We are excited to announce our second season at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. We have selected four scripts that share a common theme of commitment. These four stories examine the many forms commitment takes in our lives—be it romantic, artistic, career oriented, or a religious commitment. We will look deeply at the confines of commitment, as well as the freedom that real commitment can bring to you, to others, to religion, or a life goal. Often, when we ponder commitment we think of the sacrifices we must make to stay true to our choice, but perhaps the benefits of commitment can outweigh the sacrifices. This year at The Studio Theatre we ask you to wonder what will happen when you “Commit with Abandon: what will you gain by letting go?” —Whitney Morse, Artistic Director
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 ninety-nine seats and options for Thrust, Round, or Proscenium style seating. The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol's season runs from November to April each year with four productions running approximately 100 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. Trevin Cooper serves as Resident Director, with Technical Director, Preston Speaker; Scenic Designer, Kenneth Constant; Lighting Designer, Weston Corey; Production Manager, Danielle Paccione; Stage Manager, Abigale Bobb; House Manager, Grace Petty and Gary Powell as Resident Music Director. #TheStudioTheatreTDS #Company
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COMPANY Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by GEORGE FURTH Originally Produced and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Produced by Jason Goedken Artistic Director Whitney Morse
Director Nathaniel Niemi
Music Director Gary Powell
Choreographer Josh Kimball
Set Designer Kenneth Constant
Lighting Designer Weston Corey
Costume Designer Rich Najuch
Audio Visual Engineer Waylon Lemasters
Scenic Artist Sam Ehrnman
Production Manager Danielle Paccione Stage Manager Abigale Bobb
Technical Director Preston Speaker
House Manager Grace Petty
Company Manager Autumn Encarnacion
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. COMPANY Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
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COMPANY Here is the church, Here is the steeple. Open the doors And see all the crazy married people. On the night of his 35th birthday, Robert struggles to think of a wish to make as he blows out his birthday candles. The lone bachelor, surrounded by "those good and crazy people" -- his married friends -- Robert is uncertain whether he should simply be happy with his lot or whether he should wish for his own romantic partner. Over a series of dinner parties, first dates, and thoughtful conversations, Robert attempts to understand the pros and cons of marriage from his diverse and frequently hilarious friends, and begins to make sense of his own persistent bachelorhood. Stephen Sondheim's seven time Tony Award winning musical, Company is a mature, intelligent, and wildly funny look at relationships, vulnerability, and "being alive."
STILL TO COME THIS SEASON:
RED 3/20/18 - 4/22/18 Bleed for your art. Famed abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko asks his recently hired young assistant, Ken, the loaded question, "What do you see?" John Logan's visceral twohander, Red, features artist Mark Rothko at the height of his career. Set in 1950s lower Manhattan, this biographical play illustrates Rothko struggle as he lands the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York's famed Four Seasons Restaurant. When Ken begins to challenge Rothko, he faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. This six time Tony Award winning play takes a compelling look at the ever-changing relationship between an artist and his creations.
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CAST CHRIS CRAWFORD* (Robert) is thrilled to make his debut at The Studio Theatre in Company! Central Florida credits include The Hound of the Baskervilles, Monty Python’s Spamalot (Orlando Shakespeare Theater), Cock (Mad Cow). Other Regional credits: Murder Ballad [Carbonell Award], Buyer & Cellar (Actor’s Playhouse), Peter and the Starcatcher, John & Jen, Assassins [Director/Theatre Tampa Bay Award] (freeFall Theatre), Lion in Winter (Palm Beach Dramaworks), One Man, Two Guvnors, Noises Off, Boeing Boeing (TheatreSquared), and My Name is Asher Lev, The Foreigner (American Stage). Chris holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Arkansas and is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association. tihiky. CRAIG ALLEN (Peter, US/Robert, Dance Captain) is ecstatic to be making his debut at The Studio Theatre. His favorite recent credits include: Kodaly in She Loves Me, Cliff in Cabaret, Lady Fair Quartet in Anything Goes (Starlight Theatre). MM in Vocal Performance, UMKC, and BA and BM, Texas Tech University. He will also be appearing as Romeo in Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette in Iowa this March. Thank you to Jeremy for putting up with the weekly trips. www.craigpallen.com
NICU BROUILLETTE (Paul) is excited to be returning to The Studio Theatre. He was last seen at The Studio Theatre as Hal in Proof and as the violinist for The Last 5 Years and Next to Normal. For the past four years Nicu has performed all across Florida. Companies include Jobsite Theater, Florida Studio Theatre, and Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Some of his favorite roles are Manolo Costazuela in The Odd Couple: Female Version, Bruce/ Karl in Old Enough to Know Better, and Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors. Nicu is a graduate of the University of South Florida. There he earned his bachelors in Music Studies with a focus in Vocal Performance. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
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CAST SEAN CULLEN CARROLL (Larry) is a NYC based actor and Philadelphia area native, proud and excited to be making his Florida debut at The Studio Theatre! Favorite credits include Aaron Fox in Curtains, Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown (Village Light Opera, NYC), Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate! (Heights Players, NYC), and Mr. Sowerberry in Oliver (Mesa Encore Theatre). B.Music. in Voice Performance - Moravian College. Thanks to Tanya, Mom, and Kimberly Vaughn. Anything is possible! www.SeanCullenCarroll.com | Instagram @TheSeanCarroll CHANTELLE COGNEVICH (Susan) Shining Lives: A Musical (PenArts,Inc), Hairspray (Mac-Haydn), South Pacific, Peter Pan, Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping (Jenny Wiley Theatre). Favorite roles: Romeo and Juliet (Nurse), On the Verge (Alex), Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). Chantelle is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has her BFA in musical theatre from the University of West Florida. She is ecstatic to be working on her first Sondheim show. Many thanks to the team at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol and to her family. www.chantellecognevich.com KAYLA FISCHL (April) is an Orlando based stage actress and very excited to be making her debut at The Studio Theatre! Past credits: Lead Vocalist (Royal Caribbean Cruises), Featured Vocalist (Propaganda/Gigalo) at The Winter Park Playhouse, Cora MacRae (South Pacific) at The Barbara B Mann, Featured Vocalist (A Christmas Story: The Musical) at The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, and Sally (LaChiusa's The Wild Party). MFA Musical Theatre, The Boston Conservatory. BFA Musical Theatre, AMDA: College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Many thanks to Gary and Nathaniel for this amazing opportunity, my family for their unending love, and the cast/orchestra/crew for bringing to life such a masterpiece of art. Break legs everyone! www.KaylaFischl.com JASON GOEDKEN (Harry) This is Jason's first show with The Studio Theatre. He is happy to be performing again. When not performing Jason is busy as the Operations Manager of The Sharon and The Studio. Thank you Whitney, Clifford and Courtney for making me do this, I mean allowing me to do this.
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CAST JORDAN LEIGH MCCASKILL (Marta) is thrilled to be joining The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Some of her favorite credits include Addaperle in The Wiz, a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), and Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (Mill Mountain Theatre). Jordan is a graduate of Shenandoah University's BFA Musical Theatre class of 2017. She is grateful for the love and support of her parents, family, friends, educators, and God, for without them, nothing is possible. Instagram @JordanLeighMcCaskill | Twitter @JordanLeighMcC www.JordanLeighMcCaskill.com MEGHAN MORONEY* (Joanne) is delighted to make this show and role her debut at The Studio Theatre! Past roles include Mama Morton in Chicago (Riverside Theatre), Charlotte in A Little Night Music (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre and Opera Cleveland), Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa (Palm Beach Dramaworks), Mazeppa in Gypsy, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, (both at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), and John Hancock in 1776 (Mad Cow Theatre). She was in the Broadway Company of Mamma Mia, and has appeared in multiple regional theatres in Florida and up and down the East Coast. She is a proud member of Actor's Equity and thanks you for supporting live theatre! She'll "Drink to that!" WHITNEY MORSE (Amy) was last seen at The Studio Theatre in Frankie & Johnny, Next To Normal, The Last Five Years, Proof, and Songs for a New World. Her Central Florida Theatre credits include The Secret Garden, 1776 and Big River (Mad Cow Theatre), The Giver (Orlando REP). Chicago: Next To Normal (Skokie Theatre), Other Desert Cities (Citadel Theatre), The Children's Hour (Pride Films and Plays), Spike Heels (Brown Paper Box), Down Range (Genesis Theatricals), Trafford Tanzi and I Carry Your Heart (Prologue Theatre Company), Accomplice (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center), The Turn of the Screw, Jeeves at Sea, Unnecessary Farce and The Merchant of Venice (First Folio Theater). Whitney is the Artistic Director of The Sharon and The Studio Theatre. MFA Acting - Columbia University School of the Arts. www.whitneymorse.com
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.
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CAST DAVID PAUL ROWAN (David) is excited to work with The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol this season for their productions of Company and Bad Jews. 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 Charter High School for the past three years. He has had the opportunity of performing in the choir for Star Wars in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic and sang on stage with Patti Lupone at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. His past roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific and Freddy in My Fair Lady. David would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support. MONICA TITUS (Jenny, US/April & Kathy) is an Orlando based actress recently seen at Winter Park Playhouse in Some Enchanted Evening, and The Age of Innocence in the Florida Festival of New Musicals. Other local credits include A Christmas Story the Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Lend Me a Tenor, and Inherit the Wind (Athens Theatre), Peter Pan the Musical (Garden Theatre), Death of a Salesman, and Sunday in the Park with George (Mad Cow). Regionally she was seen as Fastrada in Thin Air Theatre Company’s Pippin, and brought her ukulele and guitar along to premier Hillybilly Hotspot (Great Plains Theatre). A proud graduate of Mercer University, she is thankful to be making her debut at The Studio Theatre! www.MonicaTitus.com RACHEL WHITTINGTON (Kathy) an Elon University graduate, is thrilled to make her debut at The Studio Theatre this season! She moved to Orlando in 2014 and has been performing in professional productions ever since. In 2012, she performed with multi-platinum singer/songwriter Ben Folds. Favorite Central Florida Credits: Gypsy (Louise), Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman/Lucy), Guys and Dolls (Sarah), A Christmas Carol (Christmas Past), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), The Dead, Equus, The Philadelphia Story, The All-Female 1776, ThanksKilling: The Musical. Other Credits: The Music Man (U/S Marian), Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi (U/S Lauretta). Rachel would like to thank her family, friends, and everyone who chooses live theatre for making her dream job a reality!
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CAST VALLEA E. WOODBURY (Sarah, US/Marta) "Vuh LAY uh" is thrilled to make her The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol debut! Favorite previous credits include Singles in Agriculture at Aurora Theatre, Simply Simone at Theatrical Outfit, The Crucible at Actor's Express, Tell Me My Dream at Alliance Theatre, A Christmas Carol and Doris the Church Lady in The Color Purple at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and roles in Award-winning productions at The Second City Chicago and Drury Lane Oakbrook (Ragtime). Vallea has an MFA in Performance from the University of Georgia. She is also a Northwestern University graduate and has trained at the School at Steppenwolf and The Second City Chicago Improv Conservatory. She thanks her family for their encouragement and support. www.vallea.com MISSIE JORDAN (US/Sarah & Joanne) is excited to be joining the cast of Company at The Studio Theatre. She comes to Florida with 30+ years of performing in professional bands, theatre, social improv troupes, commercial and film work. Favorite roles include principle in Swing (American Cabaret Theatre), Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (Indianapolis Civic Theatre), Miss Hannigan in Annie, Mazie La Bird in Suessical (The Artists Studio), Solange LaFitte in Follies, and Rona Perretti in Spelling Bee (Actors Theatre Company Chicago). Her most treasured experience was a private audition with Tara Rubin which led to the Broadway replacement cast list for Donna Sheridan and Tonya in Mamma Mia. JOSH KIMBALL (Choreographer, US/Peter, Paul & David) is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale with his BFA in Musical Theatre. Beginning at the age of 5, he has been performing and choreographing shows all over the country. He has worked as a dance teacher, working for three different studios teaching Tap, Musical Theatre dance, and Hip Hop, and has also taught dance at a collegiate level, choreographing for SIUC and Southeastern Illinois College. Recent other works have been Playlist Singer on The Carnival Ecstasy and Triumph, Henry in Next to Normal (The Studio Theatre), Man 1 in Songs for a New World (The Studio Theatre) and a live performer in The Rockin' Country Show and Spooky Shenani-gans (Cedar Point).
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CAST CHRISTOPHER LOYD (US/Harry & Larry) is originally from Pflugerville, TX. He later attended Angelo State University for a Bachelors of Music. His most notable credits include Jinx in Forever Plaid, the Bachelor in Sondheim's Putting it Together and Melvin P. Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Most recently, he was involved in the Garden Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar as a Roman Soldier/ensemble. Christopher is excited to make his debut in The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol with this production of Company! RISA PETRONE (US/Jenny, Amy & Susan) is a New York native who relocated to central Florida last year. She is thrilled to continue her theater journey at The Studio Theater. Favorite credits include Libby in The Greatest Pirate Story (N)Ever Told (Off-Broadway/Regional Tour), Demeter in Cats (The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck), and Jolene in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (GoldenStone Productions).
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. #EquityWorks
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DIRECTOR NATHANIEL NIEMI (Director) is thrilled to be working with The Studio Theatre for the first time. Credits include H2O: The Story of Water and Hawaii (tour), You and Me and the Space Between, Ordinary Ohana (Honolulu Theatre for Youth) A Murder of Crows, The Thin Man on the Ladder (University of Hawaii at Manoa), and Rose and the Rime (Chaminade University Collegiate Theatre Festival). Nathaniel is a graduate of the MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences (Directing Concentration) program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Nathaniel is a recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Directing Award through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Nathaniel is an Artistic Associate at Honolulu Theatre for Youth and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR GARY POWELL (Music Director) has been musically directing and staging shows for over 30 years in Texas, Chicago, New York City, and now Central Florida. Gary currently serves as the Resident Music Director for both The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Gary is proud to have been the Music Director since the inaugural season of The Studio Theatre and has worked with 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 several world premiere productions including: 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 BroadwayWorld for Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Songs for a New World. He is excited and honored to be directing side-by-side with fellow colleague Nathaniel Niemi.
AUTHOR GEORGE FURTH (Author) was born in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University; he did postgraduate work at Columbia University. He has worked extensively as an actor, appearing in many feature films, including The Best Man, Oh God!, Doctor Detroit, Young Doctors In Love, The Man With Two Brains, Cannonball Run, Hooper, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Blazing Saddles, Shampoo, Sleeper, The New Interns and Myra Breckinridge; he has also acted in many major television shows. In addition to Company, he has written the Broadway shows The Act, Twigs, The Supporting Cast, Merrily We Roll Along, Precious Sons and Getting Away With Murder.
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CAST & CREW CAST Robert..............................Chris Crawford* Amy.................................. Whitney Morse Peter, US/Robert, Dance Capt.....Craig Allen David............................David Paul Rowan Paul...................................Nicu Brouillette Jenny, US/April & Kathy......Monica Titus Larry........................... Sean Cullen Carroll Kathy..........................Rachel Whittington Susan......................... Chantelle Cognevich Sarah, US/Marta........ Vallea E. Woodbury April........................................Kayla Fischl US/Sarah & Joanne.............. Missie Jordan Harry................................. Jason Goedken US/Peter, Paul & David.........Josh Kimball Marta....................Jordan Leigh McCaskill US/Harry & Larry......... Christopher Loyd Joanne.......................... Meghan Moroney* US/Jenny, Amy & Susan........ Risa Petrone MUSICIANS Keyboard 1.................................................................Gary Powell Keyboard 2........................................................Christopher Loyd Percussion.................................................................. Jerry Bruno Bass..........................................................................John Gaffney Guitar........................................................................... Bill Neale Trumpet..................................................................Dave Czohara Reed..................................................................... Michael Abbott DESIGNERS Set Design........................................................Kenneth Constant Lighting Design..................................................... Weston Corey Assistant Lighting Design..................................Michael Giovinco Costume Design........................................................Rich Najuch Audio Visual Engineer...................................... Waylon Lemasters PRODUCTION TEAM Board Operator/PA.................................................. Amber Sacks Scenic Artist........................................................... Sam Ehrnman Production Manager..........................................Danielle Paccione Technical Director................................................Preston Speaker Stage Manager..........................................................Abigale Bobb Assistant Stage Manager............................................ Stefany Sosa House Manager...........................................................Grace Petty Assistant House Manager......................................... Josh Kimball Company Manager...................................... Autumn Encarnacion SPECIAL THANKS Ann McBain and Sean Pollock at New Covenant United Methodist Church The Villages® Marketing City Furniture for providing The Studio Theatre with all the furniture for this season’s productions.
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