Presidential Donors

The Hon. Laurie Smith Camp, Chief Judge, U.S. District CourtLincoln Journal StarNebraska Arts CouncilNebraska Cultural EndowmentNelnet

Union Donors

Bison, Inc.Wayne Boles Bryan HealthGene and Linda CrumpDiane GonzolasHonest Abe’sHumanities NebraskaKinder Porter Scott Family FoundationLazlo’s Brewery and Grill

Special Thanks

Office of Mayor Chris Beutler, Dietze Music, Doane College Theatre Dept., Grandpa Snazzy's Theatrical Rental, Haymarket Theatre, Rhonda Lake, Saint Paul United Methodist Church and Waverly High School, Firespring, Miller Mailing, Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, 5 CITY-TV, Broadcast House, Charlie Brogan and Digity Media, KLKN-TV, KOLN-KGIN-TV, KRNU, KZUM, Neighborhood Extra, L Magazine, Friday Live and NET Radio

City of Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration Committee

Wayne Boles, Andrea Bornemeier, Jon Carlson, Gene Crump, Mark Engler, Diane Gonzolas, Paul Hadley, Jim Harris, Terry Lowe, Milo Mumgaard, Tracie Simpson, Don Wesely, Mary Yager

Program Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge the following source materials used for this show: Letters of Theophilus and Harriet Perry, Person Family Papers, Rare Book Manuscript and Special Collections Library, Duke University, Durham, N.C. The letters are used with the permission of Duke University. Windows by the Thousands: the Civil War Correspondence of Theophilus and Harriet Perry, edited by M. Jane Johansson. ©2000 by the University of Arkansas Press. Used with permission of the publisher, www.uapress.com. The Diary of Joseph Harris, 1860-1865. ©1999 by Oakbowery Properties, Inc. Used with permission of Oakbowery Properties, Inc. Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley, originally published in 1868. Through Blood and Fire at Gettysburg, Appomattox, and Other Personal Reminiscences of J.L. Chamberlain, originally published in various publications circa 1907 – 1913.

The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC), a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the NAC can assist your organization or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Humanities Nebraska (HN) provides major funding for this program. HN receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Nebraska Legislature, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment and private donations. For more information, visit humanitiesnebraska.org

Milo MumgaardPinnacle Bank Ann RawleySchemmer Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil WarSuper SaverDon Wesely Mary Yager

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Cornhusker Bank.

ACT I Musical Numbers

“The Bonnie Blue Flag” - Ensemble“Dixie” - Harris, Ensemble“Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child” – Keckley, Cook“Aura Lee” – Harriet, Theo“Oh, Freedom” – Keckley, Cook, Ensemble“We Are Coming, Father Abraham” - Chamberlain, Soldiers“Goober Peas” – Harris, Male Ensemble“Steal Away” – Chamberlain“The Yellow Rose of Texas” – Theo and Company“Amazing Grace” – Keckley and Company

Crew

Director/Multi-Media and Sound Designer – Robin McKercherStage Manager – Dayna SvobodaAssistant Stage Manager – Nolan VogelMusical Director/Accompanist – Gretchen FoleyChoreographer - Karen Freimund WillsAsst. Choreographer – Marie BarrettSet Designer – Jeff Stander

About Civil War Voices

Playwright James R. Harris set out on a quest to understand the human side of the Civil War. Inspired by the discovery of the existence of a diary kept by a Civil War ancestor, the thought struck him of combining other true stories of the war with original, unique arrangements of the passionate music of the period. Thus, the idea for “Civil War Voices” was born. He accepted the award of “Outstanding Production of a Musical” for “Civil War Voices” at the Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City and was also honored to host numerous "talk backs" about the show in connection with the Barter Theatre's production and subsequent national tour.

Music Arranger Mark Hayes, born in Ladysmith, Wis., is an award-winning concert pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. His personal catalog of more than 1,000 publications includes works for solo voice, solo piano, multiple pianos, orchestra, jazz combo, small instrumental ensembles and choruses of all kinds. Hayes received a bachelor of music degree summa cum laude in piano performance from Baylor University in 1975. He has served as guest conductor at Carnegie Hall featuring his “Te Deum” and “Magnificat.” Hayes conducted the world premiere of his newest work for chorus, orchestra and narrator, “The American Spirit,” at Lincoln Center in May 2011. He is a recurring recipient of the ASCAP Standard Award and won the first place published composition award in the annual John Ness Beck Foundation competition. In June 2010, Hayes released his first CD of original songs titled “All Is Well” featuring Kansas City jazz artist, Monique Danielle.

About Civil War Voices (cont.)

Director Robin McKercher was a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 where he painted backdrops for more than 35 Broadway productions. After earning his MFA in directing from UNL, Robin garnered national and international attention for his innovative production of “A Thousand Cranes,” which has toured eight times from Alaska to Florida. Robin has worked as a director/designer/actor/scenic artist on well over 455 professional productions. Robin is currently Professor and Theatre Chair at Doane College. He recently performed at the Lied Center in the one-man play, “The Things They Carried.” Robin is proud to have directed the very first production of “Civil War Voices” at Doane College.

Gretchen Foley (Music Director) is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at UNL. She has been music director and conductor for numerous productions in her home town of St. John’s, Canada, as well as in Lincoln. Favorite shows include “Les Misèrables” and “Next to Normal,” both at the Lincoln Community Playhouse.

Cast Biographies

Atticus Fina (Young boy) first appeared on stage as Liam in “Saying Grace”, a drama written by Dan Kelly and produced at Nebraska Wesleyan. He went on to play several roles in NWU's 2014 production of “A Christmas Carol.” Atticus has also appeared in “Grease Jr.” and in Tom Crew's “Murder Mystery Monster Mayhem of Manchester.”

Jim Harris (Narrator/Joe Harris) is a practicing attorney in Lincoln and a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice. He has performed in over 40 musical theater productions, and is thrilled to be working again with Rob McKercher and this amazing cast. Jim dedicates his performance to the memory of his parents, John and Eleanor Harris, whose mutual love of history, music and theater inspired “Civil War Voices.”

Zach Kloppenborg (Theo Perry) is a director, designer and actor from Omaha. Previous work in Lincoln includes directing and designing for The Colonel Mustard Amateur Attic Theatre Company. He is beyond thrilled to be portraying Theo Perry for the fourth time and honored to be a part of this year's Lincoln celebration!

Rachel Kornfeld-Lambrecht (Mrs. Lincoln, Ensemble) is happy to be back on the stage after a 14-year hiatus! She is a vocal music teacher for Waverly School District 145. She sends love to her wonderful husband Patrick, her daughters Alexis and Aine and her granddaughter Cadence!

Patrick Lambrecht (Abraham Lincoln, Ensemble) has an in-born passion for the theatrical arts. He earned a degree in theatre arts from UNL with an emphasis in directing and design. He is very active in the theatre community, performing and directing for multiple venues in Nebraska. In 2001, he co-founded the local comedy theater troupe, the Crooked Codpiece Company. He admits the source of his talents stems from the love for his wife, children and granddaughter. Matt Landis (Governor Washburn, Ensemble) has played lead roles as a greaser, a serial killer, a hippie, various biblical figures and an East German transsexual. His favorite roles are as the father of two children, Sofia and Stefan, and husband to Jen. Laurie Martinez (Cornelia Harris, Ensemble) is happy to get another chance to perform “Civil War Voices.” She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from UNL and just this year received her teaching endorsement in theatre and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from Doane. At her leisure, she substitutes for LPS.

Camille Metoyer Moten (Elizabeth Keckley) is often described as “Omaha’s most versatile singer.” She is an indepen-dent singer/songwriter, performs for many special events and also has her own pop/jazz band. Her theater performance credits include starring roles in “Ragtime,” “Evita,” “Funny Girl,” “Tarzan,” “Little Women” and “Having Our Say” to name a few. She has received several awards, was recently nominated as top jazz vocalist in Omaha and has been inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. www.musicbycamille.com

Lavance Reed (Cook, Ensemble) is thrilled beyond belief to be a part of this amazing production. He has been in many musicals back in his home state of California as well as being in “American Idiot” at Doane. He would like to thank Rob, Rhonda, Dayna, Gretchen and the entire cast for this amazing experience. Enjoy the show!

Mark Thornburg (Chamberlain) is happy husband of Barb and the proud papa of Liz, Zander, Gabby and Ben. He’s excited to be a part of this incredible cast. He has had a variety of roles in productions at Bellevue Little Theatre, Ralston Community Theatre, Papillion LaVista Community Theatre at the SUMTUR Amphitheatre, and the Omaha Community Playhouse. He would like to thank God for his many blessings, and Dean and E’Linda Thornburg for their years of love and support.

Kayla Wilkens (Harriet Perry) recently performed with Tony-winning composer Steven Lutvak in “Broadway at the Lied” and as Persephone in the ASCAP debut of “Persephone Unplugged.” Other recent credits include Johanna in “Sweeney Todd”with OmniArts Nebraska, Janet in “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Stage Theater, and Adele in “A Man of No Importance” at TADA. Kayla received her master’s in music performance from UNL and is originally from Salem, Oregon.

ACT II Musical Numbers

“Opening/The Battle Cry of Freedom” – Chamberlain, Male Ensemble“He’s Gone Away” – Theo, Harriet and Female Ensemble“When Johnny Comes Marching Home” – Harris, Theo and Ensemble“Beautiful Dreamer” – Harriet, Theo“Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?/Great Day!” – Keckley, Cook and Ensemble“My Lord, What a Mornin’” – Keckley“Finale: Battle Hymn of the Republic” – Full Company

Set Construction – Josh Rajee Lights Designer – John HimmelbergerCostume Designer – Donna HimmelbergerViolin – Sarah WengerSound Operator – Joey RobertsonProjection Operator – Shania Curtis

Young boy Narrator/Joe HarrisTheo PerryMrs. Lincoln, Ensemble Abraham Lincoln, EnsembleGovernor Washburn, Ensemble Cornelia Harris, Ensemble Elizabeth Keckley Cook, EnsembleJoshua Lawrence ChamberlainHarriet Perry

Atticus FinaJim Harris

Zach KloppenborgRachel Kornfeld-Lambrecht

Patrick LambrechtMatt Landis

Laurie MartinezCamille Metoyer Moten

Lavance ReedMark Thornburg

Kayla Wilkens

Cast

There will be a 10-minute intermission between acts.

Please join us for a talk back session with the playwright and others involved in the production after the performances Feb. 12 and 19.

Civil War Voices is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.