THEATRE STAFF
Director
Production Manager ....................................................................... Mike Giovinco
Booking Manager ................................................................................ Sierra Weiss
Senior Business Manager ................................................................... Sean Graham
Lighting Supervisor ......................................................................... Ally Southgate
Associate Lighting Supervisor .......................................................... Dio Raquel Jr.
Senior Production Coordinator ..............................................................Madi Carr
Audio Visual Director ........................................................................... Luke Bezio
Production Coordinator ................................................................ Nichole Pollack
Production Manager ...............................................................Mark Kirschenbaum
House Manager .................................................................................... Alec Speers
Assistant House Manager ........................................................... Savannah Wagner
Director of Ticketing & Customer Relations ............................... Yasmeen Stogden
Marketing Director ..................................................................... Monica Berdecio
Ad Sales ..................................................... marketing@significantproductions.org
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
ART.
ARTISTS.
AUDIENCE.
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
We believe that fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is essential for the creation of exceptional art. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our employees. This ensures every individual who contributes to our productions feels valued and empowered. We actively promote a workplace culture that embraces differences and encourages collaboration among our diverse team of artists, technicians, administrators, and volunteers.
Thank You FOR SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS
In order of contributions:
MULTI-DONORS
Mary Homko
Donna Taylor
Russell Jones
Giuseppina (Jo) Jones
Jim Ward
Jennifer Velez
INDIVIDUAL
DONORS
Sarah Lindmeier
Patricia Schlemmer
Jon Cronin
Private Donor
Fidelity Charitable
Private Donor
Attendees at The Sharon's 9th Birthday Lobby Lunch
Lynn & Kathy Glassock
Sharon Curry
Ron Kravet
Bob Kendi
April & David Linscott
Honey & David Kirk
John McAuley
Melissa Warner
Marge Alder
Russell Jones
Marianne Niesen
Liza Diana Walters
Donna Silver
Jim Ward
Roger & Karen Kass
Xiomara Guevara Medoza
Edward & Gale Labuda
Nancy Garrison
Marie Connolly
Stan Ackerman
Muriel Trulson
John Van Dyke
Diann Sherwin
Brian Grode
Chuck & Bev Levy
Jan & Tom Miller
Carol Floros/Koszola
IN HONOR OF Peg Fiore
Alice Stogden
Ursula Becker
Thank you to our anonymous donors.
Sunday, January 26 ................................... Classical Concert Series
Friday, February 14 ............... American Music: Celebration of Love
Sunday, March 9 ........................................ Classical Concert Series
Tuesday, April 8.......................................... Classical Concert Series
Tuesday, May 10 ... Opera Gala: Magical Moments of Opera Scenes
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT PRESENTS
THE GRECIAN GALA
Music By Orchestra Ensemble
Silent Auction • Live Auction
Dinner • Dancing
Wed, FEB 26, 2025 • 5-9pm
$175 • On Sale Now!
CONCERT SPONSORS
Thank you to friends of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra and tonight’s Sponsors for the Holiday Celebration concert.
ROYAL DECOR COMPANY
Royal Decor Company has been servicing The Villages Area for over 20 years concentrating on New Construction homes and Commercial buildings. Also offering services of Interior and Exterior Re-painting along with Faux Finishes, Wallcoverings, Kitchen Cabinetry and Vanity Refinishing, Epoxy Garage Floors, Xylene Lanais and Driveways, Stained Concrete Floors, Painted Furniture, Custom Staining and Murals. Our team is ready and Happy to assist you on all your painting needs.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAESTRO
Dear friends and supporters of The Villages Philharmonic,
Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate this significant holiday season in our tradition.
We are delighted to present this program, which includes wonderful holiday pieces that have accompanied us throughout our lives.
We wish you a December full of love and prosperity.
Thank you for the continued support of your orchestra,
Maestro Pasquale Valerio
Founder, Director,
and Chair of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra
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.
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”.
PART ONE
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. The Chanukah Song
3. I Believe In Christmas
4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. Merry Christmas, Darling
8. Ave Maria (Franz Biebl)
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Breath Of Heaven
11. Grown-Up Christmas List
12. Adeste Fideles
PART TWO
1. A Christmas Festival
2. Mary, Did You Know?
3. Do You Hear What I Hear?
4. Blue Christmas
5. Let It Snow
6. The Man With The Bag
7. The Christmas Waltz
8. The Christmas Song
9. White Christmas
10. Sleigh Ride
11. O Holy Night
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.
NORMAN LEE SCHAFFER
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. www.thegardenworshipcenter.com
FEATURED ARTISTS
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
MARK ANTONIO DE VILLIERS
Mark Antonio de Villiers is a seasoned classical tenor with over 20 years of experience captivating audiences with his powerful and emotive performances. He has graced the stages of renowned opera houses such as Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Treasure Coast Opera, and Chautauqua Opera, showcasing his exceptional vocal talent and artistry. Mark has also collaborated with esteemed orchestras in Florida, including Marlena Urbay’s Florida Chamber Orchestra, American Ideal under the direction of Bella Smith, and The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Pasquale Valerio. With a rich and diverse musical background, Mark Antonio de Villiers continues to enchant listeners with his captivating voice and passion for the classical arts.
FEATURED ARTISTS
SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK
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.
ORCHESTRA ROSTER
FLUTE
Nicolas Real, Principal
Geraldine Barazarte
OBOE
Kathryn Jurado, Principal
CLARINET
Dominique Keller, Principal
Brian Snapp
BASSOON
Christian Eberle, Principal
FRENCH HORN
Dann O’ Donnell, Principal
Klae Peek
TRUMPET
John De Paola, Principal
Luis Diego Mora Ferreira
TROMBONE
Andrea Rowlison, Principal
Richard Brady
BASS TROMBONE
Anthony Hill
TUBA
Paul Mungall
TYMPANI
Christian Snedeker
PERCUSSION/DRUM SET
Simon Ramos
PERCUSSION
Ethan Nasypany
PIANO
Joe Irrera
GUITAR
Luis Guerrero
ELECTRIC BASS
Vernay Reindollar
FIRST VIOLIN
Stewart Kitts, Concertmaster
Marius Tabacila
José Guedez
Michael De Jesús
Scott Knopf
David Daijang
Bailongo Xu
Carlos Jaquez
SECOND VIOLIN
Gregory Carreño, Principal
Elizabeth Kitts
Israel Méndez
Luisamar Navarro
Daniel Herrera
Yenifer Laurens
Marialejandra Vásquez
Isabella Díaz
VIOLA
Richard Urbano, Principal
Oana Potur
Joshua Cordoba
Andrea Oliveira
Francia Laurens
CELLO
David Calhoun, Principal
Olga Beliaieva
Helen Lewis
George Alexander
DOUBLE BASS
Vernay Reindollar, Principal
Leniot Hernandez
Michael Anthony McCabe
VPO DONORS 2024-25 CONCERT SEASON
ORCHESTRA CIRCLE
$10,000+
Joseph & Marlene Borda
Dr. Robert & Karen Chaikin
Margaret M. Dick
Linda Ferens
Maurice & Betsy Joy
Dean & Audrey Throndsen
MAESTRO CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Jeff & Ursula Bergman
Jason Goedken
David & JoAnne Kelch
Diane Kupchak
Peter & Mary Jane Moeller
Mary Thomas
Don & Bonnie Waggoner
SYMPHONY CIRCLE
$2,500 – $4,999
Avrum Abramowitz
Steve & Donna Bell
Bonnie Carnes
Sarah Jordan
CONCERTO CIRCLE
$1,000 – $2,499
John Canner
Dennis R. Carney
David Colvin
Charlotte Conway
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeVuono
Barbara Dipol
Stuart & Susan Feinberg
Lois Fisch
Charlotte & John Gates
Jeanne Geoffrion Pod
Ralph Gingery
Jay & Lesly Ginsberg
Carol Guglielm
Richard & Estella Hoag
Janet Howell
Diane Kupchak
Doris Martin
George Neal
Mike Whitfield & Darlene Pruett
Richard & Charlotte Rahm
Ken & Mary Shutts
Dr. & Mrs. Winfred Stringer
Abbott & June Webber
Keith & Randee Workowski
OVERTURE CIRCLE
$500 – $999
Dennis Barker
Katheryn Batman
Robert Becker
Roger & Julie Cooper
Ruth DiMare
William & Judith Doran
Noel Kott
William & Sharron
Leonhirth
Robert & Sara McPhail
Clint & Michelle
Newman
Paul & Dorian
Schnirring
Joan Spires
Kathy Sumner
Dr. Laurie Ullery
Andrea Ziccarelli
SUITE CIRCLE
$100 – $499
Bernie & Elizabeth Albrecht
Gene Armani
Randall & Gemma
Benjamin
Linda Boese
Doug & Sharon Bretz
Dora Bryan
Thomas & Linda Casey
Irene Coen
Marie Connolly
Kenny & Elizabeth Constant
Glenda Crandall
James & Karen Donavan
Mary Dzuro
Louise Elwood
Greg & Mary Feichtel
Sandra Fennell
Jack & Nancy Fieldman
Leslie Flanders
Mia Ford
William & Gail FraserGiacchi
Lisa French
Peter Fritz & Carol Mangan
Mary Ann Garback
Alan Geller
VPO DONORS 2024-25 CONCERT SEASON
Richard & Camille
Gehnrich
Greg & Carolynn Gilbert
Sheldon & Shelley Goldseker
Doris Goodwin
Richard Hall
David & Kathleen Haviland
Debbie Halye
Richard & Susan Jacobs
Dan & Carol Johns in Honor of Ann Whipple
Marlene Knopf
Brad Koozman
James Langendorfer in Honor of Anna Whipple
Gregory & Bonnie Larson
Stefano & Karen Marcuard/Shaw
Gayle Marra
Eileen McCabe
James McQuiniff
Nick & Donna Meister
Harold & Roberta Messenheimer
Kathleen Miller
Thomas Murphy
Fritz & Debbie Neal
John Nickelson
Phillip Oliveira
Bob & Georgann Ozbolt
Robert A. Phillips
Ron & Grace Ranger
Jeremy & Barbara
Reynolds
Norman Lee & Terri Schaffer
Henry Safford
Frank & Deborah Salerno
Paul & Rita Segnatelli
Andrew & Mary Sloan
George Stenz
Ronald Streib
Tony & Joanne Sutylo
Donna Thompson
Roy & Jackie Ullrich
Richard & Grace Waller
Marie Washburn
Jeffrey Wheeler
Anna Whipple
Tera White
Theresa R. White
Carole Williamson
Bob & Debbie Wilson
Patricia Wilson
Mary Yankowski
Stuart & Barbara Yowell in Honor of Anna Whipple
Joseph Zientara
ARIA CIRCLE
Up to $99
Barbara Athanasiou
Susan Escobedo
Paul F. Gaecke
Jordan Galvarino
Thomas Galen
Paul & Ann Hagerty
Valery Heyduk
K. L. Hoffman
Irene Hong-McAtee
Lora MacPherson
Margaret Mecheski
Joanne Michalski
Donald Mooty
Robert Muzzi
Patrice Pastore
Geraldine Piscitelli
Marianne Reinhard
Sally Rowe
Erika Schaffer
Joyce Smidt
Robert Smidt
Robert & Charlene Soos
Robert & Glenda Supino
Joy Turpie
C & H Van Benthuysen
Eric Williams
Susan Wright
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
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Blackston Financial Advisory Group
FMK Restaurant Group
Francesco’s Ristorante
Fross & Fross Wealth Management
Havana Country Club & Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club by Suleiman Family Restaurants
Royal Décor Company
PRIVATE BOX experience
ENJOY YOUR NEXT SHOW AT THE SHARON LIKE A VIP!
• Exclusive experience for up to 15 guests.
• Private lounge for the evening, including home-like furnishings, restroom, and direct access to the auditorium box for comfortable viewing of your show.
• Upgrades available such as a private bartender or personalized celebratory furnishings.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CREATING AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER!
To explore accommodations and availability, please contact Yasmeen@SignificantProductions.org
The Villages® Community Sarasota Plaza | 352-775-1772 312 Heald
The Villages® Community Southern Trace | 352-461-1740 3433 Wedgewood Lane handandstonesoutherntrace.com
Membership Program Available
*Introductory offers valid for first-time visit only and not valid towards gift cards. Sessions include time for consultation and dressing. Limited time offer. Rates and services may vary by location. Independently Owned & Operated. ©2024 Hand & Stone Corp. Franchises Available. MM39256/ CE10017237, MM43233/CE10034642
ADVERTISE
Increase your visibility by marketing your message to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center’s local, engaged audience, as well as advertise in The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s Programs and our monthly Digital Newsletter, The Scoop!
For information on prices, ad sizes, and availability, please email us at marketing@significantproductions.org.
