John and Jen | Boston University CFA School of Theatre Program Book

JOHN AND JEN Music by

ANDREW LIPPA

Lyrics by

TOM GREENWALD Book by

TOM GREENWALD & ANDREW LIPPA Directed by

KOLTON BRADLEY Music Directed by

PETER THOMSON

November 11 - 14, 2021 “Jewels 2” Miller Studio Theatre 855 Commonwealth Ave, CFA 356

Artistic Team Director Music Director Scenic Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Sound Designer Stage Manager Production Assistant Rehearsal Pianists Dramaturg Stagecrafters

Kolton Bradley Peter Thomson Albina Aleksandrova Nicole Schneelock & Irene Wang John Holmes Irene Wang Nicole Schneelock Irene Wang & Rachel Schladenhauffen Peter Thomson Todd Gordon Blanca Isabella Kaden Mays Zack Mallgrave

Cast Jen John

Grace Goble Zachary Kelley

Ensemble Cello Percussion Piano Voice Actors

Beatriz Melendez Valverde Mason McDonald Peter Thomson Bishop Edwards Nicole Schneelock

A Note from the Director Welcome to JOHN AND JEN. When I think back about the first time I encountered this musical I was an undergraduate - like many of you reading this note. The show was part of a student-run, student-produced campus theatre company called Basement Arts. The show was performed in a black box studio like the very studio you’re witnessing the show in now.

I still remember sitting in that black box, being so enthralled with these characters - John & Jen. I’m not going to reveal my age here, but rest assured it was some years ago. The show stuck with me all these years.

When the opportunity came up to do JOHN AND JEN at BU, I had to think about why the show had such an impact on me. I sat down, read the script, listened to the music and it dawned on me.

For 90 minutes, we only follow these two characters, John & Jen. For 90 minutes, we follow their journey. For 90 minutes, the audience is pulled into their lives.

The musical was written in 1996, but the story is just as relevant today as it was back then. At the heart of this musical are relationships and all their complexities. How many times have we said something, or done something hurtful to a loved one? Or had it said to you? And in an instance, a relationship is severed. That’s what we witness in this show.

Last year, at the peak of the pandemic the country shut down and we all went into quarantine.

And whether we liked it or not, many of us were locked up with a friend, a roommate, a husband, a wife, or a family member. As we spent countless hours confined under one roof, we had to deal with our complicated relationships and see our loved ones for who they really are. That’s what I wanted to explore in this show, the power of relationships and the challenges of truly accepting our loved ones for who they really are. That’s when authentic love happens.

Kolton Bradley (CFA’22) November 2021

JOHN AND JEN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Originally Produced By Goodspeed Opera House Michael P. Price, Executive Producer Originally Produced in New York City by The Lamb's Theatre Company, Ltd. Carolyn Rossi Copeland, Producing Director

Upcoming Projects Gone Nowhere NOV 4-14 Boston Playwrights’ Theatre [BPT] | 949 Commonwealth Ave

by Daniel Blanda | Directed by Noah Putterman (CFA’22) Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and the School of Theatre present this new play written by Daniel Blanda. Tickets available through BPT.

Laure NOV 19-21

“Jewels 1” Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatre, CFA 352 | 855 Commonwealth Ave

by Mya Ison (CFA’22) | Directed by Gigi Juras (CFA’22) A New Works Next Stage Production. Free Admission; seating is limited.

Where Do Peaches Grow?

NOV 20 First Floor Student Lounge, CFA 102 | 855 Commonwealth Ave

by Rebecca Freeman (CFA’22) | Directed by Ludmila Cardoso De Brito (CFA’24) A New Works Next Stage Workshop, presenting a reading of Rebecca Freeman’s new play.

Admission is free.

For more details, visit www.bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season