Tuck Everlasting Playbill July 2023

PRESENTS

Book by Claudia Shear & Tim Federle

Music by Chris Miller

Lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Originally produced on Broadway by Grove Entertainment, Arlene Scanlan & Michael Jackowitz, Howard & Janet Kagan, and Barry Brown

World premier produced by Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA

Susan V. Booth, Artistic Director

Orchestrations by John Clancy

Vocal arrangements by Chris Miller

Ballet Music arranged by David Chase

TUCK EVERLASTING

is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Dare to Dream is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to giving youth and their families opportunities to learn, play, discover and grow through theatre. Programs are designed by formally trained and educated theater professionals to create nurturing opportunities for personal growth and stimulate creative thinking. Here, all children are equal and free to explore. There are no wrong answers, or unhealthy competition. Only the chance to explore imagination, exercise creativity, and discover a little more about oneself and the world around.

Dare to Dream offers a safe and caring environment for all children, whether healthy or at-risk, socially adept or challenged, to develop their imagination and creativity by learning fun theatre skills, making new friends and working together to perform for family and friends.

A child’s dreams are the foundation of her or his future life. We invite you to help the children of our community to dare to dream.

Please help more children realize the dreamers within themselves. Donate online at www.DareToDreamTheatre.org or mail your check to Dare to Dream Theatre, P.O. Box 482, Sheboygan, WI 53082-0482

If you were given the chance to live forever, would you make that choice? The story that is about to unfold before you today asks this question.

However, the question is not really about never dying, it’s about living - about making choices. Life is full of choices. Simple choices (like what to wear today) as well as the difficult choices that change the courses of lives.

Although everyone has a choice, everyone has different motivations. When you have more than one path, which one do you choose? How do you know which choice to make?

This story has been near and dear to my heart, since I read the book as a child. When I first heard the music from the show in 2016, I fell in love with it. I knew that someday when all the pieces came together, I wanted to direct it.

And this summer, all the pieces have come together.

Dare to Dream Theatre is a process based youth theater company. However, that doesn’t mean our productions and casts are just for young performers.

We believe that it’s very important that young performers experience top notch theater often so that they know what they could be reaching for. For this reason, every year we provide opportunities to expose young performers to high-quality theater.

This means taking a group of young people and their families on field trips to professional theater productions, participating in national festivals, and – when possible – producing a show that features advanced performers alongside talented young performers to present the level of quality theater that we encourage young performers to strive for.

If you enjoy what you see today, we invite you to join us! Check out our website to find out how you can become involved, onstage, offstage, in a class or workshop, or as a sponsor or donor.

We hope you will share your experience with your friends and family after the production and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Rachel Thuermer Artistic Director & Founder Dare to Dream Theatre

SPECIAL THANKS

Encore Theatrical Lighting

Carmen Dolson & Sheboygan Lutheran High School

Lightboard Operator: Marcus Larsen

Spotlight Operator: Nick Shircel

Props: Rachel Thuermer, the Montambo family, the Perez-Ferrando family, Sheldon Pewter, Lydia Baas, West Allis-West Milwaukee Youth Theater

Costumes: Rachel Thuermer, Henry Osier

Set Building & Painting: Laura Murphy, Zoe Murphy, Maris Vollmer, the Boehmer family, Ben Baas, Erich Schmidt

Pistol Rental: Preferred Arms

Fight Choreography: James Weasley-Freer

Lobby Team: Megan Shvartsman, Laura Murphy, Jaime Marchi, Families of the cast and crew

Backstage Crew: Zoe Murphy, Maris Vollmer, Kota Tyler, Jayleigh Hoskins

CAST

WINNIE FOSTER ............................ Eliyah Boehmer

JESSE TUCK ............................... Joshua Barclay

MAE TUCK ............................... Kristin Sorenson

ANGUS TUCK .............................. Jordan Pollard

MILES TUCK ................................ Jack Colombo

THE MAN IN THE YELLOW SUIT .................. Blaine Huber

CONSTABLE JO ........................... Danielle Rammer

HUGO ....................................... Nico Torres

BETSY FOSTER ............................ Rachel Elizabeth

NANA ............................... Tiffany Perez Ferrando

THOMAS ............................. Vicent Perez Ferrando

FEATURED DANCERS ............................ Clara Ellis

Lena Farnum

Savannah Halle

Makayla Kabitzke

ENSEMBLE .................. Annie Handley, Jaslyn Lauersdorf, Skylar Montambo, Rebecca Shvartsman, Clara Ellis, Lena Farnum, Savannah Halle, Makayla Kabitzke, Tiffany Perez Ferrando, Vicent Perez Ferrando, Nico Torres

CAST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

JOSHUA BARCLAY (Jessie Tuck)

From Saint Peters, Missouri, Joshua is a senior at Concordia University of Wisconsin. He is pursuing: an Individualized Theatre major, minors in Educational Studies, Social Studies, and Theology, and a Compassion Care Certificate. Joshua is currently performing with Kohl’s Wild Theatre at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

ELIYAH BOEHMER (Winnie Foster)

Eliyah is excited to perform with this amazing cast. This is her 14th show and 8th project with Dare to Dream Theatre, including her favorite role, Moana, and a role in Dare to Dream’s national theatre collaboration, “Missing From the Museum.” She will be a freshman at Sheboygan North and plans to continue acting, singing and dancing.

JACK COLOMBO (Miles Tuck)

Jack is elated to be returning to his first musical in three years! Colombo is the Theatre Director at Plymouth High School, where he also teaches Drama and English. Since the age of 6, he has loved acting, singing, tap dancing, and passing the arts on to the next generation.

RACHEL ELIZABETH (Betsy Foster)

Although you will most often find her on the other side of the stage directing, Rachel hopes you enjoy this show that is near and dear to her heart. You may have seen her on local stages over the past 20 years with STC, TYA, University Theater, Masquers, Capitol Civic Center and small regional film projects.

CLARA ELLIS (Featured Dancer)

Clara is an upcoming senior at Concordia University Wisconsin and is excited to be making her debut with Dare to Dream Theatre. She’s been in other CUW productions including, The Little Mermaid, Medea, Swiss Family Robinson, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She has also stage-managed Pride and Prejudice and The Glass Menagerie.

LENA FARNUM (Featured Dancer)

Lena is an incoming freshman at St. Norbert College and she will be dancing on the SNC dance team this fall. She is very excited to be a part of her 5th Dare to Dream production. When not at dance she loves to run, swim, and hang out with friends.

SAVANNAH HALLE (Featured Dancer)

Savannah is a senior at Plymouth High School. She is excited for her first show with Dare To Dream Theatre! When not performing, Savannah enjoys dancing, writing and reading, as well as spending time with her friends.

ANNIE HANDLEY (Ensemble)

Annie is going to be a sophomore at North High School. She is excited to be in her 5th show, and her 3rd with Dare to Dream Theatre! She has previously been in Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Moana Jr, and Freaky Friday. While not performing, Annie likes doing gymnastics and playing the violin.

BLAINE HUBER (The Man in the Yellow Suit)

Occasionally, live theater provides very special moments so beautiful and powerful, audiences can actually forget to breathe. Having had the privilege of seeing this production come together firsthand over the past 6 weeks, Blaine can attest to the possibility you may experience exactly this phenomenon at several points during today’s performance. Consider this a reminder. Breathe.

MAKAYLA KABITZKE (Featured Dancer)

Makayla is an upcoming sophomore at Concordia University studying accounting, theatre, and entrepreneurship. This is her 14th year of performing in musical theatre, and her first performing with Dare to Dream Theatre. She had a lot of fun during the rehearsal process and hopes you enjoy the show!

JASLYN LAUERSDORF (Clown, Ensemble)

Jaslyn is going to be an 8th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. She is grateful to be in her second Dare to Dream Production. When not involved in theater she enjoys dance (especially ballet), singing, and sewing.

SKYLAR MONTAMBO (Carney, Ensemble)

Skylar is an 8th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. This is her 5th show with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not on stage, she enjoys singing, reading, and being with her friends.

TIFFANY PEREZ FERRANDO (Nana)

Tiffany teaches the English language to non-native English speakers. She loves working with Sheboygan’s vibrant immigrant population and virtual students around the world. Tuck Everlasting is her eighth musical and second alongside her son, Vicent.

VICENT PEREZ FERRANDO (Thomas, Ensemble)

Vicent is an energetic and imaginative second grader who loves to make people laugh. He is always singing, and Tuck Everlasting will be his fourth performance with Dare to Dream Theatre. He speaks three languages and loves reading about science, creating with Legos, exploring parks, and building sand castles.

JORDAN POLLARD (Angus Tuck)

Jordan is a teacher and theater director in West Allis. Favorite previous roles include Mr. Krabs (The SpongeBob Musical), Ms. Trunchbull (Matilda), and Pinocchio (Shrek). Select directorial credits include Big Fish, The SpongeBob Musical, and Tuck Everlasting. Love and thanks to his family, friends, colleagues, and four Krabby Patties.

DANIELLE RAMMER (Constable Jo)

Danielle is excited to be back onstage with Dare to Dream Theatre. She was last seen in STC’s Production of Bright Beach Memoirs as Blanche. Danielle has performed in several theatre companies throughout Wisconsin. Some of her favorite credits include: Seussical (Gertrude McFuzz), ELF the Musical (Deb), Matilda the Musical (Mrs. Wormwood),and Into the Woods (Cinderella). She would like to Thank her friends and family for all of their love and support! Enjoy the show!

REBECCA SHVARTSMAN (Ensemble)

Becca is going to be a sophomore at Kohler High School. After working behind the scenes for a few Dare to Dream Theatre shows, she is excited to be back up on the stage. She thanks all of her cast mates for making this show such a fun experience!

KRISTIN SORENSON (Mae Tuck)

Kristin is thrilled to be performing with Dare to Dream Theatre again, and to be sharing the stage with her daughter, Annie! She has performed throughout the United States and Europe, and her favorite local experiences include The Secret Garden (Lily) and Seussical (Mayor) with STC, and Matilda (Miss Honey) with Dare to Dream.

NICO TORRES (Hugo)

Nico is going to be a Senior at Sheboygan North High School. He is excited to be part of this amazing cast, crew and show. When he is not performing he enjoys playing Volleyball, singing, and being with friends.

ORCHESTRA

LUCAS DETWILER (Reeds, Woodwinds)

Lucas is a middle school music teacher in Sheboygan. He is also currently studying for his Master’s in music education from Lakeland University. Lucas loves being involved in all things musical!

GAVIN HAMM (Percussion)

Gavin is going into his junior year at Plymouth High School. He is excited to be in his first show with Dare to Dream Theatre. He enjoys Jazz drumming as well as spending time with his family and friends.

ALEXA HERCEG (Trumpet)

Alexa is going into her senior year at Plymouth High school. She is very excited to be in her first show with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not performing she enjoys singing, playing piano and hanging out with friends.

CHLOE MEYER (Piano, Keyboards)

Chloe is an incoming freshman majoring in music at Maranatha University. She is thrilled to be a part of the pit ochestra for Dare to Dreams Theatre. When not making music she enjoys reading and being outside.

PATRICIA MILSTED (Reeds)

Patty is starting her 31st year as a music teacher in the SASD. This is her first performance with Dare to Dream Theatre. She also performs with the Sheboygan Symphony and Wisconsin Symphonic Winds in Oshkosh.

LILY PYKETT (Cello)

Lily is the assistant camp director at Camp Anokijig. She is excited to be a part of Tuck Everlasting with Dare to Dream Theatre. When not playing cello, she enjoys reading, and hanging out with friends.

COURT RAEMAKER (Guitars)

Court is a Spanish teacher at Plymouth High School. He has been directing the combo for the PHS Momentum show choir for the last three years. Besides playing music, Court enjoys tending to his goats, pigs and chickens on his hobby farm in Plymouth.

VINCENT REYSEN (Bass)

Vincent is a junior at Plymouth High School.This will be his first show with Dare to Dream Theatre although he has been involved with a number of other musicals in the past. In his free time he enjoys teaching lessons as well as pursuing other musical activities.

ASHLYNN SCHMITZ (Violin)

Ashlynn is going into her junior year at Sheboygan North High school. She is excited to play violin in her first-ever pit orchestra for Dare to Dream Theatre. Outside of Pit Orchestra, she enjoys spending time with her family and Goldendoodle. She is a competitive dancer, takes private violin lessons, and works at Harry’s Diner.

KEYAIR VANDERKIN (Viola)

Keyair is a part of the pit orchestra and is a sophmore at Sheboygan North high school. She plays the viola parts for this musical. She is very excited to be in her first ever pit orchestra with Dare To Dream Theatre. When she is not practicing she loves to ride horses, read, write, and draw. She’d like to go to college for her viola performance degree, to help beginning musicians.

ALEX WEISENSEL (Reeds)

Alex is a recently graduated senior from plymouth high school that is going on to college for music. It is his first time on the Dare to Dream Theatre pit band, and is the first time Alex gets to play alto and soprano saxophone for a live performance.

PRODUCTION TEAM

RACHEL ELIZABETH THUERMER Director, Co-Costume Designer

Rachel is pleased to spend her time working with children and theatre, helping them find the magic in themselves and discover their dreams. With a lifelong passion for theatre and the wonder of the arts, Rachel spends time onstage (when possible) offstage (as Artistic Director for Dare to Dream Theatre) in front of the camera (as an actor in regional film/television projects) and backstage (doing whatever needs to be done!) Rachel has a BA in Theatre from Wisconsin Lutheran College. For over 20 years, Dare to Dream Theatre has been a labour of love for Rachel, and she treasures the many people who have joined her in this dream over the years. She is proud of the growth she sees every day from the talented kids she works with, and can’t wait to be a part of their journey as they continue to Dare to Dream!

ZACH HOLDEN Music Director

Zach has a BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College, and is currently a voice & music teacher at Dreams Unlimited, as well as a music educator in the Plymouth School District – where he is also the Vocal Director for the Plymouth High School Momentum Show Choir. Previous credits include: originating the role of “Steve” in the Off-Broadway run of Good Morning New York; “Aaron” in Gabriel’s Inferno (film trilogy); working with Jeanine Tesori, Steven Spielberg, and Stephen Sondheim, as an actor and composer in NYC; working with the New York Youth Symphony as a musical theater songwriter and teacher; touring with Academy Award-winning songwriter Franke Previte (Dirty Dancing). As if that weren’t enough, he also wrote and produced the original stand-up musical comedy show, “All About Love (Mostly)” - in NYC. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and fixing old instruments. He is elated to be working on his second Dare to Dream Theatre production.

CARTER KRZYZANIAK Choreographer

Carter is a freelance choreographer and performer, with a passion for the performing arts that stretches back as far as he can remember. With numerous theater credits and several other on-stage experiences under his belt, it was while studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that he began expanding his creative endeavors to include directing and choreography. He has worked with various theaters and show choirs across the upper-midwest, and is the current director and choreographer of Momentum, the show choir at Plymouth High School. Through his work, Carter hopes to continue to inspire the arts in the lives of others, and share his passion for dance.

JESSICA FREEMAN Stage Manager

Jessica is thrilled to be Stage Managing Tuck Everlasting, her second Dare to Dream Theatre production. A lifelong theater lover, Jessica started to get involved backstage with local theater companies a few years ago and has never looked back. In addition to Dare to Dream, she has worked on several shows with Sheboygan Theater Company. Enjoy the show!

AMANDA JOHNSON Co-Costume Designer

Amanda Johnson DeWall is a graduate of Valparaiso University, with “a bazillion” shows under her belt. She’s worked with Dare to Dream Theatre on many shows over the past 15 years, including Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and most recently, Finding Nemo JR. She spends her spare time adding glitter and spikes to anything anyone leaves within arms’ reach.

JIM PADOVANO Lighting Designer

Jim is exited to return to Dare To Dream Theatre and this production of Tuck Everlasting. He has previously designed the lighting for our productions of Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Moana JR, Jungle Book KIDS, and Finding Nemo JR. He has recently completed high school productions of the musicals Rock of Ages and Big Fish. He sits on the board of directors of Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Jim is a proud member of The National Stage Managers Association. He hopes you enjoy the performance.

ERICH SCHMIDT Sound Engineer / Tech Coordinator

Erich Schmidt has been running sound for nearly 9 years after taking a position as teacher at Sheboygan Lutheran High School. In that time, he has run sound for various high school productions. Erich has worked with Dare to Dream Theatre running sound for Moana JR, Freaky Friday, Jungle Book KIDS, and Finding Nemo JR. He enjoys every chance he can running the technical side of productions. This allows him to work with the actors and actresses in a way that their hard work is heard and seen by everyone.

JEREMY WINCHESTER Set Designer

Jeremy is a designer and director for theatre, dance, and opera, with a deep background of experience in Theatre for Young People, as well as new project development and arts-based activism for social justice. He is also an Affiliated Artist of Pacific Performance Project/east, with whom he has designed multiple world premieres. From 2012 to 2016, Winchester served as the Executive Artistic Director of Flint Youth Theatre, and for six years thereafter served on the Board of Directors for TYA/USA. Jeremy holds a BFA from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA from the University of Washington. He is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he also serves as the Director of MCLA Arts & Culture.

LEE KOEPPEN Master Builder

Lee is handy with tools and happy when the set is safe and ready to go. He’s built and helped build sets, set pieces and occasional props for shows from Winnie-the-Pooh to The Tempest. This is Lee’s 5th production as the Dare to Dream Theatre Master Builder, and 7th show with us, overall. Beyond work and the theatre, he enjoys spending time with his kids and making all kinds of things.

BRINGING SMILES TO LIFE

Congratulations to the young actors in our Just Kids Dental family, and to the entire cast and crew of Tuck Everlasting. Thank you for sharing your beautiful smiles with the world.

www.JustKidsDentalWi.com