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Alex Nemiroski

(Choreographer) is

honored to return to

T@F who cast him in

his first show 3 years

ago! Since then his

choreography and

dancing have been

featured at Turtle Lane

(West Side Story, Jo-

seph), Reagle (My Fair

Lady), Harvard

(Chicago), and

Unreliable Narrator (2010: Our Hideous Future). Special thanks to his inspiration RB!

Maren Reisch (Stage Manager) celebrates her second show with T@F and her first as a

stage manager. It's great to be doing something where 'bossy' and 'loud' are assets!

Thanks to the cast for putting up with my giggles at every rehearsal; thanks to my

wonderful family and friends who understand the phrase "I can't, I have rehearsal"

better than most; and most of all thanks to John, for giving me this job.

Gilly Rosenthol (Graphic Design) has been part of T@F since 2004, most recently

performing in The Vagina Monologues. Elsewhere in Camberville, she worked as a stage

hand on the epic 150-performer show Beck's Song Reader at the Somerville Theatre,

and designed for and acted in the Everything is Evil old-fashioned revival and burlesque

show at Club Oberon. You can keep up with her design work at facebook.com/

RosentholDesign.

Elizabeth Ryan (Costume Designer) has worked on enough T@F shows that she is now

repurposing costumes from past shows. She has recently discovered an interest in soft

sculpture. She would like to thank the fabulous Sharon, and everyone else who helped

me through the process. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you.

Kria Sakakeeny (Myrrhiné) makes her debut performance with T@F. Kria spent the last

ten years mastering the role of broadcast TV reporter for NBC and ABC news affiliates

throughout New England. As a member of the American Federation of TV and Radio

Actors her voice has been heard on FRONTLINE, in the Boston Science Museum, and on

WGBH’s Descriptive Video Service for the Blind.

Zeph Stewart (Make-up/Hair Designer) has worked with T@F on Festival@First: Shaken-

Up Shakespeare, As You Like It, Pride & Prejudice and Bent. She is grateful to Arwen for

all her help and encouragement, and for this opportunity to take the reins. Quick

shout-out to her boys and family!

Lisa Sturgeon (Boeotian Woman) is very happy to be acting in her second show with

T@F, after playing Mary Bennet in Pride & Prejudice last year. She would like to thank

everyone who pushed her on stage yet again. You know who you are. And this is all

your fault.

Andy Lebrun (Phaedrias/Dancer) returns to this glorious church basement! He's been in

10 plays since being A Nice Danish Boy here, two of which (The Bakery & Pride and

Prejudice) were with T@F. It's always a pleasure to work and play with this wonderful

group of people, which is why this is his 15th show with them!

Shelley MacAskill (Light Board Operator) is known for her bawdy double entendres,

making a name for herself in vaudeville and on the New York stage before moving to

Hollywood to become a comedienne, actress and writer in the motion picture industry.

Wait, no, that was Mae West. As with Ms. West, goodness has nothing to do with it.

Dan McConvey (Herald) has appeared in T@F’s production of Bent as Wolf and in the

Bare Bones production of Julie Johnson.

Jason Merrill (Laconian Envoy/Dancer) is very excited at the chance to do some serious

dancing. Jason is a long-time veteran of T@F, having last appeared as the Captain in

Bent; he promises not to be as evil in this show. Jason's off-stage roles include GNU C++

maintainer at Red Hat and Alice's Dada.

Doug Miller (Laches) has performed regularly with T@F, in roles including Mr Bennet

from Pride & Predjudice, Vinnie Pliers in the Brush Up Your Shakespeare segment of

Festival@First: Shaken Up Shakespeare, Antigonus from The Winter’s Tale, and Leonato

in Much Ado About Nothing. He wants you to know that the women of Lemnos were

cursed by Aphrodite. They were stinky and their husbands slept with Thracian women.

So the Lemnian women murdered their husbands. Presumably their fires were also

stinky & unpleasant.

Sharon Neely (Costume Assistant) has been tactilely inclined from a young age. Over

the course of her life she has dabbled in sewing, knitting, dyeing, felting, embroidery,

netting, and is an avid squeezer of yarn and feeler of satin. And no, it's not weird. Really.

Know what? You don't have to watch if you're that uncomfortable.

DIRECTOR’S NOTEDIRECTOR’S NOTEDIRECTOR’S NOTEDIRECTOR’S NOTE

I could go on for pages, as others have, about the original intent of

Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. It’s true, for example, that it was never intended

as a feminist work. The idea of women in power would have been

completely ridiculous to the average Athenian in 411 B.C.E, when the play

was first produced, and is only used here as a hook to draw the audience in

to see an anti-war play. This of course deserves to be known and honored

in academic circles, but tonight we deal with Lysistrata as a piece of living

art, and living art was always meant to grow and change.

This production is very much about the individual. For one thing, instead of

choruses who speak in unison and are defined as one character each, you’ll

see a group of entirely unique people who speak in turn and make their

own thoughts heard. The women in the show are especially meant to stand

out. They have been costumed and characterized with the hope that you’ll

see your friends, neighbors, mothers and sisters all strutting across the

stage. Everyone knows a Calonicé or a Lampito.

More important than just seeing the individuals, however, is seeing what

they’re doing. What I hope to show you here tonight is that ordinary

people can be extraordinary. All it takes is for one person to stand up and

make her voice heard. Sometimes, the effect is a massive power shift and,

as Lysistrata says, “the gods will set above what was erst below.” I hope

you find the Lysistrata within yourself tonight and the knowledge that no

one—man, woman or other—has ever brought about real change by

staying quiet.

John Deschene March 2013

SPECIAL THANKSSPECIAL THANKSSPECIAL THANKSSPECIAL THANKS

• to Betty Walker and Unity Somerville for hosting our production

• to James Scheffler, Drea Brandford and Leon Marr for lending costume items

• to Darxus for help with makeup and hair

• to Idony Lisle for getting us started and helping so much along the way

To all of the friends, family and volunteers who make our work possible, and

to our audience—without you, we wouldn’t be here!

PRODUCTION STAFFPRODUCTION STAFFPRODUCTION STAFFPRODUCTION STAFF

Producer/House Manager Chris DeKalb

Director John Deschene

Choreographer Alex Nemiroski

Technical Director Pat Hayes

Stage Manager Maren Reisch

Set Designer Jo Guthrie

Lighting Designer Hilary Caplan

Lighting Board Operator Shelley MacAskill

Sound Designer Nellie Farrington

Costume Designer Elizabeth Ryan

Costume Assistant Sharon Neely

Props Coordinator Cat Bryant

Run Crew Chris Junno

Meg Dolben

Make-Up/Hair Designer Zeph Stewart

Make-Up/Hair Assistants Jacqueline Bennett

Graphic Design Gilly Rosenthol

Publicity Manager Lori-Anne Cohen

Program Layout Elizabeth Hunter

Hallyann Gifford (Calycé/Dancer) is thrilled to be working with the wonderful and

talented people of T@F for the first time. She has been a performer, director, writer,

designer, whatever, in numerous productions around the region. She teaches Drama at

Hopkinton MS. Hallyann thanks her students, her family, and T@F. Enjoy the show!

Michael Glicksman (Athenian Negotiator/Dancer) is thrilled to be a part of this raunchy

spectacle. His most recent roles include Levi in Joseph, Rode in The Three Sisters, and

Mr. Mayor in Seussical, all at the Footlight Club in JP. Thanks to everyone!

Jenny Gutbezahl (Stratyllis) is delighted to be working again with T@F after having been

cast in their productions in roles ranging from a sarcastic cricket to Lady MacBeth.

When not performing, she can be found brewing beer, constructing crossword puzzles,

herding winners at the Ig Nobel awards, or putting together playlists for mixcloud.

Jo Guthrie (Set Designer) is grateful to be part of T@F's 41st production and honored to

be asked. She still can't get over the fact that this dream is still running its course nine

years later.

Pat Hayes (Technical Director) will next appear as Pythagoras in the original musical,

Pythagoras: King of the Square Root . He’s enjoyed working on Lysistrata but is excited

for a new challenge. He wishes to thank John and Lori-Anne for encouraging him in his

love of musical theatre.

Jared Hite (Cinesias) makes his third appearance with T@F, following As You Like It and

Pride & Prejudice. He also performs audio theatre with PMRP. He wonders what it says

that all three of the comedic roles he has played so far have involved sex jokes. It's

probably just a coincidence. Special thanks to all the people whose support has gotten

him to where he is today.

Sarah Josselyn (Anagyran Woman/Dancer) brings her years of dance training and

burlesque experience to T@F's production of Lysistrata. She has performed in

Slutcracker since its debut in 2008 and is a member of Rogue Burlesque, having just

danced in two shows of Film Strip! at Oberon in Harvard Square. When not onstage,

Sarah is found with her cat, Ansel, wreaking havoc all throughout greater Camberville.

Chris Junno (Run Crew) was born in Northampton, studied at BU, and currently lives in

Somerville. He thanks his parents, friends, and T@F for this wonderful opportunity. Let

the Lysistratment begin!

Chris DeKalb (Producer/House Manager) is glad to be helping out with T@F’s first

Greek comedy. When he’s not playing with spreadsheets and selling soda he’s a

project manager for Books24x7.com.

John Deschene (Director) is thrilled to bring Lysistrara to T@F! Previous onstage credits

include Bent (Greta) and Pride & Prejudice (Lady Catherine). "Thanks to all involved!

This production is dedicated to the memory of Evelyn Golini who, in addition to being

an awesome grandmother, was one of the strongest women I've ever known."

Meg Dolben (Run Crew) has recently graduated from Connecticut College and works as

a freelance theater technician in Boston. She is a Disney-fanatic who enjoys Ultimate

Frisbee, singing, playing pool, and Diet Coke. Special thanks to SM extraordinaire Maren

for involving her in this production!

Daniel Dolinov (Philurgus/Dancer) is thrilled to be on stage once again with his fellow

Firsties. While he is a bit apprehensive about making a dancing debut (unlike with

acting, as reliable sources confirm that Daniel's acting started at a pre-natal stage), he is

thankful for the support from Alex and his fellow dancers, who helped, supported, and

did not complain. Most of all, Daniel is grateful to his beloved life partners, Kamela and

Liz, without whom nothing is quite possible (and certainly not worth the time).

Leslie Drescher (Lysistrara) Leslie Drescher thinks we can all learn from the lesson of

Lysistrara: with a little perseverance and lots of boners, peace is achieved.

Brian Edgar (Magistrate) returns to the stage as the Athenian Magistrate. He has hoped

to be in a production of this show since he was in high school and is grateful to John for

the opportunity. Much gratitude also to Alex for his extreme patience with our lack of

dancing talent.

Nellie Farrington (Sound Engineer) is having a gloriously theater-ful winter. She had a

blast acting in T@F's The Vagina Monologues and Hovey Players' 24 Hour Theater Festi-

val; all things sound for Lysistrara is a new experience (though only a hop, skip and a

jump away from Foley for PMRP's Tomes of Terror: New Arrivals). Now it's just a matter

of surviving the theater of teaching another semester of mathematics at Mass. Mari-

time Academy.

Lou Fuoco (Strymodorous) makes his first appearance with T@F. Previous credits

include The Boys Next

Door, Butterflies Are

Free and The Odd Cou-

ple. On the big screen

you can see him in the

Mob comedy Conned

available on Netflix. His

wonderful family and

the memory of his

beloved wife inspire all

his acting endeavors.

WEEKLY AUTHOR EVENTS

CASTCASTCASTCAST

Lysistrata Leslie Drescher

Stratyllis Jenny Gutbezahl

Strymodorus Lou Fuoco

Magistrate Brian Edgar

Myrrhiné Kria Sakakeeny

Cinesias Jared Hite

Calonicé Andrea Aptecker

Lampito/Dancer Brigid A. Battell

Nicodicé Lori-Anne Cohen

Calycé/Dancer Hallyann Gifford

Ismenia Liz Adams

Philurgus/Dancer Daniel Dolinov

Phaedrias/Dancer Andy Lebrun

Laches Doug Miller

Athenian Negotiator/Dancer Michael Glicksman

Laconian Envoy/Dancer Jason Merrill

Herald/Dancer Understudy Dan McConvey

Corinthian Woman/Dancer Sara Burd

Boeotian Woman Lisa Sturgeon

Anagyran Woman/Dancer Sarah Josselyn

SYNOPSISSYNOPSISSYNOPSISSYNOPSIS

Act I

The women of Greece, once happy in their marriages, feel abandoned because their

husbands are always at war. A young Athenian woman, Lysistrata, calls a meeting of

women from all warring states and puts forth a proposition: the women must withhold

sex until the men become so desperate, “they will hasten to make peace.” The other

women are reluctant until Lampito, a Spartan woman, decides that Lysistrata’s plan is

the only option. Lysistrata and the women then take up residence in the Acropolis and

lay claim to the treasury, ending all funding of the war.

It isn’t long before Strymodorus and his crew of “doddering greybeards” rise up against

the women, but Stratyllis and her posse of old ladies stand posted outside the acropolis,

ready to defend their young comrades. They are joined by the Magistrate, a high-

ranking politician, who enters into a fierce debate with Lysistrata. Lysistrata makes her

case for ending the war, citing that men make foolish decisions that endanger not only

their own safety, but the safety of all Greek citizens. The Magistrate and the old men,

finding themselves without a strong argument, exit in a huff.

Once alone, Lysistrata confesses her worries to Stratyllis: the women have all been

trying to escape to go back home to their husbands. This is illustrated as three more try

to escape, each giving a more ridiculous excuse than the last. Lysistrata brings them

back to order by reciting (improvising) an ancient prophecy that clearly states that the

women must stick together if change is to occur. As the act comes to a close, we see

couples from all around Greece acting out Lysistrata’s sex strike.

Act II

Much to Strymodorus’ dismay, the old men are finding it increasingly difficult to stand

their ground, especially when tempted by Stratyllis. Meanwhile, Cinesias arrives at the

acropolis hoping to reclaim his wife, Myrrhiné. After being reminded of her promise to

deny her husband all favors, Myrrhini teases Cinesias mercilessly to vote for peace.

Later, the Magistrate, disgusted by the state of Athens’ young men, encounters a herald

from Sparta who reveals that the sex strike is taking place not just in Athens, but all

over Greece. The Magistrate decides that there is no help for the situation except to

bring envoys together to negotiate a peace treaty. Stratyllis and Strymodorus enter and

reveal that they are tired of fighting with each other. After a flirtatious interchange, the

two decide to “regard each other no longer as enemies.”

An envoy from Sparta arrives and negotiations for peace begin. Lysistrata plays the

temptress to both the Atheians and the Spartans, eventually bringing them to a very

satisfying agreement. All are invited into the acropolis for a celebratory feast. As the

show draws to a close, the cast performs a joyous “dance in honor of a victory won.”

BIOSBIOSBIOSBIOS

Liz Adams (Ismenia) is delighted to finally work with her friend John, and tickled to be

performing with such a terrific cast. Last seen singing in Christmas Revels at Sanders

Theatre, Liz will be appearing next in PMRP's Spring Sci-Fi Spectacular. She is grateful to

her children for being generally awesome; Kamela, Matt, Meaghan, Dad, everyone else

who’s been so supportive and encouraging; dear Steve (X!); and most of all, thanks her

beloved Daniel.

Andrea Aptecker (Calonicé) is thrilled by the opportunity John has given her and de-

lighted to work with such a talented and welcoming cast and crew in her first T@F pro-

duction. Andrea would like to thank everyone for allowing Charlie the black lab to at-

tend rehearsals, even though he was at times perplexed and vaguely scandalized by

what he witnessed on stage.

Brigid A. Battell (Lampito) can kick your ass. This is her second time onstage with T@F,

having been seen previously as Lizzy Bennet. (Pride & Prejudice) Other local credits

include Titania/Hippolyta, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Concord Players); Penelope

Toop, See How They Run (Cannon Theatre); Rose Mundy, Dancing at Lughnasa (AFD).

Brigid dedicates this performance to all women touched by war, but especially her

sisters, SPC Grainne Widenor and SGT Caitlin Battell (retired). Special thanks to Alex for

letting her dance.

Jacqueline Bennett (Make-up Assistant) made her T@F debut last year as Charlotte

Lucas in Pride & Prejudice and is excited to move behind the T@F scenes for the first

time. Jacqueline likes make-up and when not running late or feeling lazy even wears it

herself.

Cat Bryant (Props Manager) joins T@F for a second time, having been props manager

for Pride & Prejudice. She also runs the non-profit Boston Bike Film Festival (now in its

9th year!), and when people ask, she says “Yes, it's films about cycling!” Cat also works

as a telecom analyst for another non-profit in Boston.

Sara Burd (Corinthian Woman/Dancer) is happy to be rejoining T@F after a few years

away from the stage. She previously appeared as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing,

Evelyn in Rimers of Eldritch, and Somnia in Never After; and as Carmilla with PMRP .

Sara lives with her beloved husband in Cambridge and is excited to play the best role of

her life as a new mom this August! John 3:16 .

Hilary Caplan (Lighting Designer) has enjoyed working on lights for T@F over the past

three years, designing for shows at both Unity Somerville and the Somerville

Theater. When not blinding actors, she spends her time playing Bananagrams, drinking

tea, and telling middle schoolers how to use the semicolon.

Lori-Anne Cohen (NIcodicé/Publicity Manager) This is Lori-Anne's third show with T@F

as Publicity maven and her second with them as a performer. Lori-Anne also performed

in last October's Tomes of Terror: New Arrivals for PMRP. She’s excited to be channeling

her inner fight club for this show and wishes to thank friends and family for their

support. She also wishes to thank the MBTA for getting her to rehearsals on time!