2016–2017 SEASON

DEC 2 – 31on the Proscenium Stage

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

THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF AN AMERICAN KLEZMER

Colle + McVoyBWBR Architects

special thanks to

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

Minnesota Dance Theatre

53rd Performance Season | mndance.org |

January 20-22, 2017The Cowles Center

Tickets: thecowlescenter.org 612-206-3600

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

December 16-23, 2016State Theatre with the Nutcracker Orchestra

Ticketmaster.com or 800-982-2787

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Richard Cook, Artistic Director 651.767.8482 | cook@parksquaretheatre.org

C. Michael-jon Pease, Executive Director, CFRE651.767.8497 | pease@parksquaretheatre.org

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.

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 Scholz-Carlson 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!

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org4

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

MUSICAL SELECTIONS

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*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.

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.

Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira GershwinSongs from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin

Created and Written by 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.

Director Peter Moore Musical Arranger Joseph Vass Musical Director Joseph Vass Scenic Designer Dean Holzman Sound Designer Jacob M. Davis Costume Designer Jason Lee Resler Lighting Designer Michael P. Kittel Stage Manager Megan Fae Dougherty* Assistant Stage Manager Samantha Diekman

CAST George Gershwin Michael Paul Levin* Chanteuse Maud Hixson Griot (Storyteller) Geoffrey Jones Chazzan (Cantor) Maggie Burton

KLEZMERICA Drums Jay Epstein or Nathan Norman Woodwinds Doug Haining Trumpet Adam Meckler Violin Carolyn Boulay or Gary Schulte Bass Chris Bates Piano Joseph Vass

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org6

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.”

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 rec-ognize, 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.”

But, back in 1997, when I proposed to the Jewish Community Center of St. Paul a con-cert entitled Gershwin the Klezmer, I confess that’s about all I knew. I did not yet know:

• The extent to which other Jewish-American songwriters (and at least one gentile, Cole Porter) attributed their inspiration to the Jewish tradition;

• The depth of Gershwin’s natural immer-sion 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.

Michael Paul Levin photo by Petronella J. Ytsma

AUTHOR’S NOTE

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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.

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

THE AUTHOR & BAND

www.moundstheater.ORG

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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 GershwinPark 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

MAGGIE BURTONChazzan (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 HIXSONChanteusePark 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 Betsy-Tacy Books by Maud Hart Lovelace)

GEOFFREY JONESGriot (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

CAST

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org10

BANDCHRISTOPHER 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 BOULAYViolin 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

TICKETSILLUSIONTHEATER.ORG

612.339.4944small stage. giant impact.

MIRANDAFRIDAY, 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.

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BANDJAY EPSTEIN DrumsPark 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 HAININGWoodwindsPark 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 MECKLERTrumpetPark 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 NORMANDrumsPark 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 award-winning 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

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org12

GARY SCHULTEViolin 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 Pianosee bio on page 7

you?aging your Are glasses

Stop cheating yourself and get a real pair of glasses.Our lovely model and customer is wearing Jono Hennessy frame 8300.

VIST, CALL or CLICK:

spectacleshoppe.com

UPTOWN Hennepin AvenueSilver Lake Rd

Grand AvenueBurnsville Center

NEW BRIGHTONST. PAULBURNSVILLE888.797.EYES

*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.

BAND

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PETER MOOREDirectorPark 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 Playhouse- Miami 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 Theatre-Williamsburg 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 (ABC-TV) Training B.A., Penn State University Awards/Other Best Educational Film, Autistic License, L.A. International Family Film Festival

JACOB M. DAVISSound DesignerPark 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 USA-829 Upcoming Projects Park Square: Flower Drum Song, Nina Simone: Four Women; Theatre Pro Rata: Goodbye, Cruel World

MEGAN FAE DOUGHERTY*Stage ManagerPark 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 DesignerPark 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

ARTISTIC STAFF

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org14

‘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

MICHAEL P. KITTEL Lighting DesignerPark 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 Wisconsin-River Falls Awards Ivey Award for The Pillowman (Frank Theatre); Lavender Magazine 2008 & 2009 Best Lighting Design

JASON LEE RESLERCostume DesignerPark 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

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

JOSEPH VASS Musical Arranger and Musical Directorsee bio on page 7

Production Staff & CrewAssistant 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

ARTISTIC STAFF

BRINGTHE

BRINGTHE

BRINGTHE

ROCHESTER | January 14

DULUTH | March 25Additional event to be announced soon!

Details at classicalmpr.org/choral

Sign up for a unique choral experience. Part sing-along,

part workshop, it’s an event you shouldn’t miss!

MUSIC-MAKING FUN FORVOICES OF ALL ABILITIES.

ROCHESTER | January 14

DULUTH | March 25

By Joseph Goodrich Directed by Peter Moore

Adapted from the Novel by Rex Stout

A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY

on the Proscenium Stage

JUN 16 – JUL 30

E.J.

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MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD

A World Premiere Commission by our Mystery Writers Producers’ Club

16 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

$5,000-9,999RW Baird Foundation, IncHardenbergh FoundationThe Hubbard Broadcasting

FoundationJames B. Linsmayer

FoundationJP Morgan Chase Macy’s FoundationMichaud, Cooley, EricksonDavid and Karen Olson

Family FoundationSecurian FoundationStandard Heating &

Air ConditioningThomson ReutersZelle Hofmann

$2,500-4,999AARP MinnesotaHighlands FoundationThe Poehler-Stremel

Charitable TrustRobins, Kaplan, Miller &

Ciresi L.L.P.Lillian Wright &

C. Emil Berglund Foundation

$1,000-2,499Dramatist Guild FundOne Beacon

Charitable TrustUBS Financial

INDIVIDUALS

CHAMPIONS $25,000+AnonymousLinda BossTimothy & Gayle Ober

DIRECTORS $10,000+Betty Anderlik

in memory of Joseph Anderlik

AnonymousDavid Duddingston &

Clayton HalunenJohn Larsen through the

John Larsen Family Foundation

FANS $5,000+AnonymousRon & Nancy Ankeny*John BurbidgeMary Ebert & Paul StemblerNancy J. FeldmanJerri FreierDavid & Genevieve FreierPhyllis GoffRobyn Hansen & John

ClareyKaren B. HeintzPaul & Renee JohnsonPeter Maye & Betsy CobbHella MearsPeter & Sara RibbensPaul & Pat SackettTerri UlineHelen WagnerJohn & Sandra White

LEADERS $2,500+John L Berthiaume &

Dr. Joanne B VotelRolf & Chris BolstadJeffrey Bores &

Michael HawkinsBarb DavisJim & Dianne FalteisekJohn W. HarrisAndrea Trimble HartJeff & Kathy JohnsonJohn & Jeanne LeFevreEric & Celita LevinsonSteven Kent Lockwood &

Richard CookJack & Jeanne MatlockPaul & Tara MattessichBenedict & Rita OlkC. Michael-jon Pease &

Christopher TaykaloGreg & Naomi PeskyThomas & Nancy RohdeJames Rustad &

Kay ThomasTom Park & Kari RuthJoe & Christi SchmittCarolyn Sorensen &

David KelmEdward & Victoria SzalapskiGeorge TysonSusan WenzAnn Wynia

ANNUAL FUNDCORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT

$10,000-24,999Fred C. & Katherine B.

Andersen FoundationHugh J. Andersen FoundationBoss FoundationCity of St. Paul Cultural STARColle + McVoy*Deluxe Corporation FoundationEcolab FoundationEMC Paradigm Publishing*General Mills FoundationHarlan Boss Foundation

for the ArtsK FoundationRuth Easton Fund of the

Edelstein Family FoundationWalter McCarthy and Clara

Ueland through the Greystone Foundation

National Endowment for the ArtsRBC Wealth Management

FoundationScrooby FoundationTravelers VSA Arts of Minnesota Xcel Energy FoundationWells 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.

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

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE HISTORIC HAMM BUILDINGTheir 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

FoundationMardag

Foundation

ShubertFoundation

Caroline Amplatz

17theatre because of you. (yes you.)

OUR CONTRIBUTORSPACESETTERS $1,500+Suzanne AmmermanLynne BeckCharles & Laura CochraneThe Crabb Family, Ken, Gwen,

Casey & RachaelTom & Mary Lou DetwilerJewelie GrapeWesley & Deirdre KramerRay KrauseJames E LafaveJohn & Karen LarsenJim LewisRosanne NathansonJoan T. Smith

GUARANTORS $1,000+Steve & Nancy ApfelbacherCorrie Ooms BeckSara & Tim BeckstrandSharon & R. Michael ConleyJanet Ekern & David RobinsonTim & Susan FlahertyEdward FoxTherese GahlerKristin Taylor GeislerDeborah & Philip GelbachJim & Judy HaighDavid & Ann HeiderSharon HildrumScot HoushLucille & Robert IngramBruce Jones & Joann NordinThomas & Mary KrickWilliam & Mary KruegerKent & Diane KruegerSharon & James LewisRita McConnellWilliam & Virginia McDonaldDouglas & Carol OgrenSusan RostkoskiKen & Nina RothchildEdwin & Jennifer RyanPaula SchadArt & Jan SeplakDan & Emily ShapiroJim & Miriam Stake

in memory of Gary Berggren

Missy Staples Thompson & Gar Hargens

Fred & Alice Wall

BENEFACTORS $500+Jim AltmanElizabeth AndrewsAnonymousMs. Ani BackaJohn & Barbara BalfanzJudy BartlettSusan & James BerdahlThelma BoederPaul & Tina CaseyKarin Collins

in memory of Dr. Thomas Collins

Kathy CristanFran DavisLitton FieldCarolyn FitermanK. Paul FreborgReynolds & Mary GuyerGerald HoltMary JacobsDonald & Carol Jo KelseyLynn KvalnessDaniel & Chris MahaiFrank P. MayersDavid & Karen OlsonMs. Jewel OlsonTimothy M. ScanlanSummer Seidenkranz &

Clark SchroederDouglas J. StubedaRandy & Barbara SutterJon & Lea Theobald

SUSTAINERS $250+Carolyn M. AdamsWilliam A. AndersonAnonymousMarcia J. AubineauTerry BanaszewskiRobert & Mary BeckDan & Dee BenderIris BierbrauerJon & Laura BloombergStuart & Sue Ellen BorkenJean & Carl BrookinsC.C. & Dawn ClawsonRon & Kathy ColbyRoger ConeSheila FaulknerRichard & Beverly FinkMike & Carol GarbischBess GoldSara GraffunderJennifer Gross

Bonnie Hancock & Joe Weyendt

William & Linda HolleyTodd & Mary JacobsonNancy JonesArt & Martha KaemmerSusan KimberlyLinda KlaverPeter & Bonnie KramerRuth LadwigColles LarkinMary & David

Lundberg-JohnsonMichael Mallory &

Catherine GrayRon & Mary MattsonSue McAllisterMr. & Mrs. Dennis McGuireKathleen McLeod &

Eric HeppEd MoersfelderBeverly Ward MontgomeryJames & Nancy MulveyMerritt Nequette

in memory of Pauline Lambert

Theodore NeuhausBonnie PalmquistJames Persoon &

Barbara Schmidt PersoonSidney & Decima PhillipsCharlie & Nicole PrescottBrad & Linda QuardererLawrence RedmondJack & Judy SchlukebierJane SchmidtJim SeidelGeorge Skinner &

Anne HanleyMr. & Mrs. Mark StangeErica SternMarcia & John StoutStanley & Connie SuchtaDonald M. &

Ruth Patricia SullivanAndrew TuckerDebra VenkerJenifer Wagner &

James VogelLeon & Lindy WebsterVirginia YinglingSheri Zigan

FRIENDS $150-249Mr. & Mrs. James AndrewsKaren AvalozKay C. BachJ. Michael BaroneBruce & Carol BarrySusan BaxterMark BintzlerJudy & Arnold BrierJane Carlstrom & Dave DeckerDavid ColwellDon & Julie CoxJoanne EnglundMr. & Mrs. Tom FarnhamSusan FlynnJeremiah & Karen GallivanJack & Nancy GarlandSandy GehrmannRobin HubbellCraig & Nicola HyserAlfred & Sharon KauthJan KonkeKeith KuffelDavid & Pamela LandeEdward & Judith MaleckiMary MarkgrafAnne MarkleDr. Virginia McFerranGerald MeigsMuriel NelsonJoann NelsonMary O`KeefeJim OstlundDon & Kathy ParkSydney PhillipsJames & Nancy PromanSharon RadmanWilliam & Barbara ReadFerrol & Catherine RobinsonShelly RucksMichael RyanWilliam & Glennis SchlukebierPam & Jeff SchweitzerBruce & Julianne SeiberConnie ShaverLee & Lois SnookMichael & Sherry SpenceIrene SuddardMichael SymeonidesOrlette TatleyEdwin & Beverly ThiedeJoyce ThielenGerald & Beth VoermansCarol WestbergDon & Claudia WieboldTerry & 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 bentley@parksquaretheatre.org

LEAD FUNDING PARTNERS:

18 651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org

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

ARTISTICRob Jensen, Technical DirectorIan Stoutenburgh, Assistant Technical DirectorMegan West, Production ManagerLaura Leffler-McCabe, Temporary Production ManagerJamil Jude, Artistic Programming AssociateMichael P. Kittel, Resident Lighting DesignerMatt Erkel, Lead CarpenterCharlotte Deranek, Sound SupervisorJohn White, Literary Management Volunteer

EDUCATIONMary M. Finnerty, Education DirectorMegan Losure, Education Sales & Services ManagerConnor M. McEvoy, Education AssociateMarcia Aubineau, Post-show Discussion ModeratorArianna Diaz-Celon, Education InternImmersion 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

EXTERNAL RELATIONSConnie Shaver, Marketing &

Audience Development DirectorRachel E.H. Bentley, Marketing &

Development AssociateLinda Twiss, Group Sales &

Community Engagement ManagerLynne Beck, Development ConsultantMadge Duffey, Graphic DesignerPetronella J. Ytsma, Photographer Michael Hanisch, VideographerJim Heideman, Telemarketing ServicesAlicia Pedersen, Marketing CoordinatorRachel Wandrei, Graduate Intern, Development

FINANCE AND OPERATIONSSheri J. Zigan, Finance & Operations DirectorJackson Smith, Finance Coordinator Dave Peterson, Facility & Event ManagerJohn Romano, Donna Handson,

Facility & Event AssociatesAmanda Lammert, Audience Services DirectorFront 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 EnglundTicket Agents: Ben Cook-Feltz - Ticket Office Supervisor,

Jimmy Vincent, Kristen ParizekUsher and Friday Morning Club Coordinator:

Judy Bartlett

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

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

PARK SQUARE STAFF

Save the Date!Monday, April 24, 2017

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

HAVANA NIGHTS

19

DINE | DELIGHT | INDULGE | EXPERIENCE

CALL (651) 291-2715 FOR RESERVATIONS

NO COVER CHARGE WITH PARK SQUARE TICKET STUB

Right Down the Hall

From Park Square!

BOARD OF DIRECTORSTim Ober (President)

President, Red Oaks of Dakota County Inc.John L. Berthiaume (Vice President)

VP, Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth ManagementKaren Heintz (Treasurer)

Senior VP, Branch Manager, Robert W. BairdKristin Taylor Geisler (Secretary)

Principal, Iris Consulting, LLCDaniel Boone Executive Director, Integrated Programs

Marketing Services, DELUXEKristine Clarke Learner Representative,

University of Minnesota: College of Continuing EducationBarb Davis Realtor, Coldwell Banker BurnetJim Falteisek Sales and Marketing Director, 3MNancy Feldman President and CEO, UCare, RetiredJewelie Grape Partner, Conner & Winters, LLPAndrea Trimble Hart CPCU, Senior VP, Willis of Minnesota, Inc.Jeff Johnson (Immediate Past President) CFO, Amesbury TruthPaul Johnson VP, Investor Relations, Xcel EnergyJohn LeFevre Community Volunteer (Deluxe, Retired)Paul Mattessich Executive Director, Wilder Research FoundationKristin Berger Parker Partner, Stinson, Leonard, StreetKari Ruth Director of Strategic Communications,

Hennepin Theatre TrustPaul Sackett Professor of Psychology and Liberal Arts,

University of MinnesotaPaul Stembler ConsultantHelen Wagner Community Volunteer (3M, Retired)Susan Wenz Director of Programming – KSTP-TV & 45TV

EDUCATOR ADVISORY BOARDMarcia Aubineau, University of St. Thomas, retiredLiz Erickson, Rosemount High School, retiredTheodore Fabel, South High SchoolCraig Farmer, Perpich Center for Arts EducationAmy Hewett-Olatunde, LEAP High SchoolCheryl Hornstein, Freelance Theatre and Music EducatorAlexandra Howes, Twin Cities AcademyDr. Virginia McFerran, Perpich Center for Arts EducationKristin Nelson, Brooklyn Center High SchoolMari O’Meara, Eden Prairie High SchoolJennifer Parker, Falcon Ridge Middle SchoolMaggie Quam, Hmong College Prep AcademyKate Schilling, Mound Westonka High SchoolJack Schlukebier, Central High School, retiredTanya Sponholz, Prescott High SchoolJill Tammen, Hudson High School, retiredCraig Zimanske, Forest Lake Area High School

THEATRE AMBASSADORSPayton 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)

PARK SQUARE INFORMATION

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

TICKET OFFICE HOURSTuesday – 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 1:00pmSunday: 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.

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.

BRAILLE

HAVANA NIGHTS

651.291.7005 | parksquaretheatre.org

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.”

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!

Feb 7 – 26 Play with Music / Andy Boss Thrust Stage

By Christina HamDirected by Faye M. Price

Presented and Created by the Sandbox Theatre EnsembleLed by Derek Lee Miller

Jan 12 – 28 Drama-Comedy / Andy Boss Thrust Stage

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 razz-ma-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.

Jan 20 – Feb 19 Musical / Proscenium Stage

Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein IIBook by David Henry Hwang; Directed by Randy Reyes

Co-Produced with Mu Performing Arts

DON’T MISS WHAT’S COMING IN 2017!Re

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