Proscenium September 2017-B -...
Transcript of Proscenium September 2017-B -...
rela ng her stubbornness
and how she jus fies her
some mes ques onable
moral decisions.
The poor couple suffer
under the curse of the
Witch, played by Robin
Samek, who is also ending a
sabba cal from theater. She
is more than equal to the
task of crea ng this
complicated single mother,
who acts as the reality
keeper of the show. Robin’s
greatest challenge and
source of fun is playing a
character who is such a
different type than her usual
role.
In order to break the curse,
the Baker and his Wife must
collect unusual objects from
Into the woods and who
can tell what’s wai ng on
the journey…
Into the Woods is possibly
Sondheim’s most complicat‐
ed and well‐known musical.
It takes a cast and produc‐
on team of insane talent to
pull it off with glorious
finesse and, blessedly, Zach
Harris has assembled such a
group.
Each member of the cast
plays an integral part, but
the journey must begin
somewhere so…
The Baker is played by
William Lewis, who was hap‐
pily surprised to land this
unexpected part a er a
sabba cal from theater. He
loves the Baker’s original
story, as opposed to many of
the
other characters drawn from
fairytales. Zach recognized
William’s talent to bring
humanity to the Baker and
you will too.
No Baker is complete with‐
out his Wife. Lisa Shinn
audi oned with another role
in mind, but Zach saw her
poten al to fulfill this part,
and you’ll be glad he did.
Lisa loves The Baker’s Wife’s
for tude. The biggest
challenge of this role is
G O T O T H E W O O D S
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
Woods Continued 2-3
New Ticket Pricing 3
New Board 4
Company Production Team
5
Company Audition Information
6-7
Summer 2018 8
September 2017
For Tickets visit www.ftptheater.com
Clay Comer and Steve
Gondre Lewis as the
two Princes singing
“Agony.”
The Proscenium
The Fredericktowne players
others wandering the woods.
From Jack, they need a milky white cow.
Cam Sammartano checks off a bucket
list role with Jack. He loves the
character arc of this complicated
persona. Jack naively takes his journey
into the woods where he experiences
many kinds of loss, but gains self‐
knowledge, and grows up.
Poor Jack’s Mother is played by the
incomparable Angela Thompson, who
seamlessly epitomizes the worried
single mother. Angela admires the lyrics
of the show, and how the careful
listener can learn about real life through
the story.
Li le Red supplies a cape as red as
blood. Local, Kaitlin McCallion loves
portraying this dream role of the naïve
and mischievous girl who must navigate
the perils of the woods. With her sweet
and sassy a tude, she grows up as she
faces hard challenges, only one of which
is being eaten by a wolf!
Speaking of the Wolf…Alex Prete digs
into the creepiness and duality of the
Wolf (think oily car salesman) with
relish, and brings some welcome comic
energy.
Where do the Baker and his Wife get
corn as yellow as silk? Rapunzel of
course. Abby Haffely is the youngest
member of the cast, but you won’t
know it by her voice. She’s performed
eight years with the Frederick Children’s
Chorus and studies voice privately. She
derives pleasure from hi ng insanely
high notes, and the emo onal dynamics
of the kidnapped Rapunzel, who falls in
love with a prince.
And who wouldn’t love the deep
baritone of Steve Gondre Lewis? A
recent graduate of UMBC with a BFA,
Gondre appreciates the over‐the‐top
regality and sense of en tlement of
Rapunzel’s Prince, and sharing a broth‐
erly bond of agony with Cinderella’s
Prince.
Every show should have two princes
when one of them is Clay Comer, who is
grateful to fulfill this bucket list role. As
a youth, he performed with FTP and is
happy to return in this regal manly soul
chasing Cinderella.
Jillian Wiley (Cinderella) wanted this
dream role so much she submi ed a
video audi on all the way from
Tanzania! With a Masters in Vocal
Performance and Pedagogy from the
Peabody, it’s clear why Zach chose her
and her dulcet tones. She loves how
Sondheim changed up this classic
princess to a humanized mul dimen‐
sional character, who chooses to leave
behind her slipper as pure as gold
instead of a girl having a clumsy
moment.
And while the prince may be in love
with Cinderella, the Step Squad is not.
The Step Squad is the cast’s affec onate
nickname for the trio of women who are
“beau ful of face but vile and black of
heart.” As Cinderella’s Stepmother,
Amanda Berry leads Lucinda (Sydney
Aus n) and Florinda (Sam Fox) in the
mistreatment and torture of poor Cindy.
These women bring both comedy and
gruesome brutality to the story. You
don’t want to be on their receiving end
of their wrath…or the Giant’s.
Bri any Poindexter lends her vocals to
bring the Giant to larger than life
propor ons, while Ma Kopp shaves his
beard to play Li le Red’s Grandmother.
I n t o t h e W o o d s c o n t i n u e d
P a g e 2 T h e P r o s c e n i u m
Kaitlin McCallion as Li le Red
Cam Sammartano as Jack
T h e P r o s c e n i u m P a g e 3
All the characters and their stories are s tched together by the Narrator. Bob
Ashby spent many years refining his cra with the Arlington Players in
Virginia. He has performed in every Sondheim produc on, save this one,
which he can now check off.
Please remember as you’re giving your standing ova on in honor of the vocal
gymnas cs flawlessly performed by this amazingly talented cast, that there is
a produc on team of people who also deserve your applause.
Zach Harris for assembling the cast and direc ng the show with alacrity. The
reless and countless hours he put into the show deserve a pat on the back
and possibly a massage. Ma Kopp, the Producer, for keeping Zach sane
during this grueling and rewarding process of pu ng on a show.
Ma Dohm, the Vocal Music Director,
and Bri any Poindexter, the Assistant
Musical Director, for naviga ng the cast
and orchestra through musical and
rhythmical minefields to trick your ears
into thinking this libre o isn’t so hard. It is arguably one of the toughest musicals to
learn to sing. If you like the movement on stage then give it up for Kendall Sigman,
the Choreographer. Lastly, Katy Cawley, the Stage Manager who keeps it all running
smoothly without you even knowing she’s there. If you have the guts to enter the
woods, beware! Princes strut there, but wolves lurk, and humans too. You’re likely to
get lost and when you emerge, you’ll never be the same. Go to THE WOODS!
By Lisa Swinton
An excited cast hopes you'll join them!
Announcing New Ticket Pricing! We hear you!
After reviewing feedback from our patrons…
FTP has implemented a new ticket pricing model.
Skip the movie theater and take your family to a night of live theater instead!
Announcing New Board Members!
Since our annual meeting on August 23rd and our recent Board meeting on September 2nd, we have several new faces and a few “old” faces in new
roles on our Board of Directors.
P a g e 4 T h e P r o s c e n i u m
Devin Taylor
Artistic Director
Karen Lane
Member at Large
Thank you to all our volunteers!
Katy Cawley
Technical Diretor
Chris Berry
Treasurer
Rick Weldon
Development Director
Matt Kopp
Vice President
T h e P r o s c e n i u m
Q a n d A w i t h n e w d i r e c t o r A l e x P r e t e
P a g e 5
Q: Why Company?
A: Company embodies everything that I personally love about musical theater. The show is, in my opinion, one of the best wri en shows of all me in regards to both the book and the music. It's also a show about real people and real problems. Anyone who's ever been in a rela onship in their life will find at least one character in this show they can relate to, or a plot line that resonates with them.
Q: What excites you the most about directing this show?
A: Even without having casted the show yet, I'm already surrounded by many talented people on my produc on team. I can't wait to see what we can come up with when we put our minds together.
Q: What do you think will be the biggest chal-lenge you’ll face?
A: I think my biggest challenge in direc ng will be trying not to second guess myself too much. Being a new director, some of what I do will be trial and error. Because of this, I’ll need to be able to trust my ins ncts and listen to the sugges ons of the much smarter peo‐ple around me.
The produc on team for Company can’t wait to get started.
P a g e 6 T h e P r o s c e n i u m
Company Audition Information: Produc on Team: Director: Alex Prete Assistant Director: Lisa Shinn Vocal Music Director: Ma hew Dohm Choreographer: Kendall Nicole Sigman Stage Manager: Katy Cawley Producer: Ma Kopp Audi on Dates:
November 1st & 2nd from 6‐10pm We are also accep ng video submissions for audi ons*
Callbacks will be by invita on on November 5th & 6th from 6‐10pm
All roles are non‐paid
Everyone is welcome to come either audi on day at any me.
Read‐Thru will be Thursday, November 9th from 7‐10pm
*All video submissions should be sent to company@ ptheater.com by November 5th.
SHOW DATES: January 26th, 27th, 28th and February 2nd, 3rd &4th! Audi on Loca on: 306 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 PREPARING for the AUDITION: Cas ng actors ages 18 and up. Please come prepared with a 30‐60 second long comedic or drama c contemporary monologue. Please come prepared to sing 16‐32 bars of music in a genre or style similar to Company (Sondheim included). Be sure to bring sheet music for the accompanist, preferably in a binder. We will have monologues to choose from should you be unable to find one prior to audi ons. Depending on the role(s) you will be audi oning for, you may also be asked to cold read selec ons from Company. There will be forms that will need to be filled out before audi oning, please fill them to the best of your abili es. You are encouraged to bring a resume and head‐shot if you have one available for the Pro‐duc on Team. For ques ons you can email company@ ptheater.com. We look forward to seeing you at audi ons!
WHAT IS COMPANY ABOUT?: From musical theatre's most renowned composer, Company is largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark‐comedy, modern‐musical genre and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best Book. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor, Robert, contemplates his unmarried state. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his friends – "those good and crazy people [his] married friends" – explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. The habitually single Robert is forced to ques on his adamant reten on of bachelor's d during a hilarious array of interac ons.
T h e P r o s c e n i u m P a g e 7
Character Breakdown: Robert The story's protagonist, he is a keen observer who appears happy but holds pain in his heart. He is the only one of his friends s ll single. Terrified of marriage and fears a lifelong loneliness. Gender: Male Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bo om: G3 Sarah Harry's hypercri cal wife. She is an avid learner of karate and tends to overeat. Open, accep ng, and full of love. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 Harry Sarah's husband. He is a recovering alcoholic con nually fall‐ing off the wagon. Believes the advantages of marriage out‐weigh the disadvantages. Gender: Male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 Susan A delicate southern belle. Peter's wife and ex‐wife. Motherly in her affec ons towards Robert. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 Peter Susan's husband. The perfect husband and ex‐husband. He is very liberal in his view of rela onships. Gender: Male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: B3 Jenny Quietly manipula ve, simultaneously square and wise. Loves her husband, David, and will indulge him from me to me. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 David Jenny's husband, he is relaxed and always in control. Believes a man should be married and that the sacrifice of freedom is worth what you get in return. Gender: Male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: B3
Amy A fran c neuro c engaged to Paul but terrified of mar‐riage. A er a mental breakdown, she finally realizes that Paul is, in fact, her soulmate. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: G3 Paul Amy's fiancé. Mildly clingy, but pa ent to her neuro c nature. He is fully commi ed to the idea of marriage and encourages Robert to do the same. Gender: Male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: B3 Joanne Acerbic, demanding, and blunt. Too old to be part of the young crowd, but not old enough to be part of the older crowd. Puts on a brassy front that melts when she is alone with her husband. Gender: Female Vocal range top: B5 Vocal range bo om: G3 Larry Joanne's husband. He is stoic and centered, but has mo‐ments of goofiness. Indulges his wife's behavior but knows when to put his foot down. Gender: Male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: B3 Marta A girlfriend of Robert's. Intensely modern, who is seeking adventure and excitement in the City. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 Kathy An old girlfriend of Robert's, who is now considered a good friend. She plans to leave the City for a life of do‐mes city. Sweet and loving. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3 April A girlfriend of Robert's. She is a flight a endant who came to New York to live in Radio City. Ditzy and adorable. Gender: Female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bo om: A3