We believe that

it is not important

where you have been —

it is only important where you

are going!

At First Presbyterian Church,

you will be cared for,

and you will be called upon

to care for others.

Service Times:

8:15 AM Blended Service

9:30 AM Liturgical Service

10:50 AM Contemporary Service

http://www.fpcvalpo.org/

“God does not Call the Equipped,

but God Equips the Called.”

3401 North Valparaiso Street Valparaiso, IN 46383

Join Us for our Upcoming Events

Taize Worship and Meditation First Wednesday Each Month at 6 PM

Lessons and Carols December 22 at 9:30 AM

Pr

og

ra

m

Steel Magnolias A Play Written by

Robert Harling

Act One

Scene 1 - Spring

Scene 2 - Later in the Year; Winter

Directed by

Becky Fox Jascoviak

Produced by

The Valparaiso Theatrical Company, Inc.

Through Special Arrangement with Dramatists Play Service

440 Park Avenue South; New York, NY 10016

www.dramatists.com

Tel. 212-683-8960 Fax 212-213-1539

15 Minute Intermission

Act Two

Scene 1 - Eighteen Months Later; Summer

Scene 2 - Autumn

*This Production is Graciously Underwritten by Triangle Liquors, 3210 N Calumet Ave, and Trail Inn Liquors,1307 Lincolnway, Valparaiso. Thank You for Your Support!*

Steel Magnolias originally produced by W.P.A. Theatre NYC, 1987 (Kyle Renick, Artistic Director)

"Harling has given his women sharp, funny dialogue…The play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving." —NY Daily News.

"…a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South…Robert Harling is a new voice in the theatre and the qualities of STEEL MAGNOLIAS suggest he may be an important one." —

Drama-Logue.

Valparaiso Theatrical Company is a Proud Member of

www.nietf.org www.aact.org

As a Courtesy to our Actors and to Comply with our Contracts, we Politely Request that there be no use of Recording Equipment or Flash Photography During the Show.

Thank You for Your Understanding.

Setting

Truvy's Beauty Shop in Chinquapin Parrish, Northern Louisiana.

**There will be gunshot sound effects used during the performance.**

Th

e C

ast (

in o

rd

er

of

ap

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)

Annelle Dupuy DeSoto Caity Mullen

Truvy Jones Pam Tschida

Clairee Marmillion Belcher Marcia Gienapp

Shelby Eatonton Latcherie Alley Banks

M'Lynn Eatonton Anne Nicholls

Ouiser Boudreau Linda Didelot

Many Thanks to our Charities for this Show!

American Cancer Society

American Heart

Association

Business Woman’s

United Network

Chasing Dreams

Christian Food Pantry

Coats for Kids

Exceptional Equestrians

Family House

First Presbyterian

Church Valparaiso

500 Turkeys

Habitat For Humanity

Ivy Tech Foundation

March Of Dimes

Memorial Opera House

Foundation

National Alliance for

Mental Health

NWI Literacy

Foundation

New Creation Men’s

Center

Opportunity Enterprises

Portage Tri Kappa

Porter County Aging and

Community Services

Porter Co. Animal

Shelter

Sacred Transformations

Simiyu House Kenya

St. Katherines' Ladies'

Philoptochos Society,

St. Iakovos Greek

Orthodox Church

Special Olympics

Porter County

Toys For Tots

Valparaiso Elks

Valparaiso Women’s

Club

A Listing of Charities We have Helped in the Past

Friday, November 14

Dayspring Women’s Center

www.dayspringvalpo.org

Saturday, November 15

Portage Tri Kappa

trikappa.org/history

Sunday, November 16

Valparaiso Women’s Club

tiny.cc/ValpoWomensClub

Friday, November 21

Valparaiso Theatrical

Company

Saturday, November 22

Sacred Transformations

sacredtransformations.org

Sunday, November 23

Kids Alive International

www.kidsalive.org

Me

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Becky Fox Jascoviak is excited to have the opportunity to work

with VTC for the first time. She has been directing for almost 20

years including shows such as Little Women, The Little Mermaid,

A Few Good Men, Fruitcakes, Godspell, You're a Good Man

Charlie Brown, Pilgrims, Toybox, and WIlly Wonka (which is

where Becky started dating Jerry, who would eventually become

her husband). Becky is the President of the Northwest Indiana

Excellence in Theatre Foundation, having also served as a past

viewer and on the boards of several non-profits. Next up, Becky

will be directing Willy Wonka (with Jerry) in March and Freud's Last Session in June,

both at Crown Point Community Theatre. In her day job, she is the Grant Writer for

Kids Alive International (one of our charity partners).

Leave the world a better place. That is what I have learned in life. You don’t have to be

rich, well-educated and know all of the right people to be able to make a difference.

About 64.3 million people volunteered time at least once between September 2010 and

September 2011. My heart was lightened by that statistic – a statistic that reflects well

on us as a society. For a short time, you just need to care about someone else as much as

you do about yourself. VTC was founded upon that principle. By attending a show, you

can say that you did your part to give back, to the tune of $6 from your $10 ticket. That

is the amount that we have committed to giving back to each charity on any given

performance night. Our funds to produce shows are acquired mostly through donations.

Truthfully, I feel as if VTC is, when you truly look at things, a philanthropic

organization or charity group with a theatre problem! Please give generously of your

time to those in need, and if you have it, your funds, as well. Thank you!

~ Colleen M. Zana, VTC President

Fr

om

VT

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Steel Magnolias is 25 years old this year — a quarter of a century. In spite of this age, if

you mention it on the street, everyone knows the show. Many remember the movie

featuring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley McLane,

and Darryl Hannah. Some regularly use quotes from the movie or recognize the cultural

influences it has had (bleeding Armadillo groom's cake, for instance). But more than

any of these individual moments is the depth of friendship portrayed in these characters.

Isn't that what we all long for? A group that we fit in with, a group that we genuinely

love and care about and they us, a group that walks through life together whether up or

down or inside out — that group is what we call community. Finding it is what's hard

(kidney's are easy); keeping it is the celebration of a life well lived. This show touches

on sports, politics, religion, death, disease, pesky neighbors, and a host of hair care

products. The art of love through still communicating your opinion is often missing in

conversations today. We've become a society of “if you don't agree with me, I can't be

friends with you.” What you see here tonight is the antithesis of this — love covers all,

walks through all, and carries the grace with it to disagree. May we all learn to love like

this community! May we also all learn to gracefully enjoy some good Louisiana hospi-

tality along the way, as well. Special thanks to you, the audience, for being a critical

character in every theatrical performance, to Steve and Colleen and the VTC board for

the opportunity, to my husband, Jerry, for allowing me to be gone so much, and to God

for his gracious sharing of creativity with us, His creation. ~ Becky Jascoviak

Me

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Anne Nicholls (M'Lynn) is a devoted wife, proud mother of

three, and hard-working Fifth Grade Teacher. Dramatically

speaking, she has been part of the local community theatre scene

since 2001, working with Crown Point Community Theatre, the

Genesius Guild, Footlight Players, Chicago Street Theatre,

Hammond Community Theatre, Community Showcase Theatre,

the Memorial Opera House, and 4th Street Theatre. This is her first

VTC production. Some of her favorite performances were in

August Osage County, God of Carnage, Molly Sweeney,

The Smell of the Kill, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,

Enchanted April, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Noises Off, and a previous

production of Steel Magnolias.

Pam Tschida (Truvy) Pam is returning once more to the VTC

stage. She made her stage debut in Prelude to a Kiss and enjoyed

the experience enough to join VTC again last fall in Specter of

Treason: The Lee Harvey Oswald Trial, as Marguerite Oswald, the

mother of the infamous assassin, and to grace the stage last spring

as Mrs. Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park. She joined VTC in

2011, serving as a rehearsal assistant for The Kitchen Witches, and

now serves on the VTC Board of Directors. She is thrilled to be

satisfying a lifelong passion for the theatre. She would like to thank

her Mother for giving her the acting bug, and her children for

keeping it alive.

VT

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Colleen Zana President /Development Chair

Steve Zana Vice President/Marketing Chair

Mike Porter Treasurer

Matthew B. Byerly Recorder/Secretary

Vickie Cash Artistic Chair

Deb Porter Charity Liaison

Michael “Doc” Kuhn

Lawrence Bingham

Craig Kozora

Pam Tschida

Members At-Large

Patrick Johnson ~ Web Design

and Artist

George Zana Sr. ~ Accountant &

Tax Preparer

Val Nicholson Patty Bird

Celeste Smith Florence Cole

Our Mission

The mission of the Valparaiso Theatrical Company Inc. is to offer

professional-quality theatre at an affordable price while giving to

charitable causes. Whether the plays are socially relevant classics,

contemporary or new plays with vision, giving back in an artistic and

monetary way to the world is our mission. While performance is its own

reward, the VTC Board is committed to giving a portion of its own

profits from each show to other non-profit and charitable causes.

Me

et t

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Alley Banks (Shelby) was infected with the theatre bug traversing

the jungles of a strange land known as Hobart High School. The

infection progressed, leading her to hallucinate/act out as Truvy in

Steel Magnolias, Mary Warren in The Crucible, and Debbie in Back

to the 80’s. When she escaped, she took up residency in a Science

Fiction Double Feature as part of the “Help Me Mommy” shadow

cast for the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre. With

that troupe, she has performed as Janet, Magenta, Rocky, and Frank

at various points in time-warping. When not indulging in theatrical

flights of fancy, Alley works several jobs, including a job at a

costume shop and as a makeup artist for Reapers Realm Haunted Attractions. Special

thanks go to the director for casting her in this role, family for being supportive, and

friends for continuing to join her on this crazy trip called life.

Linda Didelot (Oiser) Linda is pleased to be returning once again

to a VTC production, having performed with the group last fall in

Specter of Treason: The Lee Harvey Oswald Trial and the prior

spring in Almost, Maine. A veteran performer, Linda has appeared

in productions with many area theatre groups, most recently starring

in two different plays during 4th Street Theatre’s inaugural 6x10

Ten Minute Play Festival. She is pleased to be working both with

familiar faces and several new folks on the stage. When not playing

on the stage, Linda is a Math instructor at Chesterton Middle

School. She would like to thank VTC board members and

volunteers, and the director, Becky, for offering this stage

experience that benefits so many worthwhile causes. Last, but not least, Linda would

like to thank her husband for making sure that all of her lines were memorized

correctly.

Marcia Gienapp (Clairee) has been involved in community theatre

for nearly a quarter of a century. Most of her theatrical work has been

done with Community Theatre Guild's Chicago Street Theatre. She

has directed numerous family shows like Miracle on 34th Street and

Revenge of the Space Pandas. On stage, she has appeared in Animal

Crackers, The Diviners, Eleemosynary, The Dining Room, The

Memory of Water, Hot l Baltimore, The Cripple of Inishmaan,

Bedroom Farce, The Man Who Came to Dinner, and last year did

some voice acting as a stuffed elephant in Junie B.Jones: Jingle Bells,

Batman Smells! In her real-life adventures, Marcia is a clinical law

professor at Valparaiso University, currently focusing her clinic work on defense of

consumers in debt collection lawsuits brought by third-party debt buyers.

Caity Mullen (Annelle) makes her VTC premiere in this production.

Caity is excited to once more return to the stage doing what she

loves. Performing arts has played a major role in Caity's life since she

was little. Some of her favorite roles include Judy (Rebel Without a

Cause), Valerie (Life with Mother Superior), and Violet (It's A

Wonderful Life). Taking her passion for theatrics to a new level, she is

also the CEO and Founder of Little Dreamers Character Adventures,

LLC, a company specializing in providing costumed characters for a

variety of events throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

(find them on Facebook!)

Th

e C

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w

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ial

Th

an

ks T

o…

Sound/ Light Design & Operation Steve Zana

Set Decoration Colleen Zana, Celeste Smith, Pam

Set Construction Steve and Colleen Zana, Mike Porter,

Doc Kuhn, Matthew Byerly , Jay and

Linda Didelot, Loman Fox

Set Design Steve Zana

Hair and Makeup Pam Tschida

Costuming Colleen Zana

Stage Manager Morgan Hancock

Stage “Ninja” (Assistant) Tessa Bingham

Rehearsal Assist/Assistant Director Larry Bingham

Radio DJ Jerry Jascoviak

First Presbyterian Church for use of their building, chairs, and their hospitality through rehearsals & construction

Our Charities for efforts in ticket sales and marketing, and all they do in the community.

Christopher Ebert for his tireless efforts in facilities scheduling

The Genesius Guild for the donation of light-ing instruments

Matthew B. Byerly for Program Design and facilities assistance

Becky Fox Jascoviak for direction, poster design, and marketing assistance

Our Generous Donors: “A Jolly Old Elf,” The Byerly Family, Linda Didelot, and David Spitler

4th Street Theatre/North Coast Cultural Association for the donation of lighting instru-ments and lending props

New Creation Resale for the lending of set items and props

Volunteers in construction, box office, conces-sions, and all the small details...

Adams Communications for allowing ticket giveaways on-air on Indiana 105

Our wonderful ad sponsors, for without you, there would be no Playbill!

Sheree Wheeler-Gudeman and Creative Touch Salon for lending of props

Michael “Doc” Kuhn for Stage Weaponry

Natalie Franks for training J.T. Hanoway and the Wheeler High School Drama Department

Kids Alive International

And last by not least, all of our audiences. We thank you for your support!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood Musical — The audience gets to decide who murdered

Edwin Drood in this show based on Charles Dickens’ last,

unfinished work!

October 31 thru November 16 Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2

Memorial Opera House Valparaiso, IN

219-548-9137 / memorialoperahouse.com

Amahl and the Night Visitors Opera — Amahl tells his mother of a star rising in the sky,

and the family meets the Magi in this classic originally

written for Television. (Performed in English)

November 14 thru 30 Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 3

4th Street Theatre Chesterton, IN

219-926-7875 / 4thStreetNCCA.org

A Charlie Brown Christmas Play —Peanuts characters everyone loves in the classic TV

special brought to life on stage

November 28 thru December 21

Primary cast Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm/7pm,

and Sundays at 2:30pm/5:30pm. Junior cast Thursdays at

7pm and Saturdays at 11am

Chicago Street Theatre Valparaiso, IN

219-464-1636 / chicagostreet.org

A Fabulous ‘50s Christmas Musical — The show pays homage to the Perry Como and Andy

Williams' Christmas specials of the 1950’s & 60’s, complete

with original arrangements and period commercials live on

stage

December 5 thru December 21 Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2

Towle Theatre Hammond, IN

219-937-8780 / towletheatre.org

A Tuna Christmas Play — Redneck Christmas Fantasy with 26 characters played

by only two crazy actors! For Mature Audiences.

December 5 thru December 20 Fri & Sat at 8

Crown Point Community Theatre Crown Point, IN

219-805-4255 / cpct.biz

The Ugly Duckling Play — A.A.Milne (“Winnie the Pooh”) tale of a girl who learns

to be true to herself. Fun for all ages!

December 6 thru December 21 Sat & Sun 3

Crown Point Community Theatre Crown Point, IN

219-805-4255 / cpct.biz

Annie Musical — Everyone’s favorite redheaded orphan and her dog,

Sandy, on a musical misadventure to find their “Tomorrow”

December 5 thru December 21 Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2

Memorial Opera House Valparaiso, IN

219-548-9137 / memorialoperahouse.com

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) Play — Tongue-in-cheek satire of Holiday traditions, stories

and Television specials

December 12 thru December 21 Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2

Hammond Community Theatre Hammond, IN

888-928-6648 / HammondCommunityTheatre.org