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. 6
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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
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*Ticket stub must be from a show in the last six months. It may be show digitally or printed.
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AN EVENING WITH