Mercury Theater Chicago - The Christmas Schooner

Book by JOHN REEGER

Director L. WALTER STEARNS

Music and Lyrics by JULIE SHANNON Musical Director EUGENE DIZON

Scenic Design Lighting Design JACQUELINE AND. JASON EPPERSON RICHARD PENROD U.S.A Sound Design MIKE ROSS

Choreographer BRENDA DIDIER Costume Design CAROL J. BLANCHARD U.S.A.

Production Stage Manager RITA VREELAND, A.E.A.

The Christmas Schooner is presented through special arrangement with, and all licensed materials are available through, Music Theatre International, 451 W. 24th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.MTIShows.com The Christmas Schooner

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CAST Karl Stossel, at age 9........................................................................................... BRENNAN DOUGHERTY Gustav Stossel, Karl’s grandfather.......................................................... JAMES WILSON SHERMAN* Alma Stossel, Karl’s mother........................................................................................ CORY GOODRICH* Peter Stossel, Karl’s father.............................................................................................KARL HAMILTON* Rudy........................................................................................................................................ THOMAS SHEA* Oskar..........................................................................................................................................SEAN THOMAS Steve....................................................................................................................................... TRAVIS TAYLOR* Hans/Officer Wells............................................................................................................. MICHAEL PACAS Young Man/Karl Stossel, at age 15......................................................................CHRISTIAN LIBONATI Louie............................................................................................................................................ERIC PARKER* Enid..................................................................................................................................KELLY ANNE CLARK* Martha/Kate...................................................................................................................ELIZABETH HALEY* Olive/Rose............................................................................................................................LEAH MORROW* Young Girl/Mary Claire Daugherty, age 10................................................................... SAGE HARPER Lilli Mae........................................................................................................................ JACLYN DOUGHERTY MUSICIANS Piano/Conductor................................................................................................................. EUGENE DIZON Violin................................................................................................................................ MELISSA ARBETTER Woodwinds...................................................................................................................ANTHONY PARSONS Harp..................................................................................................................................JENNIFER RUGGIERI Cello............................................................................................................................................ DAVID SANDS Percussion.......................................................................................................................LINDSAY WILLIAMS UNDERSTUDIES Understudies will not perform unless an announcement is made at time of performance.

Gustav Stossel..................................................................................................................... MICHAEL PACAS Alma Stossel.................................................................................................................KELLY ANNE CLARK* Peter Stossel..............................................................................................................................ERIC PARKER* Hans.............................................................................................................................................ERIC PARKER* Martha............................................................................................................................KELLY ANNE CLARK* Enid.........................................................................................................................................LEAH MORROW* Mary Claire Daugherty........................................................................................... JACLYN DOUGHERTY P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director......................................................................................................................... L. WALTER STEARNS Musical Director.................................................................................................................. EUGENE DIZON Choreographer....................................................................................................................BRENDA DIDIER Scenic Design.................................................................... RICHARD AND JAQUELINE PENROD, U.S.A. Lighting Design...............................................................................................................JASON EPPERSON 2

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Costume Design..........................................................................................CAROL J. BLANCHARD, U.S.A. Stage Manager.........................................................................................................RITA VREELAND, A.E.A. Production Assistant................................................................................................................ FRANK PAUL Assistant to the Choreographer.................................................................................. ANDREW WATERS Scenic Construction.........................................................................................CROSSTOWN SCENIC LLC Dance Captain..................................................................................................................LEAH MORROW* Sound Board Operator..............................................................................................JOSEPH SCHOFIELD Assistant to the Costume Designer...........................................................................ARIZONA POWERS Wardrobe/Wig Maintenance.........................................................................................RACHEL BOYLAN Wig/Hair Design.................................................................................................................... KEVIN BARTEL Child Supervision......................................................................................... KATHERINE SARAH PHILLIPS Dialect Coach...................................................................................................................RACHEL RIZZUTO Press Representative........................................... NOREEEN HERON & ASSOCIATES, KATE HUGHES, LIANNE WIKER, KATHERINE NICHOLS, ELLEN MOLINA, HOLLY GUSTAVSON, SUSAN DUFFY, KELLY ERDMAN Graphic Designer............................................................................................................JASON EPPERSON M E R C U R Y T H E AT R E Executive Director.........................................................................................................L. WALTER STEARNS Business Manager.............................................................................................................. EUGENE DIZON Facilities Manager........................................................................................................JOSEPH SCHOFIELD Box Office Manager.............................................................................................................MIGUEL PEREZ House Management........................................................................................................... MATT CONLON Box Office Staff................................................................................. KELLY GRAHAM, CAITLIN LINDEN, BRIAN MARTINEZ, KATIE NIXON, SUSAN ROBINSON SPECIAL THANKS Bailiwick Chicago, Skylight Opera Milwaukee, SUNY Fredonia, Joseph Griffin, Michael Pacas Mercury Theater Chicago is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Chicago Area Producers Organization, and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

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MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE WE ALL HAVE SONGS............................................................................................................ The Company THAT’S AMERICA............................................................................................................. Alma, Gustav, Karl THE MUMMERS ARE HERE.............................................................................. Steve, Oskar, Rudy, Peter THE BLESSINGS OF THE BRANCH...................................................................................... The Company THE LETTER............................................................................................Peter, Martha and the Company ANOTHER SEASON ON THE WATER.................................................................................. The Company WHEN I LOOK AT YOU.............................................................................................................................Peter WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE WATER.......................................................................................... The Company THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER..................................................................... Peter, Gustav, Steve, Oskar, Rudy and the People of Chicago ACT TWO ENTR’ ACTE: SONG OF THE HUNGRY PEASANTS......................................................... The Company WINTERFEST POLKA.............................................................Oskar, Rudy and the People of Chicago LOVING SONS........................................................................................................................... Alma and Karl THE STRUDEL WALTZ...........................................................................................................Peter and Alma ANOTHER SEASON ON THE WATER (REPRISE).............................................................. The Company HARDWATER SAILORS............................................................................. Karl at 15, Steve, Oskar, Rudy, Hans and the People of Manistique QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................................Alma WHEN I LOOK AT YOU (REPRISE).................................................................................. Gustav and Alma WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE WATER (Reprise)..................................................... Karl at 15, and the crew THE BLESSINGS OF THE BRANCH (Reprise).................................................... Alma and Mary Claire FINALE........................................................................................................................................ The Company PLEASE NOTE: THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER IS PERFORMED WITH ONE TEN-MINUTE INTERMISSION

FREE THEATRE TICKETS… Just one of the many perks working for s Soasilteions

p lable avai

To apply or learn more, email your cover letter, resume, or questions to mthiele@footlights.com 4

Mercury Theater Chicago

A B O U T M E R C U R Y T H E AT E R C H I C AG O Mercury Theater Chicago 3745 N. Southport Ave Chicago IL 60613 773-325-1700 www.mercurytheaterchicago.com Mercury Theater Chicago is an intimate, jewel box of a theater seating 290 people in a continental style. It is available for commercial productions as well as local, nonprofit producers. An anchor of the Southport Corridor community, Mercury Theater Chicago beats at the heart of a sophisticated neighborhood of shopping, dining and entertainment.

The building that houses the Mercury opened in 1912 as a silent film nickelodeon called the Blaine Theater, named after former Senator and Secretary of State James G. Blaine.

Around 1928 the popularity of “talkies” was on the rise, and the Blaine had become obsolete, so the much larger movie palace, the New Blaine Theater was built, which was shortly after named the Music Box Theater, still in operation today a few doors down from the Mercury.

For most of the 20th century the original Blaine building served many retail purposes, and for a while, operated as a carpet cleaning facility, using the rake of the seating area to lay rugs out and drain the water off. In 1994, veteran Chicago theater producer Michael Cullen organized the purchase and renovation of the building, re-dubbing it the Mercury Theater after Orson Welles’ famous troupe of War of the Worlds fame. The Mercury opened in 1996 with Pope Joan, and from 1996-2009 showcased many critically acclaimed productions, including The Irish and How They Got That Way, Over the Tavern, and His Way, a tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Today, Mercury Theater Chicago is led by Executive Director L. Walter Stearns, a veteran theater director, and former Artistic Director of Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago. It re-opened on May 1, 2011 with the critically acclaimed production of A Twist of Water.

This production, by Route 66 Theater Company, reaffirms the Mercury Theater as a place where Chicago stories and local artists can find a home.

Though little of the Blaine still exists, you can see hints of what used to be inside, including decorative plaster pilaster busts flanking the house. The intimate theater now boasts warm exposed brick walls and 292 seats that were recovered and refurbished from a 1933 era Boston movie house.

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PROFILES KELLY ANNE CLARK* (Enid, Understudy Alma, Understudy Martha) is delighted to set sail on the Molly Doone once again. She was most recently seen as Woman #1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at the Marriott, a role she also played in the Royal George, Detroit and Off-Broadway productions.

Other Marriott credits include Rosemary in How to Succeed…, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance and Norma Cassidy in Victor Victoria (Jeff Award). Other credits include Jeannette Guerre in the U.S. premiere of The House of Martin Guerre at the Goodman, Mary Turner in Of Thee I Sing and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened…

(Jeff nomination) at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Dominique Jolie in C’est La Vie at Light Opera Works and Mrs. Henderson in Annie Get Your Gun with Patti LuPone for Ravinia Festival Theatre. Kelly has also performed in productions at Northlight, Illinois Theatre Center, Theatre at the Center, First Folio, Oak Park Festival Theatre and Milwaukee Rep. For Pop – take your love and pass it on.

JACLYN DOUGHERTY (Lillie Mae, Understudy Mary Claire Daugherty) is excited to work with her brother and be part of the cast of The Christmas Schooner.

Previous credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Ensemble) and Annie (Kate) both at Paramount Theatre. Jaclyn is in 5th grade and loves to sing, dance, and smile! Many thanks to Walter for this opportunity and family and friends for their love and support.

CORY GOODRICH* (Alma Stossel) returns for her third voyage on the Schooner. She last appeared at the Mercury this spring in Barnum as Charity Barnum. A four-time Joseph Jefferson award nominee, she won the Best Actress Jeff award for her portrayal of Mother in Drury Lane Oakbrook’s acclaimed Ragtime, and has also performed at Writers’ Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Apple Tree, Candlelight and as a soloist at BRENNAN Ravinia. Favorite roles include Guenevere DOUGHERTY (Karl at in Camelot, Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!, Vi age 9) is thrilled to be in Footloose, Mrs. Smith in Meet Me in St making his Mercury Louis, Eliza in My Fair Lady and Eva in Evita.

Theater Chicago debut. In addition to theatre, Cory is also a singer/ He was recently seen as songwriter and she is very proud to have Wolfie in Signs of Life co-produced the second edition of Season (Victory Gardens of Carols, a holiday CD to benefit Season of Theater). Previous credits include: Oliver!

Concern with Schooner’s musical director (Workhouse Boy/Fagin’s Gang) at Drury Eugene Dizon. (www.seasonofcarols.com).

Lane Oakbrook, Oliver! (Charley Bates) at Special thanks to Walter Stearns, John Light Opera Works, and A Midsummer Reeger and especially to Julie Shannon, Night’s Dream at Lyric Opera Chicago. whose light continues to shine.

Special thanks to Walter and John Reeger for this incredible opportunity. Also, many thanks to Brennan’s family (especially his Grandma, Grandpa, & Brooke) and friends for their continued support.

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ELIZABETH HALEY* (Martha/Kate) is overjoyed to be on another voyage of The Christmas Schooner!

Other favorite Chicago credits include My Fair Lady (Lady Boxington, Mrs. Hopkins) at Paramount Theatre, Footloose (Vi Moore) at Timber Lake Playhouse, 110 in the Shade (Lizzie) and The Student Prince (Gretchen) at Light Opera Works, Promises, Promises (Vivien Della Hoya), The Secret Garden (Rose), and A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) at Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago, and Nunsense (Sr. Mary Amnesia) at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. Elizabeth is a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, a graduate of The University of Tulsa, and a cantor down the street at Saint Alphonsus. Thanks to her amazing husband Karl.

KARL HAMILTON* (Peter Stossel) returns for his 7th season as Captain of The Christmas Schooner.

Most recently, he appeared as Frog in the Chicago Children’s Theatre production of A Year With Frog and Toad. Some of his other Chicago credits include The Three Musketeers, The Merry Wives of Windsor and As You Like It (Chicago Shakespeare), The Most Happy Fella (Ravinia Festival), By the Music of the Spheres (Goodman), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Charlotte’s Web and Mame (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Shenandoah, Aladdin, The Full Monty and For the Boys (Marriott), Meet John Doe and Miracle on 34th Street (Porchlight). He is probably most recognizable dancing alone in Grand Central Station in AT&T’s “Flash Mob” commercial. Karl remains a proud and outspoken member of the Actors’ Equity Association, now for the last 6 years. Love always to his beautiful and talented wife Elizabeth!

SAGE HARPER (Mary Claire Daugherty and Young Girl) is excited to be taking her second journey with The Christmas Schooner cast at Mercury Theater Chicago. Sage’s recent credits include Ruthless! (Louise Lerman) Big Noise Theater, Les Misérables (Cosette) New Trier, and Alice in Wonderland Jr. (White Rabbit) and Cinderella (Cinderella).

Sage studies ballet and voice, and spends most of her free time doing cartwheels, reading, and writing and performing her own original music. Sage would like to thank her family, especially her parents, for taking her to endless lessons and rehearsals! She would also like to thank her friends and teachers for always being supportive as she follows her dreams.

CHRISTIAN LIBONATI (Young Man/Karl at age 15) merrily returns to Mercury Theater Chicago where he was previously seen as Tom Thumb in Barnum - The Circus Musical. Christian is the Managing Director for the Filament Theatre, which has recently found a permanent home in Chicago’s Six Corners/ Portage Park neighborhood. As an actor, Christian has performed with other Chicagoland companies including: The Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, The House Theatre of Chicago, Theatre Unspeakable and Filament Theatre.

Regionally Christian has performed in numerous productions with the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. Christian is a graduate of Northwestern University. Visit www.filamenttheatre.org or www.christianlibonati.com to learn more.

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LEAH MORROW* (Olive, Rose, Understudy Enid) happily returns to the Mercury Theater Chicago for her second voyage on The Christmas Schooner!

Also at the Mercury: Barnum, A Grand Night For Singing. She has worked at theaters including Drury Lane Oakbrook, Fox Valley Repertory, and the Fireside Theatre, where she most recently starred as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress. Love and gratitude to John and Julie for this beautiful story, to Walter and Eugene for the last year, and to my family and friends. For my best gift, Doug. Happy Holidays!

MICHAEL PACAS (Hans, Officer Wells, Understudy Gustav Stossel) recently appeared in Ka-Tet Theatre’s production of Lydie Breeze. Other acting credits include Southern Baptist Sissies (Ludicrous Theatre); The Fisherman (Stage Left); A Scent of Flowers, The Play About the Baby, The Skin of Our Teeth and Terra Nova (BackStage Theatre); Barrymore (which he also directed/produced); Sunday in the Park with George (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Robber Bridegroom (Griffin Theatre) and The Threepenny Opera and Equus (The Hypocrites). Visit www.pacas.ws for additional info on his upcoming projects, including his new cabaret show about Louisiana and New Orleans, BIG ‘N EASY! ERIC PARKER* (Louie, U.S. Peter Stossel) couldn’t be happier to re-up for a second straight Schooner season with Mercury Theater Chicago. He comes directly from shooting a supporting role in Cawdor, a thriller starring Cary Elwes. Immediately 8

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prior to that he celebrated his 20th season as a resident at the Barn Theatre, playing the title role in Shrek and the Monster in Young Frankenstein, among others in a full summer schedule. Area credits include roles at Drury Lane Oakbrook (most prominently Che in Evita and Jacey in The Music Man) and Theatre at the Center. Favorite roles include Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jerry in The Full Monty.

THOMAS M. SHEA* (Rudy) is thrilled to return for another season on the water, having appeared in The Christmas Schooner here at the Mercury the past two years, and twice for Bailiwick Repertory. Tom recently journeyed to England and New York City with Chamber Opera Chicago’s production of the new musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, which was also seen at the Royal George Theatre in September.

Tom has also recently been seen in The Lisbon Traviata for Pride Films and Plays, Maria La O and Man of La Mancha (Sancho) for Chamber Opera Chicago, and in MidLife! The Crisis Musical at Noble Fool and at The Little Theatre on the Square for Michael Weber and Rachel Rockwell. Tom has also been seen here at the Mercury as Officer Barrel in Urinetown, with TimeLine in their Jeff-winning production of Fiorello!, at Drury Lane Oakbrook in How to Succeed…, and extensively with City Lit Theatre in Chicago and Light Opera Works in Evanston, where, in addition to performing in 18 productions, he has also lectured for their “Balcony Talks” series. Tom is also the author of a book, Broadway’s Most Wanted (Brassey’s, 2004), which you can find on the Internet any old time. Tom would like to dedicate this production to the memory of his dear friend and colleague Julie Shannon.

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JAMES WILSON SHERMAN* (Gustav Stossel) is delighted to again be back in the skin of Gus for this 2013 Mercury Theater Chicago production of The Christmas Schooner, a role he played for five seasons with Bailiwick Repertory and for which he received a Jeff nomination. Other credits include Guys and Dolls, Crazy for You and Phantom with TATC; Miracle on 34th Street, Phantom, Secret Garden, Meet John Doe and the Jeff award winning Ragtime with Porchlight Music Theatre. He also appeared s Cardinal Law in Bailiwick’s Sin, A Cardinal Deposed for which he received a Non-Equity Jeff Award, which also won Boston’s IRNE Award for best visiting production. Jim as appeared in numerous productions with the Stages Festival and, as a regular company member, appeared in more than 35 productions with Theatre II and Prairie Dog Theater Company. He thanks Walter and Eugene for bringing this lovely holiday show to Chicago audiences and his wife, Barbara, for her loving patience and support over the last 59 years. He dedicates his performance to the member of his brother-in-law, Frank D’Rone.

TRAVIS TAYLOR* (Steve) is thrilled to return to the Mercury’s production of The Christmas Schooner.

Chicago credits include: Shrek, Sunday in the Park with George, and Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); South Pacific, Now and Forever: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pirates of Penzance (Marriott Theatre); Sweeney Todd, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Sugar (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Camelot, The Secret Garden, and Brigadoon (Light Opera Works); and Into the Woods (Porchlight Music Theatre). Regional credits include work with: Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre,

and The Little Theatre on the Square. Travis received a BFA in musical theatre from the Theatre Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

He would like to thank the Wally and Eugene for giving him the chance to do this production, and his wonderful and supportive friends and family. Especially Lindsay. Merry Christmas!

SEAN THOMAS (Oskar) New York and National Tour credits include: Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables (Broadway and National Tour); The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Promenade Theatre and National Tour); Three Tall Women (Promenade Theatre); and The Threepenny Opera (Lucille Lortel). Chicago credits include: Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf ); A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Oak Brook); Aspects of Love (Theo Ubique); Veronica’s Room, Ghosts, Big River and Tartuffe (BoHo Theatre Ensemble);Wreckage (Caffeine Theatre); The King and I (Porchlight Music Theatre); Elephants Graveyard (Red Tape); Inventing Van Gogh (Strange Bedfellows) and Ruby Wilder (Tympanic Theatre). Sean is a proud Company Member of BoHo Theatre Ensemble!

JOHN REEGER (Book) and JULIE SHANNON (Music & Lyrics) were delighted that the Mercury Theater’s 2011 production The Christmas Schooner was nominated for Outstanding Production - Musical (Midsize) by the Joseph Jefferson committee. The Christmas Schooner has enjoyed well over 125 productions around the United States, including a twelve-year holiday run at Bailiwick Theatre. It received its European premiere at Theatreworx in Bristol, England. Schooner, licensed world-wide by Music Theatre International, received the The Christmas Schooner

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After Dark award for Outstanding New Work. The Songs from the Christmas Schooner CD is available at the Mercury box office and LMAMusic@aol.com. John and Julie have collaborated on three other musicals. Stones premiered at the St. Louis Black Rep and was subsequently produced

by Arizona’s Phoenix Theatre and at Bailiwick, where it starred Tony nominee Felicia Fields (The Color Purple). Stones garnered numerous nominations and awards, including from The Black Theatre Alliance. John and Julie’s most recently produced musical, Let the Eagle Fly—The Story of Cesar Chavez, was performed in a sold out concert at the Goodman Theatre as part of Goodman’s 2004 Latino Theatre Festival. The concert was sponsored by the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. The show then received its first fully staged production at the University of Texas Pan American, followed by productions at California Stage in Sacramento, Teatro Máscara Mágica and Southwestern College in Chula Vista, by the Chavez family in San Jose, and Western Stage in Salinas, CA. Their most recent show is The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes. In Julie’s last months of life in 2012, she was thrilled that the Mercury Theater Chicago family plans to keep her songs alive through annual productions of Schooner.

LARRY BLANK (Orchestrations) is one of the most prolific and sought after composers, conductors, and orchestrators in the entertainment business today. He was the Music Director/Conductor and/or vocal arranger for many shows on Broadway and in Los Angeles including They’re Playing Our Song, Evita, Sugar Babies, La Cage Aux Folles, Phantom Of The Opera, Onward Victoria, Copperfield, Colette, A Chorus Line and A Little Night Music. He has been nominated both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for his orchestrations in The Drowsy Chaperone, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Catch Me If You Can, as well as receiving a Drama Desk nomination for last season’s A Christmas Story. Blank’s 10

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background includes orchestrating and arranging songs for South Park and was Music Supervisor and Orchestrator for Jerry Herman’s movie, Mrs. Santa Claus.

L WALTER STEARNS (Director) is delighted to bring this holiday experience to Chicago, where it began and belongs. As Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, Walter is a champion for Chicago artists and productions and has overseen the physical and cultural revival of a beautiful theatre. He has directed over 30 musicals including his Jeff-Award nominated productions of Barnum-The Circus Musical, The Christmas Schooner, Nine the Musical, Ragtime, Gypsy, The Secret Garden, Sweeney Todd, Company, A New Brain, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along and Falsettos. Walter has received the Jeff Award, After Dark Awards, The Larry Sloan Advocate Award (for his support of Season of Concern), the first Guy Adkins award for his contributions to the art of musical theatre and the Franny Award as a distinguished alumnus of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

EUGENE DIZON (Musical Director) is thrilled to work on The Christmas Schooner for the 3rd season with his Mercury Theater Chicago family. Eugene recently received his 14th Jeff Nomination for musical directing A Grand Night for Singing at the Mercury. He also musical directed this past season’s The Color Purple and Barnum – The Circus Musical (Jeff nomination – Best Musical, Midsize). Before coming to the Mercury, he was at Porchlight Music Theatre for 14 seasons where he received 6 Jeff Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, Amadeus, Company, Into the Woods, and Merrily We Roll Along), as well as 4 After Dark Awards (Ragtime, Sweeney Todd, A New Brain, and Merrily). Other favorite theater experiences include Pacific Overtures, Nine, and Candide (Porchlight), Starting Here, Starting Now (Theo Ubique) and Songs for a New World (Columbia College). Eugene is honored to have been inducted into the Chicago Filipino

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Hall of Fame. He is currently the Business Manager at Mercury Theater Chicago. This holiday season, Eugene and Cory Goodrich produced the second edition of “Season of Carols” which featured some of the brightest talent in Chicago theater today, benefiting Season of Concern.

Award, including The Importance of Being Ernest, The Philadelphia Story, Oklahoma! for American Theatre Company, The Shape of a Girl for Pegasus Players, The Last Act of Lilka Kadison. They also design regionally including Centerstage Baltimore and Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

BRENDA DIDIER (Choreographer) is thrilled to be on her 12th or 13th? voyage of the Schooner! Thank you Walter, Eugene, John Reeger and to Julie Shannon for her gorgeous music, lyrics, love and friendship.

“I will never forget you and my work is always inspired by you and in honor of you.” Ms. Didier is a freelance director/ choreographer who has been honored with 18 Jeff nominations, 9 Jeff Awards, 2 After Dark Awards, 3 Chicago Broadway World Awards and the National Youth Theatre Award. She is the proud owner/ director of the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance- now in its 16th successful season.

She is proud of LAD’s scholarship program and her advanced students completing summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, The Rock School, Milwaukee Ballet, Chicago Ballet and Interlochen Arts Academy.

Thank you to this special cast, design team and Andrew. As always, love to Mike and mom! Merry Christmas!

JASON EPPERSON (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be lighting another show at the Mercury, where he previously lit Barnum, A Grand Night For Singing, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, As Long as I’m Singing, Come Fly With Me, and The Men and Their Music.

Other lighting credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (The Gift Theatre), Quake (American Theatre Company), Crumble (Dog & Pony), The Secret Garden (Porchlight), Ghost Watch (Polarity) Standing in Matoon and Kama Sutra: The Musical (commercial productions).

Concert credits include The Gin Blossoms, Molly Hatchet, Foghat, Dennis Tufano (formerly of The Buckinghams), and Ron Hawking. Jason has lit many shows for numerous dance companies, and was the resident designer for The Joel Hall Dancer’s Second Company and Youth Company.

He has served as an Associate Designer for architectural projects including the McCormick Freedom Museum, the Children’s Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo, the flagship McDonalds restaurant, and the Chicago Gold Star Memorial. Jason serves on the faculty as the Theatre Technology Program Coordinator where he has recently lit Chicago, Bernarda Alba, Summerforlk, and Ubu Roi, and is currently the Executive Director at the Greenhouse Theater. He would like to thank his lovely wife Abigail for her endless love and support.

RICHARD and JACQUELINE PENROD U.S.A. (Scenic Designer) are very happy to be collaborating once again, with the Mercury Theater Chicago on this production of The Christmas Schooner, earlier this year the design the Mercury’s production of Barnum. Other recent set designs include Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s production of Northanger Abbey, Hank Williams: Lost Highway for American Blues Theatre, Welcome Home Jenny Sutter, Iphigenia 2.0 and The Girl in the Yellow Dress for Next Theatre Company The Last Act of Lilka Kadison and Around the World in 80 Days for Lookingglass Theatre Company, Tree for Victory Gardens Theatre. Many of their recent designs have been nominated for the Joseph Jefferson

CAROL J. BLANCHARD, U.S.A. (Costume Designer) has designed for companies such as Cleveland Symphony’s Blossom Opera, Shakespeare in the Park, Skylight Music Theater, Chautauqua Institution, First Stage, Hilman Opera, Karamu and the Champlain Shakespeare Festival. Her Chicago credits include Mercury Theater The Christmas Schooner

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Chicago, Victory Gardens, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Silk Road Rising, Porchlight Music Theatre, and PTAP. She has been honored with a Joseph Jefferson Award for her costumes in Porchlight Theater’s Amadeus and, for her collaboration in the Silk Road Theatre’s Golden Child, an After Dark Award. Carol also received a Jeff nomination for this season’s Barnum at the Mercury Theater Chicago. She is a Professor Emeritus of Design at The State University of New York.

MIKE ROSS (Sound Designer) works as an audio consultant, designer, engineer, and system technician for a variety of clients and venues around Chicago. Previous sound designs for Mercury Theater Chicago include The Color Purple, Barnum, A Grand Night for Singing and The Christmas Schooner (2011 and 2012). Other recent Chicago productions include designs for Let’s Misbehave (Fox Valley Rep), Smokey Joe’s Café (Royal George Theatre), 50 Shades! The Musical (Chicago & National Tour), Operetta’s Greatest Hits (Light Opera Works), and Route 66 (Paramount Theatre), as well as engineering several productions at Marriott Theatre. Mike also serves as the audio head for Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theatre and for a variety of corporate events for the MillerCoors Company around the country. Mike holds a BFA in Sound Design from DePaul University. For more information visit mikerossonline.net.

RITA VREELAND, A.E.A.*(Production Stage Manager) is delighted to be returning to the Mercury for the third season of Schooner! Recent credits

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include productions at Northlight Theatre in Skokie (most recently: Stella and Lou and 4000 Miles) and Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (most recently Little Shop of Horrors and Jesus Christ Superstar). Elsewhere, her stage management credits include the world premiere of A Twist of Water with Route 66 Theatre Company, El Nogalar at the Goodman, and We are Proud to Present as well as many other productions for Victory Gardens Theatre. Rita was the resident set designer at Harold Washington College from 2001-2012 and is a member of the Route 66 Theatre Company in Chicago.

She is the proud wife of actor Tom Hickey and mom to baby Charlie. Happy Holidays to all!

NOREEN HERON & ASSOCIATES (Press Representative) is a full service PR, Marketing, & Advertising agency. National Tours: The Singalong Wizard of Oz and the current National Tour of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters; The Great The Divorce.

Numerous concert engagements at arena theaters representing such artists as Jerry Seinfeld, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Wynonna Judd, Louis CK, The Beach Boys, Linda Eder, Michael Feinstein, Jewel, and Andre Rieu. Clients have also included Sesame Street Live, the ‘04/’08 Olympic Superstars, the ‘11 Champions Challenge (McEnroe, Bjorg, Agassi), Barney Live!, the Highland Games, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Additionally, they represent regional theaters including Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Marriott Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Theatre at the Center. Other corporate clients have included Hyatt Hotels, Massage Envy, and Smirnoff.