VPO Holiday Program 2023

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

CONTENTS Theatre Staff.......................................................................................................... 2 Whitney Morse on The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center........................ 3 Program................................................................................................................ 4 Maestro Note........................................................................................................ 5 Maestro..............................................................................................................6-7 Featured Artists................................................................................................8-10 Orchestra Roster................................................................................................. 11 VPO Donors..................................................................................................12-13 Business Partners................................................................................................. 14 Coming Soon.................................................................................................15-17

THEATRE STAFF Executive Director.......................................................................... Jason Goedken Artistic Director.............................................................................Whitney Morse Associate Artistic Director..................................................................Angel Creeks Director of Operations..........................................................................Jon Cronin Production Manager........................................................................Mike Giovinco Booking Manager.................................................................................Sierra Weiss Marketing Director.......................................................................... Taylor Adkins Senior Business Manager................................................................... Sean Graham Lighting Supervisor..................................................................... Alison Southgate Senior Production Coordinator.............................................................. Madi Carr Audio Visual Director...........................................................................Luke Bezio House Manager.....................................................................................Alec Speers Assistant House Managers..........................Mark Kirschenbaum, Nichole Pollack Director of Ticketing & Customer Relations............................... Yasmeen Stogden Ad Sales............................................................................................ Taylor Adkins marketing@significantproductions.org All shows produced by SignificantProductions.org Significant Production, Inc. is a nonprofit production company that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol in The Villages. ©2023 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. ©2023 Significant Productions, Inc. SPAC442;1223;1350

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WHITNEY MORSE on

The Sharon®L. Morse

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Dear Patron of the Arts, Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!

Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.

Since opening in 2015, we have strived to establish your trust, that a show at The Sharon is a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.

We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!

See You at The Sharon,

Whitney Morse Artistic Director

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PROGRAM PART ONE 1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 2. Breath of Heaven 3. Blue Christmas 4. Holly Jolly Christmas 5. Grown up Christmas List 6. Do You Hear What I Hear 7. Winter Wonderland 8. I Believe in Christmas 9. Hanukkah Song 10. Adeste Fideles PART TWO 1. A Christmas Festival 2. I’ll be Home for Christmas 3. Christmas Waltz 4. Believe 5. The Christmas Song 6. White Christmas 7. Man with a Bag 8. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 9. Sleigh Ride 10. O Holy Night

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MESSAGE FROM THE MAESTRO Dear friends and supporters of The Villages Philharmonic, December is a wonderful month for all the activities in which we and our families participate. It is a time of yearning to meet and be together; a month of celebration that connects us with the past and loved ones. We carry these memories as a reminder in our hearts. In this spirit, we relive these magical moments through traditional songs prepared for the December holidays. Best wishes to all of you throughout the celebrations in this magical month of December.

Musically yours Pasquale Valerio Music Director and Founder

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MAESTRO PASQUALE VALERIO, MAESTRO Pasquale Valerio is an internationally acclaimed Orchestral Conductor. In 2004 he founded The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, became its musical director, and is still engaged in concerts and tours throughout Florida and worldwide.

Maestro Valerio was also the founder of the Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra as well as co-founder and conductor of the Florida Lakes Symphony from 2005 to 2006.

He collaborates with various European orchestras such as the Philharmonic Orchestra ‘900 of the Teatro Regio Opera in Turin, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague, the Virtuosi of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, the Virtuosi of the Philharmonic of Bacau, the “A. Scarlatti” Symphony Orchestra of Naples, Orchestra Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

In 2006 had the opportunity to assist Sir Antonio Pappano, current Music Director of the Royal Opera House in London This collaboration represented a great point of reference for maestro Valerio and indelibly marked his experience of conducting growth. From 2007 to 2009 he collaborated with the internationally known Viotti music festival in Vercelli, Italy and in May 2018 he began an ongoing cooperation with the North California Music Festival as guest conductor.

Pasquale Valerio was born in Naples to a family linked to cultural traditions and founding religious values. The great passion for music was evident from the first years of his life, but, only towards the tenth year of age did he begin his musical studies, first with the piano, and subsequently, at the age of thirteen years, when he began studying trumpet. It is in this period that Pasquale met Maestro Filippo Veniero, an important musical guide for subsequent studies. He studied trumpet at the school of Maestro Francesco Lentini, Bari Conservatory, with whom he obtained the middle completion and, subsequently under the guidance of Maestro Diego Benedusi, he obtained the superior completion of trumpet.

After completing his trumpet studies, he collaborated as an instrumentalist with orchestras of major opera and symphonic institutions including the Opera House “Teatro di San Carlo in Naples “and with other major opera orchestras and symphonic institutions. Simultaneously he studied Composition and Score Reading at the School of Maestro Filippo Veniero.

The meeting with two conductors, J Withney and Gunther Smidth (United States) conditioned the musical journey and made it possible that in 1998 Pasquale resumed his studies started in Naples with F. Veniero. Also important was the meeting with the famous conductor Anton Coppola in 1999, who became Pasquale’s mentor and guide.

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MAESTRO Pasquale is a guest collaborator at festivals and international competitions, including: International Piano Competition “F. Schubert” in San Cristoforo Virtuosi of the Bacau Philharmonic, Romania, Viotti Music Festival, Camerata Ducale, Italy, Piano Festival of Carrara/Arezzo Orchestra 900’ of the Teatro Regio of Turin, Oída Symphony Orchestra (Arezzo) Philharmonic Orchestra of Benevento, New Orchestra Scarlatti and Florida Philharmonia In the academic year 2023 he was appointed Visiting Professor of Conducting Studies at the “London Performing Arts Academy” and at the end of 2023, appointed Honor Roll of “ALTAMURA MERCADANTE FEST”.

This Concert is sponsored by:

23/24 SEASON SEPT 3 / MAY 6

Sunday, January 28 ....................................................Classical Concert Series Wednesday, February 14 ...................... American Music Celebration of Love Monday, March 18......................................................Classical Concert Series Sunday, April 21..........................................................Classical Concert Series Monday, May 6 ................... Opera Gala Magical Moments of Opera Scenes SUBSCRIPTIONS* & INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE CHOOSE AT LEAST 4 SHOWS & GET 10% OFF 352-751-7799

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FEATURED ARTISTS ALI MOLNAR, SOPRANO Award-winning lyric-soprano, Ali Molnar, has been praised for her versatile style, covering various genres from classical to popular music. She began her studies at eight years old and attended regional and national Symposium Talent Contest competitions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as the State Honors Music Project in her home state of Wisconsin. Ali graduated from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in opera and musical theater.

Ali has made her unique mark on such roles as Kate Monster in Avenue Q, Nimue in Camelot, Contadina in The Gondoliers, The Foreign Woman in The Consul, and Siri in the Orlando Fringe Festival original production of Doro & Diega. She has performed with such auspicious groups as The Huron Playhouse, Central Florida Community Arts, Legacy, Opera Orlando, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, where she sang alongside such iconic performers as Fernando Varela and Andrea Bocelli. She has been employed as a seasonal performer at Busch Gardens Tampa in The Conductorettes, a female barbershop quartet show, and as the Poinsettia Princess and has contributed her talents to benefit performances such as the Beautiful Together Benefit Concert in support of the Pulse tragedy as well as performances with CFCArts, a nonprofit organization benefiting the community of central Florida.

Miss Molnar studied dance at Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio and Spotlight Dance Center in Orlando, Florida. She was invited to study abroad at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary where she studied the Kodály method of music with international musicians. Ali also studied abroad in Alicante, Spain where she was immersed in Spanish language and culture. It is her dream to work on a cruise ship and travel the world.

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FEATURED ARTISTS MARK REISCH Originally form New York, now located in central Florida, Mark Raisch entertains in performing art centers, resort communities, for symphonies, country clubs, and private events up and down the east coast. His pertormances are a mix between a concert, nightclub act, and comedy show.

You’ll enjoy the greats from the 50’s through today - even accine in some country avortes. Known for his smooth vocals, audiences love it when Mark sings hits by such contemporary as Michael Buble’ and greats from the “Kings of Cool*, Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and Elvis. Enthusiastic, yet relaxed, Mark keeps his audiences smiling and laughing through his performances. He has had the pleasure of performing for American Cruise Lines, in Brandon MO, the NYC Friars Club, The Museum of Radio & Television, and many other wonderful venues. His music has been aired coast to coast on ABC National Radio Network and numerous internet radio programs.

MARCELLA RICHARDSON Marcella Richardson started her singing career in northern Michigan, Torch lake area at a family restaurant called Brownwood. She went on to travel with the 10 piece show band that started from Brownwood called TORCH. She continued to travel the country performing and eventually formed her own groups with partners based out of Atlanta Georgia. She also did radio, TV jingles and commercials. Eventually moving her business to The Villages Florida and In 2010 she started singing in The Pops and Holiday concerts with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra.

Along with performing with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra She studies and competes in ballroom dancing

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FEATURED ARTISTS NORMAN LEE SCHAFFER Singer, songwriter, entertainer and Pastor of The Garden Worship Center in Belleview, FL. Norman Lee has shared the stage with Kenny Roger, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Lou Rawls and The Temptations just to name a few. He has appeared in movies, television and many stages across the country for over 40 years. Norman Lee has released four Country albums and has also written and released 10 Christian albums that receive national radio airplay. He not only continues to build his church on 55 acres in Belleview, FL but is also recreating the Holy Land where the Bible comes to life.

SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK, BARITONE Sean Christopher Stork, lyric baritone, has been singing across the state of Florida since graduating from Florida State University in 2007, including regular engagements with Opera Tampa as well as First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, The Florida Lyric Opera in Tampa, and the Villages Philharmonic, Imperial Symphony, and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestras. A strong supporter of modern music, his original works have been recorded on two CDs by the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Mr Stork is currently performing across the country with Diversita Opera Arts Company, Opera Tampa, The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra; Orlando Philharmonic; The Hudson Valley Chorale; Orlando Harmony; Orlando Exchange; the Dickens Carolers; and the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

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ORCHESTRA ROSTER FLUTE Tina Edelstein

ELECTRIC BASS Mickey McCabee

OBOE Kathryn Jurado

DRUM SET Simon Ramos

CLARINET Jason Gibbs

FIRST VIOLIN Stewart Kitts, Concertmaster David Dajiang Baoling Xu Cindy Qi Jose Guedez Michael De Jesus Eduardo Castro

BASSOON Chris Eberle FRENCH HORN Dann O’Donnel, Principal Nicholas Burner TRUMPET John De Paola, Principal Tarcisio D’Addona TROMBONE Andrea Rowlison Jeremy Fielder Stewart Undem TUBA Paul Mungall TYMPANI Chris Nolin PERCUSSION Jordan Holley PIANO Krystof Sebrakowski Zion Phoenix

SECOND VIOLIN Gregory Carreno, Principal Elizabeth Kitts Israel Mendez Luisamar Navarro Yenifer Laurens Luisa Maria Zambrano VIOLA Juan C. Siviero, Principal Andrea Oliveira Francia Laurens Joshua Cordova CELLO David Calhoun, Principal Olga Beliaieva Valentina Alejandra Hernandez Espitia DOUBLE BASS Jonathan Ingram

GUITAR Luis Guerrero

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VPO DONORS 2023-24 CONCERT SEASON ORCHESTRA CIRCLE $10,000+

David & Jeanette Colvin

Paul & Dorian Schnirring

Margaret M. Dick

Charlotte Conway

Ken & Mary Shutts

Linda Ferens

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeVuono

Joan Spires

Maurice & Betsy Joy

Charlotte & John Gates

Dean & Audrey Throndsen

Ralph William Gingery

Dr. Laurie Ullery

MAESTRO CIRCLE $5,000 – $9,999 Augusto Bernardini Jeff & Ursula Bergman David & JoAnne Kelch Diane Kupchak Peter & Mary Jane Moeller Richard & Charlotte Rahm Mary Thomas

Jay & Lesly Ginsberg Carol Guglielm Richard & Estella Hoag Janet Howell

Kathy Sumner Anna Whipple SUITE CIRCLE $100 – $499

Doris Martin

Bernie & Elizabeth Albrecht

George Neal

Gene Armani

Darlene Pruett

Randall & Gemma Benjamin

Dr. & Mrs. Winfred Stringer

Linda Boese

Abbott & June Webber

Doug & Sharon Bretz

Keith & Randee Workowski

Dora Bryan Thomas & Linda Casey

OVERTURE CIRCLE

Kenny & Elizabeth Constant

$500 – $999

Glenda Crandall

Katheryn Batman

Barbara Dipol

Robert Becker

James & Karen Donavan

Michelle Boone

Mary Dzuro

Roger & Julie Cooper

Greg & Mary Feichtel

Ruth DiMare

Jack & Nancy Fieldman

CONCERTO CIRCLE

Richard & Jeanne Geoffrion

Leslie Flanders

$1,000 – $2,499

Noel Kott

Anonymous Donor

William & Sharron Leonhirth

William & Gail FraserGiacchi

Don & Bonnie Waggoner SYMPHONY CIRCLE $2,500 – $4,999 Avrum Abramowitz Sarah Jordan Steve & Donna Bell

John Canner Bonita Carnes Dennis R. Carney

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Robert & Sara McPhail Norman Lee & Terri Schaffer

Mia Ford

Lisa French Peter Fritz & Carol Mangan

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VPO DONORS 2023-24 CONCERT SEASON Mary Ann Garback

Tony & Joanne Sutylo

Patrice Pastore

Alan Geller

Donna Thompson

Geraldine Piscitelli

Greg & Carolynn Gilbert

Roy & Jackie Ullrich

Marianne Reinhard

Sheldon & Shelley Goldseker

Richard & Grace Waller

Sally Rowe

Doris Goodwin

Robert & Joan Waller

Erika Schaffer

Marie Washburn

Joyce Smidt

Jeffrey Wheeler

Robert Smidt

Tera White

Robert & Glenda Supino

Theresa R. White

C & H Van Benthuysen

Carole Williamson

Eric Williams

Bob & Debbie Wilson

Susan Wright

David & Kathleen Haviland Debbie Halye Richard & Susan Jacobs Marlene Knopf Brad Koozman Gregory & Bonnie Larson Gayle Marra Eileen McCabe James McQuiniff Nick & Donna Meister Harold & Roberta Messenheimer

Patricia Wilson Mary Yankowski Andrea Ziccarelli Joseph Zientara ARIA CIRCLE Up to $99

Kathleen Miller

Barbara Athanasiou

Thomas Murphy

Irene Coen

Fritz & Debbie Neal

Louise Elwood

John Nickelson

Susan Escobedo

Phillip Oliveira

Paul F. Gaecke

Robert A. Phillips

Jordan Galvarino

Ron & Grace Ranger

Paul & Ann Hagerty

Jeremy & Barbara Reynolds

Valery Heyduk

Frank & Deborah Salerno

Irene Hong-McAtee

Paul & Rita Segnatelli

Lora MacPherson

Andrew & Mary Sloan

Joanne Michalski

George Stenz

Donald Mooty

Ronald Streib

Robert Muzzi

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MEMORIAL DONATIONS Bill Barnes: Susan Escobedo Fred Boyd: Frank & Janet Argenziano Fred Boyd: Mr. & Mrs. Manning Fred Boyd: Don & Janet Schiegel Carolyn Johnson: Richard Johnson

K. L. Hoffman

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BUSINESS PARTNERS BUSINESS PARTNERS Blackston Financial Advisory Group FMK Restaurant Group Francesco’s Ristorante Fross & Fross Wealth Management

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Havana Country Club & Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club by Suleiman Family Restaurants Royal Décor Company Sheds N More

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

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BEHIND THE

curtain tour Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite shows at The Sharon? Want to share footprints with some of the world’s biggest stars?

Back by overwhelming demand...

The Sharon: Behind the Curtain Tour!

Visit SignificantProductions.org for more information.

SPAC395_1123

SEASON 8 Trust your instincts.

A hilarious comedy about the absurdities of motherhood.

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois

In here, life is beautiful.

CABARET is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com

11/14/23 - 12/16/23

1/30/24 - 3/2/24

An off-beat comedy about an even odder couple.

THE ROOMMATE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

3/26/24 - 4/27/24

ON SALE NOW! TheSharonStudio.com |

#TheStudioTheatreTDS 352-751-7799 | 806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL 32159

All shows produced by SignificantProductions.org

Shhh...

only for The Sharon® ticket holders!

Show your ticket stub* from The Sharon at these participating restaurants & order from an exclusive

Secret Drink Menu!

*Ticket stub must be from a show in the last six months. It may be show digitally or printed.

introductory ADVERTISING RATE 50% OFF

FULL PAGE PACKAGES

Hurry, this offer has limited availability so reach out today!

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AN EVENING WITH