issue
A Word From
THE SCOOP
Volume 3, Issue 1 | January 2018
WHITNEY
IN THIS The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra
Chita & Tune: Just in Time
Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra Gobsmacked! Chanticleer Air Supply
Whitney Morse, Artistic Director, The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center
In Good Company It’s been almost 11 years to the day since I met my husband, Jason. We met at the first rehearsal for an original musical in Chicago called Don Wisconsin. It was only my second show in Chicago at a theatre that Jason had been working at for years. He had done many productions with them. We sat next to each other that first day and hit it off immediately. We worked on that show and ran it for close to three months. The show itself was very funny and campy. I played a bartender in a small town in Wisconsin and he played the bar fly. It was destiny. By the end we were an official couple and have been together ever since. What is surprising is that with the exception of a few small projects when I was in graduate school, we have not performed together since. So, I am very excited to start rehearsals tomorrow for Company. Jason and I will be in a show together again! It’s going to be great fun and I cannot wait for The Studio patrons to see my talented husband in action. Boy are you guys in for a treat!
Dionne Warwick The Studio Company The Staff Spotlight
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Backstage at The Studio The Sharon Performing Arts Academy
Frankie and Johnny
in the Clair de Lune
Backstage Feature
See page 17 for more info.
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$20-$60
Classical Concert Featuring:
JAN 17TH
7PM
PASQUALE VALERIO (CONDUCTOR)
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Pasquale Valerio is the creator, nurturer, mentor and guiding light for The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. Pasquale was born in Naples, Italy and began his music studies at the age of 9. In 1996, Pasquale relocated to the United States. In 2004, he became the Founder and Music Director of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra where he continues to serve today. Maestro Valerio was also the founder of Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra as well as co-founder and conductor of The Florida Lake Symphony from 2005-2006. Pasquale has been regularly invited as guest conductor at the Orchestra Filarmonica 900’, Teatro Regio, and the Viotti International Music Festival.
FABRIZIO FALASCA (VIOLIN) Born in 1988 he began his study of violin young, showing an extraordinary music talent, and going on to win numerous national and international music competitions, among which in September 2010 he was awarded at the famous 29th Biennal Violin Competition "Città di Vittorio Veneto" where he was considered by critics "an exceptional talent with a great stylistic and musical maturity" and in 2013 he was a prizewinner at the “A.Postacchini” International Violin Competition. He is considered by Salvatore Accardo as one of the most representative Italian violinists of his generation.
Tickets on sale now! Enjoy the rest of the VPO 2017/18 Season Tuesday 2/6/2018 | 7pm – American Music Wednesday 3/28/2018 | 7pm – Classical Concert Tuesday 4/10/2018 | 7pm – Easter Concert Tuesday 5/15/2018 | 7pm – Opera Gala
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$60-$125 6PM
Starring
Chita Rivera An accomplished and versatile actress/ singer/dancer, Chita Rivera has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and received eight additional Tony nominations for an exceptional 10 Tony nominations. She recently starred in The Visit, the final John Kander/Fred Ebb/ Terrence McNally musical directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciela Daniele on Broadway (2015), following the acclaimed production at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the summer of 2014. She starred in the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the Broadway and touring productions of The Dancer’s Life, a dazzling new musical celebrating her spectacular career, written by Terrence
McNally and directed by Graciela Daniele and the revival of the Broadway musical Nine with Antonio Banderas. Chita was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. She received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 and became the first Hispanic woman ever chosen to receive this award. In November, 2016 she headlined at Carnegie Hall and in 2015, Great Performances aired their special Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ To Do, a retrospective of her extraordinary life and career nationally on PBS. Chita’s current solo CD is entitled And Now I Swing. Her most treasured production is her daughter, singer/dancer/choreographer Lisa Mordente.
JAN 21ST
and
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Tommy Tune Tommy Tune is one of the country’s most prolific performer/director/choreographers and is celebrating six decades on the great American stage. He has received 10 Tony Awards, including the 2015 Tony for Life Achievement in the Theatre. He has the unique distinction of being the only person in theatrical history to win Tony Awards in four separate categories and to receive the same two awards two years in a row. Additionally, he has received 8 Drama Desk, 2 Obies, 3 Astaire Awards, and multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards including the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society’s George Abbott Award. A He has been invited to sing and dance for three U.S Presidents, the Queen of England and the Royal Family of Monaco. Film credits include Hello Dolly,
The Boy Friend, and Mimi Bluette…fiore del mio giardino, and in 1999, he made his Las Vegas debut as the star of EFX at the MGM Grand Hotel. Tune is the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor for artistic achievement given by the President of the United States, has been honored with his own star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into The Theater Hall of Fame by Gwen Verdon. In 2009, he was honored as a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. In early 2015 he received rave reviews for his tap dancing and singing role in the Encores! production of Lady, Be Good! at New York City Center. In addition to touring with Chita Rivera, Tommy also tours the country in his one-man show, Tommy Tune Tonight!
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$25-$78 7PM JAN 22ND 7
Through the jungles of Rwanda to the savanna's of Australia, Jungle Jack Hanna has explored the corners of the globe as one of the most visible and respected animal ambassadors. This Emmy-Award winning TV host and lifelong animal advocate loves sharing his knowledge and passion for animals, and is honored to speak with you today. As the director emeritus of the famed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Jack's stories range from brushing a hippo's teeth to eating with wombats! You have stayed up late to watch him on The Late Show with David Letterman or woken up early to catch him on Good Morning America – now enjoy this awe-inspiring program as you learn about some of the world's amazing animal species and the wild adventures of Jungle Jack Hanna! So sit back and relax as Jungle Jack's infectious energy takes you "into the wild!"
HELSINGBORG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JAN 24TH
The Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra (HSO) was founded in 1912 and is one of Sweden’s oldest orchestras. Its principal conductors have included Sten Frykberg, John Frandsen, Okko Kamu, and Andrew Manze, with whom it has recorded symphonies by Beethoven and Brahms. The HSO is undoubtedly one of the region’s key international leaders and is much sought-after for both concert tours and recording projects.
7PM
Ludwig van Beethoven, Egmont Overture, Op. 84 /9’ Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 /42’ Violin Soloist: Catherine Manoukian
$20-$80
Program
-IntermissionLudwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Op. 55 /37’
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$20-$55 7PM JAN 27TH 9
Must Listen!
Mind-blowing beatboxing, breathtaking harmonies and amazing arrangements of your favourite songs from the worlds best a cappella and beatboxing show - GOBSMACKED! Direct from sell out seasons in London, Hong Kong and Edinburgh comes the amazing a cappella show GOBSMACKED! This allsinging, all-beatboxing, all-awesome theatrical experience does for a cappella what Tap Dogs did for tap dance.
Featuring three-time undefeated UK Beatbox Champion and current World Team Champion BALL-ZEE and an international cast of world-class vocalists, GOBSMACKED! is the best a cappella group ever to set foot on stage. Weaving an urban tale of love, loss and redemption this show uses all forms of a cappella from tradition street corner harmonies to cutting edge, multi-track live looping. GOBSMACKED is a slick, musically accomplished and high energy spectacular with not a single musical instrument to be seen! Get tickets now before they sell out!
★★★★★ “Better than Glee…mesmerizing” – EdFest Magazine!
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$20-$40
CHANTICLEER
JAN 29TH
7PM
AN ORCHESTRA OF VOICES
“Chanticleer fascinates and enthralls for much the same reason a fine chocolate or a Rolls Royce does: through luxurious perfection.” Los Angeles Times “The singing of Chanticleer is breathtaking in its accuracy of intonation, purity of blend, variety of color and swagger of style.” The Boston Globe Praised by the San Francisco
Chronicle for their “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from soprano to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz and popular genres, as well as contemporary composition.
Must Listen! 11
Beatles' run of consecutive top five singles. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies. The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock's soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell's simple yet majestic songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply.
7PM
In 1980 "Lost in Love" became the fastest selling single in the world, leaping to the top of all of the charts and was named Song of the Year. Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply at that time had equaled The Beatles' run of consecutive top five singles. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies.
FEB 3RD
Graham Russell & Russell Hitchcock met on May 12, 1975, at rehearsals for "Jesus Christ Superstar" in Sydney, Australia; they became instant friends with their common love for The Beatles and, of course, singing. In 1980 "Lost in Love" became the fastest selling single in the world, leaping to the top of all of the charts and was named Song of the Year. Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply at that time had equaled The
$35-$115 12
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FEB 1ST
7PM
$75-$150
Dionne Warwick
Scintillating, soothing and sensual best describe the familiar and legendary voice of five-time GRAMMY® Award winning music legend, DIONNE WARWICK, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. Warwick’s career, which currently celebrates over 50 years, has established her as an international music icon and concert act. Over that time, she has earned 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She began singing professionally in 1961 after being discovered by a young songwriting team, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. She had her first hit in 1962 with “Don’t Make Me Over.” Less than a decade later, she had released more than 18 consecutive Top 100 singles, including her classic Bacharach/David recordings, “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Message to Michael,” "Promises Promises,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “This Girl’s in Love With You,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Reach Out For Me,” and the theme from “Valley of the Dolls.” Together, Warwick and her songwriting team of Burt Bacharach & Hal David, accumulated more than 30 hit singles, and close to 20 best-selling albums, during their first decade together. Warwick received her first GRAMMY® Award in 1968 for her mega-hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and a second GRAMMY® in 1970 for the bestselling album, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” She became the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance. This award was only presented to one other legend, Miss Ella Fitzgerald. Warwick began singing during her childhood years in East Orange, New Jersey, initially in church. Occasionally, she sang as a soloist and fill-in voice for the renowned Drinkard Singers, a group comprised of her mother Lee, along with her aunts, including Aunt
Cissy, Whitney Houston’s mom, and her uncles. During her teens, Warwick and her sister Dee Dee started their own gospel group, The Gospelaires. .Always one to give back, Warwick has supported and campaigned for many causes and charities close to her heart, including AIDS, The Starlight Foundation, children’s hospitals, world hunger, disaster relief and music education for which she has been recognized and honored and has raised millions of dollars. In 1987, she was appointed the first United States Ambassador of Health by President Ronald Reagan and in 2002, served as Global Ambassador for Health and Ambassador for the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), and she continues to serve as Ambassador today. In recognition of her accomplishments and support of education, a New Jersey school was named in her honor, the Dionne Warwick Institute for Economics and Entrepreneurship. Warwick was also a key participating artist in the all-star charity single, “We Are the World,” and in 1984, performed at “Live Aid.” Celebrating 50 years in entertainment, and the 25th Anniversary of “That’s What Friends Are For,” Warwick hosted and headlined an all-star benefit concert for World Hunger Day in London. In addition, she was honored by AMFAR in a special reunion performance of “That’s What Friends are For,” alongside Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder at AMFAR’s Anniversary Gala in New York City. Warwick also received the prestigious 2011 Steve Chase Humanitarian Arts & Activism Award by the Desert Aids Project and was recognized for her stellar career by Clive Davis at his legendary Pre-GRAMMY® Party in Los Angeles. Adding to her list of landmark honors, Warwick was a 2013 recipient of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York and was inducted into the 2013 New Jersey Hall of Fame.
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SEASON TWO ON SALE NOW!
The Studio Theatre - Tierra del Sol 806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL 32159 www.TheSharonStudio.com | (352) 751-7799 #TheStudioTheatreTDS
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T U O D L SO
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."
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Cast of Company
Chris Crawford*
Craig Allen
Nicu Brouillette
Sean Cullen Carroll
Chantelle Cognevich
Kayla Fischl
Jason Goedken
Jordan Leigh McCaskill
Meghan Moroney*
Whitney Morse
David Paul Rowan
Monica Titus
Rachel Whittington
Vallea E. Woodbury
Missie Jordan U/S
Josh Kimball U/S
Christopher Loyd U/S
Risa Petrone U/S
*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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THE STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Anthony Fairchild with Dance to the Holiday's Tony Dovolani
Anthony Fairchild Swing Person for The Studio™ & The Sharon® What is your role at The Studio™? I am working as a swing person for The Sharon and The Studio. Basically, what that entails is, I'm understudy of anything and everything. I'm there to learn.
What is your background and what got you started in Theatre and/or in The Villages? I started working for The Villages in 1997 in the design division and worked there until 2017. And the reason I transferred over to our performing arts theatres is I play on the same softball team as Jason Goedken. When looking for a new position in the Villages family, I contacted Jason and fortunately was hired on! I have been married to my wife Kelly for 22 years and we have three daughters. Two in college and one is a junior at The Villages Charter School.
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What’s your favorite part of the job? I really enjoy learning the magic behind the scenes of the shows. I also really like the staff. Everyone has been open with teaching the basics.
What are you most excited about with the theatre? My family and I had fun at Dance to the Holidays. I also want to see more live music!
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BACKSTAGE AT THE STUDIO 21
Frankie & Johnny Backstage On Friday, Dec 22nd, The Studio Theatre opened the second production of the second season with Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. The cast and crew enjoyed a champagne toast and some hors d'oeuvres to celebrate.
Jason Goeken, Trevin Cooper & Whitney Morse
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THE SHARON SCHEDULE
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FREE professional photography*
available in The SharonÂŽ Lobby! * For select shows
Look for the photographer at your next show. Download & Share It
#TheSharon
Performing Arts Theatres of The VillagesÂŽ
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The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center has a mission to provide quality entertainment to The VillagesÂŽ and its surrounding communities. www.TheSharon.com #TheSharon
Our mission is to inspire the residents of Central Florida to examine relevant issues by elevating them through innovative and intimate storytelling. Think outside the box, inside the box at The Studio Theatre. www.TheSharonStudio.com #TheStudioTheatreTDS Š 2018 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Prices and availability subject to change without notice.