor & Blake)..................................... The Griot The Banks of the Wabash (Paul Dresser)................................... The Chanteuse She Is More to be Pitied Than Censured (W. Gray)........................ The Chazzen Oyfen Pripetshok (Mark Warchafsky) .................................................... The Griot A Mixed Blessing (Burton, Henry and Vass)................. The Griot & The Chazzen The Man I Love (George and Ira Gershwin).................................. The Chanteuse Heyser Bulgar (Traditional).................................................................... Klezmerica I Got Rhythm (George and Ira Gershwin).............................................. Ensemble

INTERMISSION ACT TWO Bulka’s Song (Instrumental) (Joseph Vass).......................................... Klezmerica Embraceable You (George and Ira Gershwin)........................................ The Griot Noach’s Teive (Abraham Goldfaden)................................................. The Chazzen ‘S Wonderful (George and Ira Gershwin)...................................... The Chanteuse Someone To Watch Over Me (George and Ira Gershwin)............. The Chanteuse Dybbuk #2 (Joseph Vass)...................................................................... Klezmerica Summertime (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin)......................... The Chazzen Two Hebrew Melodies (Traditional)................................................... The Chazzen It Ain’t Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin)....................... The Chanteuse There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York .................................... The Griot (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin) Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way (Heyward, George and Ira Gershwin) ........ Ensemble Life of a Rose** (George Gershwin and Buddy De Sylva)...................... Ensemble I Got Rhythm (reprise).............................................................................. Ensemble *“Vodka,” music by George Gershwin and Herbert Stothart, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach **“Life of a Rose,” music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Buddy DeSylva 4

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Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Songs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Created and Written by Joseph Vass



Director Musical Arranger Musical Director Scenic Designer Sound Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

Peter Moore Joseph Vass Joseph Vass Dean Holzman Jacob M. Davis Jason Lee Resler Michael P. Kittel Megan Fae Dougherty* Samantha Diekman

CAST George Gershwin Chanteuse Griot (Storyteller) Chazzan (Cantor)

Michael Paul Levin* Maud Hixson Geoffrey Jones Maggie Burton

KLEZMERICA

Drums Woodwinds Trumpet Violin Bass Piano

Jay Epstein or Nathan Norman Doug Haining Adam Meckler Carolyn Boulay or Gary Schulte Chris Bates Joseph Vass

SETTING: Time: Now.  Place: Park Square Theatre.  America’s greatest composer George Gershwin tells a story of his music…

PERFORMANCE TIME: The performance will run approximately two hours with one 20-minute intermission. The worldwide copyrights in the works of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for this presentation are licensed by the Gershwin Family

The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

As a courtesy to our actors and those around you, please DEACTIVATE all PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Park Square Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE

Michael Paul Levin photo by Petronella J. Ytsma

FROM THE AUTHOR, JOSEPH VASS: I first heard George Gershwin’s music as a child. I loved it immediately. Much later, when I began to listen to traditional Jewish music, I made the connection. To me, Gershwin’s music is Jewish. At first, I knew this merely in a purely subjective, spiritual sense. It sounded Jewish to me. Then I learned that Gershwin himself labeled his own melodies as Jewish “according to the deep emotional element that flows in them.” But, back in 1997, when I proposed to the Jewish Community Center of St. Paul a concert entitled Gershwin the Klezmer, I confess that’s about all I knew. I did not yet know: • The extent to which other JewishAmerican songwriters (and at least one gentile, Cole Porter) attributed their inspiration to the Jewish tradition; • The depth of Gershwin’s natural immersion in the Jewish culture from which he came; and • The astonishing degree to which Gershwin music sings in the melodies and dances and in the rhythms of the Jewish tradition.

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Of course, once I tagged Gershwin with the provocative label “klezmer,” I complicated the issue. Not all Jewish music is “klezmer.” The Jewish musical tradition extends over thousands of years and styles, including not only Torah chant and cantorial singing but also the music few American Jews recognize, like Bukharan and Ethiopian. These days, the word klezmer usually signifies a few 19th-century Eastern European dance styles. Any association with purveyors of American “show tunes” like Gershwin’s will horrify some folks. Most klezmer bands routinely perform show tunes – but only from the Yiddish theater. Apparently, being sung in Yiddish certifies these songs as “authentic.”

THE AUTHOR & BAND But originally, a klezmer is a person; in Hebrew, an instrument of song – in other words, a musician. Klezmers play all kinds of gigs. They play their own core Jewish styles, but also perform other music an audience will pay to hear, whether polkas, Romany (so-called “gypsy”) music, or for that matter, show tunes  – just as rock bands at weddings play Hava Nagilah and The Hokey Pokey. In our generation, American musicians began to reconstruct

the almost-lost music 19th-century Eastern European klezmers played at Jewish events. Then people began to use the word klezmer as an adjective to describe a musical style. So, a klezmer is a person. So what? Does that make George Gershwin a “klezmer?” I’m not going to repeat the show here. Enjoy, and judge for yourself. —Joseph Vass

JOSEPH VASS conceived and wrote The Soul of Gershwin: The Musical Journey of an American Klezmer, for which he won the Twin Cities’ prestigious Ivey Award. Vass also wrote the play and the music for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Great Nome Gold Rush, recently a record-setting hit in its world premiere at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, as well as Words By Ira Gershwin / A Musical Play By Joseph Vass, which has been performed across the U.S., including at Park Square Theatre in 2013. He created the book, music and lyrics for the stage musical Mishegass! produced by the Actors Theater of Minnesota. He has composed, performed and recorded the dramatic music for stage productions like The Chosen and The Last Seder, as well as all the songs used in the score of the Canadian National Film Board film I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors. He is the guiding spirit behind Klezmerica, the contemporary Jewish music ensemble which has performed in all corners of the United States and at the International Klezmer Festival in Israel. Vass wrote all the original music and lyrics on all of the band’s many recordings. Vass is a member of The Dramatists Guild. For more information, please visit JosephVass.net. KLEZMERICA is a leading creator and performer of contemporary Jewish music. Klezmerica has performed all over the United States and in Tsfat, Israel and Toronto, Canada. The many Klezmerica recordings have been received with near-universal acclaim. Klezmerica performs in every kind of venue, including synagogues and churches, jazz hotspots (like Minnesota’s renowned Dakota Bar and Grill) and rock clubs (like Minneapolis’ famed First Avenue), concert halls, and on live television and radio. Unlike George Gershwin, Klezmerica even does weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. To learn more about Klezmerica, visit their website at www.klezmerica.com.

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CAST MAGGIE BURTON Chazzan (Cantor) Park Square The Soul of Gershwin (1999 and 2011) Representative Theatre Garden of Song Opera: Cendrillon; Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera: HMS Pinafore; Minnesota Opera: Anna Bolena; Cross Community Players: Oklahoma; Morris Park Players: Sound of Music Training B.A., Music, University of Minnesota; M.M., Vocal Performance, University of Minnesota Awards/Other Soprano soloist with 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band; Cantor/cantorial soloist for Jewish High Holy Days MAUD HIXSON Chanteuse Park Square Debut Representative Theatre Guthrie Theater, Dowling Studio: Coward’s Women Awards/Other Three-time recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Artist Initiative Grant; McKnight Foundation’s “Next Step” Grant recipient; Two-time performer at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall in the New York Cabaret Convention Upcoming Projects Touring with Listening For Your Song (A Musical Companion to the BetsyTacy Books by Maud Hart Lovelace) GEOFFREY JONES Griot (Storyteller) Park Square The Color Purple, The Soul of Gershwin Representative Theatre Guthrie Theater: The Night Before Christmas - A Musical Fantasy; Penumbra Theatre: Black Nativity, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Lost in the Stars; Women’s Club of

Minneapolis Theatre: Mishegoss; In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre: Wild Swans; Illusion Theater: Amazing Grace Film Voice of the title character in the animated short feature John Henry (Disney’s Tall Tales and Legends series) Other Toured with Sounds of Blackness (Grammy Award-winning music ensemble); Recorded with Stevie Wonder, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John. Directs the Men of New Hope (a 12-member choral ensemble); Volunteers for the Cub Scouts of America MICHAEL PAUL LEVIN* George Gershwin Park Square The Diary of Anne Frank, Of Mice and Men, The Red Box, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, August: Osage County, The Sisters Rosensweig, The Soul of Gershwin Representative Theatre Illusion Theater: Bill W. & Dr. Bob; Actor’s Theater of MN: Sleuth; History Theatre: The Immigrant; St. Croix Valley: My Fair Lady; Mixed Blood Theatre: The Boys Next Door; Paul Bunyan Playhouse: I Ought to Be in Pictures TV/Film Thin Ice, Hiding Victoria, I Am Not A Serial Killer, In an Instant, The Jingle Dress, Don’t Blow It Training American Academy of Dramatic Arts, West Awards/ Other Morrow-Heus Screenwriting Fellowship; Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre Playwright Award Upcoming Projects A Prairie Home Companion 9

BAND CHRISTOPHER J. BATES Bass Park Square The Soul of Gershwin Representative Theatre Guthrie Theater: Warm Beer, Cold Women; Ten Thousand Things: Raskol; Ordway: Dinah Was Training Music Performance, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Awards/Other McKnight Composers Fellowship 1999; Chris Bates’ Red 5 “New Hope” only jazz album in Twin Cities Critics Roundup Top Albums of 2012 Other Member of award-winning groups Atlantis Quartet, Red Planet, Framework, Motion Poets; worked with Mose Allison, Lee Konitz, Ari Hoenig, Bill Carrothers, Joe Lovano, John Medeski; 2015 McKnight Performers Fellow with Atlantis Quartet

CAROLYN BOULAY Violin Park Square Debut Representative Theatre Theater Latté Da, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Guthrie Theater Training Studied classical violin with Mary West as a child, and later with Shirley Santoro, John Tartaglia and Lea Foil at the University of Minnesota, where she served as Concertmaster Other Carolyn was a first violinist in the San Antonio Symphony, plays Swedish folk fiddle, Klezmer, Renaissance, and country fiddle. She has played in bands opening for artists such as Vince Gill and the Gatlin Brothers. She plays at the Basilica of Saint Mary and St. Bartholomew’s, and teaches at Mount Olivet.

UPCOMING AT ILLUSION THEATER

MIRANDA FRIDAY, JAN. 27–SATURDAY, FEB. 18

A CIA operative working in the Middle East goes through a mind-bending existential crisis. Who are her friends? Who is the enemy? And just who is Miranda? The award-winning playwright James Still (author of Iron Kisses, The Velvet Rut, and I Love To Eat) brings us a psychological riddle set in the world’s most explosive region.

small stage. giant impact.

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TICKETS ILLUSIONTHEATER.ORG 612.339.4944

BAND JAY EPSTEIN Drums Park Square The Soul of Gershwin, Gershwin the Klezmer Training studied with Barry Altschul (drummer, Chick Corea’s Circle) Awards inducted into Mid-America Music Hall of Fame Other European tours with pianists Bill Carrothers & Giacomo Aula; Performed with Barney Kessel, Manfredo Fest, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Ernie Watts, Karrin Allyson, Kenny Werner, Howard Levy, Toots Thielemans, Avashai Cohen, and Sarah Vaughan; CDs “Long Ago” & “Easy Company” with bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Bill Carrothers; Currently working with the bands Red Planet, Klezmerica, Framework, Firebell, and Five By Design; jayepstein.weebly.com DOUG HAINING Woodwinds Park Square Johnny Baseball Representative Theatre Ordway: West Side Story, Chicago, A Christmas Story, Damn Yankees; Illusion Theater: Only One Sophie Training B.A., Music Education, St. Olaf College ADAM MECKLER Trumpet Park Square The Soul of Gershwin Training B.M., Trumpet Performance, Jazz Studies, Lawrence University; M.M., Trumpet Performance, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Awards iTunes “Best of 2014” list

(Adam Meckler Orchestra’s debut release When The Clouds Look Like This); 2011 semi-finalist - National Trumpet Competition, Jazz Division Other Adam holds Faculty positions in Trumpet, Jazz and Music Theory at McNally Smith College of Music, and MacPhail Center for Music. He tours with Youngblood Brass Band and plays regularly with many Twin Cities bands including Nooky Jones, The Jana Nyberg Group, The Graydon Peterson Quartet and The Pete Whitman X-Tet. His latest release Wander is available through ShiftingParadigmRecords.com NATHAN NORMAN Drums Park Square Debut Representative Theatre Illusion Theater: Fever: A Tribute to Peggy Lee, Blues in the Night; The Southern Theater: The Dragons Are Singing Tonight TV Performance with Debbie Duncan on Minnesota Original (tpt) Training B.M., Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; Studied with The Percussion Group Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Awards/Other Member of the awardwinning group The Illicit Sextet; Regular performances with various local jazz artists; Past performances with The Minnesota Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller Upcoming Projects Public and private performances with various local jazz artists

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BAND GARY SCHULTE Violin Park Square The Soul of Gershwin Training Violin Performance, Indiana University School of Music (teachers: Rugierro Ricci, and Josef Gingold) Other Gary Schulte is a violinist and performance composer to whom Stephane Grappelli gave his most sincere blessing. A veteran of A Prairie Home Companion, he has done everything from classical improvisation with harpsichord master Layton James to the avant garde with David Byrne, and extensive collaborative work with groups such as Ancestor energy poetry-jazz, Ballet of the Dolls, Theatre de la Jeune Lune,

and Zorongo Flamenco. Sought after as a jazz violinist, he has gigged with some of the greatest artists of the Gypsy Jazz genre, including guitarist legend Dorado Schmitt JOSEPH VASS Piano see bio on page 7

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) was founded in 1913 as the first of the American actor unions. Equity’s mission is to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Today, Equity represents more than 40,000 actors, singers, dancers and stage managers working in hundreds of theatres across the United States. Equity members are dedicated to working in the theatre as a profession, upholding the highest artistic standards. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits including health and pension plans for its members. Through its agreement with Equity, this theatre has committed to the fair treatment of the actors and stage managers employed in this production. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. For information, visit www.actorsequity.org.

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ARTISTIC STAFF PETER MOORE Director Park Square Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders, The Red Box, King Lear, The Soul of Gershwin, The Last Seder, Becky’s New Car, Spider’s Web, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, The Chosen, You Can’t Take It With You, June Moon, Fortinbras, On Borrowed Time, Harvey, Gershwin The Klezmer, Morning’s At Seven, Born Yesterday, Merton of the Movies Representative Theatre Guthrie Theater, Coconut Grove PlayhouseMiami Fl, Virginia Stage Co.-Norfolk, Winter Garden Theater-Toronto, Parker Playhouse-Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, York Theater-(Off-B’way), Torch Theater, Actors Theater of Minnesota, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Hennepin Stages, Illusion Theater, History Theatre, Virginia Premiere TheatreWilliamsburg Va, Theatre in the Round, University of Minnesota, Playwright’s Center TV/Film (as Director) Autistic License; (as Stunt Coordinator) Wilson (with Woody Harrelson), Thin Ice (with Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin), Factotum (with Matt Dillon), Old Explorers (with James Whitmore and Jose Ferrer), Vampire’s Embrace (with Alyssa Milano and Martin Kemp), In An Instant (ABCTV) Training B.A., Penn State University Awards/Other Best Educational Film, Autistic License, L.A. International Family Film Festival JACOB M. DAVIS Sound Designer Park Square Love Person, Nina Simone: Four Women Representative Theatre Theater Latté Da: Sweeny

Todd; Nimbus Theatre: The Kalevala; Theatre Pro Rata: Beauty Queen of Leenane; Tedious Brief Productions: Meed Hall; Gremlin Theatre: Sea Marks; Minneapolis Musical Theater: Big River Training M.F.A., Sound Design, California Institute of the Arts; B.F.A., Theatre Design, University of Minnesota Duluth Awards/Other Professional Member: Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association; Company Member: Theatre Pro Rata; Member: United Scenic Artists, Local USA829 Upcoming Projects Park Square: Flower Drum Song, Nina Simone: Four Women; Theatre Pro Rata: Goodbye, Cruel World MEGAN FAE DOUGHERTY* Stage Manager Park Square Great Expectations, My Children! My Africa!; Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue; The Other Place; The Color Purple; Sexy Laundry; Behind the Eye; Cyrano; Good People; Stick Fly; Or Representative Theatre TigerLion Arts: Nature, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight; Troupe America: A Christmas Carol; Utah Shakespeare Festival: 2007 Season; Santa Fe Opera: 2006 Season Training B.A., Theatre Administration, Bemidji State University DEAN HOLZMAN Scenic Designer Park Square Of Mice and Men, Hot Chocolate, The Soul of Gershwin, An Experiment with an Air Pump, Master Class, Gershwin the Klezmer, Three Days of Rain Representative Theatre Eye of the Storm: Quills; Pillsbury House Theatre: Jesus Hopped the 13

ARTISTIC STAFF ‘A’ Train; Illusion Theater: Artistic Associate/Resident Set Designer, Three Viewings; Minnesota Opera Company: Don Giovanni; History Theatre: The Brotherhood; Madison Repertory: Miss Evers’ Boys Awards/ Other McKnight Fellowship for Theater Artists; Consulting Artist for Excelsior and Grand development; Jerome Foundation Commission; CUE award from the City of Minneapolis Planning Department and the Committee on Urban Environment

Medora Musical; Phoenix Theatre: Nine, The Spitfire Grill, La Cage aux Folles; Commonweal Theatre Company; Illusion Theatre; History Theatre; Cortland Repertory; Hope Summer Repertory Film Costume Crafts Supervisor, The Looking Glass (Film Acres) Training B.A., Western Michigan University; M.F.A., University of Minnesota Other Assistant Professor of Costume Design, Indiana University South Bend Upcoming Projects Medora Musical (2017); claponcue.com

MICHAEL P. KITTEL Lighting Designer Park Square Over 120 productions (as Resident Lighting Designer) including Great Expectations, The Color Purple, Red, Ragtime, Grey Gardens, Democracy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Rock ‘n’ Roll Representative Theatre Ordway, Frank Theatre, Stages Theatre Company, Steppingstone Theatre, Mu Performing Arts, Bloomington Civic Theatre TV tpt: The St. Olaf Christmas Festival Training University of WisconsinRiver Falls Awards Ivey Award for The Pillowman (Frank Theatre); Lavender Magazine 2008 & 2009 Best Lighting Design

JOSEPH VASS Musical Arranger and Musical Director see bio on page 7

JASON LEE RESLER Costume Designer Park Square 2 Pianos 4 Hands, Hot Chocolate, Opus, The Odyssey Representative Theatre Idaho Shakespeare and Great Lakes Theater Festivals: An Ideal Husband; Stagewest Entertainment: The 14

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Production Staff & Crew Assistant Stage Manager: Samantha Diekman Sound Operator: Charlotte Deranek Dressers: Emily Jannusch, Hanna Fiedler Wardrobe Supervisor: Clara Cavins-Wolford Technical Director: Rob Jensen Assistant Technical Director: Ian Stoutenburgh Paint Charge: Angelique Powers Lead Carpenter: William Bankhead Carpenter: Mitchell Foth Master Electrician: Brent Anderson Electricians: Phillipe Uttech, Sam Golding Sound Supervisor: Charlotte Deranek

BR ING

THE

BR ING THE

B RING THE MUSIC-MAKING

FUN FOR VOICES OF ALL ABILITIES. Sign up for a unique choral experience. Part sing-along, part workshop, it’s an event you shouldn’t miss!

ROCHESTER | January 14 DULUTH | March 25 Additional event to be announced soon! Details at classicalmpr.org/choral

ROCHESTER | January 14 DULUTH | March 25 E.J. Subkoviak* / photo by Brad Stauffer / *member, actors’ equity association

MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY

A World Premiere Commission by our Mystery Writers Producers’ Club

By Joseph Goodrich Directed by Peter Moore Adapted from the Novel by Rex Stout

on the Proscenium Stage

JUN 16 – JUL 30

OUR CONTRIBUTORS SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HISTORIC HAMM BUILDING Their investment of $12,000,000 in donated rent and use of facilities over our 40-year tenure creates a vibrant cultural life in downtown Saint Paul.

LEAD FUNDING PARTNERS: Margaret H. and James E. Kelley Foundation

Caroline Amplatz

Mardag Foundation

Shubert Foundation

ANNUAL FUND CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT $10,000-24,999 Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Hugh J. Andersen Foundation Boss Foundation City of St. Paul Cultural STAR Colle + McVoy* Deluxe Corporation Foundation Ecolab Foundation EMC Paradigm Publishing* General Mills Foundation Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts K Foundation Ruth Easton Fund of the Edelstein Family Foundation Walter McCarthy and Clara Ueland through the Greystone Foundation National Endowment for the Arts RBC Wealth Management Foundation Scrooby Foundation Travelers VSA Arts of Minnesota Xcel Energy Foundation Wells Pianos*

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.

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$5,000-9,999 RW Baird Foundation, Inc Hardenbergh Foundation The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation James B. Linsmayer Foundation JP Morgan Chase Macy’s Foundation Michaud, Cooley, Erickson David and Karen Olson Family Foundation Securian Foundation Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Thomson Reuters Zelle Hofmann $2,500-4,999 AARP Minnesota Highlands Foundation The Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Lillian Wright & C. Emil Berglund Foundation $1,000-2,499 Dramatist Guild Fund One Beacon Charitable Trust UBS Financial

INDIVIDUALS CHAMPIONS $25,000+ Anonymous Linda Boss Timothy & Gayle Ober DIRECTORS $10,000+ Betty Anderlik in memory of Joseph Anderlik Anonymous David Duddingston & Clayton Halunen John Larsen through the John Larsen Family Foundation FANS $5,000+ Anonymous Ron & Nancy Ankeny* John Burbidge Mary Ebert & Paul Stembler Nancy J. Feldman Jerri Freier David & Genevieve Freier Phyllis Goff Robyn Hansen & John Clarey Karen B. Heintz Paul & Renee Johnson Peter Maye & Betsy Cobb Hella Mears Peter & Sara Ribbens Paul & Pat Sackett Terri Uline Helen Wagner John & Sandra White

LEADERS $2,500+ John L Berthiaume & Dr. Joanne B Votel Rolf & Chris Bolstad Jeffrey Bores & Michael Hawkins Barb Davis Jim & Dianne Falteisek John W. Harris Andrea Trimble Hart Jeff & Kathy Johnson John & Jeanne LeFevre Eric & Celita Levinson Steven Kent Lockwood & Richard Cook Jack & Jeanne Matlock Paul & Tara Mattessich Benedict & Rita Olk C. Michael-jon Pease & Christopher Taykalo Greg & Naomi Pesky Thomas & Nancy Rohde James Rustad & Kay Thomas Tom Park & Kari Ruth Joe & Christi Schmitt Carolyn Sorensen & David Kelm Edward & Victoria Szalapski George Tyson Susan Wenz Ann Wynia

Many thanks to ALL our donors. Every gift makes a difference and all donors are listed at parksquaretheatre.org/contribute/individualsupport

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS PACESETTERS $1,500+ Suzanne Ammerman Lynne Beck Charles & Laura Cochrane The Crabb Family, Ken, Gwen, Casey & Rachael Tom & Mary Lou Detwiler Jewelie Grape Wesley & Deirdre Kramer Ray Krause James E Lafave John & Karen Larsen Jim Lewis Rosanne Nathanson Joan T. Smith GUARANTORS $1,000+ Steve & Nancy Apfelbacher Corrie Ooms Beck Sara & Tim Beckstrand Sharon & R. Michael Conley Janet Ekern & David Robinson Tim & Susan Flaherty Edward Fox Therese Gahler Kristin Taylor Geisler Deborah & Philip Gelbach Jim & Judy Haigh David & Ann Heider Sharon Hildrum Scot Housh Lucille & Robert Ingram Bruce Jones & Joann Nordin Thomas & Mary Krick William & Mary Krueger Kent & Diane Krueger Sharon & James Lewis Rita McConnell William & Virginia McDonald Douglas & Carol Ogren Susan Rostkoski Ken & Nina Rothchild Edwin & Jennifer Ryan Paula Schad Art & Jan Seplak Dan & Emily Shapiro Jim & Miriam Stake in memory of Gary Berggren Missy Staples Thompson & Gar Hargens Fred & Alice Wall

BENEFACTORS $500+ Jim Altman Elizabeth Andrews Anonymous Ms. Ani Backa John & Barbara Balfanz Judy Bartlett Susan & James Berdahl Thelma Boeder Paul & Tina Casey Karin Collins in memory of Dr. Thomas Collins Kathy Cristan Fran Davis Litton Field Carolyn Fiterman K. Paul Freborg Reynolds & Mary Guyer Gerald Holt Mary Jacobs Donald & Carol Jo Kelsey Lynn Kvalness Daniel & Chris Mahai Frank P. Mayers David & Karen Olson Ms. Jewel Olson Timothy M. Scanlan Summer Seidenkranz & Clark Schroeder Douglas J. Stubeda Randy & Barbara Sutter Jon & Lea Theobald SUSTAINERS $250+ Carolyn M. Adams William A. Anderson Anonymous Marcia J. Aubineau Terry Banaszewski Robert & Mary Beck Dan & Dee Bender Iris Bierbrauer Jon & Laura Bloomberg Stuart & Sue Ellen Borken Jean & Carl Brookins C.C. & Dawn Clawson Ron & Kathy Colby Roger Cone Sheila Faulkner Richard & Beverly Fink Mike & Carol Garbisch Bess Gold Sara Graffunder Jennifer Gross

Bonnie Hancock & Joe Weyendt William & Linda Holley Todd & Mary Jacobson Nancy Jones Art & Martha Kaemmer Susan Kimberly Linda Klaver Peter & Bonnie Kramer Ruth Ladwig Colles Larkin Mary & David Lundberg-Johnson Michael Mallory & Catherine Gray Ron & Mary Mattson Sue McAllister Mr. & Mrs. Dennis McGuire Kathleen McLeod & Eric Hepp Ed Moersfelder Beverly Ward Montgomery James & Nancy Mulvey Merritt Nequette in memory of Pauline Lambert Theodore Neuhaus Bonnie Palmquist James Persoon & Barbara Schmidt Persoon Sidney & Decima Phillips Charlie & Nicole Prescott Brad & Linda Quarderer Lawrence Redmond Jack & Judy Schlukebier Jane Schmidt Jim Seidel George Skinner & Anne Hanley Mr. & Mrs. Mark Stange Erica Stern Marcia & John Stout Stanley & Connie Suchta Donald M. & Ruth Patricia Sullivan Andrew Tucker Debra Venker Jenifer Wagner & James Vogel Leon & Lindy Webster Virginia Yingling Sheri Zigan

FRIENDS $150-249 Mr. & Mrs. James Andrews Karen Avaloz Kay C. Bach J. Michael Barone Bruce & Carol Barry Susan Baxter Mark Bintzler Judy & Arnold Brier Jane Carlstrom & Dave Decker David Colwell Don & Julie Cox Joanne Englund Mr. & Mrs. Tom Farnham Susan Flynn Jeremiah & Karen Gallivan Jack & Nancy Garland Sandy Gehrmann Robin Hubbell Craig & Nicola Hyser Alfred & Sharon Kauth Jan Konke Keith Kuffel David & Pamela Lande Edward & Judith Malecki Mary Markgraf Anne Markle Dr. Virginia McFerran Gerald Meigs Muriel Nelson Joann Nelson Mary O`Keefe Jim Ostlund Don & Kathy Park Sydney Phillips James & Nancy Proman Sharon Radman William & Barbara Read Ferrol & Catherine Robinson Shelly Rucks Michael Ryan William & Glennis Schlukebier Pam & Jeff Schweitzer Bruce & Julianne Seiber Connie Shaver Lee & Lois Snook Michael & Sherry Spence Irene Suddard Michael Symeonides Orlette Tatley Edwin & Beverly Thiede Joyce Thielen Gerald & Beth Voermans Carol Westberg Don & Claudia Wiebold Terry & Susan Wolkerstorfer * in-kind gift

Individual support was received between 9.1.2015 and 8.31.2016. Please help keep our records correct by contacting us with any changes or oversights. Contact Rachel Bentley at 651.767.8483 or [email protected]

theatre because of you. ( yes you.)

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PARK SQUARE STAFF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Richard Cook, Artistic Director Michael-jon Pease, CFRE, Executive Director

Sheri J. Zigan, Finance & Operations Director Jackson Smith, Finance Coordinator Dave Peterson, Facility & Event Manager John Romano, Donna Handson, Facility & Event Associates Amanda Lammert, Audience Services Director Front of House Staff: (Evening) Jiffy Kunik - Performance Supervisor; Jimmy Vincent - Lead House Manager; Adrian Larkin, Ashe Jaafaru, Federic Nobello, Jackson Smith, Kasey Tunell, Mariah Christensen, Michelle Clark, Missy Keller, Sarah Bauer, Justin Campbell, Kristen Parizek, Kellie Nitz, Maria Perez, Laura Hall; (Daytime) Adrian Larkin - Lead House Manager; Federic Nobello House Manager; Gayle Smith, Louise Rosemark, Ann Feider, Patricia Arnold, Paula Manzuk, Ting Ting Cheng, Liz Englund Ticket Agents: Ben Cook-Feltz - Ticket Office Supervisor, Jimmy Vincent, Kristen Parizek Usher and Friday Morning Club Coordinator: Judy Bartlett

ARTISTIC Rob Jensen, Technical Director Ian Stoutenburgh, Assistant Technical Director Megan West, Production Manager Laura Leffler-McCabe, Temporary Production Manager Jamil Jude, Artistic Programming Associate Michael P. Kittel, Resident Lighting Designer Matt Erkel, Lead Carpenter Charlotte Deranek, Sound Supervisor John White, Literary Management Volunteer

EDUCATION Mary M. Finnerty, Education Director Megan Losure, Education Sales & Services Manager Connor M. McEvoy, Education Associate Marcia Aubineau, Post-show Discussion Moderator Arianna Diaz-Celon, Education Intern Immersion Day and Ambassador Program Teaching Artists: Tessie Bundick, Josh Campbell, Shanan Custer, Carson Kreitzer, Annie Enneking, Mary K. Flaa, Christina Ham, H. Adam Harris, Steve Hendrickson, Brian Hesser, Katharine Horowitz, Stephen Houtz, JuCoby Johnson, Aditi Kapil, Mike Kittel, Kym Longhi, Katy McEwen, Leslye Orr, Joe Papke, Aaron Preusse, Doug Scholz-Carlson, Jen Scott, Eric Sharp, Dane Stauffer, Regina Marie Williams

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES: Aditi Kapil, Playwright, Director and Actor; Carson Kreitzer, Playwright; Ricardo Vázquez, Playwright and Actor; James A. Williams, Director, Actor and Teacher ACCESS SERVICES STAFF: Audio Description: Rick Jacobson, Laurie Pape-Hadley, Elana Centor; ASL: Paul Deeming, Shelley Lehner, Susan Masters, Linda Gill, Carlos Grant, Nella Titus, Alicia Hoch; Open Captioning: Kathleen Conroy, Elana Centor, Laura Wiebers

EXTERNAL RELATIONS Connie Shaver, Marketing & Audience Development Director Rachel E.H. Bentley, Marketing & Development Associate Linda Twiss, Group Sales & Community Engagement Manager Lynne Beck, Development Consultant Madge Duffey, Graphic Designer Petronella J. Ytsma, Photographer Michael Hanisch, Videographer Jim Heideman, Telemarketing Services Alicia Pedersen, Marketing Coordinator Rachel Wandrei, Graduate Intern, Development

Save the Date! Monday, April 24, 2017

CONSULTANTS: Assignment Writers: Ting Ting Cheng, Matt DiCintio, Vincent Hannam, Eric “Pogi” Sumangil; Auditor: Clifton Larson Allen; Community Engagement Consultants: Jamil Jude, Alicia Wiesneth; Disability Advisor: Jill Boon; Marketing Consultant: Christopher Taykalo; Volunteer Curator: Toni Dachis VOLUNTEERS: Friday Morning Club: Susan Adix, Doreen Aszmus, Sue Bjerke, Pat Dalluhn, Monica Fritzen, Pat Sackett; Thank you to all of our Volunteer Ushers

HAVANA NIGHTS A Cuban-inspired celebration to raise funds for Park Square Theatre, serving the largest teen theatre audience in the nation! Live Music, Seated Dinner, Conga Line, Auction and Cabaret More info to come at parksquaretheatre.org

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651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EDUCATOR ADVISORY BOARD

Tim Ober (President) President, Red Oaks of Dakota County Inc. John L. Berthiaume (Vice President) VP, Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth Management Karen Heintz (Treasurer) Senior VP, Branch Manager, Robert W. Baird Kristin Taylor Geisler (Secretary) Principal, Iris Consulting, LLC Daniel Boone Executive Director, Integrated Programs Marketing Services, DELUXE Kristine Clarke Learner Representative, University of Minnesota: College of Continuing Education Barb Davis Realtor, Coldwell Banker Burnet Jim Falteisek Sales and Marketing Director, 3M Nancy Feldman President and CEO, UCare, Retired Jewelie Grape Partner, Conner & Winters, LLP Andrea Trimble Hart CPCU, Senior VP, Willis of Minnesota, Inc. Jeff Johnson (Immediate Past President) CFO, Amesbury Truth Paul Johnson VP, Investor Relations, Xcel Energy John LeFevre Community Volunteer (Deluxe, Retired) Paul Mattessich Executive Director, Wilder Research Foundation Kristin Berger Parker Partner, Stinson, Leonard, Street Kari Ruth Director of Strategic Communications, Hennepin Theatre Trust Paul Sackett Professor of Psychology and Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Paul Stembler Consultant Helen Wagner Community Volunteer (3M, Retired) Susan Wenz Director of Programming – KSTP-TV & 45TV

Marcia Aubineau, University of St. Thomas, retired Liz Erickson, Rosemount High School, retired Theodore Fabel, South High School Craig Farmer, Perpich Center for Arts Education Amy Hewett-Olatunde, LEAP High School Cheryl Hornstein, Freelance Theatre and Music Educator Alexandra Howes, Twin Cities Academy Dr. Virginia McFerran, Perpich Center for Arts Education Kristin Nelson, Brooklyn Center High School Mari O’Meara, Eden Prairie High School Jennifer Parker, Falcon Ridge Middle School Maggie Quam, Hmong College Prep Academy Kate Schilling, Mound Westonka High School Jack Schlukebier, Central High School, retired Tanya Sponholz, Prescott High School Jill Tammen, Hudson High School, retired Craig Zimanske, Forest Lake Area High School

e Hall own th Right D ark Square! P From

THEATRE AMBASSADORS

Payton Anderson (Shell Lake High School), Marissa Bergin (Columbia Heights High School), Alex Boss (Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists), Amiri Burns (Harding High School), Arianna Diaz-Celon (SPCPA), Soren Eversoll (Highland Park High School), Schyler Fish (Highland Park High School), Greta Hallberg (Minnehaha Academy), Madisyn Haukland (Coon Rapids High School), Thomas Henry (Trinity School at River Ridge), Mairi Johnson (Mounds View High School), Elizabeth Koetz (South High School), Jonah Schmitz (Buffalo High School), Katherine Swartzer (Buffalo High School), Emma Symanski (SPCPA), Ava Tesmer (Eagle Ridge Academy), Emily Twardy (Buffalo High School), Claire Umolac-Bunker (Highland Park High School), Catherine Vorwald (Twin Cities Academy), Brigham Williams (SPCPA), Kiersten Ziegler (Minnehaha Academy)

DINE | DELIGHT | INDULGE | EXPERIENCE These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.

CALL (651) 291-2715 FOR RESERVATIONS NO COVER CHARGE WITH PARK SQUARE TICKET STUB

PARK SQUARE INFORMATION CONTACT Park Square Theatre 408 St. Peter Street, Suite 110, Saint Paul, MN 55102 Ticket Office: 651.291.7005 Usher Hotline: 651.767.8489 Education: 651.291.9196 Donor Development: 651.767.8497 Audience Services: 651.767.8487 Group Sales: 651.767.8485 Audition Hotline: 651.767.8491 BRAILLE

TICKET OFFICE HOURS Tuesday – Friday: 12:00 – 5:00pm & 6:30 – 8:00pm (performance days only) 12:00 – 5:00pm (non-performance days) Saturday: 2:00 – 8:00pm* (performance days only) *For Sat matinees, ticket office & phones open at 1:00pm Sunday: 1:00 – 3:30pm (performance days only) Proscenium Stage seats 348. Andy Boss Thrust Stage seats 203. The Historic Hamm Building is smoke-free. Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the House Manager. Restrooms and water fountains on main floor and lower level. Cameras/audio/video equipment and laser pointers prohibited.

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DON’T MISS WHAT’S COMING IN 2017!

Peter Heeringa / photo by Matthew Glover

Presented and Created by the Sandbox Theatre Ensemble Led by Derek Lee Miller

On May 19th, 1984, a live studio audience watched Michael Larson win an unprecedented $110,000 on the game show “Press Your Luck.” Was he on the level? In January 2017, Sandbox will explore this one man’s obsession to beat the odds and win the cash. Big bucks, no whammies!

Drama-Comedy / Andy Boss Thrust Stage

Meghan Kreidler* and Sherwin Resurreccion / photo by Rich Ryan

Jan 12 – 28

Co-Produced with Mu Performing Arts Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Book by David Henry Hwang; Directed by Randy Reyes

Father produces Peking Opera. Son knows nightclub acts sell better. Immigrants in 1950s Chinatown rediscover their roots (and find love) in the new world. American razzma-tazz and stylized Chinese opera create a beautiful score that is by turns lushly romantic and showbiz-brassy. Hwang’s new script crackles with authenticity and humor.

Regina Marie Williams* / photo by Petronella J. Ytsma

Jan 20 – Feb 19

Musical / Proscenium Stage

By Christina Ham Directed by Faye M. Price

Back by popular demand – now with added music! Writing “Mississippi Goddamn” in a bombed Birmingham church, Simone meets three strong women bound by tragic circumstance. Together, they sing their truth and rise triumphant with classics like “Sinner Man” and “I Loves You, Porgy.” *member, actors’ equity association

Feb 7 – 26

Play with Music / Andy Boss Thrust Stage

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org