Greendale-Aida

PROUDLY PRESENTS

Elton John and Tim Rice’s

Music by Elton John

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Book by Linda Woolverton Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang Originally Directed on Broadway by Robert Falls Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54st Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

Coming soon….

Auditions – early August (check website) Performances – January, 2013

Auditions – early spring, 2013 Performances – July, 2013

Greendale High School Auditorium 6801 Southway · Greendale, WI Tickets: 414-423-2700, ext 4193 · www.greendaletheatre.org GCT is a proud affiliate of the Greendale Park and Recreation Department Aida 1

CAST (in

alphabetical order)

Aida.................................................................................................................................. Erica Brown Amneris.........................................................................................................................Kat Geertsen Amonasro...................................................................................................................... Henry Wade Mereb........................................................................................................................Shawn Holmes Nehebka.........................................................................................................................Ericka Wade Pharoah................................................................................................................................... Zak Keil Radames........................................................................................................................James Jones Zoser.................................................................................................................... Michael Stoddard Ensemble............................................................................... Monica Brinker, Rachel Bzdawka,

Amanda Hoffman, Patrick Jones,

Laura McDonald, Stephanie Staszak P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director..................................................................................................................... Brian Bzdawka Music Director......................................................................................................Tom Reifenberg Choreographer................................................................................................ Stephanie Staszak Talent Director.............................................................................................Jordan Gwiazdowski Stage Manager..................................................................................................................... Sara Bill Assistant Stage Manager/Properties....................................................... Shannon Runnells Technical Directors......................................................................Ryan Barry, Chris Pawlowski Lighting Design...............................................................................Ryan Barry, Brian Bzdawka Sound Design/Operation........................................................................ Bryan Baumgardner Set Design................................................................................................................ Brian Bzdawka Sound Crew.......................................................................................................Jennifer Yaccarino Technical Crew.................................................................................Ryan Barry. Paige Bednarz,

Lauren Butkiewicz, Tyler Dworak, Nico Gomez,

Conner Hagen, Evan McVann, Tom Nastachowski,

Matt Neis, Chris Pawlowski, Connor Pawlowski,

Jake Regenfelder, Ann Ricca, Kelly Swinghamer Greendale Park and Recreation Director.................................................Jackie Schweitzer T H E AT R E S TA F F Publicity/Marketing..............................................................................................Mary Postotnik Box Office................................................................................Mary Postotnik, Debbie Staszak,

Neil Staszak, Tami Reifenberg,

Ashley Squire, Katie Zepecki PIT ORCHESTR A Keyboard 1/Conductor......................................................................................Tom Reifenberg Keyboard 2................................................................................................................Alison Bekolay Keyboard 3....................................................................................................................Ann Thomas Guitars........................................................................................................ Fred Pike, Jay Kummer Bass...........................................................................................................................Maddie Dietrich Drums............................................................................................................................... John Stolfe Percussion....................................................................................................................... Sarah Groh Flute............................................................................................................................Christine Stein Oboe.........................................................................................................................Kaylyn Ruemler Violins.................................................................................... Michelle Brody, Sami Kosarczycki Viola............................................................................................................................Rebecca Miller Cello............................................................................................................................Josh Baerwald Horn...............................................................................................................................Sarah Hopefl 2 Greendale Community Theatre

MUSICAL NUMBERS Act 1 Every Story is a Love Story.........................................................................Amneris, Ensemble Fortune Favors the Brave..........................................................................Radames, Ensemble The Past is Another Land.........................................................................................................Aida Another Pyramid................................................................................................ Zoser, Ensemble How I Know You...........................................................................................................Mereb, Aida My Strongest Suit..........................................................................................Amneris, Ensemble Fortune Favors the Brave (reprise)............................................................................. Radames Enchantment Passing Through.........................................................................Radames, Aida My Strongest Suit (reprise).................................................................................. Amneris, Aida Dance of the Robe.............................................................Aida, Nehebka, Mereb, Ensemble Not Me.......................................................................................Radames, Aida, Amneris, Mereb Elaborate Lives........................................................................................................Radames, Aida The Gods Love Nubia........................................................Aida, Nehebka, Mereb, Ensemble Act 2 A Step Too Far....................................................................................... Amneris, Radames, Aida Easy as Life....................................................................................................................................Aida Like Father, Like Son...................................................................... Zoser, Radames, Ensemble Radames’ Letter................................................................................................................. Radames How I Know You (reprise).....................................................................................................Mereb Written in the Stars................................................................................................Radames, Aida I Know the Truth..................................................................................................................Amneris Elaborate Lives (reprise).......................................................................................Aida, Radames Enchantment Passing Through (reprise).......................................................Radames, Aida Every Story Is a Love Story (reprise)........................................................Amneris, Ensemble

SPECIAL THANKS Jackie Schweitzer, Greendale Park and Recreation Director Erin Green, Interim Superintendent of GSD Steve Lodes, GHS Principal Brian Koffarnus, GSD Buildings and Grounds Eric Christiansen, GHS Theatre Rob Weber & GHS Custodial The Reiman Family Clearwing Productions

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4 Greendale Community Theatre

D I R E C TO R S ’ N O T E S Welcome to the start of the 10th year of Greendale Community Theatre productions. We have never written director notes, nor given curtain speeches, for any of our shows – it’s not that we were ignoring you all, but rather, the show belongs to all the people that put in the hard work - we want that work to speak for itself. However, for our production of AIDA, we thought it might be appropriate to “set the stage” for the show you’re about to watch.

Many times in the director notes, you will find an explanation of the director’s vision or a synopsis of the show. We don’t plan on spoiling the story for you or providing a full explanation for the vision we followed for our version of AIDA. What we will say is that in the script, the author comments about the freedoms that can be taken with location. Hence, no sphinx backdrop, no large pyramids, no museum, etc. We think it will be apparent that the three aspects of the show that we decided to focus on were music, lights, and love. Some AIDA lovers might hate that we are changing it up, but when they hear the pit and the voices, we think it will numb the pain.

2012-2013 marks the 10th season of productions for GCT. We know that fact might surprise some of you…”You mean RENT wasn’t your first show?” No, we actually started in 2003. It is extremely difficult for us to express how incredibly proud we are of the accomplishments of this theatre over the past ten years from the insanely creative work of its production team, to the truly baffling level of talent that has made its way onto our stage, and now, starting to truly embrace our personal mission of redefining community theatre by finding avenues to not only perform for the community, but to give back and/or support it.

So, as a sincere thank you to all that have supported GCT over the past ten years, enjoy AIDA, and get ready to be blown away by some of southeastern Wisconsin’s most talented individuals.

Thanks for reading. Maybe we’ll talk again in another ten years.

-Brian & Tom

Can’t wait until showtime?

At Footlights.com you can preview the program before opening night!

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P R O D U C T I O N H I S TO R Y August 2003............................................................................................................................Grease July 2004......................................................................................................Little Shop of Horrors August 2004............................................................................................................Guys and Dolls July 2005....................................................................................................................... Wizard of Oz July 2006...................................................................................................... Beauty and the Beast January 2007....................................................................................................The Last Five Years July 2007.....................................................Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat July 2008...................................................................................................................... Jekyll & Hyde July 2009....................................................................................................................................... Rent January 2010............................................. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee July 2010..............................................................................................................................Hairspray January 2011................................................................................................ Bat Boy: The Musical July 2011.................................................................................................Dirty Rotten Scoundrels January 2012..................................................................................................................... Avenue Q July 2012........................................................................................................................................Aida G I V I N G B AC K Beginning in 2009, Greendale Community Theatre began a tradition of teaming up with a local charity for each show. Modeled after the Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids annual donation drives, leading actors give a speech during curtain call asking patrons to consider donating to the chosen charity as they exit the theatre. Past charities include:

Rent – Wisconsin AIDS Fund Hairspray – American Cancer Society Bat Boy: The Musical – Blood Center of Wisconsin Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Sojourner Family Peace Center Avenue Q – Make-a-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin

The charity for AIDA is the Milwaukee Center For Independence (MCFI). MCFI has been a leading provider of life-changing programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, special needs, and barriers to success since 1938.

Please consider a donation to this organization – no amount is too small!

draft_playbil ad mcfi_0612_Layout 1 6/11/2012 1:44 PM Page 2

Changing the Lives of PeoPLe with sPeCiaL needs. www.mcfi.net 6 Greendale Community Theatre

CAST BIOGR APHIES Monica Brinker (Ensemble) is excited to be in her second performance with Greendale Community Theatre.

Her previous performances include Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, and Guys and Dolls. She would like to thank her husband and two children for all of their support and encouragement. Also to the cast and crew of Aida thanks for making this experience memorable.

Erica Brown (Aida) is excited to do her first show with GCT. She has had the pleasure of playing such roles as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Effie White in Dreamgirls, and Sarah in Ragtime. She would like to

thank GCT for this wonderful opportunity! She would also like to thank God and her beautiful family for all their love and support. Love you Juju, and she hopes you enjoy seeing mommy perform for the first time. :) Rachel Bzdawka (Ensemble) has been previously involved in musicals in elementary and middle school, in pit orchestra throughout high school, and is very excited to now be performing in her third show with Greendale Community Theatre. Rachel is an industrial and systems engineering major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and loves the outlet that GCT provides for her in the summer by bringing her back to the stage to do what she really loves: singing and dancing. She would like to give a special thanks to her brother,

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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Brian ,who inspired her to perform in this format in the first place and to all of the cast and crew for yet another summer filled with fun and excitement that she will never forget.

Kat Geertsen (Amneris) is SO excited to be making her Greendale debut as a Disney princess and making “African noises!” Fresh from DSHA’s Community Theatre Works production of High School Musical: the Spoof (Sharpay), favorite credits include CTW’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Tosa East’s Phantom of the Opera (Christine). Kat will be a sophomore at Viterbo University pursuing a musical theatre B.F.A. Kat would like to thank Brian and Tom for this incredible opportunity, the cast and crew for their trust and warm welcome, and her family and friends for their love, support, and car pools.

Amanda Hoffman (Ensemble) is thrilled to be with such a talented and wonderful cast for GCT’s production of AIda. This is her 7th production with GCT. She received her bachelor’s degree from Carroll University majoring in Exercise Science.

She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their love and support. Enjoy the show!

Shawn Holmes (Mereb) can hardly hold back his uber excitement to be in his third production with GCT. He had so much joy being Seaweed in Hairspray, Beast in Beauty and the Beast, the Plant in Little Shop of Horrors, Adam in Children of Eden, and Prince Charming/The Wolf in Into the 8 Greendale Community Theatre

Woods. He realizes that none of this would be possible without amazing vision from Brian and Tom, crew, pit, and this amazing cast. He cannot wait to show off all the hard work that was put forth...AFRICAN NOISES...

WWHHHHOOOAAA!!!!!!!

James Jones (Radames) is very happy to be performing again with GCT. Previous favorite performances include Roger in RENT and Corny Collins in HAIRSPRAY with GCT, Judas in JCSS, Gudule in Hunchback of Notre Dame, and KidsWrites with the Skylight.

James would like to thank everyone involved with this amazing project.

Brian, Tom, Jordan, Stephanie, Sara, Shannon, Ryan and the crew, as well as an amazing cast who worked so hard to bring this concept to life. I’d also like to thank my real life Nubian princess, Dawn, and baby boy James Jr., as well as all my friends and family for supporting me.

Patrick Jones (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of such an unbelievable cast.

This is Patrick’s first performance with the Greendale Community Theatre. In other theatre companies, Patrick has been featured in such roles as Tom Collins in Rent and Lord Savage in Jekyll and Hyde. Patrick would like to thank his fiancé, Hannah, for being a rock in his chaotic but exciting life. BCV Zak Keil (Pharoah) is thrilled to be back and doing his second show with GCT after the amazing experience he had with

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B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) everyone this January in Avenue Q, appearing as Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear. Previously, he has played such roles as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Leaf Coneybear in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Francis in Forever Plaid. He has had an absolute blast working with such a talented group of people for this show. Thank you all for coming, tell your friends, and enjoy the show!

Laura McDonald (Ensemble) is super stoked to be involved with such a stellar cast for a summer show! This will be her 8th show with GCT and she couldn’t be more excited for what Brian, Tom and the rest of the group has put together for AIDA. Laura would like to thank the directors,

cast, crew, and GCT staff for bringing their creative “A-game.” All my love to friends and family who came to see the show and have been so supportive of me in all of my endeavors.

Stephanie Staszak (Choreographer/ Ensemble) is thrilled to be in another production with GCT. This is her third show choreographing with the group and she has recently been seen in shows such as DRS, BAT BOY, HAIRSPRAY and RENT. She will begin her last year of college at UW-Whitewater this fall, finishing with a BFA in Performance and a double minor in Dance and Theatre Management/Promotions. Thanks to her friends and family for their continuous support!

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10 Greendale Community Theatre

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Michael Stoddard (Zoser) is thrilled to return to GCT, having recently performed as Link in Hairspray and Princeton/Rod in Avenue Q. He received his BA and Masters from Plymouth State University in Performance and Education. He is currently the Director of Theatre at DSHA High School. Over the past 12 years, Michael has performed with over 30 companies from Montana to Maine.

Much love to Tempo!

Ericka Wade (Nehebka) is thrilled to be back with GCT having last been seen as Gary Coleman in AVENUE Q. Locally

she has performed with a number of theater companies including: Skylight Music Theater, the Boulevard Ensemble Theater, and First Stage Children’s Theater. She would like to thank Tom and Brian, GCT’s wonderful stage management and tech crew, and the cast.

Henry Wade (Amonasro) is thrilled to be in this production of AIDA here at Greendale Community Theatre.

This will be his second show with the company, the first being Hairspray in the 2010. He would like to thank the cast, pit, and crew for all the hard work they have done in the past few months, and for welcoming him back into the “family.”

Enjoy the show!

PRODUCTIONS BIOGR APHIES Ryan Barry (Technical Director) has been with Greendale Community Theatre since 2003 when he was a junior in high school working on lighting crew. Since that time he’s held many roles from Lighting Technician, Lighting Designer and most currently Technical Director. He is very grateful for being able to be apart of Greendale Community Theatre over the years and looks to many more years to come working with GCT. (P.S…He takes the ideas Buzz and Tom have that they don’t think are possible and makes them happen...)

Sara Bill (Stage Manager) is so happy to be stage managing her 9th show with GCT. AIDA was the first show she ever saw on Broadway 11 years ago, so it’s really exciting to be doing it with GCT. Her favorite shows with GCT include RENT, Batboy: The Musical, and Avenue Q. Sara is

graduating from Columbia College Chicago this year with a degree in photography and then hopes to work in travel and/or fashion photography.

She would like to thank the awesome production team, cast, pit, and crew for making this show so amazing!

Brian Bzdawka (Director) is a cofounder of GCT and has directed every year of the theatre’s existence.

Currently, Brian works at State Street Digital, a subsidiary of Journal Publications, and spends his free time painting commissioned artwork. He would like to sincerely thank his production team for always rising to the challenges they are given, Tom for being an amazing pianist and friend, his patient fiancé for her support and understanding of his time-consuming obsession with the arts, and himself for writing so eloquently in third person.

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P R O D U C T I O N S B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Jordan Gwiazdowski (Talent Director) is a local actor and the Artistic Director of Fools for Tragedy.

He is thrilled to be returning for his 9th year with GCT - appearing onstage as Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls), Leaf Coneybear (25th Annual...), and Batboy (Bat Boy: The Musical) to name a few.

He is more than excited to be taking a creative role this year - working closely in tandem with his favorite creative team in the area. He gives much thanks to Tom and Brian for years of amazing musical theatre - and be sure to keep your eyes open for his future projects. www.jordangwiaz.com Chris Pawlowski (Technical Director) is very pleased to be with Greendale Community Theatre for his 12th show! Over the past few years he has ascended to a Technical Director for the group. Chris would like to thank Tom, Buzz and Ryan for putting up with him over the last few years. He would also like to thank the amazing crew that makes his life less stressful in the workplace!

Mary Postotnik (Marketing Director) has been involved with Greendale Community Theatre from its inception.

It is hard to believe that this is her twelfth year overall working with Brian and Tom. Mary is truly proud to be part of the best community theatre in the area. Thanks go out to all involved, especially the rocking Box Office Team and her cohort Debbie Staszak.

12 Greendale Community Theatre

Special thanks to her husband Ray, for his patience and support, and to her children for bringing theatre into our lives. Mary continues to be amazed by the talent, spirit, and commitment of everything GCT, and can only wonder what is next….

Tom Reifenberg (Music Director), a co-founder of the group, has been music director for all shows. Tom received his music education degree from UW-Whitewater, and his master’s in music education from Boston University. He is entering his 12th year as Director of Bands at Greendale High School, and would like to thank everyone involved who helps create magic on stage with us every year.

Special thanks to his lovely wife, Tami, for her constant love and support in all his musical endeavors, and to Brian for his life-long friendship and superior drumming skills.

Shannon Runnells (Asst. Stage Manager) is beyond excited that Tom and Brian finally listened to her and decided to take on Aida!!!! Over 10 years ago, she was lucky enough to witness the original Broadway cast perform in New York. As one of her favorite shows, she is excited to share with you this concept of Aida that we have created. Shannon is so thankful to work with such a wonderful production staff, crew, and an AMAZING cast. Thank you to everyone who made her favorite show come to life on GCT’s stage!