presents
Doo Lister’s Blues By Terry Abrahamson Directed by Victor Cole Jessica Whitington - Stage Manager Zachary Perrault - Set Designer Mina Hyun-Ok Hong - Costume Designer Amanda Clegg Lyon - Lighting Designer Tyler Burke - Properties Designer Scott Redmon - Sound Designer Pete Guither - Projections Designer Brian LeTraunik - Fight Director Joe Loffing - Technical Director Fall 2010 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 8 pm Saturdays and Sundays 3 pm National Pastime Theater 1
OUR MISSION The National Pastime Theater strives to fill thousands of empty theater seats with a new generation of theatre audience, to stop this audience dead in their comfortable tracks and spur them to take an active role in their neighborhoods, communities and world. Live theater must grab all generations and drag them–perhaps kicking and screaming–into an active role in our world. Chicago is a perfect location for the type of theater that The National Pastime Theater Ensemble creates. We push ourselves and our audience to the limit. We aspire to bring people into the work, not just into the theater: we create terror, awe and strike down apathy. We sell not just tickets, but dreams. The National Pastime Theater Ensemble is like no other theater company. We are a company with a new reason for theater: setting to rights the jaded viewpoints of generations weaned on passive entertainment forms. For almost twenty years, The National Pastime Theater has insured progress by producing dynamic and masterful live theater. We have also fostered over one hundred and fifty emerging and staple Chicago theater companies. Within the next two years, we intend to bring to fruition The National Pastime Theater’s Elements Program. Elements is an educational youth program with an enigmatic approach. M E LT I N G P O T AT T H E B O I L I N G P O I N T The National Pastime Theater selected the theme “Melting Pot at the Boiling Point” for our 2010 season. “Melting Pot at the Boiling Point” utilizes the classic phrase “Melting Pot” that represents what America is really built of – people from all over the world. Many different cultures have collided in the short period of our young country’s existence. Many crucial problems, thoughts and great arguments have formed and developed our society. These controversies, beginning with America’s inception, have been on the forefront of the world stage greatly influencing not only life in America, but lives and cultures in homelands around the world. In 2010 The National Pastime Theater will recognize these struggles with our “Melting Pot at the Boiling Point” theme. Three productions set in three iconic American cities: New York, Los Angeles and, in culmination of the season, Chicago. Each city represents the people, America’s glorious amalgamation of multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-national people.
D O N AT I O N S The National Pastime Theater is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charity and donations of money and materials made to us are 100 percent tax deductible. Please contact us regarding donations of materials at npt2.com and send monetary donations to The National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613 or contact the theater at 773-327-7077 and make a donation by phone. We will be happy to provide you with proper documentation of your donation for tax purposes.
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CAST AL MAYWEATHERS................................................................................NINE POUND HAMMER WARREN LEVON.................................................................................... DUWANE “DOO” LISTER LUCY SANDY..............................................................................................................MARIA LISTER VICTORIA ABRAM-COPENHAVER................................................................................ REBECCA KENNETH JOHNSON..........................................................................................................CATFISH DAMIEN CRIM.........................................................................................................JEWEL MOTON TERRY FRANCOIS .....................................................................................HENRY “BUCK” LISTER *MARK HABERT............................................................................. LEN COLA/POLICE OFFICER COLIN JONES................................................................................................................COZY EARLE *DON CLAUDIN.................................................................................................AGENT ESPOSITO *ARCH HARMON . .................................................................................UNDERSTUDY CATFISH P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F *LAURENCE BRYAN...................................................................................................... PRODUCER *KEELY HADDAD-NULL....................................................................PRODUCTION MANAGER VICTOR COLE.....................................................................................................................DIRECTED JESSICA WHITINGTON.....................................................................................STAGE MANAGER ZACHARY PERRAULT............................................................................................. SET DESIGNER MINA HYUN-OK HONG............................................................................ COSTUME DESIGNER AMANDA CLEGG LYON.............................................................................LIGHTING DESIGNER TYLER BURKE...........................................................................................PROPERTIES DESIGNER SCOTT REDMON.............................................................................................. SOUND DESIGNER PETE GUITHER..................................................................................... PROJECTIONS DESIGNER BRIAN LETRAUNIK............................................................................................. FIGHT DIRECTOR JOE LOFFING........................................................................................... TECHNICAL DIRECTOR *DAVID DENMAN......................................................................................... SCENIC CARPENTER ANDREA BALL.........................................................................................................LOBBY DESIGN DOO LISTER ALBUM TERRY ABRAMSON........................................................................................LYRICS AND MUSIC LAURENCE BRYAN AND SCOTT REDMON..........................................................PRODUCERS MICHAEL ANDERSEN............................................................... BASS, RECORDING ENGINEER, DAN COSTANZO....................................................................................................................DRUMS MICHAEL COLE...........................................................................................................................KEYS SCOTT REDMON....................................................................................................................GUITAR * indicates National Pastime Company member *The National Pastime Theater is: Laurence Bryan, Don Claudin, David S. Denman, Mark Habert, Keely Haddad-Null, Arch Harmon, Larry Horne, Rebekka James, Elayne LeTraunik, Ken Payne and Rollins Warden, Julie Welden. Special Thanks: Aaron Williams and Esquire Barber Shop, SGI USA, West Town Recording, Buena Park Neighbors, *Ann and Rollins Warden, Joe Loffing The National Pastime Theater 4139 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60613 773-327-7077 www.npt2.com National Pastime Theater 3
CAST BIOGR APHIES Victoria Abram-Copenhaver (Rebecca) is thrilled to be working with The National Pastime Theater. While in Chicago she has acted in a variety of films as well as working with Adventure Stage Chicago (Gossamer, John, The City of Ember (a reading) Natty Prine), Hubris Productions (Messiah on the Frigidaire, Boy), and Bootstraps Comedy Theatre (The Better Doctor, Mumps/Gorilla). At the start of 2011 Victoria will have the privilege of acting as an understudy at Lifeline Theatre for their Kids musical Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch. For Grandma and Grandpa. *Don Claudin (Agent Esposito) after a decidedly misspent youth, joined the circus that is NYC to study acting. While there he appeared in Shakespeare and Saroyan plays. Ah, Bowery Street Theatre. Since living in Chicago, favorite roles include The Schoolmaster in Peter Weiss’ Marat Sade and The Police Commisaire in Strindber’g Crime and Crime. He has appeared in five features for prolific Chicago underground filmmaker James Fotopolous. Don was previously seen on the National Pastime stage in the role of Frank Maurrant in Elmer Rice’s Street Scene and most recently appeared in The National Pastime Theater’s Emperor’s New Clothes as the Emperor. Damien Crim (Jewel Moton) is thrilled to be making his National Pastime debut with this amazing cast. Originally from St. Louis, Damien received his B.A. In Theatre from Ohio 4 National Pastime Theater
Wesleyan University and has been seen in various productions here in Chicago as well as Ohio and his hometown. Most recently he played Pharoah in Bailiwick Rep’s production of Aida. As always, Damien would like to thank his friends and family for their unwavering support and the cast and crew for this wonderful experience. Terry Francois (Henry “Buck” Lister) moved to Chicago from Miami three years ago to tackle theatre full-time. Past productions include “No Experience Necessary” and “Late Nite Sketch Jam” with MPAACT Theatre Company, “Hip-Hop School House” and “dear president Obama” with studio one productions. Terry is a new company member and operations manager for MPAACT Theatre Company. Terry would like to thank MPAACT for their continued support and National Pastime for the opportunity to do great work with a talented cast. *Mark Habert (Len Cola/Police Officer) is a Chicago actor and National Pastime company member who has appeared in a variety of NPT productions, including Red Dog Moon, Julius Caesar, and Firebugs. Mark most recently appeared on the NPT stage as Frances the Fireman in Alice of the House Carroll in 2009 and is glad to be back in the Old Speakeasy once again. *Arch Harmon (Catfish, understudy) is an original company member of The National Pastime Theater as well as a member of the Halcyon Theatre Company. “There is no such thing as a right to live, a right to work
C A S T B I O G R A P H I E S ( C o n t .) or a right to be happy: In this respect man is not different from the meanest worm.” Friedrich Nietzsche. The Will to Power Kenneth Johnson (Catfish) is pleased to be a part of The National Pastime Theater. Mr. Johnson, a Chicago native, is a graduate of Columbia College. He was last seen in the Jeff Award Winning production of “12 Angry Men” at The Raven Theatre. Thanks to my wife and family for their continuous support. Colin K. Jones (Cozy Earle) has appeared on various stages around town and is very happy to be working at The National Pastime Theater. He believes in the power of theater to change people’s lives and looks forward to years of being an agent of that change. Colin makes it a point to sing a duet with his muse every day and wishes the whole world peace and happiness.
Al Mayweathers (Nine Pound Hammer) is not new to the performing arts but is making his acting debut with this performance. Al has performed in Chicago and across the country with Culture Shock Chicago and Chicago Dance Crash including the recent showing of Qwan Sauce! In his younger days, he was a part of Ben Vereen’s Good Vibes Teen Prevention Theatre and currently teaches performing arts to children in residential services. Lucy Sandy (Maria Lister) is proud to have her debut at The National Pastime Theater. She also just recently graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Some of her favorite roles she has played are Hippolyta/ Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Stella in A Street Car Named Desire, and Zero in Holes.
Warren Levon (DuWane “Doo” Lister) 1Cor 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain…” Warren first gives thanks to God for blessing him with this play, this director, this company, these actors. Recent credits include works with Goodman, Teatro Vista, Collaboraction, Black Everyday Ensemble, Loop Players, Halcyon Theatre (Co. member), Christ Conscious Players, Raven Theatre, etc… He thanks his wife, and mother for their uncanny love and support. He dedicates this performance to the memory of his grandmother, I miss you, I luv you! Welcome to the sixties ya’ll! Enjoy! National Pastime Theater 5
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S *Laurence Bryan (Producer/Artistic Director) is the founder of The National Pastime Theater in 1991. Laurence has directed over 60 plays. He has also directed television, industrial and trade video as well as film. He is a lifetime music producer and audio engineer. Thank you for coming to The National Pastime Theater. *Keely Haddad-Null (Production Manager/Resident Playwright)has worked in Chicago theatre as a playwright, director, production manager, stage manager, costume and properties designer. She is happy to be part of The National Pastime Theater, Chicago’s most daring and provocative theater company and looks forward to future projects. Keely thanks her production team, cast and all of the professionals who have worked tirelessly to make this production a success. Terry Abrahamson (Playwright) is a Grammy winner for “Bus Driver,” co-written with Muddy Waters, Terry
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has written for George Thorogood, John Lee Hooker, Joan Jett, Clarence Clemons and Oprah Winfrey and created the Hustler Magazine ad parody that inspired the Falwell vs Flynt US Supreme Court 1st Amendment decision. His book of Blues photography, “In the Belly of the Blues,” is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He recently completed his first children’s book, “Hannukatz Saves Hannukah.”
Victor J. Cole (Director) has directed with such companies as the Black Ensemble Theatre, Onyx Theatre Company, Powerhouse Productions, Blue Light Theatre, Kuumba Workshop, and Chicago City Theatre. A founding member of the Chicago Comedy Company, he also served as its resident director. As an actor Victor has performed with such companies as the Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Court Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, The Duke Theatre (NYC), The Portland Theatre Company,
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) Kuumba Workshop, and City Lit Theatre. He recently contributed a short story to Victory Gardens access program for their, Crip Slam. Other writing credits include: Life Before Def, for the Black Ensemble Theatre, the one man show, Bill Pickett – The Dusky Demon, featured in the Chicago History Museum’s western exhibit, he also adapted Langston Hughes, Zora Neals Hurston story, Mule Bone, for the Schaumberg Prairie Arts Center, and co-adapted The Comedians, for the Court Theatre. He created, cowrote and hosted the movie commentary show “Peeping a Flick” for WVON Radio. Victor has written lounge acts for the Empress Casino and documentaries for the likes of the R&B group, The Dells.
Jessica Whitington (Stage Manager) hails from the small town of Oakwood, IL. She has degrees in Theatre and English Composition from Eureka College. This show is her first job in the “big city” – she recently moved up here from Normal, IL, where she was a member of the Illinois Shakespeare
Festival company. When she’s not busy at the theatre, Jessica spends her time reading, playing video and tabletop RPGs, and writing short stories.
Zachary Perrault (Set Designer/Master Carpenter) moved to Chicago in 2005 after receiving a BFA in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design, and has been living and working here primarily as a freelance artist in varying capacities for a diverse clientele. A skilled carpenter, metal smith, painter and illustrator, Zach has worked extensively with Redmoon Theater and Victory Gardens Theater, along with a number of local designers, individual artists, and production shops. He is very pleased to be working with National Pastime again on this original production. Mina Hyun-Ok Hong (Costume Designer) Ms. Hong makes her National Pastime Theater debut and she recently designed costumes for the production of The Sins of Sor Juana, directed by Henry Godinez at the Chicago Good-
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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) man Theatre. Her design credits include Porchlight Music theatre production of “Sunday in the Park with George”, and upcoming Raven Theatre production of “Cat on the Hot Tin Roof ”, Northwestern University productions of The Sins of Sor Juana, directed by Henry Godinez; The Who’s Tommy; and Rhinoceros. A native of South Korea. Ms. Hong earned a BA in fashion and textile at An-dong National University in South Korea and a BA in theatre at Brigham Young University in Utah. She is in her final year at Northwestern University’s MFA program.
Amanda Clegg Lyon (Lighting Designer) is proud to be working on Doo Lister’s Blues with The National Pastime Theater. Recent designs include ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, StrindbergStrindberg, and Inward all for New York University. She has also designed for Thread Meddle Outfit Dance, Aguijon Theater, A Red Orchid Theatre, and The Artistic Home. Amanda received her MFA from NYU and Bachelor’s from Northwestern University. Special thanks to her friends and family. Tyler Burke (Properties Designer) has been working as a scenic designer for the last four years. His work has been featured in various theatrical productions including The Neo-Futurists Fear Show, Collaboraction’s Beggars Banquet and Oracle Theater’s Teremin Vox Machina. As Illustration Build Manager for Redmoon Theater’s Astronaut’s Birthday, he led a team of young artists to illustrate a Science Fiction shadow play that was projected onto the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Scott Redmon (Sound Designer) is a Teacher, Musician and Recording Engineer. He has worked with Theater Shapeshifters in Chicago, Aurora Borealis in Aurora, IL and the Fox Valley Theater, Sandwich. He Studied Music Education and Composition at University of Illinois, Champaign and studied Music Business and Management at The Berklee Collage of Music, Boston. Pete Guither (Projections Designer) is Artistic Director of The Living Canvas
— a theatrical performance art form utilizing the power of the body as a canvas for textures and exquisite stories. “Living Canvas: Demons” recently completed a successful run at National Pastime Theater. Pete is Assistant to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, specializing in arts management and theatrical photography. He is also Executive Director of the Prohibition Isn’t Free Foundation.
Brian LeTraunik (Fight Director) has taught and choreographed throughout the U.S. for the last 14 years, staging fights for Light Opera Works, Porchlight Theatre, Profiles Theatre, Theatre-Hikes, and many others. Brian is a Certified Teacher of stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors and has taught at Simpson College, Western Illinois University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He has a BA in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago and a MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University. Joe Loffing (Technical Director) is a recent graduate from Northwestern University who is learning to wear many hats in theatres in and around Chicago. Most recently he has worked with Theatre Wit, Timeline Theatre, Quest Theatre Ensemble, Piccolo Theatre in Evanston and The Actor’s Training Center in Wilmette. He is very excited to be working on his first production with The National Pastime Theater. *David Denman (Resident Scenic Artist/Designer) is an original company member of the National Pastime Theater. He is also the founder and Artist Director of Clock Productions. Clock’s production history includes The Visit, The Love of a Good Man, and Mommy Abula’s Miraculous Traveling Carnival of Wonders. Six Scary Tales, and The Tumultuous Tale of the Tragically Transparent Tunic at National Pastime’s Naked July: Art Stripped Down Festival. Clock Productions co-produced The Magician, Alice in the House of Carol, and Street Scene with The National Pastime Theater. Look for Six New Scary Tales, opening in January. National Pastime Theater 9
P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S *Elayne LeTraunik (Public Relations) is a native Chicagoan and has worked in the Chicago theatre scene since the 1970s. A graduate of the University of Illinois and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England, Elayne has worked as an actress and a producer and starred in the Chicago premieres of “Nuts” and “Extremities.” She also appeared in “Beyond Therapy” with Skipp Sudduth and Carmen Roman. As a producer, she oversaw many award winning and critically acclaimed productions including the Chicago premiere of “A Dybbuk” and a revival of “Class Enemy.” Elayne was the founder of the Casting Call Hotline and was the auditions columnist for “Performink” newspaper for 15 years and was a weekly columnist for the Chicago SunTimes as well as contributor to Plays and Players Magazine in London. She was the founder and Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions and Chicago Jewish Theatre. She is also the producer of Genesis Theatrical Productions which will begin producing in March of 2011. Elayne currently works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for a number of small theater companies in Chicago. Check out www.virtualelayne.com.
*Ken Payne (Public Relations) has written for and worked in media relations for Buzz Magazine (www.BuzzNews. net) for four years (2006-Current) and previously did the same for The Gazette from 2004-2006. Ken has interviewed hundreds of actors, athletes and musicians for for Buzz Media. He was the guitarist in Chicago pop/punk band, The Supernatural Yes, for 15 years during which time the band recorded two albums. He also authored the book, On the Scent of Planet Sex..., a loosely based biography on his days with the band. Josh Ryder (Graphic Designer) started his artistic career as an actor with an interest in the graphic arts. Now he is a Graphic artist with an interest in acting. In the last decade, Josh has designed a plethoric variety of promotional materials for numerous businesses. His most recent work includes forays into motion graphics, special FX and animation. Need art? Josh_Ryder@hotmail.com Christopher Merrill (Web Design) christophermerrill.com
P R O D U C T I O N H I S TO R Y : T H E N AT I O N A L PA S T I M E T H E AT E R *denotes co-production in conjunction with Clock Production **denotes co-production in conjunction with Prop Theatre The Emperor’s New Clothes By Keely Haddad-Null World Premiere Directed by Carolyne Anderson
Also the headline production at the 2009 Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival
Street Scene * By Elmer Rice Directed by Laurence Bryan and Keely Haddad-Null
Alice of the House of Carroll* By Laurence Bryan and Keely HaddadNull World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan
Day on Which a Man Dies By Tennessee Williams World Premiere Directed by David Kaplan
The Magician* By Igmar Bergman World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan
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PRODUCTION HISTORY: THE NATIONAL PASTIMES THEATRE (C o n t.) Firebugs* By Max Frisch Directed by Laurence Bryan Dead Wrong By Darby Tillis and Laurence Bryan World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan Will He Bop Will He Drop By Robert Alexander World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan
Kirkos World Premiere Written and Directed by Michael Sokoloff AmphiGorious By Edward Gorey World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan Rats By Israel Horowitz Directed by Laurence Bryan
Julius Caesar By William Shakespeare Directed by Laurence Bryan
Red Dog Moon World Premiere Written and Directed by Michael Sokoloff
The Adding Machine By Elmer Rice Directed by Dale Goulding
The Orphan By David Rabe Directed by James Lynch
The Possessed** By Fyodor Dostoyevsky World Premiere Directed by Dado
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest By Ken Kasey Directed by Laurence Bryan National Pastime Children’s Theater:
Yuba City By Michael Sokoloff World Premiere Directed by Laurence Bryan The Trial By Franz Kafka Adapted by Steven Berkoff US Premiere Directed by Roger Smart Rhinoceros By Eugene Ionesco Directed by Laurence Bryan Servant of the People!! The Rise and Fall of Huey P Newton and the Black Panther Party By Robert Alexander Directed by Frank Pullin Thanatos By Ron Simonian World Premiere Directed by Dado
Free to Be You and Me By Marlo Thomas and Friends Directed by Beth Lynch Giddings Aria De Capo By Edna St. Vincent Malay Directed by Don Haag A Midsummer Night’s Dream By William Shakespeare Directed by Laurence Bryan The National Pastime Theater Ensemble is a 501(c)3 corporation and is supported, in part, by grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and also from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. The National Pastime Theater would like to extend the warmest thanks possible to company member David S. Denman and Clock Productions for almost twenty years of support and collaboration. We look forward to twenty more. Thank you David. National Pastime Theater 11
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