Cardinal Stritch-Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. on behalf of The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

THE CAST Lacey........................................................................................................................ Josh Wohlleben Sookey.............................................................................................................Shaina Summerville Margaret............................................................................................................. Shannon Bowling Brick.................................................................................................................................Trevor Rees* Mae......................................................................................................................................Lexi Gabel Gooper.........................................................................................................................Marcus Beyer Big Mama......................................................................................................................Christen Lee Dixie....................................................................................................................Marina Johnstone Buster................................................................................................................ Mitchell Johnstone Trixie.................................................................................................................Madigan Johnstone Big Daddy..................................................................................................................... Josh Krause* Reverend Tooker....................................................................................................... Sean Jackson Doctor Baugh............................................................................................................ Hugh Blewett Scene: 1955, a bed-sitting room and section of the gallery of a plantation home in the Mississippi Delta, an evening in summer.

PRODUCTION CREDITS Director.................................................................................................................. David L. Oswald* Set Designer......................................................................................................... Aaron Dyszelski* Costume Designer.................................................................................... Robert J. Liebhauser* Lighting Designer...............................................................................................Amanda Paretti* Sound Designer...................................................................................................... Matthew Carr* Technical Director.............................................................................................. Aaron Dyszelski* Stage Manager........................................................................................................ Jen Anderson* Assistant Stage Manager................................................................................... Ryan Treviranus Crew................................................................................................ Marcus Beyer, Rachel Boeder, Matthew Carr*, Eddie Carillo, Jillian Cassel, Zachary Frick, Austin Gomez, Cassie Goulais, Sean Jackson, Joshua Krause*, Andrew Lex*, Amanda Paretti*, Ashley Pearine, Trevor Rees*, Steven Thomas, Jessica Werner, Josh Wohlleben, Rachel Zembrowski Properties Master............................................................ Heather Groleau, Samantha Potter Sound Board Operator...........................................................................................Austin Gomez Light Board Operator.............................................................................................. Sessie Agbley Costume Crew..........................................................................Wayne Carey, Olivia Ludwiczak Program Layout................................................................................................Karen Mihopulos* Photographs.............................................................................Rachel Babiak, Ryan Treviranus Promotional Designs...............................................................................................Rachel Babiak House Manager....................................................................................................Heather Groleau *indicates member of Alpha Psi Omega Theater Honorary Society There will be two intervals of 15 minutes.

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D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, winner of the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, has remained one of the playwright’s most controversial works due not only to its sexual content and profanity, but primarily because of its overt references to homosexuality. This content was toned down for the 1958 film version, starring Elizabeth Taylor as “Maggie the Cat” and Paul Newman as Brick, and the result was a huge disappointment for the playwright. While Williams has stated that he never intended for Brick to be homosexual, the play’s ending, even in the reworking for a Stratford, Connecticut production in the 1970s, remains ambiguous. The original Broadway version, starring Barbara Bel Geddes as Maggie, Ben Gazzara as Brick and Burl Ives as Big Daddy, is famous for the battles between the playwright and the production’s director, noted American director Elia Kazan.

Williams’ original version did not have Big Daddy reappear after his exit at the end of the second act. While Williams eventually acquiesced in this matter and made several other changes that he deemed “commercial,” he continued to work on revisions of the play throughout the remainder of his life. Williams considered Cat one of his favorite works because, as he wrote to fellow playwright Edward Albee, of “the play’s adherence to the classical unities of time, place and action and the crude vulgarity and power in the characterization of Big Daddy - unlike anything I had achieved up to that time.”

Why after 55 years is this play worthy of another revival? I chose it because, as a director in academic theater, I felt it offered roles to young actors that would challenge them and “stretch” their acting muscles. Secondly it speaks to the possibility of love, even in the most dysfunctional family. One cannot help but admire the tenacious Maggie, the “cat on a hot tin roof,” whose love for Brick is so deep that she will go to any measure to rescue her husband from the guilt he feels over his friend Skipper’s death. Even the love that Big Daddy and Brick feel for each other can only be expressed when both deny “mendacity” and speak the truth to each other, as painful as it is for both of them. And, finally the play contains some of the most beautiful poetic passages Williams wrote for the stage, especially Big Daddy’s “Ignorance--of mortality--is a comfort. A man don’t have that comfort…” and Maggie’s “Oh you weak, beautiful people that give up with such grace.” The rehearsal process for this very complex work has indeed been a challenge for all of us, and we hope that you enjoy the results of our efforts.

Photo: Milwaukee Rep

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BIOGR APHIES Jen Anderson – (Stage Manager) is a senior Theater major.

She is excited to kick off her senior year with stage managing Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.

Previously at Stritch, Jen has stage managed The Sound of Music, Zombies From the Beyond, Coyote On a Fence, and The Comedy of Errors.

Jen has also worked at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (YPF and Duet For One) as well as Skylight Opera Theatre (The Producers, Pirates of Penzance, and Rent). She sends love and thanks to her family and the theater faculty at Stritch. Enjoy the show!

for all of their love and support and hopes you enjoy the show.

Matthew Carr – (Sound Designer) is a Technical Theater major. He is happy to start on his first show at Stritch. He is grateful for the opportunity to design on the first show of the season.

He looks forward to work on more shows in the future.

Aaron Dyszelski – (Designer/Technical Director), a 2000 Stritch alum, is glad to be back home in the role of Assistant Professor and Technical Director for the Nancy Kendall Theater. In the intervening years, he worked as a scenic artist around the Midwest and earned his M.F.A. in Scenography from the University of Kansas. He then took on the Marcus Beyer – (Gooper) is a Musical roles of Costumer and Entertainment Manager with Walt Disney World and Theater/Visual Arts freelance designer for several profesmajor. He has appeared previously sional theater companies. He’d like to at Cardinal Stritch as thank his wife, Dana, for her willingness to share him with his art.

The Judge in The Comedy of Errors, Uncle Andrew in The Magician’s Lexi Gabel – (Mae) is Nephew, Officer Lockstock in Urineta freshman Theater own, and Major Malone in Zombies major. She has been From the Beyond. dancing, singing, and acting from a young age. She performed Hugh Blewett – and studied theater (Doc Baugh) is a arts at the Charlotte freshman Theater and Gaston Children’s Theatres major. He played beginning at age four. She has been in Lambert in Indian Blood, 2nd Lord in All’s School House Rock Jr., L’il Abner, Kilroy Was Here, Broadway Bound Spring, and Well That Ends Well, both at the Boulevard Broadway Bound Fall. At DeSoto Central High, she was in I Never Saw Another Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Lady Butterfly (All Star Cast medal), Borders, Bracknell in The Importance of Being Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Earnest at MSL, his high school.

Dreamcoat, The House of Yes, Proof, and Shannon Bowling – The Blacksburg Project. She was recently seen as Ellen Van Oss in Two Rooms for (Margaret) is a which she was nominated for best freshman Theater supporting actress by the Northwest major. She is very Mississippi Theatre Alliance. Lexi has excited to start her theater experience at technical experience including an award for Best Makeup from the Stritch as “Maggie Mississippi Theatre Association and the Cat”. She has student directing Desoto’s production been performing for the past four of The Diary of Anne Frank. She graduyears and loves it. She would like to thank her family, friends, and directors ated from Desoto as a National Honor 4 Cardinal Strich University

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

Thespian and is having an amazing time here at Cardinal Stritch. She would like to thank David Oswald for the incredible opportunity to be in this show, the cast for being incredible, her family and friends for their support, and David Boone from DCHS Theatre who taught her everything and supported her in everything she did.

Sean Jackson– (Reverend Tooker) is a sophomore Theater major. He has been in three Cardinal Stritch shows, starting with Urinetown, one of his favorite performances. He hopes to continue his career successfully beyond Cardinal Stritch.

But for now, Sean is going to get the best of Cardinal Stritch.

Madigan Johnstone – (Trixie) 7, is a 1st grader.

She is a unique blend of monkey, tomboy, packrat, and princess. This is her second show, having joined her siblings on stage at the Modjeska Theatre in Jungle Book.

Marina Johnstone – (Dixie) 11, is a 6th grader. She is THRILLED to be on stage again at Stritch.

She was last here as Brigetta in The Sound of Music. She has also been an ensemble member in Wonka, Oliver, and Jungle Book at the Modjeska Theatre. Marina loves playing goalie for her soccer team and is a whiz at Guitar Hero!

Mitchell Johnstone – (Buster) 9, is a 3rd grader. He has always enjoyed the spotlight. He has been an ensemble member in Wonka, Oliver, Fiddler on the

Roof, and Jungle Book at the Modjeska Theatre. He loves reading, playing video games with his little brother, and annoying his “real life” 4 sisters!

Josh Krause – (Big Daddy) is a senior Theater major.

He has performed in The Foreigner as Owen Musser, Doubt as Father Flynn, Coyote On a Fence as John Brennan, The Comedy of Errors as Antipholus of Ephesus, Urinetown as Bobby Strong, Zombies From the Beyond as Trenton Corbett, and The Sound of Music as Captain Von Trapp. He is excited to work with David for the last time. “Hi Family, Rachel, Adam, and friends. Break a leg everyone!”

Christen Lee – (Big Mama) is a junior Theater major.

She has worked on many shows. She was featured in King Arthur’s Calamity, Coyote On a Fence, and Comedy of Errors. She has also been doing wardrobe for many of the shows. Christen is proud and thankful to be in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. She is excited to learn and grow from her part as Big Mama. She would like to thank all of her family for all of the support they show, and all of her friends and theater faculty who helped her get to where she is now.

Robert J. Liebhauser – (Costume Designer), an Assistant Professor of Theater, has been on the theater faculty of Stritch since 1992 and has served as department costume designer since 1989. He is also an accomplished actor and director and currently is Director of Theater for Young Audiences at Stritch. Prior to Stritch, he received his B.A. in Theater Arts from Marquette University and his M.F.A. from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also taught at Cardinal Strich University 5

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

Marquette University and has worked extensively throughout the Milwaukee area as a costume designer and as a stage and commercial actor. Credits include work with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Northern Stage Theatre, and the Bay View Players.

David L. Oswald – (Director), Associate Professor of Theater and current Chair of the Department of Theater Arts, is in his thirty-third year as a full-time faculty member at Stritch. A graduate of Michigan State University, David has directed 75 productions in a variety of settings.

His most recent effort at Stritch was last spring’s Western-themed version of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. David has directed Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Edward Albee’s The Play About the Baby for Milwaukee’s The Boulevard Ensemble and he most recently served as the British dialect coach for the Boulevard’s production of Fourplay.

Amanda Paretti – (Lighting Designer) is really excited to get another opportunity to design at Cardinal Stritch. She has had wonderful experiences in the past designing set and lights for The Magician’s Nephew and lights for Doubt.

She had a wonderful time working on this show and wants to thank everyone for their help and support.

Trevor Rees – (Brick) is a senior Theater/ Communications major. He is performing in his 13th show on the Stritch mainstage. Previous roles include Merlin in King Arthur’s Calamity, Billy Krutzik in Zombies From the Beyond, and Dromio of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, among others. Trevor would like to thank everyone in both the Theater and Communications Departments for supporting him every day. He also

thanks his family and friends for all of their love and guidance. This show has been such a fun and challenging experience and he is very excited and grateful to be playing the role of Brick.

Enjoy the show!

Shaina Summerville – (Sookey) is a sophomore Musical Theater major. She is performing in her fourth show at Stritch, previously acting as Little Becky in Urinetown, Polly in The Magician’s Nephew, and Lady Abbess (and a tap dancing horse) in The Comedy of Errors. She would like to thank everyone for their hard work on this show! Break a leg!

Ryan Treviranus – (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior Photography/ Theater major. He is back for his eighth show at Stritch and is super excited to be assistant stage managing once again! After working on seven shows, he has joined the Theater Department as a new major.

Ryan has assistant stage managed for King Arthur’s Calamity, Zombies From the Beyond, The Comedy of Errors, and stage managed The Magician’s Nephew. He would like to thank his amazing mother who has supported him throughout his college career and has attended every show he has been a part of. He can’t wait to kick off the semester with a great new cast and crew.

Josh Wohlleben – (Lacey) is a junior Theater major. He has very much enjoyed his time at Stritch and is happy to have still more time here. At Stritch, he’s been Bobby in Coyote On a Fence, Dr. Pinch in The Comedy of Errors, Old Man Strong in Urinetown, and the lightboard operator for Zombies From the Beyond.

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F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N Cameras and Recorders: No photographs or recordings may be made during the performance.

In order not to disturb other patrons, please turn off all paging devices, cell phones and watch alarms.

Exchanges and Refunds: No refunds are given, but exchanges may be made when tickets are available. Ticketing: Any person entering the theater must have a ticket.

Babes in arms will not be admitted.

Accessibility: The Nancy Kendall Theater can accommodate wheelchair and/or hearing-assist system needs.

AC K N OW L E D G M E N T S Special thanks to: Skylight Theatre Heather and Michael Johnstone Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

MCH 1-2h:MCH 1-2h

9/24/09

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Fall 2010 Cardinal Stritch University Music Events The Clarus Trio Saturday, October 23, 2010 • 2:00 pm Features Stritch music faculty artists Timothy Klabunde, violin; Adrien Zitoun, cello; and Eun-Joo Kwak, piano. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni and students. Current Stritch students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card.

Piano Festival Saturday, November 20, 2010 High school pianists will compete for scholarships to attend Stritch as students of Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak. Free admission, with the exception of the guest artist recital at 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak at (414) 410-4662.

Guest Artist Performance Saturday, November 20 • 3:00 pm Dr. Paul Shaw, Jamaican pianist, is associate professor of piano at the University of Minnesota-Twin ities. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni and students. Current Stritch students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card.

Christmas Concert Friday, December 3 • 7:00 pm Sunday, December 5 • 2:00 pm Featuring the Cardinal Stritch University Concert Choir, Michael Batcho, conductor. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni and students.

Current Stritch students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card.

For information on all Stritch music events contact Dr. Dennis King, Music Department Chair, 414-410-4349. To order tickets, call 414-410-4171.

Fall 2010 Cardinal Stritch Northwestern Mutual Art Gallery Exhibits 90-Day Lawn Ornament Gary John Gresl September 10-December 10 The “90-Day Lawn Ornament” is a site-specific outdoor assemblage located at the southwest corner of the Joan Steele Stein Center for Communication Studies/Fine Arts.

Jim Matson {Intersection} October 1-December 10 All new figurative sculpture and wall reliefs by Jim Matson, whose work draws influence from the surrealists.

Cardinal Stritch

Theater Season 2010-2011

John Cariana’s

ALMOST, MAINE November 12-14, 19-21 Studio Theater

A musical version of

RUMPELSTILTSKIN

By Robert Johanson & Albert Evans February 13, 19 & 20 Nancy Kendall Theater

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar April 15-17, 29-May 1 Nancy Kendall Theater