Mason Cabaret: Over the Rainbow 2024

MASON CABARET PRESENTS

Over the Rainbow: The Music of Judy, Ella, and Barbra

theatre.gmu.edu

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

MASON CABARET presents

Over the Rainbow: The Music of Judy, Ella, and Barbra Harris Theatre Friday, January 26 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, January 27 at 8 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center Friday, February 2 at 8 p.m.

FOOD AND DRINK (OTHER THAN BOTTLED WATER AND HYLTON CENTER TUMBLERS) ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE THEATER. THE TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE USE OF RECORDING EQUIPMENT ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE THEATER.

PERFORMERS Aiden Breneman-Pennas Lexi Carter Elias Collier Jonathan Coradin Brea Davis Sophia Ferolito E Griggs Emma Harris Jalen Hunt Elise LeGault Valerie Pesot Katie Rowe Kamy Satterfield Jennah Sidiabed Sarah Stewart Amollie Stoermer Rylan Snyder Jalen Whitmore Spencer Wilde Brett Womack Kai Yoffe

PRODUCTION TEAM

Erin Gardiner, Co-Director James Gardiner, Co-Director Joe Walsh, Music Director Jay Dews, Stage Manager Elisabeth Dupuy, Audio Engineer

PROGRAM “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Featured Soloists: Brett Womack and Amollie Stoermer “You Made Me Love You” Featured Soloist: Elise LeGault

Arlen/Harburg Monaco/McCarthy

“A Couple of Swells” Berlin Featured Soloists: Jalen Hunt and Rylan Snyder “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart” Featured Soloist: Brett Womack

Hanley

“I Don’t Care” Featured Soloists: Aiden Breneman-Pennas and Brea Davis

Lenox/Sutton

“Johnny One Note” Featured Soloist: Sophia Ferolito

Rodgers/Hart

“It Don’t Mean A Thing” Featured Soloists: Kai Yoffe, Elise LeGault

Ellington/Mills

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” Featured Soloist: E Griggs

Andre/Schwandt

“Mack the Knife” Featured Soloist: Jonathan Coradin

Brecht/Weill

“I’m Beginning to See the Light” Featured Soloist: Lexi Carter

Ellington/Hodges/James/George

“Lady is A Tramp” Featured Soloist: Spencer Wilde

Rodgers/Hart

“A-Tisket A-Tasket” Fitzgerald/Feldman Featured Soloists: Katie Rowe, Jennah Sidiabed, Jalen Whitmore “Don’t Rain on My Parade” Featured Soloist: Sarah Stewart

Styne/Merrill

“Down with Love” Harburg/Arlen Featured Soloist: Emma Harris

“The Man That Got Away” and “My Man” from Funny Girl Featured Soloists: Valerie Pesot and Kamy Satterfield

Arlen/Gershwin

“Guilty” Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb Featured Soloists: Elias Collier and Emma Harris “Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead” Featured Soloists: Jalen Whitmore and Kamy Satterfield “People” Featured Soloist: Amollie Stoermer

King/Stern Styne/Merrill

“Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy” Ager/Yellen and Arlen/Koehler Featured Soloists: Kamy Satterfield and Sarah Stewart “The Way We Were” Featured Soloist: Brea Davis

Bergman/Bergman/Hamlisch

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT At the place George Mason University occupies, we give greetings and thanksgivings to these Potomac River life sources, to the Doeg ancestors, who Virginia annihilated in violent campaigns while ripping their lands apart with the brutal system of African American enslavement, to the recognized Virginia tribes who have lovingly stewarded these lands for millennia including the Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Upper Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Nansemond, Monacan, Mattaponi, Patawomeck, and Nottaway, past, present, and future, and to the Piscataway tribes, who have lived on both sides of the river from time immemorial.

PRODUCTION TEAM Jay Dews (he/him) is working on his BFA in Theater with a concentration in Stage and Screen Design. He previously was a stage manager for the fall mainstage production of 9 to 5! He is so thankful for all of his family, friends, and professors for their constant support throughout his career at Mason.

Erin Gardiner (she/her) is an assistant professor of Musical Theater at George Mason University. She has directed both the fall and spring musicals and co-directed Mason Cabaret as part of Mason’s Musical Theater program. Mrs. Gardiner is an award winning professional actress, singer and teacher. Her Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Musical Theater is from James Madison University. For over a decade, Erin has worked professionally as an actress and singer in the D.C. area.

Mrs. Gardiner has performed at Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theater, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Olney Theatre Center, and Round House Theatre. Recognitions include a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical and the Roger Sturtevant Award for Outstanding Ability in Musical Theater. She has been a proud member of Actor’s Equity. In addition to her work in theater, Mrs. Gardiner also performs in solo cabarets and other concerts, and teaches private voice.

James Gardiner (he/him) is a Helen Hayes Award-winning actor, playwright, director, and filmmaker who currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area. Mr. Gardiner wrote the book for Glory Days (music and lyrics by Nick Blaemire), which opened on Broadway in 2008. At the age of 23, he was the youngest librettist to have his work produced on Broadway. James is currently the Director of Creative Content at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA where he is the Director and Executive Producer of The Signature Show. Mr. Gardiner founded George Mason University’s Mason Cabaret in 2012 and Over the Rainbow marks his 13th production as the group’s director.

Joe Walsh (he/him), Associate Professor of Music and Theater, has served as music director for Mason Players’ recent productions of 9 to 5; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Head Over Heels; The Boy Detective Fails; and Footloose. Joe has three decades of experience in presenting and conducting opera and musical theater professionally in Virginia, across the country and internationally. He has served as music director for productions at Riverside Dinner Theater, the In Series and Alexandria’s Metro Stage. Joe served on the musical staff at Virginia Opera for 17 years, where he was involved in 65 productions, and served most recently as associate artistic director and associate conductor.

CAST Aiden Breneman-Pennas (he/him) is a senior studying law.

Despite this terrible affliction, he has a deep love for the performing arts at Mason, having performed as Franklin Hart Jr. in 9 to 5, a jury member in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, and Pigpen in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He will deeply miss everyone involved with theater during his time after graduating this semester!

Lexi Carter (she/her) is a junior at George Mason University. She majors in musical theater with a minor in photography. She has two cats and likes to draw and write music in her free time. She is excited to be performing again and can’t wait for you all to see Cabaret!

Elias Collier (he/they) was previously seen as Bob Enright in 9 to 5 and Dorian in The Mason Players Originals! 2023’s A Dorian Mode.

He is very excited to be a part of this ensemble and is thankful to everyone who comes out to support him and his fellow ensemble members.

Jonathan Coradin (he/him) is a theater performance major. His recent Mason Players role was Christopher Columbus/Deputy Governor of Hispaniola in The Hunchback of Seville. This is his debut in a Cabaret production and is very excited to be involved.

Brea Davis (she/her) is in her second year as a musical theater major at Mason! She was most recently seen in the Mason Players’ fall production of 9 to 5. She hopes you enjoy the beautiful music of this show!

Sophia Ferolito (she/her) is a sophomore studying musical theater.

Recent Mason productions include Baby, Dream Your Dream: The Women of Broadway; Head Over Heels, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. She’s been in many productions back home in Rhode Island including Heathers (Veronica) and Legally Blonde (Elle).

Endless thanks to her family for their love and support!

E Griggs (they/them) is a third year musical theater major at Mason. They are from Camden, South Carolina, and have also been seen in the Mason Players’ Night Knights (Swing) and Head Over Heels (Ensemble / U/S Pythio). E is thrilled to be in this production, and wants to thank their friends, family, and castmates!

Emma Harris (she/her) is currently a second year student studying Theater at George Mason University and a proud member of APO. Recent roles include Violet Newstead in 9 to 5 (The Mason Players), Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes ‘58 (Nextstop Theatre Company), and Mopsa in Head Over Heels (The Mason Players).

Emma thanks her family immensely.

Jalen Hunt (he/him) is currently a freshman at Mason. He is from Nashville, but moved due to his love for the Mason theater program. He is very excited to perform for everyone and showcase what he has been working on.

Elise LeGault (she/her) is delighted to be a part of this celebration of music and theater! Elise is a first-year student at Mason, pursuing a BA in theater performance and a minor in marketing. Many thanks to her friends and family, and all who continue to support the arts at GMU and elsewhere. Enjoy the show!

Valerie Pesot (she/her) is a transfer student from North Carolina studying Theater Education and previously attended UNCG and UNCSA. She recently closed her first production here at Mason, fallen, and is thrilled to be performing once again in Over the Rainbow with the rest of her friends, cast, and production.

Katie Rowe (she/her) is a sophomore musical theater major at Mason and this will be her third Mason Players production. Mason productions: The Mason Players Originals! 2022’s Full Disclosure (Annie), Head Over Heels (Ensemble / U/S Pamela). Outside productions: Hope Theater’s Beauty and the Beast (Dance Captain/ Featured Dancer/Wolf).

Kamy Satterfield (she/her) is thrilled to participate in her last Cabaret with the Mason Players! Some of her previous roles at George Mason include Doralee Rhodes (9 to 5), Lucy Van Pelt (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), and Violet Dew (The Boy Detective Fails). She would like to thank her parents for all their support and her dachshund for all the snuggles! Enjoy the show!

Jennah Sidiabed (she/her) is a freshman this year, seeking to get her musical theater BFA degree in 2027. She wants to say thank you to her parents, friends, and family who support her, and “Yee-Haw” to any rival cowboys on this side of the Mississippi.

Rylan Snyder (she/her) is excited to be performing in her second Cabaret here at Mason! You may have seen her last in Mason Players productions of 9 to 5 last fall or You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown last spring. Keep an eye out for her upcoming performances this semester!

Sarah Stewart (she/her) is a senior working to obtain a BFA in Theater with a concentration in Musical Theater. She’s thrilled to be working with such a wonderful cast and crew and is very grateful for this to be her last show at George Mason University. Some of her favorite past productions at GMU include 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally Brown), and Baby Dream Your Dream: The Women of Broadway (Soloist).

Amollie Stoermer (she/her) is from the bustling metropolis of Cole Camp, Missouri. She is a transfer Theater student from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO. Some favorite past roles of hers include Heather Chandler in Heathers and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

Jalen Whitmore (she/her) is a first-year student at Mason, pursuing a BFA in musical theater. Last semester, she made her collegiate debut in the play fallen (Marina /understudy Cassandra) and is excited to perform again at Mason!

Spencer Wilde (he/him) is a sophomore pursuing a BFA in theater with a concentration in musical theater. His recent roles with the Mason Players include Dwayne in 9 to 5, Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and a soloist in Baby, Dream Your Dream: The Women of Broadway. He is currently assistant directing Twelve Ophelias which opens at the end of February!

Brett Womack (he/him) is a junior at Mason with a double major in musical theater and mathematics. Previous performing credits include 9 to 5 (Joe), Head Over Heels (Musidorus), and Baby, Dream Your Dream: The Women of Broadway. Offstage, Brett enjoys playwriting, composing, and spending time with friends. Brett will also be directing this semester’s Twelve Ophelias! But for now, enjoy the show!

Kai Yoffe (he/him) is a sophomore theater student at Mason. He has been involved in multiple Mason Players musical productions before, including Head Over Heels (Ensemble), and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Ensemble). He is excited about taking part in this year’s Cabaret and furthering his theater career.