Music & Lyrics By
Stephen Sondheim John Weidman Book By
Assassins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
Over the last two decades, our country has grown more and more divided. The effects have been taken out on families, politics, social class, and the culture at large. No matter your affiliation, we all have the topics we want to avoid over Thanksgiving dinner. This season at The Studio we have chosen four stories that search for unity in a nation fighting for common ground. The titles we chose for this upcoming season convey important relationships hurt and broken by divisive opinions of loved ones. Through listening, can we reach across the divide? Only then can we truly begin to manifest the American Dream. In the words of George H. W. Bush, "In crucial things, unity. In important things, diversity. In all things, generosity." Presenting season four at The Studio Theatre™: We, the people, reach across the divide.
ASSASSINS Music & Lyrics By Stephen Sondheim
Book By John Weidman
ASSASSINS is based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. Playwrights Horizons, Inc. - New York City Produced ASSASSINS Off-Broadway in 1990 Orchestrations by Michael Starobin First Broadway Production, 2004 Roundabout Theatre Company Todd Haimes, Artistic Director Assassins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
—Whitney Morse, Artistic Director
Producer Jason Goedken
ABOUT THE STUDIO THEATRE™: Tierra del Sol was formerly a Country Club with performances as a backdrop to the outstanding food and impeccable golf course views. It has since transitioned, bringing the performances to the forefront by evolving into a new Black Box Theatre. The Studio Theatre™ is now a flexible theatre with 120 seats and options for Thrust, Round, or Proscenium style seating. The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol's season runs from late September through April each year with four productions running approximately 130 total performances. The Studio Theatre is an extension of The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center, located in The Spanish Springs Town Square®, in The Villages® community. The Sharon is primarily a touring house hosting a variety of artistic disciplines ranging from concerts and comedians to dance, musicals, and operas. The Sharon seats just over 1,000 guests in a multi-level theater offering state of the art audio, visual, and theatrical rigging systems to create an entertainment experience second to none. The Studio Theatre is led by Producer Jason Goedken and Artistic Director Whitney Morse. Resident Director, Nathaniel Niemi; Resident Musical Director, Gary Powell; Scenic Designer, Kenneth Constant; Lighting Designer, David Krupla; Sound Designer, Nick Erickson; Production Manager, Danielle Paccione; Technical Director, Clayton Becker; Stage Manager, Grace Zottig and House Manager, Grace Petty. #TheStudioTheatreTDS #Assassins
2
www.TheSharonStudio.com
Artistic Director Whitney Morse Director Nathaniel Niemi
Music Director Gary Powell
Fight Director Dan Granke
Set Designer Kenneth Constant
Costume Designer Monica Titus
Lighting Designer David Krupla
Sound/AV Designer Nick Erickson
Production Manager Danielle Paccione
Technical Director Clayton Becker
Stage Manager Grace Zottig
Asst. Stage Manager Stephanie Horn
Company Manager Layna Hoopfer
House Manager Grace Petty
(352) 751-7799
3
ASSASSINS
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
"Angry men don't write the rules, and guns don't right the wrongs." Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's 30-year-old bold, disturbing, and alarmingly funny musical follows 9 assassins, eight presidents, and one American Dream. Assassins is based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. and inspired by true events following the murders of Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy, and the crude attacks on other sitting presidents. This five-time Tony Award winning musical is a cautionary tale about the pain that comes from going too far, when you attempt to change a nation forever. Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes Intermission: 15 minutes
SONG LIST “Opening".............................................. Proprietor and Assassins “The Ballad of Booth"...................................Balladeer and Booth “How I Saved Roosevelt"........................... Zangara and Ensemble “Gun Song"........................Czolgosz, Booth, Guiteau and Moore “The Ballad of Czolgosz" ������������������������ Balladeer and Ensemble “Unworthy Of Your Love" ����������������������� Hinckley and Fromme “The Ballad of Guiteau"............................. Guiteau and Balladeer “Another National Anthem" ���������������������Balladeer and Assassins “Scene 16" ������������������������������������������������� Oswald and Assassins “Something Just Broke" ������������������������������������������������ Ensemble “Everybody’s Got The Right (Finale)" �����������������������������Assassins
4
www.TheSharonStudio.com
OTHER DESERT CITIES By Jon Robin Baitz
Close the Distance. Novelist Brooke Wyeth is about to publish a family secret. Over Christmas in Palm Springs, she tells her parents about her memoir, only to find out she has no idea what she is truly revealing. Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize, Jon Robin Baitz tells an American story about a politically divided family and the lines we are willing to cross for those we love.
Preview: MAR 24-26, 2020 SOLD OUT! Opening: MAR 27, 2020 | Closing: MAY 3, 2020 $35 Performances
HEATHER CURRIE (Sara Jane Moore/Emma Goldman) is thrilled to make her debut with The Studio Theatre! Ms. Currie’s artistic home is Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, where she has worked as an actor, director and playwright for the last twelve years. Favorite acting credits include: One Came Home, Duck for President, Mrs. Popper’s Penguins (Lifeline Theatre); Godspell (Circle Theatre); Nunsense (Foundation Theatre). Most recently, she played the Wicked Witch in WOZ: A Rock Cabaret featuring Andre De Shields (Victory Gardens Theater). Ms. Currie holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and teaches in the department of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.
LEIGH SHANI GREEN (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme) is so excited to be making her debut at The Studio Theatre! Leigh is an Orlando Based actress. Some of her favorite past credits include: Pirates of Penzance, Beauty and the Beast (Wick Theatre), Memphis, Big River, The Secret Garden, Fancy Nancy the Musical, Heathers: The Musical, Spring Awakening (Slow Burn Theatre), Capones Dinner & Show (Capones Dinner & Show), Hairspray (Garden Theatre), Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Stage Door Theatre), and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Thunder Bay Theatre). Leigh received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida (2016) and is an Equity Membership Candidate. Love to her family and friends for all of their love and support! www.leighshanigreen.com IG: @leigh.shani.green
RALPH PRENTICE DANIEL (Charles Guiteau/Dance Captain) is thrilled to return to The Studio Theatre where he was last seen as Albert in It Shoulda Been You. Other credits include Tuck Everlasting the Musical (Man in the Yellow Suit) Seussical (Mr. Mayor) ELF the Musical (Walter Hobbs) Disney’s Newsies (Pulitzer) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-The Musical (Rev. Hopkins) all with Orlando Repertory Theatre, Mary Poppins (George Banks) and Footloose the Musical (Rev. Shaw) at St. Luke’s Theatre, 9 to 5 the Musical (Hart) Mcleod Summer Playhouse, The Addams Family (Mal Beineke) West Side Story (Lt. Schrank) with The Show Palace Dinner Theatre. Many thanks to friends and family for supporting my art. Love to Gabe.
MARK KIRSCHENBAUM* (Samuel Byck) is making his debut at The Studio Theatre with Assassins. A proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association, he has been seen all over the world as an actor, educator and director. In 2007, Mark received critical acclaim from the New York Times for his portrayal of The Padre in the off-Broadway production of Man of La Mancha. Regional credits include Sancho (Man of La Mancha), Sam Posner (Crossing Delancy), Mal Beineke (Addams Family: The Musical) and Bob Cratchit (A Christmas Carol). He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Miami. Mark is delighted to be performing in The Villages where Mom and Dad, now, call home.
RYAN DOOLEY (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald) is thrilled to be making his Florida debut at The Studio Theatre in a dream show with Assassins! Some Midwestern regional credits include: Thomas Jefferson in 1776 (Farmers Alley Theatre), Matt in The Fantasticks, Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Encore Musical Theatre Company), Clarence/Harry Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play (Metropolis Performing Arts Center, BroadwayWorld. com Award Finalist- Best Actor in a Play: Non-Equity), Bert in Mary Poppins (Stage 773), Newsies (Paramount Theatre), A Gentleman’s Guide…, and Memphis (Porchlight Music Theatre), among others. An avid improvisor, Ryan is a graduate of The Second City Training Center’s Music Improv Conservatory, and holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Indiana University. www.ryan-dooley.com
JUSTIN SCHNEYER (John Hinckley) is thrilled to be making his debut with The Studio Theatre in Assassins. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Justin has performed internationally with Artspot Educational Theatre as well as Miami City Theatre and Azamara Club Cruises. A current resident of Orlando, Justin performs regularly at The Titanic Artifact Exhibition Dinner Show, Capone’s Dinner Show, and tours local elementary schools performing with Michelee Puppets in The Upstander League, an anti-bullying puppet show. He is a level-three graduate of SAK Comedy Lab, and when he is not on stage Justin is also an accomplished stage manager. He thanks his friends and family for their love and support.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
6
www.TheSharonStudio.com
(352) 751-7799
7
MICHAEL SHILES (The Proprietor) is a native of Daytona Beach, FL, and holds a BM in Voice Performance from Stetson University. He spent fifteen years traveling to every state but Hawaii in the national tours of Kiss me Kate, Cinderella, Victor/ Victoria, big, Annie, 42nd Street, Me and My Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, City of Angels, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Ziegfeld: A Night at the Follies, in which he originated the role of W.C. Fields. He apprenticed with The Greater Miami Opera and was an Affiliated Artist with the Troika Organization’s touring company. He has performed in casinos and venues in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe. By the way, you should ask him about what he won when he appeared on “The Price is Right.”
ELIAS WYGODNY (John Wilkes Booth) is honored to step into this role at The Studio Theatre. Chicagoland native. Favorite roles include: Curly in Oklahoma, Petya Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard, and Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods. He originated the role of Gabe in 2076 (Columbia University, NYC). Regional: Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, The Encore Musical Theatre, & The Music Theatre Company. Elias is a graduate of the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program, a certified Lucid Body Instructor, Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher, Reiki Master, Co-Founder of The Field: Health, Arts, and Sciences, and member of the folk band, The Heartstrings Project. Love to Luke, Marina, Mom, Dad, Grandy, Zach, and Toni. @eliaswygodny
VICTOR SOUFFRANT* (Giuseppe Zangara) is thrilled to be making his debut at The Studio Theatre in Assassins! Victor was last seen in Orlando Shakespeare Theatre’s production of EVITA as Agustin Magaldi. He trained at Columbia College Chicago and has performed with various regional theatres, touring companies, and international theatres. Victor also spent most of his 2018 as the headliner vocalist onboard the prestigious ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, based out of London, UK. Recent credits include: TITANIC at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, EVITA at Asolo Repertory Theatre, and Man of La Mancha at Orlando Shakes. Other credits include: It Was A Very Good Yule: Rat Pack Edition!; Mad Cow Theatre, Nunsense: A-Men!; Winter Park Playhouse, Big River; SlowBurn Theatre Company, The Rocky Horror Show; Anti Gravity Orlando, Big Fish; Henegar Center for the Arts, and Mary Poppins; Theatre Winter Haven. “To my family and loved ones; who have been encouraging in my all aspirations - Thanks!” www.victorsouffrant.com / @victorsouffrant
MADELINE GILBERT (U/S Squeaky/Sara Jane Moore) is thrilled to be making her professional debut at The Studio Theatre in Assassins. Madeline is a South Florida native and has just graduated from the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Professional Training Program. She would like to thank her friends, family, and Julie Rowe for all their support.
DAVID PAUL ROWAN (U/S Czolgosz/Balladeer/Oswald/ Hinckley) is excited to be back with The Studio Theatre this season for Assassins. David attended the University of North Florida where he received his Bachelors of Music Education concentrating in violin and voice. He served as the choir and theatre director for The Villages High School for three years. David has had the opportunity of performing for Star Wars in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic and sang on stage with Patti Lupone at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Previous roles include Man 2 in Now. Here. This., Jonah in Bad Jews, David in Company, Lt. Cable in South Pacific, Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden and Marty in It Shoulda Been You. David would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support. IG - @davidpaulrowan
ALEXANDER WATSON (Leon Czolgosz) is a Chicago-based actor, singer, and dancer who feels so incredibly grateful to be working with this talented group of artists. When he's not acting on stage, Alexander can been seen sangin' and slangin' drinks at Davenport's Piano Bar, a premiere Cabaret in Chicago. Alexander has produced and performed two original cabarets there this past year. A few of his favorite stage credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Charley), Violet (Preacher), Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely), and the world premiere of Nefarious (Daniel) which played in Copenhagen, Denmark. Finally, Alexander would like to thank the artistic staff at The Studio Theatre for granting him the opportunity to work on a masterpiece like Assassins, as well as his parents and friends for their never-ending support. Follow more of Alexander's adventures on Instagram @AlexanderSWatson *Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
8
www.TheSharonStudio.com
(352) 751-7799
9
ALEC SPEERS (U/S Byck/Proprietor) is happy to be in his first role at The Studio Theatre in Assassins. Alec recently moved to Florida where he has been working with the Central Florida Lyric Opera in The Magic Flute, as well as performing as a Singing Server every Friday night at Katie Belle’s. His favorite performances include La Traviata and La Boheme performed with the University of Northern Colorado and Opera Classica Europa in Germany. Alec holds two bachelor degrees in Theatre Studies and a BA in Music from the University of Northern Colorado. Alec would like to thank his immensely supportive family, and everybody who gives him a chance to be on stage and do what he loves to do most.
GARY POWELL (Musical Director) Gary Powell has been musically directing and staging shows for over 30 years in Texas, Chicago, NYC, and now Central Florida. Gary currently serves as the Resident Music Director for both The Sharon and The Studio Theatre. Gary is proud to have been the Music Director since the inaugural season of The Studio Theatre and has worked with such talented actors and musicians for Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Songs For a New World. Select standouts of Gary's career include Into The Woods, Sound of Music, Godspell, Brigadoon, South Pacific, and Next to Normal. He has worked on world premiere productions including: Jerry Springer-The Opera, Tomorrow Morning and Scotch Verdict. While directing in Chicago, Gary was nominated for several Jeff Awards for the following productions: American Premier of Jerry Springer-The Opera, Thrill Me, Addam's Family, Opus 1861, The Baker's Wife, Kiss of The Spider Woman, Evolution/ Creation, and Cats among several others. Gary has recently been nominated for Best Music Direction by Broadway World for Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Songs for a New World.
JAMES BLAISDELL (U/S Zangara/Booth/Guiteau) is thrilled to be part of The Studio Theatre team for this production. He was most recently seen performing in the Launch 2020 Short Play Series (Playwright’s Round Table). James has a BA in Theatre from Rollins College and can usually be seen performing around the Universal Orlando Resort. He would like to thank his family, roommates, and friends for their constant support.
DAN GRANKE (Fight Director) is a Director, Fight Director, Intimacy Director, and Movement Specialist based in Tampa, Fl. Their Fight Direction has appeared at Joe's Pub, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, American Stage, Jobsite Theatre, St Petersburg Opera, Studio 620, and Three Bone Theatre. They have directed for Stageworks, Tampa Shakespeare Festival, TRT2, Theatre USF, and they are the current director of Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama. They hold a BFA from the University of Michigan, and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and currently teach at the University of South Florida. They are a Certified Intimacy Director and Lead Instructor with Intimacy Directors International, and a Certified Teacher and Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors.
NATHANIEL NIEMI (Director) is the Resident Director at The Studio Theatre and in Season Four, he has directed Neighbors: A Fair Trade Agreement and the large ensemble musical: Assassins. At The Studio Theatre he also directed the musicals: Company and Now. Here. This. At The Sharon, Nathaniel is the Director of Education, instructing the Arts Academy and coordinating Youth Education Programs. Nathaniel holds a BA in Theatre from East Texas Baptist University and an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences (Directing) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. There, he was a part of many productions as an Artistic Associate of Honolulu Theatre For Youth (HTY) directing H2O: The Story of Water and Hawaii, Pinocchio, Extraordinary Stories of an Ordinary Ohana, and You and Me and the Space Between. Nathaniel has appeared onstage with many companies in Hawaii and Chicago, and on Hawaii 5-O. Aside from being an Actor, Director, and Theatre Educator, Nathaniel has also performed Clown and Physical Comedy with the Second City in Chicago, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Chicago Physical Theatre. Nathaniel is the recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's National Directing Award and is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
10
www.TheSharonStudio.com
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages and working conditions, and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension. Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. #EquityWorksUt vent. Pudi bea diatem. Ut optatem nitatii scipsandeles quis si idebisc iaecusa nimodig enimus, nobitatur, conseribus, ut la seribus num hitate quunt.
(352) 751-7799
11
CAST
PRODUCTION TEAM
Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald................................... Ryan Dooley
Production Manager..........................................Danielle Paccione
Charles Guiteau......................................... Ralph Prentice Daniel
Technical Director.................................................Clayton Becker
Giuseppe Zangara..............................................Victor Souffrant*
Set Designer.....................................................Kenneth Constant
John Hinckley...................................................... Justin Schneyer
Costume Designer....................................................Monica Titus
John Wilkes Booth................................................ Elias Wygodny
Lighting Designer................................................... David Krupla
Leon Czolgosz.................................................. Alexander Watson
Assistant Lighting Designer/Master Electrician.......Lindsey Young
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme..............................Leigh Shani Green
Sound/AV Designer............................................... Nick Erickson
Samuel Byck................................................Mark Kirschenbaum*
Stage Manager...........................................................Grace Zottig
Sara Jane Moore/Emma Goldman.........................Heather Currie
Assistant Stage Manager.......................................Stephanie Horn
The Proprietor........................................................ Michael Shiles
Gun Handler......................................................Matthew Frankel
U/S Byck/Proprietor.................................................... Alec Speers
Audio Mixer............................................................. Amber Sacks
U/S Czolgosz/Balladeer/Oswald/Hinckley....... David Paul Rowan
Props Master..........................................................Tony Fairchild
U/S Squeaky/Sara Jane Moore............................Madeline Gilbert
Master Carpenter.................................................Preston Speaker
U/S Zangara/Booth/Guiteau..................................James Blaisdell
Read more about our production team and designers at www.TheSharonStudio.com
BAND Music Director/Conductor/Keyboard........................Gary Powell
SPECIAL THANKS
Bass..........................................................................John Gaffney
The Villages® Marketing
Violin.......................................................................Ryan Loeckel
Tierra del Sol Bar & Grill
Keyboard 2 .................................................................Jill Marrese
Lauren Cushman & Robert W. Miller at Rollins College Department of Theatre
Guitar & Banjo............................................................. Bill Neale Percussion................................................................. Rich Roeske
City Furniture for providing The Studio Theatre with all the furniture for this season’s productions.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
(352) 751-7799
13
Upcoming Shows at THE SHARON®
www.CityFurniture.com | 888.882.5436 1110 Canal Street The Villages, FL 32162 352.751.2980
1070 Bichara Blvd. Lady Lake, FL 32159 352.750.8044