Transcript of Program - The Tabard Theatre Company
Theatre on San Pedro Square 29 N. San Pedro Street • Downtown San
Jose
January 24 - February 16, 2014
Presents
The Tabard TheaTre company
It’s not always fun being the “new guy” at work, but, as the “new
guy” at Tabard, company founder Cathy Cassetta, the Board and the
whole Tabard family have welcomed me with open arms and made it all
very fun. If I seem familiar it’s because I have had the blessing
of working in the San Jose performing arts community for over 25
years; from San Jose Civic Light Opera to San Jose Rep. Now I have
the privilege to work with the team here at Tabard and help this
dynamic company continue to flourish and grow. With my arrival,
Cathy will able to concentrate on the stories Tabard tells and the
art we create. I want to thank Cathy for developing this new
structure and generously inviting me to be part of it. I look
forward to meeting you, and I hope you will come up and introduce
yourself to the “new guy.” Enjoy the show.
From Nick Nichols, Executive Director
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 1776, the sixth production of eight in our season of
Twists and Turns. We began this new calendar year with a big change
at Tabard. As you may know, as of January 1st we have a new
executive director: Nick Nichols. I have received many questions
from subscribers, patrons, and others who are just curious why I am
no longer executive director. Well, the truth is that the company
has grown quite substantially, and after working a pretty
consistent 90-hour week for many, many years, I could no longer
keep up and keep Tabard running smoothly — a positive sign that
Tabard continues to grow. I invited Nick to be part of Tabard, he
accepted, and the board agreed. So, now, instead of “wearing many
hats,” I will wear only three or so, one of which is continuing to
be the artistic director, producing all of the main stage shows.
I’ve given Nick all the other hats to wear, and the good news is
that they fit him like they were made for him!
Thank you for being with us for our revolutionary production of
1776. Whether people agree or disagree with our approach, it is
certainly worthy of conversation. And isn’t that what theatre is
all about? To get us thinking, feeling, and sharing ideas? I invite
you to listen to the words spoken and sung by the characters, and
hear the heart and passion behind those words that motivated these
men to make the bold, risk-taking, and fear-embracing steps toward
independence. We are still, today, living out and living with the
legacy of some of the decisions and compromises they made.
From Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, Producing Artistic Director
1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre
International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also
supplied by MTI.
421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax:
212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
Experience infinite possibilities. Tabard.Making memories.
Tabard.
All Female Cast
Music Director / Arrangements / Orchestrations Brian Allan
Hobbs
Assistant Director Lori Basuino
Assistant Stage Manager Robert Lewis
Lighting Designer Jeff Swan
Sound Designer John DiLoreto
Spotlight Operators Ken Barczi, Kyle McGinnis
Properties Design “propEARLYdone” by RuthE Stein, Lori Basuino, and
Dave Stein
Properties Assistance Jane Lui, Terri Weitze
Program Layout Barbara Reynolds
Tabard offers its sincere and grateful appreciation to...
Rob Christopher, Harley & Esther Goes, Ted Kopulos, Opera San
Jose, John Palmer, Jon Ross, South Bay Musical Theatre, South
Valley Civic Theatre, Marilyn Watts,
WVLO Musical Theatre Company, and all our season subscribers,
donors, sponsors, and community partners who helped make this
season possible.
producTion STaff 1776
The Tabard Theatre Company is a proud and active member of:
The Tabard Theatre Company is grateful for the support provided, in
part, by the Farrington Historical Foundation, a Cultural Affairs
grant from the
City of San Jose, and a Regional Arts Fund grant from Silicon
Valley Creates.
Cast Members of the Continental Congress: President: John Hancock
..............................................................
Paula Warren Secretary: Charles Thomson
..................................................................Jane
Lui New Hampshire: Dr. Josiah Bartlett
.........................................................Kama
Belloni Dr. Josiah Bartlett (February 8 and 14)
................................. Diane Milo Massachusetts: John
Adams
.................................................................Mary
Melnick Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins
.............................................................Terri
Weitze Connecticut: Roger Sherman
.....................................................Kristina
Nakagawa New York: Lewis Morris
..............................................................
Linda Sciacqua Robert Livingston
.........................................................Christine
Wait New Jersey: Rev. John Witherspoon
.................................................Joanne Barczi
Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin
........................................................ Ruth E.
Stein John Dickinson
......................................................... Molly
Thornton James Wilson
............................................................
Vanessa Alvarez Delaware: Caesar Rodney
................................................................
Janet Miller Col. Thomas McKean
.................................... Becky White Brownson George
Read
.................................................................
Kimberly Kay Maryland: Samuel Chase
............................................................. Norma
Hughes Virginia: Richard Henry Lee
......................................................Kristen
Carder Thomas Jefferson
...................................................... Breigh
Finnerty North Carolina: Joseph Hewes
....................................................... Mrigendra
Steiner South Carolina: Edward Rutledge
........................................................Hayley
Lovgren Georgia: Dr. Lyman Hall
.............................................................. Ana
Williams
Congressional Custodian: Andrew
McNair........................................ Barbara Heninger
Abigail Adams
...................................................................................Barbara
Reynolds Martha Jefferson
.................................................................................
Catherine Brady A Leather
Apron.................................................................................
Deborah K. Roth A Courier
.......................................................................................
Amber Sommerfeld
Matthew Bourne, keyboard
Marie Elaine Laskin, bass
Lily Kaye Sevier, percussion
Bring your imagination; we’ll do the rest. Tabard.Experience the
magic. Tabard.
1776 Scenes and Musical Numbers
The Time: May, June, and July, 1776
Act One
Scene 1: The Chamber of the Continental Congress For God’s Sake,
John, Sit Down ...............................................Adams
& The Congress Piddle,Twiddle
..................................................................................................Adams
Till Then
............................................................................................Adams
& Abigail
Scene Two: The Mall The Lees of Old Virginia
.......................................................... Lee,
Franklin & Adams
Scene 3: The Chamber But, Mr. Adams ..............................
Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Sherman & Livingston
Scene 4: Thomas Jefferson’s Room and High Street Yours, Yours,
Yours
...........................................................................Adams
& Abigail He Plays the Violin
............................................................
Martha, Franklin & Adams
Act Two
Scene 6: A Congressional Anteroom The Egg
.....................................................Franklin,
Adams, Jefferson & The Congress
Scene 7: The Chamber Molasses to
Rum............................................................................................Rutledge
Compliments
....................................................................................................Abigail
Is Anybody
There?..............................................Adams,
Franklin, Jefferson, Thomson
A portion of Tabard’s concession proceeds from this production will
be donated to
There will be a 15-minute intermission.
Daughters of the American Revolution
direcTor’S noTe
1776 Definition of “Happiness” “The pursuit of Happiness” was
thought to be an unalienable right by the writers of the U.S.
Declaration of Independence. However, in 1776, the definition of
happiness evoked a different meaning than it does today. When the
framers of this historic document wrote about “Life, Liberty, and
the pursuit of Happiness,” what exactly did they mean by
“happiness”?
The term happiness comes from the Old Norse term happ meaning
“luck” or “chance.” It’s also related to the Old English word hæpic
meaning “equal.” While early senses of happiness dating from the
1500s are still very much in use, such as “good luck,” “success,”
and “contentment,” Francis Hutcheson, an Irish reverend and
philosopher, brought a new, more political interpretation of
happiness to English speakers with his 1725 treatise An Inquiry
into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue. His political
philosophy: “that Action is best which accomplishes the greatest
Happiness for the greatest Numbers; and that worst, which in like
manner occasions Misery.” The popularity of Hutcheson’s
philosophies helped tie the concepts of civic responsibility and
happiness to one another in the minds of the great political
thinkers of the 18th century, including the writers of the
Declaration of Independence.
In our production of 1776, all roles in the show will be played by
women.
Okay! Now that we have that point out of the way, let’s focus on
the incredible story that you are about to witness. The story of
how colonial delegates to the Continental Congress in 1776 decided
to declare independence from England and form a new nation called
the United States of America is one of the most spellbinding and
compelling tales you will ever hear told. As we all know, this
momentous decision changed the world forever. It is my great honor
to work with this fine group of talented women who have breathed
new life into this depiction of our country’s founding fathers. As
these women deliver the brilliant words and lyrics of this
theatrical piece, you will experience and feel the passion and
convictions and courage of the men who risked everything in the
name of liberty and justice for all.
I invite you to listen to this story and see not a stage filled
with women, but a stage filled with gifted storytellers who bring
their own passion to the roles of the men they are portraying. It
has been an exciting and inspiring journey for all of us, and we
are thrilled that you have chosen to come along with us! We hope
you enjoy our heart- filled production of 1776!
From Diane Milo, Director
Theatre is more than a show. Tabard.Time well spent. Tabard.
meeT The arTiSTS
Vanessa Alvarez (James Wilson) makes her Tabard debut with 1776.
Vanessa was last seen as Daniela in In the Heights at Palo Alto
Players. Past work includes: Escaping Queens (Mama); 9 to 5
(Kathy); SJRep’s World Premiere of Love in American Times
(understudy); Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate); Dog Sees God (Marcy)
and Urinetown (Josephine Strong). Vanessa can next be seen in
Company at Los Altos Stage Company. Mucho love to her family and
friends for their support on and off stage.
James Wilson, 1742-1798: Wilson taught Latin at the College of
Philadelphia, which was to become the University of Pennsylvania,
and ironically became a law student in the office of John
Dickinson.
Joanne Barczi (John Witherspoon) is excited and honored to be
working with this phenomenal group of women. Joanne has worked on
stage at Sunnyvale Community Players, South Bay Musical Theatre,
and Woodside Community Theatre (favorite roles: Sister Margaretta,
Sound of Music; Widow Corney, Oliver!; Eulalie Shinn, The Music
Man), as well as vocal- and music-directed shows at SCP and Cuper-
tino High School including Aida and West Side Story. Thanks as
always to Ken. Dedicated to my new star in heaven, my mom, Virginia
Brogan.
Rev. John Witherspoon, 1723-1794: The only clergyman to sign the
Declaration of Independence, by the age of four he could read from
the Bible and would eventually be able to recite most of the New
Testament.
Kama Belloni (Josiah Bartlett, swing) is excited to be in her first
show with Tabard, with friends from WVLO Musical Theatre’s 2011 The
Sound of Music. Kama is Fine Arts Director at St. Joseph of
Cupertino School and was vocal director for Rodgers & Hart: A
Celebration at Presentation High. A frequent Bay Area soloist, she
has a B.A. in vocal performance from Loyola Marymount and pursued
her master’s degree at Arizona State. A career highlight was a 2010
recording at Skywalker Sound with San Jose Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett, 1729-1795: Bartlett was noted as a principled
legislator, not susceptible to pressure from the Royal Governor,
and as an active advocate against British oppression.
Catherine Brady (Martha Jefferson) has enjoyed recent roles
including Ida in Die Fledermaus and Alms Sister in Suor Angelica
(Opera San Jose); Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Ernesto in The
Billy Goat’s Gruff (OSJ Outreach); and Yellow Girl in Shout! The
Mod Musical (The Retro Dome). She is the Music and Drama teacher at
Most Holy Trinity School. Catherine can be seen next as The Lady of
the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Marquee Productions) and Cathy
Hyatt in The Last Five Years (i.e.Presents).
Martha Jefferson, 1748-1782: Martha Jefferson was the first and
only wife of President Thomas Jefferson. She, however, never got to
fulfill any duties as First Lady — she died years before he was
elected president.
Becky White Brownson (Thomas McKean) is making her Tabard debut.
Starting out in Bay Area theater in the 1980s, Becky appeared with
San Jose Civic Light Opera, TheatreWorks, Saratoga Drama Group,
West Valley Light Opera, and Sunnyvale Community Players, took a
long hiatus to raise her children, and returned a few years ago
with South Bay Musical Theater, West Valley Light Opera, and
Sunnyvale Community Players. She also directs, most recently WVLO
Musical Theater’s very successful Fiddler on the Roof.
Col. Thomas McKean, 1734-1817: He received honorary degrees from
Princeton in 1781, Dartmouth in 1782, and Pennsylvania in 1785, and
held the office of Chief Justice for Pennsylvania for 22
years.
Kristen Carder (Richard Henry Lee) joined Tabard last spring in
Babes in Hollywood and is happy to be back performing in 1776.
Kristen has been performing for the past 14 years in the Monterey
and San Jose areas. Her favorite roles include Ilse in Spring
Awakening, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, the Musical, and the
Evil Stepmother in Cinderella. A fun fact about Kristen is that she
is related to John Hart who signed the Declaration of
Independence!
Richard Henry Lee, 1732-1794: Considered a great orator, he was
author of the Westmoreland Resolutions of 1766, mover of the
Resolution for Independence, President of the Continental Congress,
and United States Senator from Virginia.
Breigh Finnerty(Thomas Jefferson) was last seen at Tabard as Julie
in The Poptimists! Other credits include Marge McDougall in
Promises, Promises! (South Bay Musical Theatre), Green Girl in
Shout! The Mod Musical (Bus Barn), Edith in Blithe Spirit (Palo
Alto Players), Sandy Markowitz in A Thousand Clowns (Hillbarn), and
Little Becky Two-Shoes in Urinetown (Sunnyvale Players). Breigh
teaches middle school at the Catholic Academy of Sunnyvale, and is
sharing the stage with her growing belly — twins will arrive in
May!
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826: At age 33 Thomas Jefferson drafted the
Declaration of Independence, an everlasting tribute to his memory.
The document in its amended form is a reduced version of his draft
but retains his eloquent writing style.
Barbara Heninger (Andrew McNair) is making her first appearance in
a Tabard show. She’s performed with South Bay Musical Theatre, WVLO
Musical Theatre, Foothill Music Theatre, West Bay Opera, and Lyric
Theatre. Favorite recent roles are Mrs. Strakosh in SBMT’s Funny
Girl, and Roz in 9 to 5 with WVLO, for which she won their 2013
ERMA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She thanks her ever-patient
husband Andy for supporting her theater habit!
Andrew McNair: McNair was contracted to make the fires, light and
extinguish candles, and keep the Congress meeting room clean, for
four shillings a night. He was the official ringer of the “Liberty
Bell.”
meeT The arTiSTS
Norma Hughes (Samuel Chase) has appeared in more than 100 stage
productions plus having performed a number of other theatrical
duties. Roles with special memories include Dolly Levi in Hello,
Dolly!, as well as both Gooch and Mame in Mame. This is her fifth
production with Tabard, following appearances in Follies, Hold on
to Love, The Magician’s Nephew, and Fools. As a psychic and healer,
she works with San Jose’s Center for Creative Living.
Samuel Chase,1741-1811: Chase was appointed chief justice of the
Criminal Court and a judge of the Supreme Court of the United
States. At one time, he served on 21 committees engaged in
legislation affecting his “middling class.”
Kimberly Kay (George Read) has credits including Into the Woods
(Cinderella’s Stepmother) at Theatre in the Mountains; Promises,
Promises (Peggy Olson), Finian’s Rainbow, and The Producers at
South Bay Musical Theatre; Bells Are Ringing (Gwynne), How To
Succeed, My Fair Lady, and Honk! at WVLO Musical Theatre Company;
Wrong Turn at Lungfish (Nurse) at Northside Theatre Company; and
Sweeney Todd, City of Angels, and Urinetown at Sunnyvale Community
Players.
George Read, 1773-1798: Said by some to be the Father of Delaware,
he was also known to dress with style and elegance, as evidenced by
the amethyst-studded shoe buckles he wore the day he signed the
Declaration of Independence.
Hayley Lovgren (Edward Rutledge) received her M.F.A. in musical
theater from Boston Conservatory, where she performed in The Full
Monty, One Touch of Venus, and Factory Girls. Hayley is returning
to Tabard after appearances in The World Goes ‘Round and A Taffeta
Wedding; other shows include Oliver! at Broadway By the Bay, Jesus
Christ Superstar, Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, and the
sketch comedy play 3 Woman 1 Woman Show featured this year at SF
Sketchfest.
Edward Rutledge, 1749-1800: At the age of 20, Rutledge sailed for
England to became a law student at the Temple, where he listened to
some of the most distinguished orators of the day, in court and
parliament, a precursor to his later oratory ability.
Jane Lui (Charles Thomson) is a singer-songwriter by trade and new
to theatre. Jane comes from San Diego and has performed at venues
like Walt Disney Hall, The Shrine, and Zellerbach Hall (U.C.
Berkeley). She’s worked with Jason Mraz, Felicia Day (The Guild,
Supernatural), CDZA (Opus no.1) and has 3.5 million views on her
YouTube Channel “Luieland.” Her videos were recently included on
Virgin America In-Flight Entertainment; she produces music and is
writing her fourth album. Theatre is making her a better
musician.(JaneLui.com)
Charles Thomson, 1729-1824: Living to age 90, Thomson served as
secretary of the Continental Congress through its entirety.
Thomson’s name appeared with Hancock’s on the first published
version of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.
meeT The arTiSTS
Mary Melnick (John Adams) is honored to play the “Voice of the
Revolution” in her Tabard debut. This is Mary’s fourth production
of 1776, having played both Martha (Saratoga Drama Group) and
Abigail (Lyric Theatre and SDG). Other credits include Foothill
Music Theatre’s Anything Goes (Erma; Bay Area Theater Critics
nominee for Best Supporting Actress) and Ragtime (Mother; Dean
Goodman Choice Award), and South Bay Musical Theatre’s Mack and
Mabel (Mabel). All my love to Robin and Andrew.
John Adams,1735-1826: Declared “the Atlas of the hour, the man to
whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of
independency...” He died on July 4, 1826 (incidentally, within
hours of the death of Thomas Jefferson).
Janet Miller (Caesar Rodney) makes her Tabard debut; favorite roles
include Mrs. Paroo (Jewish Community Center’s The Music Man);
Carlotta (WVLO Musical Theatre’s Phantom; ERMA Award); Helena
Landless (WVLO’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood; ERMA nominee); and
Trudy Heyman in Social Security with Studio Theatre of California,
where she is a member of STOCtet. By day, she is the District
Instructional Coach for Literacy for SJUSD. This spring she’ll be
seen in South Bay Musical Theatre’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Caesar Rodney, 1728-1784: In 1766, as the Speaker of the Assembly,
he introduced a bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into
Delaware. He was tormented throughout his life by asthma, and in
his adult years plagued by a facial cancer.
Kristina Nakagawa (Roger Sherman)is pleased to be making her Tabard
debut! Most recently, she was featured alongside Stephen Schwartz
in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus production of Enchantingly
Wicked at Davies Symphony Hall. Other theatre: Working at Foothill
Music Theatre (Kate Rushton, housewife) and Ragtime at South Bay
Musical Theatre. Kristina works at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos,
and is the Artistic Director of Resounding Achord, a community
choir in San Jose. Love to Ryan and Russell.
Roger Sherman, 1721-1793: His interests in the federation carried
him to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Madison’s notes
credit him with 138 speeches to the convention.
Barbara Reynolds (Abigail Adams) returns to Tabard after roles in
Hold on to Love and More Than Petticoats. A summa cum laude
graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she has credits including
Little Women (Marmee) and City of Angels (Bobbi/Gabby) for
Sunnyvale Players; Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and
She Loves Me (Amalia) for South Bay Musical Theatre; A Little Night
Music and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill
Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia).
Abigail Adams, 1744-1818: Abigail was the first Second Lady and
second First Lady, and also mother of the sixth U.S. President,
John Quincy Adams. A devoted reader and prolific writer, she and
John exchanged more than 1,100 letters.
meeT The arTiSTS
Deborah K. Roth (Leather Apron) is truly excited to be part of this
very special production of 1776, and feels it is an honor to share
the stage with so many amazing, talented women. She was encouraged
to audition for a show four years ago by theater friends she met
singing karaoke, and now can’t imagine life without it. When not on
stage, she is either working as an underwriting assistant in Los
Gatos or spoiling her whippet Kadence and her boyfriend Mike.
Leather Apron: Worn by craftsmen, it was usually used by a leather
tanner to protect him from strong fluid called “ooze” and acid used
for tanning hides. As a craftsman, he possessed specialized skills
that set him apart from the common laborer.
Linda Sciacqua(Lewis Morris) is thrilled to be performing with the
Tabard Theatre Company for the first time and with this delightful,
talented cast. Some of her previous roles include Rachel in Rags
with the Willows Theatre Company, as well as Mother Superior in
Nunsense, Aunt Martha in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Mrs. Peacock in
Clue with San Ramon Community Theatre. Special thanks to Rich and
Josh for their continuous support.
Lewis Morris,1726-1798: Morris served as a brigadier-general in the
New York militia. He also served on the first Board of Regents for
the University of New York.
Amber Sommerfeld (Courier) is currently a cast member of San
Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s touring production of Julius
Caesar. She has her degree in theatre arts with a minor in musical
theatre from Santa Clara University. She has been seen in
productions with Woman’s Will, Pacific Repertory Theatre, Half Moon
Bay Shakespeare, SJREAL at San Jose Repertory Theater, and other
productions with SF Shakes. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming from
Montana to see the show! Love you!
Colonial Courier: Also called “postriders,” they were given the
exclusive privilege of carrying letters, papers and packages along
2000 miles of post roads (fixed routes). The position could be
dangerous and was usually given to anyone willing to do it.
Ruth E. Stein (Benjamin Franklin) is an award-winning actor/
voiceover artist/vocalist/director/producer/props designer/set
dresser/costumer/musical director, who has performed throughout the
U.S. and extensively in the Bay Area for over five decades. Some
recent credits: Sophie Greengrass (Social Security), Bellomy (The
Fantasticks), Auntie Juliana Tesman (Hedda Gabler), Ida (The
Cemetery Club). Watch for her one-woman show, Sister Robert Anne’s
Cabaret Class, at Limelight Actors’ Theatre in April 2014!
Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790: Only the signature of Benjamin
Franklin appears on all four founding documents that sealed
America’s independence and secured her future: Declaration of
Independence, Treaty of Alliance with France, Treaty of Paris, and
the Constitution of the United States.
meeT The arTiSTS
Mrigendra Steiner (Joseph Hewes) is thrilled to make her Tabard
debut in this revolutionary production of 1776. Recent roles
include Secret Garden (Ayah) with TheatreWorks, Carousel (Nettie
Fowler) with Lyric Theatre, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Armelia) with South
Bay Musical Theatre, and Allegro (Grandma Taylor) and Merrily We
Roll Along with Foothill Music Theatre. Ms. Steiner performed as a
soloist in Austria for ten years; a highlight was her one-woman
show of Broadway hits, The Sound of Musicals.
Joseph Hewes, 1730-1779: Born a Quaker, he severed his connection
with “The Society” and became a promoter of war against Britain.
Hewes chaired the committee that was responsible for fitting out
the first American warships.
Molly Thornton (John Dickinson) is delighted to be returning for
her fifth Tabard production; prior Tabard credits include The World
Goes ‘Round, Hot ‘n’ Cole, Stop Time!, and The All Night Strut.
Favorite roles include Pennywise in Urinetown (Sunnyvale Players),
Mrs. Walker in The Who’s Tommy (City Lights), Aldonza in Man of La
Mancha (Saratoga Drama Group), Kate in Kiss Me, Kate (WVLO Musical
Theatre; ERMA Award) and Betty Blake in The Will Rogers Follies
(Contra Costa Musical Theatre; Shellie Award).
John Dickinson, 1732-1808: Best known for his phrase “let
experience be our guide; reason may mislead us.” Authored Letters
from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, which urged resistance to unjust
laws, emphasizing the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
Christine Wait (Robert Livingston) returns for her third Tabard
production, following It’s a Wonderful Life and Elvis Has Left The
Building. In the 80s and 90s, Christy performed in 12 productions
with San Jose Civic Light Opera, including Jenny Lind (Barnum),
Faye Templeton (George M), and Glinda/Aunt Em (The Wizard of Oz),
earning 7 Ginny Awards. She has also performed roles for South Bay
Musical Theatre, WVLO Musical Theatre, and San Jose Stage in Angry
Housewives. Christy is a retired special education teacher.
Robert Livingston, 1746-1813: As Chancellor of New York, Livingston
administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington.
As the minister to France, he negotiated the Louisiana
Purchase.
Paula Warren (John Hancock) is excited to return to Tabard Theatre
for this production of 1776. Paula was cast in the hit musical
Crowns in 2009, where she played Wanda. She has also performed with
the South Bay Musical Theatre in Saratoga, California, where she
was a cast member of Ragtime, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hello, Dolly!, and
Finian’s Rainbow. She is already looking forward to her role in
Tabard’s original musical Love, Laughter and Linguine which opens
in April.
John Hancock, 1737-1793: The first to sign, he did so in an
entirely blank space. He played an instrumental role, sometimes by
accident and other times by design, in coaxing the American
Revolution into being.
meeT The arTiSTS
Terri Weitze (Stephen Hopkins) comes to us from Bay City, Michigan,
by way of Los Angeles. She has appeared in many shows with various
theater groups, and is happy to be appearing in her first show at
the Tabard Theatre. Pursuant to the suggestion of her husband Bill,
she wishes to thank him for his devotion, patience, his loving
support, and the never-ending inspiration he provides to her every
waking moment.
Stephen Hopkins, 1707-1785: A self-educated man, Hopkins spoke out
against British tyranny long before the revolutionary period. He
was a colonial governor, educator, judge, merchant ship owner,
surveyor, and patriot.
Ana Williams (Lyman Hall) has waited 40 years to play this role in
this most beloved of musicals. Other favorite roles have been
Mother Burnside in Mame, Sara Jane Moore in Assassins, Miss Jones
in How to Succeed, and Judge Wargraves in Ten Little Indians.
Besides acting, she also costumes, creates props, works as tech
crew, and has produced several shows. She loves all aspects of
theatre, and shares that passion with her daughter Joyce whom she
cherishes above all else.
Dr. Lyman Hall, 1721-1784: An ordained Reverend and Doctor of
Medicine, Hall left his life as a “Connecticut Yankee” colonial for
that of immigrant settler of Georgia’s low country. He paved the
way for the foundation of the University of Georgia.
Lori Basuino (Assistant Director, Properties) is back at Tabard
after assistant- directing The World Goes ‘Round; I Left My Heart;
The Tin Pan Alley Rag; and Follies in Concert and assisting with
Lady, Be Good; Crowns; and The Gifts of the Magi. Lori has been
active in local theatre for more than 20 years as a performer,
director, technical specialist and acting coach. Besides designing
props for many groups, she has directed for Foothill New Works
Festival and done assistant-directing and tech for City Lights,
Foothill Drama, and West Valley Light Opera. Lori has also worked
for the Castillero Middle School Drama Department and Children’s
Playhouse of San Jose.
Matthew Bourne(Keyboard) is a pianist and music director. He has
performed with many theatre companies throughout the East and South
Bay, including Stage 1 Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Players, and
Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre. He is excited to participate in his
first show with Tabard Theatre. He is also a piano teacher and a
composer.
Cathy Spielberger Cassetta (Producer) is a theatre/television
veteran and entrepreneur who created/produced/co-hosted the weekly
TV program Theatre This Week in the 1990s before founding Tabard in
2001. For Tabard she’s directed Scapin, Dames at Sea, The Gifts of
the Magi, The Dog Sitters, Sabrina Fair, A Taffeta Wedding, It’s a
Wonderful Life, Crossing Delancey, Babes in Hollywood, and the
award-winning production of Trying; she created and co-wrote More
Than Petticoats; and she both directed and wrote Stompin’ at the
Savoy, Bandstand Beat, and The Duke, The Count, and Me as well as
the upcoming Love, Laughter and Linguine.
meeT The arTiSTS
Joe Cassetta (Technical Consultant) continues to lead Tabard’s
technical team, which he has done since the company was founded in
2001. With a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. from
Santa Clara University, Joe’s steady and skilled leadership has led
to Tabard’s increased ability to explore and expand what we do
technically.
John DiLoreto (Sound Designer) is Tabard’s head audio engineer and
has designed sound for many Tabard shows as well as for
TheatreWorks, City Lights, South Bay Musical Theatre, and numerous
clubs and rock bands for more than 30 years. He is also a former
recording studio owner, record producer, and keyboardist in
numerous rock bands and in theatre orchestras. While at M.I.T. he
studied acoustics with Professor Bose, and he holds a M.Eng. from
U.C. Berkeley and an M.B.A. from Stanford. By day, he is Tabard’s
operations director.
Brian Allan Hobbs (Music Director, Arrangements, Orchestrations,
Keyboard) recently music-directed Little Women and Pippin for
Sunnyvale Community Players, and has recently played in the pits
for Aida and Little Shop of Horrors (Stage 1) and Spamalot
(Tri-Valley Rep). In 2012, he adapted and directed A Christmas
Carol, featuring an original score of traditional carols, for Stage
1. Brian worked on the music staff for several Broadway productions
including Finian’s Rainbow, Rock of Ages, and Tarzan and was a
producer of the recent revival of Godspell. In addition to many
other Off-Broadway and regional credits, he writes music and
lyrics, and his orchestrations have been performed both locally and
at many benefit concerts and shows in New York. Mr. Hobbs studied
theatre and music at UCLA and NYU/Tisch.
Marie Elaine Laskin (Bass) was born in New York City and introduced
to the bass by her mother, also a classical bassist. Marie has a
Bachelor of Music from Juilliard and a Master of Music from Yale.
Since relocating to California in 1990, she has performed with
several Bay Area orchestras including Symphony Silicon Valley,
Opera San Jose, the San Francisco Opera, the Fremont Symphony, and
the Santa Cruz County Symphony where she was Principal Bass. Marie
lives in Sunnyvale with her writer husband and two daughters.
Keith Leung (Woodwinds) graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a double
major in chemical engineering/material science, and recently
finished a M.B.A. at U.C. Davis. Besides a full time job at
Criterion Catalysts & Technologies in Bay Point, Keith tutors
math and sciences in the San Ramon Valley and performs in pit
orchestras at theatre companies all over the Bay Area. 1776 will be
Keith’s 35th musical.
Robert Lewis (Assistant Stage Manager) returns to Tabard after
working in technical roles for The Elves and the Shoemaker, Making
God Laugh, and The World Goes ‘Round, and serving as house staff
for The Duke, The Count, and Me and Babes in Hollywood. A New
Jersey native and electrical engineer by education, Robert is now a
26-year resident of the Bay Area (with stops in Dallas, Boston, and
Tokyo along the way) and software consultant. Happily married for
34 years, he enjoys singing and playing mandolin with his church
music group.
meeT The arTiSTS
Andrew Marshall (Stage Manager, Technical Director) returns to
Tabard after stage-managing The Elves and the Shoemaker. He was
previously a theatre student at Ohlone College, where he directed
two plays and wrote and directed a short film. Most recently, he
was a technician at California’s Great America where he built mazes
and did the show Blades of Horror for Halloween Haunt. Outside of
theatre, Andrew is a video game developer.
Gretchen Miescke (Violin, Viola) is a professional violin and viola
player residing in the San Jose area. Playing both violin and
viola, she is equally comfortable playing musical theater or
symphonic literature. She teaches violin, viola, cello and bass, is
music librarian for Opera San Jose, South Valley Symphony, and
Santa Cruz Ballet, and plays free-lance gigs. She is thrilled to be
able to do what she loves for a living.
Diane Milo (Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer) returns for
her 16th production with Tabard. Most recently, she directed and
performed in The World Goes ‘Round earlier this season. In addition
to performances in Babes in Hollywood, Bandstand Beat, Follies
Concert Version, Stompin’ at the Savoy, all three Taffetas
productions, and Stop Time!, Diane has directed I Left My Heart;
Tin Pan Alley Rag; Gifts of the Magi; The Story of My Life; Follies
Concert Version; Lady, Be Good! and Crowns. She has more than 80
theatrical credits with companies across the Bay Area, and can next
be seen on stage in March in the role of Sara in Theatre Chevruta’s
staged reading of God of Vengeance. She will also serve as vocal
director for South Bay Musical Theatre’s upcoming production of
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Lily Kaye Sevier (Percussion) is originally from western
Massachusetts and attended graduate school at San Francisco
Conservatory studying timpani performance; she has worked with
David Herbert (principal timpanist, Chicago Symphony) and Jack Van
Geem (former principal percussionist, San Francisco Symphony).
Lily’s recent Bay Area performances include 110 in the Shade,
Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Little Women, and she’s slated
for upcoming productions of Sunday in the Park with George and
Evita.
Jeff Swan (Lighting Designer) has been involved with lighting
design for theater and dance for over five years in Santa Cruz and
now the Bay Area. He is excited for his first Tabard Theatre show,
1776, after just finishing Rich and Famous and November at Dragon
Theater. Other recent designs include the musicals The Sound of
Music, Into the Woods, and Rent. Jeff also co-designed Beauty and
the Beast and The Wiz at the Campbell Heritage Theater.
meeT The arTiSTS
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& DiDi Esty Jean Fargo Linda Faulkner Phyllis Faxon Joanne
& Harlan Felt Jerry & Susie
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Landry Carol Lanoie Ardella LaPointe Natalie Lasher Estelle
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Lowd Peggy Lundie Dorothy “June” Luth Sharon Lynn Shirley Lynn Joan
MacKay Jeanne Mackie Mayvid Maclay Marjorie (Jori)
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& Linda Withrow Ed Wong Dale & Bonnie
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Be a part of it. Tabard.Theatre for all ages. Tabard.
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Soul food theatre. Tabard.Explore new horizons. Tabard.
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& MaryAnn Lemons Nicole Letellier Susan Lister &
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Saltman
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Bottenfield Pat Burleigh Joyce Davis Valerie Doyle Victoria Deggs
Richard Flynn Claudia French Susannah
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Thank you for joining our journey. We apologize for any omissions
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The Tabard TheaTre company
Executive Director Nick Nichols Producing Artistic Director Cathy
Spielberger Cassetta Operations Director John DiLoreto Associate
Artistic Directors Doug Baird, Susannah Greenwood, Diane Milo
Marketing & Communications Director Leslie Gaynor Director of
Engagement Irene Trapp Social Media Advisor Ruby Stone
(StoneMediaConsulting.com) TOSPS Guest Company / Non-profit Liaison
Jeanie Burgess Education Artistic Director Jennifer Packard
Education Managing Director Ritwika “Ritz” Chandwani Technical
Director Joe Cassetta Lighting Consultant Nick Nichols Head Audio
Engineer John DiLoreto Costume Designer / Box Office Manager
Marilyn Watts TOSPS Concessions Manager Lynne Rice TOSPS Mixologist
Josh Salans Web Master, Graphic Artist Betty Gott Tabard Logo Don
Barnes (cellarideas.com) TOSPS Logo Mike English Tabard Website
Gott Design? (gottdesign.net) Tabard Buttons Harley Goes
President Joe Cassetta Vice President Rich Hemmerling Treasurer
Keith Thomas Secretary Patricia Burleigh Recording Secretary Marj
Mancuso Members Karen A. Lapinski, Robert Lewis, Leslie Stepanek,
Kathy Sutherland Board Member Emeritus Cathy Spielberger Cassetta,
Founder
Board of Directors
Ed Correia, Mike Haimson, Jonathan Jackel, Jim Kabel, Butch Kruse,
Jason Minsky, Lorrie Wernick
Advisory Board
Sherry Bevis, Joanne Johnson Felt, Alma Guillot, Harley &
Esther Goes, Clare Landry, Marcia Lawson, Nicole Letellier, Betty
Newton,
Suzanne Rostamizadeh, Bob & Winnie Schlossareck, Barbara &
Ed Soohoo, Jack & Sally Stallard, Grace Vaccaro, Bob & Anne
Welker
Tabard Audience Advisory Panel (TAAP)
2013–2014 Season Partnering through Donations and Grants
friendS of Tabard
Special thanks to: Farrington Historical
Foundation for providing the funds needed to replace all of
our
drapes and curtains.
Journey of the heart. Tabard.Be engaged. Tabard.
‘tab’ard: \’tab- erd also -ärd\ n: 1. An ancient London inn
featured in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, from which pilgrims began
their journey to Canterbury Cathedral and at which the innkeeper
offered a free meal to the best storyteller. 2. A tunic worn by a
knight over his armor and emblazoned with his sovereign’s arms. 3.
The name appropriated by numerous contemporary collegiate literary
fraternities. 4. A dynamic and imaginative theatre company in
Silicon Valley, CA
e
Administrative Office: 5663 Chambertin Drive San Jose, CA 95118
408-979-0231
cathy@tabardtheatre.org www.tabardtheatre.org
Our Mission Statement: The Tabard Theatre Company is committed to
making a difference in the community through the arts by providing
professional-quality theatre experiences such as productions and
workshops that are appropriate and affordable for audiences of all
ages. Tabard focuses on new works or works not commonly produced.
Especially engaged with altruism and philanthropy, Tabard reaches
out to the under-served, such as the blind/visually impaired and
children in low-income areas, and donates a portion of each
production’s concession proceeds to a designated local
charity.
A 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation
Executive Director: Nick Nichols Producing Artistic Director: Cathy
Spielberger Cassetta