Teen Musical Ensemble presents
JULY 28–30, 2022
FROM THE DIRECTOR “Omigod You Guys!” What a fun summer this has been! The effervescent nature of this show combined with the enthusiasm of our teen cast has made this such a joyful journey. We all know and love the movie this show is based on, and the musical adaptation is just as uplifting and inspirational. We leaned into the stereotypes found in this story in order to demonstrate the ridiculousness of it all, and we hope you enjoy these larger-than-life characters as much as we do! “Let’s Get Serious” We are so lucky to be working together again in such a wonderful theater alongside the professionals here at Hartford Stage. Of course none of this would be possible without the support and encouragement of our Studio Manager Emely Larson and the entire Education Department. I am especially grateful to the teen team—Avery, Kevin, Sara, and Cole—for their creative vision, hard work, and dedication to this production. “What, like it’s hard?” Most of all I must thank this hard working cast, crew, and you, our family and friends who have supported us through it all. Whether you were there to give us rapid tests, pick us up from field trips, or listen to us sing the same song for what seemed like the millionth time- we could not have done this without you! Thank you for believing in us even when our dreams are bigger than Ireland! Let’s always remember to look out for each other. “Sisterhood is forever!” —Lisa Byrne
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY Hartford Foundation for Public Giving The Stanley D. and Hinda N. Fisher Fund Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts State of Connecticut
A THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO FIRST LIVED ON AND CARED FOR THESE LANDS We recognize that our theatre is built on land that was once and still is peopled by indigenous tribes, specifically territory of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke peoples and their ancestors of these lands: the Wangunk, the Podunk, and the Tunxis.
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2022/2023 SEASON
MELIA BENSUSSEN
CYNTHIA RIDER
Artistic Director
Managing Director
PRESENTS
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
AUGUST 5 & 6, 2022 AT 7:00 PM Director..................................................................................................................... Lisa Byrne Choreographer.......................................................................................Avery Serrambana Music Director...................................................................................................... Kevin Scott Stage Manager.................................................................................................. Sara Berliner Scenic Design................................................................................................... Tom Delgado Costume Design...................................................................................................... Erin Rose Lighting Design.................................................................................................... Ethan Sepa Sound Design................................................................................................. Lucas Clopton Props Construction................................................................................. Elena Bachmann Light Board Operator.............................................................................Cole River Wood Spot Light Operators........................................................ Zaria Longo, Amara McNeil Sound Board Operator......................................................................................Jim Busker Assistant Costume Design.....................................................................Josh Richardson Assistant Stage Manager......................................................................Cole River Wood Lead Carpenter..................................................................................................Ian Sweeney Scenic Charge....................................................................................... Nathalie Schlosser Crew.................................................Adrien Braun, Shelby Demke, Sara Dorinbaum, ..............................................Bryan McManamy, Amara McNeil, Megan O’Brien, .......................................................... Josh Richardson, Emma Rucci, Jenna Tiso Poster Design..................................................................................... Liss Couch-Edwards Studio Manager................................................................................................Emely Larson
THE CAST Vivienne Kensington ................................................................................. Frances Arnold Padamadan, Nikos..............................................................Catherine Fernand Boulton Manager, Mom, Ensemble.............................................................................. Ihsan Cicero Bruiser, Callahan, Dad....................................................................................Marcel Cohen Kyle, Winthrop.................................................................................................Nathan Coyne Carlos, Ensemble........................................................................................Shannon Dalton Elle Woods..........................................................................................................Maddy Flagg Enid Hoopes........................................................................................................Kate Greden Stenographer, Ensemble..................................................................... Susan Haberlandt Aaron Schultz...................................................................................................Teagan Healy Serena.....................................................................................................................Sara Hearne Dewey, Lowell, Ensemble..................................................................... Dionysus Hughes Leilani, Kiki, Ensemble......................................................................... Ava Jean-Jacques Chutney, Cynthia, Ensemble..................................................................Sarah Lefkowitz Gaelen, Ensemble............................................................................................. Amy Marcos Chad, Warner Huntington III.............................................................. Sebastian Munera D.A. Joyce Riley, Ensemble........................................................................Henna Neilson Kate, Judge, Ensemble...................................................................................Kiley O’Brien Paulette..................................................................................................... Caissie Sanderson Brooke Wyndham........................................................................................ Lauren Savage Emmett Forrest........................................................................ Mateo Velasquez Maineri Whitney, Ensemble.................................................................Shemaiah Vermont Ranel Pilar.................................................................................................................... Cwen Williams Margot............................................................................................................................Anya Yu MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE Overture Omigod You Guys! Serious Daughter of Delta Nu What You Want Harvard Variations Blood in the Water Positive Ireland Ireland (reprise) Serious (reprise) Chip on Your Shoulder Run Rufus Run! / Elle Reflects So Much Better
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ACT TWO Entr’acte Whipped into Shape Delta Nu Nu Nu Take it Like a Man Bend and Snap There! Right There! Legally Blonde Legally Blonde (Remix) Scene Of The Crime Find My Way/Finale Bows Today’s performance will have one 15-minute intermission.
2022/2023 SEASON
ABOUT THE CAST
Frances Arnold (she/her) (Vivienne Kensington) is thrilled to be a part of Legally Blonde. Acting at 6 years old and now heading into college at American International College, her previous roles were Sir Harold (Once Upon A Mattress), Alexis (Ranked: A New Musical), Porthos (The Three Musketeers), and Tentacle (The Little Mermaid Jr). Catherine Fernand Boulton (Padamadan, Nikos) hails from West Hartford with her two lovely cats. After summer, she’ll attend Conard High School as a freshman, and join the theatre program. Catherine is very excited for her first show with Hartford Stage! Ihsan Cicero (she/her) (Manager, Mom, Ensemble) is 14 years old going into her freshman year. She is a very outgoing person and loves to meet new people and have new opportunities. Her favorite color is yellow. She has been in some plays at the Artists Collective in Hartford. She was born and raised in Hartford. Marcel Cohen (Bruiser, Callahan, Dad) is excited to return to Hartford Stage. He has been honing his craft (dog barking) at Conard High, where they do theater and comedy improv. Some favorite roles they played were Hades in Eurydice, Nikolai Zubritsky in Fools!, and the Minstrel in OUAM. He is also tall. Nathan Coyne (Kyle, Winthrop) is 14 and will be starting at South Windsor High School. Past productions include Oh Fair Maiden, High School Musical Jr., and Beauty and the Beast. Nathan is excited to be playing Kyle the UPS guy and being in the teen cast. You have yourself a Super Day! Shannon Dalton (Carlos, Ensemble) is 14 and a freshman at Conard High School. Legally Blonde is Shannon’s fifth show at Hartford Stage and first show with the Teen Ensemble. Her hobbies include reading, playing the piano and correcting people’s grammar. Her favorite roles include Hans, Walter Hobbs, The Mad Hatter, and Veruca Salt. Maddy Flagg (Elle Woods) is 17 and goes to Farmington High School. This is her first Hartford Stage play. She has been dancing for 14 years and singing for about the same time. Maddy’s previous role was Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Maddy would like to thank the entire cast and crew for the amazing work they do! Kate Greden (she/her) (Enid Hoopes) is a freshman at Hall High School and this is her fifth year at Hartford Stage! Previously, Kate has played roles such as Mrs. Phelps in Matilda and Mrs. Darbus in High School Musical. She can’t wait to come back next year for another amazing show!
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ABOUT THE CAST
Susan Haberlandt (Stenographer, Ensemble) is happy to be returning for her fourth summer at Hartford Stage! She enjoys playing the piano, writing, and photography. She would like to thank the incredible Hartford Stage team, and hopes you enjoy the show! Teagan Healy (Aaron Schultz) has been at this camp for two years. She played multiple roles but her favorite one was Dana. She lives in Simsbury and East Windsor. She has loved meeting many new people here and seeing some old faces again. Sara Hearne (Serena) is a sophomore at Glastonbury High School. This is her first summer with Hartford Stage, and she also acts with Youth and Family Services in Glastonbury. She likes to paint and dance, and hopes you enjoy the show! Dionysus Hughes (Dewey, Lowell, Ensemble) is an upcoming senior at Hall High School and is returning for their 4th year back at Hartford Stage. Their previous roles include chorus of Medea and stage manager in the 10-minute Play Festival. They are excited for all their work in the show and thank everyone. Ava Jean-Jacques (Leilani, Kiki, Ensemble) started performing at age four and has been attracted to this art ever since. At age eight she performed in The Lion King, where she was able to first develop her acting abilities. Ava is multi talented and is involved with a dancing group including Modern Dance, Jazz and Hip Hop. Sarah Lefkowitz (Chutney, Cynthia, Ensemble) is a rising junior at E. O. Smith High School where she participates in drama club, science club, and band. She enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends and aimless pacing alone. This is her first summer at Hartford Stage, and she hopes you enjoy the show! Amy Marcos (Gaelen, Ensemble) has been doing theater for 5 years. This is her first year working with Hartford Stage. She is looking forward to acting more in the future. She will attend Northwest Catholic as a freshman. Amy would like to thank the cast and staff. Sebastian Munera (Chad, Warner Huntington III) is a 17 year old who attends Aerospace Academy of Engineering in Windsor. He has been with Hartford Stage for 7 years and is excited for his main stage debut.
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2022/2023 SEASON
ABOUT THE CAST
Henna Neilson (she/her) (D.A. Joyce Riley, Ensemble) is a rising sophomore at Farmington High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts half day as a musical theatre major. She is proud to say this is her tenth (!) summer at Hartford Stage. Henna loves songwriting and studies voice at The Hartt School. Kiley O’Brien (Kate, Judge, Ensemble) is an incoming senior at South Windsor High School. She has been acting with Hartford Stage and South Windsor theater since 2019. She loves to play guitar during her free time and she hopes you all enjoy the show! Caissie Sanderson (Paulette) is a graduate of Mercy High School in Middletown and is excited about returning for her second show at Hartford Stage. Favorite roles include Elsa in Frozen and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Hobbies include writing and watching Wanda Maximoff edits. She hopes to inspire others to pursue musical theatre. Lauren Savage (Brooke Wyndham) has been at Hartford Stage for five years and is a sophomore at Glastonbury High School. Past shows include Ranked (Carly), Tuck Everlasting, The Drowsy Chaperone, Aristocats (Marie), and Once Upon a Mattress (Princess #12). She wants to thank the cast and crew for making this show amazing! Mateo Velasquez Maineri (Emmett Forrest) is an incoming sophomore at CRECs Academy of Aerospace and Engineering in Windsor. This is his first time with Hartford Stage. One of his favorite roles is Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Other hobbies include sleeping and spending other people’s money. Shemaiah Vermont Ranel (Whitney, Ensemble) is a sophomore at Bloomfield High. This is her second summer at Hartford Stage and she has also done Afro Dancing, Ballet, and Hip-Hop at the Artists Collective in Hartford. She likes to write, draw, and she has her own bracelet business called Bejeweled by Mai. Cwen Williams (Pilar), 14, is a student who attends Academy of Aerospace and Engineering. While this is her first year with Hartford Stage, she has done a couple musicals in the past for her school including Little Shop of Horrors as Ronnette. If you’re in a farther row, you’ll know it’s Cwen by her colorful hair and big smile! Anya Yu (Margot) is excited to make their Hartford Stage debut as Margot! When not playing a boy crazy sorority sister, Anya can be found solving jigsaw puzzles and/or sobbing to Phoebe Bridgers. Anya would like to thank the cast, crew, Iris, Apollo, their parents, and their friends for being so supportive.
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H A R T F O R D S TA G E S TA F F
LEADERSHIP Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director Position endowed by Janet S. Suisman
Cynthia Rider, Managing Director ADMINISTRATION Emily Van Scoy, General Manager Scott Bartelson, Management Associate Sara Walnum, Business Manager ARTISTIC Zoë Golub-Sass, Artistic Associate DEVELOPMENT Jennifer Levine, Director of Development Shannon Kennedy, Development Associate EDUCATION Jennifer Roberts, Director of Education Nina Pinchin, Associate Director of Education Emely Larson, Studio Manager MARKETING Andrea Cuevas, Director of Marketing Todd Brandt, Associate Director of Marketing House Management Scott McEver, Front of House Manager Aarron Schuelke, Assistant House Manager Bartenders: Tanya Bermudez, Nellie Caraballo, Sam Chiasson, Tracy Ann Chinnici, Karen Kudish, Loren Milledge, Kimberly Quinn, Nefris Quiterio, Erica Santa Lucia, Kerry Yerkes
Patron Services Lindsey Hoffman, Box Office Manager Corey Welden, Box Office Supervisor Box Office Representatives: Christopher Burgos, Eddie Cruz, Lindsey Taft PRODUCTION Bryan T. Holcombe, Director of Production Kerri Lynch, Assistant Production Manager Emily MacKenzie, Company Manager Set Construction & Scenic Art Aaron D. Bleck, Technical Director Ian Sweeney, Lead Carpenter Nathalie Schlosser, Charge Scenic Artist Costumes & Wardrobe Alex Meadows, Costume Shop Director Marissa Menezes, Assistant Costume Shop Director James Weeden, Draper Amber Isaac, Wardrobe Supervisor Jack Trainor, 1st hand Properties Gino Costabile, Interim Properties Manager Lighting Jackie Costabile, Lighting Supervisor Ethan Sepa, Assistant Electrician/Light Board Operator Sound Lucas Clopton, Audio/Visual Supervisor Jim Busker, Assistant Audio/Video Manager
SUMMER STUDIO STAFF Ankarah Aviles Elena Bachmann Thomas Beebe Sara Berliner Adrien Braun Lisa Byrne Liz Daingerfield Christina DeCarlo Shelby Demke
Yodline Exavier Ishaar Gupta Dae’ja Josey Samhita Kashyap Emely Larson Claire Linden-Dionne Zaria Longo Erica LuBonta Marissa Mazzetta
Tori Mooney Brigette Murphy Sofia Murphy Nick Palazzo Olivia Porriello Colin Quigley Mollie Reynolds Josh Richardson Erin Rose
SPECIAL THANKS
Emma Rucci Kevin Scott Jalina Secchiaroli Avery Serrambana Shannon Sobolow Trinity Stewart Jenna Tiso Diamond Wallen Cole River Wood
Steve Larson, Kerri Lynch, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
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2022/2023 SEASON