Church Basement Ladies Mannheim Playbill

TROUPE AMERICA INC., CURT WOLLAN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND THE LIED CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS

AWAY IN THE BASEMENT:

A CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES CHRISTMAS December 7–9, 2012

WRITTEN BY GRETA GROSCH MUSIC AND LYRICS BY DREW JANSEN Inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson including the best-seller, Growing Up Lutheran.

This presentation is made possible in part with generous support from KOLN.

TROUPE AMERICA INC., AND THE LIED CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS

AWAY IN THE BASEMENT:

A CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES CHRISTMAS A Christmas celebration of the church basement and the women who work there!

CAST

(in order of appearance) Kevin Grastorf

Pastor

Autumn O’ryan

Mrs. Lars Snustad (Vivian)

Nikki Savitt Carrie SaLoutos Lisa Bark

Mrs. Gilmer Gilmerson (Mavis) Mrs. Elroy Engelson (Karin) Miss Beverly Engelson

Understudies: For Karin and Mavis – Dorian Chalmers; For Vivian – Robbie Mancina; For Beverly – Tara Borman; For Pastor – Timothy Drake Understudies never substitute without prior announcement.

Scott R. Herbst Katrina Benedict

Costume Design

Kevin Knodl

Light Design

Mark Brodin

Sound Design

Wendy Short-Hays

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Set Design

Musical Staging & Choreography

Drew Jansen

Music Direction

Curt Wollan

Director

SPECIAL THANKS: Al Todnem for carving the Nativity pieces. Pastor Gary Olson and Lakeview Lutheran church, ARCA Minnesota, Zion Lutheran church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Joanne Deter who said “Curt, you should call those Lutheran Ladies,” Thrivent Volunteer Services, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson for their inspiration and many stories of Church Pageants.

Children’s Christmas crafts by the students from the Theatre Department of Visitation School.

The operating of cameras or recording devices is strictly prohibited by copyright law. Please turn off anything that will make noise including cellular phones.

TROUPE AMERICA, INC. PRODUCTION STAFF Lexie Wollan Swenson Patti Laird Michael R. Mikula Dana Kleiman Antonio Aguirre Mayo Tours Stage Call John Tsafoyannis Scott R. Herbst Linda Twiss Wells Fargo Business Payroll Brockman-Marchan & Company Ltd. Faegre, Baker & Daniels

Company Manager Stage Manager Technical Director/ Tour Production Manager Master Electrician Sound Engineer Tour Transportation Trucking General Manager Production Manager Publicist Payroll Services Accounting Legal

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ACT I Morning of December 19, 1959 (The day of the annual Sunday School Christmas Program) Away in the Basement Company The Unforgettable Christmas Program of 1958 Vivian and Company (Everybody is a Kid Again) At Christmastime Karin with Beverly, Mavis and Vivian Just Not Mary Material Mavis with Beverly, Karin and Vivian Always One More Thing Beverly with Karin, Mavis and Vivian

ACT II Later that same morning Away in the Basement (reprise) Karin, Mavis,Vivian and Pastor Piñata Karin and Company Whatsoever You Doo-Wop Vivian with Karin and Mavis Reindeer Rendezvous Pastor and Company I Think You’d Like Her Pastor Jeg Er Så Glad Company Finale - Company

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ABOUT THE CAST LISA BARK, Beverly is no stranger to the basement after performing in all three versions of Church Basement Ladies on the 2010 and 2011 National tours, at the Plymouth Playhouse, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, and most recently Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. She has performed on several tours ranging from theatres in Dubai to Italy to New York City’s Madison Square Garden and on NBC’s Today Show with Sesame Street Live. Recent regional credits include the Guthrie Theater, Disney World, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Show Palace, and Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz at Beef and Boards.

KEVIN GRASTORF, Pastor is excited to be returning to Church Basement Ladies. He has worked all over the country from Alaska to Florida and many other places in between. Favorite roles include; the Padre in Man of La Mancha, the Union Captain in Civil War, Nicely Nicely in Guys And Dolls, Richard Nixon in Frost/ Nixon and Gerard Carrier in Yestin/Kopit’s Phantom. He earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Other passions are National Parks, photography and songwriting. He has recently finished his 3rd summer working in Yellowstone. He would also like to give thanks to his wife, Autumn, for her love and support.

AUTUMN O’RYAN, Vivian is thrilled to be back in the “basement” with her fellow cast-mates . . . especially with her husband Kevin, who is playing the “Pastor”. This is her third National Tour of Church Basement Ladies. Recently, Autumn played the role of “Dinah” in THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre.

Other favorite roles include: “Mrs. Potts”

in Beauty and the Beast, “Aunt Eller” in Oklahoma!, “Mrs. Paroo” in Music Man, “Carlotta” in Phantom and “Jeanette” in The Full Monty. And she originated the role of “Liddy” in the Regional Premiere of Whodunit . . . The Musical. She will be touring in MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL, starting in March of 2013. Autumn has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan. She’s celebrating her 23rd professional year onstage.

Thanks to Curt and Troupe America for this amazing opportunity and for keeping a husband and wife together on-the-road.

CARRIE SALOUTOS, Karin returns to this wonderful tour via Las Vegas where she regularly appears in Marriage Can Be Murder and has appeared in productions of Nunsense (Las Vegas Hilton), Ba-Da-Bing, The Soprano’s Last Supper, and Reflections of the Rat Pack. She also performed the role of Karin in Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping in Fort Meyers, FL. Other recent credits include appearing in Hats! The Musical at Harrah’s in New Orleans, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Plaza Theatre in Orlando. Carrie has performed on several World Cruise Lines and at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.

National Tour credits include Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas (2011), The Wizard of Oz (US and Korean Tours), Beauty and the Beast, and Singin’ in the Rain. Carrie has co-starred with Steve Gatlin in several production shows in Myrtle Beach, SC. Favorite theatre roles include Carrie Innes in the World Premiere of Ed Dixon’s Whodunit . . . The Musical and Sheree in The Dixie Swim Club at Circa ’21, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, and Sue Ellen in Honky-Tonk Angels (Ted Swindley, Playwright/Director).

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NIKKI SAVITT, Mavis is beyond delighted to be back in the basement, back on the bus, and back with the boots for her third holiday season. When not wearing an apron and a tool belt, Nikki’s other favorite credits include Barefoot In the Park (Mother), Harvey (Veta), White Christmas (Martha), South Pacific (Bloody Mary), Music Man (Eulalie), and Rumors (Cookie). She has also been featured on

National Tours of Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Carol. This spring Nikki gets the honor of reprising Mavis for a new adventure when Church Basement Ladies 4 premieres at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre. Please visit www.nikkisavitt.com for more information. “For my miraculous mother, and in memory of Renee, Grammy Jeanne, and my dad, Artie.”

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL LUTHERAN LADIES: JANET LETNES MARTIN, Coauthor of Growing Up Lutheran, grew up in Hillsboro, ND where the words “Norwegian and Lutheran” were synonymous. It was no surprise she graduated from Augsburg College, in Minneapolis, MN and married Neil Martin, a 100 percent ScandinavianLutheran man from Newfolden, MN. Janet started writing books in 1983. She wrote three books, co-authored three books with Allen Todnem, and one with her sister, Ilene Lorenz, before she teamed up to write and perform with a college friend, Suzann Nelson. Janet and Suzann have written nine books relating to their Norwegian-Lutheran rural background. Their book Growing Up Lutheran, What Does This Mean? won the Minnesota Book Award for Humor, and is the inspiration for all three Church Basement Ladies musical comedies.

Janet and Suzann have performed as a comedy duo “Those Lutheran Ladies” from the state of Washington to Washington, DC as well as in the Medora Musical. Recently Janet switched gears and teamed up with author/ artist, David W. Cook II to write a fabulous new humorous book Lemonade for the Lawnboy: The Executives’ Wives’

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Cookbook Committee. Her most recent project is the just released, hilarious Fun with Fitness DVD - Jiggle Your Jell-O with Suzann Nelson, David Cook and Greta Grosch. Janet lives in Hastings, MN and feels blessed that her family is all involved in their Scandinavian Lutheran heritage. She is co-owner of Scandinavian Marketplace and the online store scandinavianmarket.com with her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Steve Green. Her daughter Sarah is a national representative for the Norwegian Fjord Flatware Company.

She is thrilled her daughter, Katrina Benedict is the costumer of this musical, and that Trina’s husband, Andy knows how to make egg coffee. Her granddaughters Sophia, Ariana and Myana Green and Nora Benedict are the loves of her life. She dedicates her contribution to this play to her late husband, Neil, whom she misses dearly.

SUZANN NELSON, Co-author of Growing Up Lutheran As half of the knowledgeable, funny, 100 percent Norwegian-Lutheran duo, “Those Lutheran Ladies,” Suzann Nelson could just list her name under Janet Martin’s bio and type “ditto.” Names and a few places

might differ, but their histories are similar and often identical — from the month and year they were baptized and confirmed Lutheran to the day in 1968 when they graduated from the same NorwegianLutheran college. One of Suzann’s daughters said that Janet and Suzann share a brain — something they considered a compliment until they realized she probably meant each had only half a brain.

They haven’t had time to consider the real meaning yet because they are too busy writing and publishing books about rural life in the fifties, developing new book and product ideas, speaking and performing.

Lately they have been working with theatre folks who, Suzann says, “are kinda different from the farm families I grew up with.” Nelson began life as a Johnson on a “Noah’s Ark” farm — two cows, two pigs, two chickens and two brothers —close to where the Kensington Runestone was found. After graduating from high school in Evansville, MN, Suzann boarded a train for the nearest Sin City, Minneapolis. She

graduated with a Scandinavian Studies major from Augsburg College where she also met her 100 percent NorwegianLutheran husband, Ron, and someone named Janet Letnes — both decent, wholesome folks who had grown up in North Dakota eating cream on bread.

After further study at the universities of MN and Oslo, Suzann directed Concordia College’s Language Village, Skogfjorden, and in off-seasons had three-piece suit jobs where she dabbled in government, public policy work, and putting on pantyhose. Eventually, Suzann and Ron moved to Grand Rapids, MN where they raised their two 100 percent NorwegianLutheran daughters, Senja and Siri. Now a mother-in-law, widow, and owner of an online bookstore ruralroutebookstore. com, Suzann spends her days and nights pondering ways to pay off her mortgage, looking for misplaced things, being fascinated by creative ideas her four grandchildren develop, and ironing used wrapping paper.

WHO’S WHO IN PRODUCTION : GRETA GROSCH, Playwright Since 1989, Greta has worked as a freelance writer and performer across the country and has a wealth of experience in both commercial and business theatre. An original cast member of Church Basement Ladies, Greta originated the role of Mavis back in 2005 and continues to perform on stage as a member of the Actor’s Union. As a scriptwriter, Greta wrote the scripts for A Second Helping (Church Basement Ladies 2); Away in the Basement (A Church Basement Ladies Christmas) and A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement. She also writes the annual Medora Musical; has scripted numerous award shows

and cabarets; and her company, Girl With Guitar, provides educational and entertaining programming, ranging from training seminars to company parties, for organizations across the country. For more information visit gretagrosch.com.

In addition, Greta is a voice over and commercial artist, works as an advocate for high school musical theatre, and is a founding member of the “Looney Lutherans” (thelooneylutherans.com).

Greta wishes to thank Curt Wollan, Janet Martin, Suzann Nelson and all the original cast for their support and inspiration, and dedicates this show to her sister, who married a real live

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bachelor farmer and lives on a Christmas tree farm in Norway. Seriously.

1983) and continued his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

DREW JANSEN, Composer, Lyricist A native of Little Rock now residing in Minneapolis, Jansen is in the midst of a multi-faceted career as a performer, writer and composer. In addition to creating the scores for Troupe America’s mega-hits Church Basement Ladies and How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical and the History Theatre’s Capital Crimes: The Saint Paul Gangster Musical and A Servants’ Christmas, he is also one of the busier voice-over actors in the Twin Cities. His baritone has prodded Twin Citizens to purchase anything from furniture to theater tickets to windows. If you’ve ever activated a credit card over the phone, he probably talked you through the process.

Minnesotans will also remember him as the emcee in those quirky Minnesota Millionaire Raffle television commercials from late 2007, or as long-running Patio Town commercial. Also on the small screen, Jansen enjoyed a two season run as Ernie, the unctuous announcer and musical commentator on Comedy Central’s cult classic, Let’s Bowl. Drew was a contributing writer for television’s Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has created text for numerous greeting cards, t-shirts, coffee mugs and syndicated comic strips. An accomplished pianist, he has had the honor of accompanying such legends as Celeste Holm and Carmel Quinn, and recently manned the keyboards in Las Vegas for Whose Line Is It Anyway? stalwarts Greg Proops and Chip Esten. Currently, Jansen is touring the country with entertainers Jody Briskey and Jimmy Martin in ThreeStyle, an original cabaret show. Drew is a proud graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota (Class of

CURT WOLLAN, Producer/ Director is the President and Executive Producer/Director for Troupe America, Inc. He has directed many National Tours including Steel Magnolias, Driving Miss Daisy, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Big River, Hank Williams – Lost Highway, and Stephen King’s Ghost Stories. He has also co-produced three national tours of Forbidden Broadway, directed M*A*S*H’s Jamie Farr and William Christopher in the national tour of The Odd Couple, the national tour of Moon Over Buffalo starring Gavin MacLeod, the national tour of The Sunshine Boys starring Dick Van Patten and Frank Gorshin and Same Time, Next Year starring Mackenzie Phillips and Adrian Zmed. At Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, he directed Cottonpatch Gospel starring “WKRP in Cincinnati’s” Gary Sandy. In the last five years, Curt has directed ten national tours of Church Basement Ladies, two starring M*A*S*H’s William Christopher as the Pastor, and has directed another fifteen productions across the country with Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping running in Kansas City starring Barry Williams of TV’s The Brady Bunch as the Pastor. Curt has been based at the Plymouth Playhouse since 1979, and has directed most of its productions, notably the musical comedies Church Basement Ladies, Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping, How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Diamond Studs which won the Twin Cities “Kudos” Award for Best Direction, Best Choreography and Best Musical. Each summer Curt produces and directs The Medora Musical in the beautiful North Dakota Badlands and each Holiday Season, he directs for

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Dollywood in Tennessee. Curt dedicates this show to the memory of his mother, Lorraine, who’s church kitchen legacy serves as an inspiration for his work on this production. curtwollan.com WENDY SHORT HAYS, Choreographer has been connected with Troupe America for over twentyfive years. She created the choreography for the original production of Church Basement Ladies as well as subsequent tours and productions. She is thrilled to have “another helping” with this brilliant creative team. In that time she has choreographed such favorites as A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, Nunsense, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Pump Boys and Dinettes, 1940’s Radio Hour and Diamond Studs for which she earned the Twin Cities Drama Critic Award for Best Choreography.

She was on the writing team for The Lovely Liebowitz Sisters and her original choreography of Pump Boys and Dinettes has been produced over 24 times locally, on national tour, and for an extended run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

She is the Artistic Director of VISTA Productions which was chosen from over 400 applicants to represent Minnesota at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Her work has also been seen on the stage of the Medora Musical, Hey City Stage, Great American History Theatre and numerous national tours. Some of her directing credits include West Side Story, Wings, Children of Eden, Lost In Yonkers, Into The Woods, A Christmas Carol and Beehive.

SCOTT R. HERBST, Production Manager, Set Designer Scott has been working professionally in the Twins Cities and surrounding areas since graduating from the University

of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre. His work is predominately in the musical theatre genre of the industry as a Lighting Designer and Stage Manager for many shows. His work with Troupe America has taken him around the country on many national tours and he has had the pleasure of working with actors like Jamie Farr and William Christopher of M*A*S*H fame, and Gavin MacLeod of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and the Love Boat. In addition, Scott has served as part of a team of production managers for Zoom 7 handling various venues for the Mary Kay Career Conference. As well as his work at the Plymouth Playhouse, Scott enjoys gardening and remodeling his house in Edina, Minnesota with his lovely wife Mary and their two college age children.

KEVIN KNODL, Lighting Designer Kevin is excited to be back helping out at the Plymouth Playhouse and working with the Church Basement Ladies. Kevin currently works as the Production Manager for Fine Arts Programming at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Collegeville. During his previous time with Troupe America and the Plymouth Playhouse, he worked as Technical Director for such shows as The Fantasticks, Christmas Carol, I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change and Pump Boys and Dinettes.

KATRINA BENEDICT, Costume Designer is thrilled to be a part of Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping and Away in the Basement based on the writings of Suzann Nelson and her mother Janet Letnes Martin. She works as a freelance costume designer and draper at various theaters in the

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Twin Cities area. Her most recent designs include Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping, A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement, Kirby! for the History Theater, Sherlock’s Last Case for Minnesota Centennial Showboat and various productions at Normandale Community College.

MARK BRODIN, Sound Designer Mark designs and mixes sound for live theater, churches, recording artists and corporate events. With 15 years experience, you may have heard his work at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Minneapolis, The Medora Musical or on TV and radio. Mark won an Emmy for his documentary Delafield.

TROUPE AMERICA, INC., Producer has been touring theatrical productions from coast to coast and in Canada since 1987 under Executive Director/Producer Curt Wollan. Past Troupe America tours include six seasons of Mr. Pickwick’s Christmas, two seasons of Dylan Thomas’ A Childs’ Christmas In Wales, five tours of Pump Boys and Dinettes, two tours of Stephen King’s Ghost Stories, three tours of the stage version of the Emmy Awardwinning TV series Schoolhouse Rock, Live!, a co-production of The Gifts of the Magi with the Lamb’s Theater Company of New York and tours of On Golden Pond, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias and Forbidden Broadway with Big League Theatricals of New York. Troupe America also operates the popular Plymouth Playhouse in the Twin Cities area, having produced a four-year run of Nunsense, a four-year run of Pump Boys and Dinettes, and critically acclaimed productions of Diamond Studs, A Day In Hollywood A Night In The Ukraine, Little Shop of Horrors, The Lovely Liebowitz Sisters, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline,

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An Evening with Groucho starring Frank Ferrante, and an eight-year run of a new musical based on Howard Mohr’s best-selling book How To Talk Minnesotan titled How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical, the off-Broadway success I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and the new musicals based on the best-selling book Growing Up Lutheran titled Church Basement Ladies and its sequel Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping!.

In 1997, Troupe America produced a highly acclaimed national tour of The Odd Couple starring M*A*S*H’s Jamie Farr and William Christopher and in 1998-99, the national tour of Moon Over Buffalo starring Gavin MacLeod. In 1999/2000, Troupe America produced Hank Williams, Lost Highway starring Jason Petty, and in 2001/2002 produced and toured the national tours of The Sunshine Boys starring Dick Van Patten and Frank Gorshin and Same time, Next Year starring Mackenzie Phillips and Adrian Zmed. Troupe America produced the third incarnation of Church Basement Ladies entitled Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas at the Plymouth Playhouse in Minneapolis this past holiday season, and premiered the fourth incarnation of Church Basement Ladies entitled A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement this past summer. www.troupeamerica.com.

SPONSOR STORY At 4:45 pm, Wednesday, February 18, 1953, a black and white test pattern appeared on Lincoln’s television screens . . . the city’s first television station was on the air.

For nearly 60 years, KOLN/KGIN has served a major role in the broadcasting industry of Nebraska and Northern Kansas. Multiple generations of viewers have turned to channels 10/11 for their news, weather, sports, entertainment and community events.

Service is an important part of KOLN/KGIN’s mission. 10/11 Cares is an employee-run commitment to support our community. We are a voice for those who cannot speak loudly enough. In 2011, 10/11 Cares donated $1.3 million in in-kind airtime to charitable organizations. Additionally, our 10/11 Cares team provides volunteers for monthly community service projects. Team members have stuffed hygiene care packages for low-income families. We have walked to raise money for breast cancer research, autism research, to fight heart disease, and to fund a new animal shelter. Together, we rang bells for a holiday kettle drive and hung drywall for a Habitat for Humanity recipient family.

Our volunteers spent a weekend at the Center for People in Need’s Toyland Event, where we handed out toys to low-income families who otherwise wouldn’t have Christmas gifts for their children . . . and these are just a few examples of the projects we’ve taken part in!

Since 1988, our annual week-long food drive, the 10/11 Can Care-a-Van, has collected more than three million pounds of food to feed Nebraskans in need.

You will often find 10/11’s on-air personalities emceeing a fundraising event or speaking to a classroom of students on their day off.

KOLN/KGIN is committed to serving the community by providing quality, locally-produced programming beyond newscasts. Whether it’s high school sports on 10/11 PrepZone Weekly, agriculture-focused news on Pure Nebraska, or Lincoln arts and entertainment on Star City Buzz, 10/11 continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our viewers.

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December 19, 2012 This presentation is made possible in part with generous support from the Ruth K. Seacrest Fund.

ABOUT MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER Over 25 years ago, Mannheim Steamroller released Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, an album that changed the entire Christmas music industry. Already a multi-platinum recording artist through his Fresh Aire series, founder Chip Davis decided to record an album of Christmas music combining the group’s signature mix of renaissance instruments with rock and roll beats. The resulting album was a runaway hit and propelled Mannheim Steamroller to become the #1 Christmas music artist in history. The group’s annual Christmas tour has become a holiday tradition along with decorating the tree, exchanging presents and spending time with friends and family.

The group recently received its 19th gold record for Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – 25th Anniversary Collection. The two-CD set features 25 of the group’s famous holiday classics. With 19 gold, 8 multi-platinum and 4 platinum certified records, Chip is among an elite group of artists —including U2, Jay-Z, The Beach Boys and Michael Jackson —with the most certifications among all recording artists.

ABOUT CHIP DAVIS: VISIONARY, CREATOR, ARRANGER AND PRODUCER GRAMMY® Award winning composer/ musician Chip Davis is one of the most successful innovators and entrepreneurs in music today. He is the creator of Mannheim Steamroller, the #1 Christmas music artist in history and one of the top 50 best-selling artists of all times with over 40 million records sold, 27 million in the Christmas genre alone.

More than 30 years ago, Davis transformed popular instrumental music by combining classical compositions, rock rhythms, harpsichords and recorders with electric bass and synthesizers. He is credited with creating the New Age music genre and went on to revolutionize the sounds of Christmas, transforming the holiday music season into the huge industry it is today.

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“I remember when I created Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” Davis says of his landmark 1984 album. “I took it around to all the major buyers and distributors.

Back in those days, there were about 20 or 30 independent distributors and hundreds of retail stores and chains.

There were a lot places to go and sell.

But when I played it for people the first thing out of their mouths was: ‘This is a Christmas record; it’ll never work!’

That across-the-board skepticism only fueled Davis’ determination. “For me, it was like, ‘OK, tell me something else I can’t do.’ Davis went on to produce and distribute that first album, resulting in over nine million copies sold. “I can look back and say: ‘Well, we were right —you can successfully market Christmas

music.’” His sold-out Christmas concerts have become a holiday tradition and today, the 27th year for the concerts, require two traveling troupes to meet continued demand.

Though Davis enjoys one of the most intriguing careers in the music business, he has largely remained an enigma. One explanation for his relative anonymity — despite 19 gold records, eight platinum and four multi-platinum records—is that he’s not based on the east or west coasts but right in the middle of the country in Omaha, NE. His 140-acre farm includes rolling hills and forested areas, providing natural inspiration for his music.

Another reason is a down-to-earth personality formed in a small Midwest town. For him, music is what matters, not ego. Life is what matters, not fame.

“I love creating music,” says Davis. “I enjoy the fun of composition, not the challenge of whether it will sell. I make records for the joy of creating sounds that can make you tap your feet or feel happy or sad. My goal is to make people feel something.”

Born in Sylvania, Ohio as Louis Davis, Jr., he was nicknamed Chip and the name stuck. Davis came from a musical family, and learned piano from his grandmother.

His father was a high school music teacher, while his mother performed with Phil Spitalny’s All Girl Orchestra.

By the time he graduated from the University of Michigan he was a prolific classical musician, trained to mastery in bassoon and percussion.

After a stretch as a music teacher, Davis worked as a jingle writer for an Omaha advertising agency. While there, he and one of the agency’s ad execs, Bill Fries, dreamed up a fictional truck driver named

C.W. McCall for a series of commercials for The Old Home Bread Company.

The television commercials were so popular that stations began fielding requests from listeners. Eventually, the Nashville A&R community came calling and Davis and Fries negotiated a record deal to produce recordings under the name of C.W. McCall. One of the songs, a single called “Convoy”, blew open the popular CB radio craze of 1975. Within two months, 10 million record buyers were singing along and two years later Kris Kristofferson starred in the hit movie by the same name.

With the money he made from the record and the film, Davis left the jingle writing business and recorded an album called Fresh Aire, which he dubbed “18th Century Classical Rock”. Though Davis was literally a one-man-band at that point, he released that first album under the name Mannheim Steamroller. The name reflected an 18th century orchestra

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in Mannheim, Germany that was known for building intensity by adding musical layers of sound, color, texture, and volume. The technique was designed to “flatten” the listener, so Davis jokingly referred to it as “The Steamroller”.

However, Davis did not anticipate complete and total rejection from the established record industry but that’s what he found (much like the later days when he created his first Christmas album). “Fresh Aire was a brand new sound, and everyone passed on it. So, I figured out how to distribute and sell it myself.” The first step: to start his own record label, American Gramaphone, which went on to become one of the most successful independent music franchises in the industry.

The next few years meted out lesson after lesson about business, marketing and artistic integrity. Not able to break into traditional music stores, Mannheim Steamroller snuck in through the side door—becoming the recording artist of choice for hi-fi equipment dealers. Says Davis: “Showroom customers would say, ‘I like this stereo system, but I really love the record you’re playing. Who is that?’”

Before long Mannheim Steamroller’s Fresh Aire titles were among the bestselling independent releases in the U.S. and Europe. Finally, after selling millions and winning a GRAMMY® Award for his Fresh Aire 7, Davis had earned the respect of the music business and built a massive, loyal fan base.

In 1984 when he decided to create his first Christmas album, everything exploded. During that period, Christmas music wasn’t popular. It was generally the last stop for an artist before the end of a career. “I came at it differently,” says Davis and soon Mannheim Steamroller

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Christmas hit the top 40 radio list led by its modernized version of “Deck The Halls”. Five million copies immediately flew off the shelves as Davis changed the sounds of Christmas music forever.

He assembled a bunch of his friends, classically trained (but rock loving) musicians, and took to the road for Mannheim’s very first Christmas tour.

“I took a deep breath and borrowed money to finance that first tour,” he says. Twenty seven years later, the annual Christmas tour continues to be one of the best-selling tours in the nation.

Since the groundbreaking success of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, the band has released 18 more Christmas albums and compilations. Davis commemorated the 25th anniversary of his first holiday album by releasing Mannheim Steamroller Christmas—25th Anniversary Collection, a two CD set featuring 25 of the group’s famous holiday classics. Spanning the group’s entire Christmas catalog, the album includes “Joy To The World,” “The First Noel,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night.” The album became his 19th gold record a short time later.

All told, Davis has created a remarkably varied body of work: he has written, arranged and recorded over 35 albums, including eight in the Fresh Aire series; 18 Christmas albums; four Halloween albums, and a range of other albums.

Davis is also the author of five children’s books and creator of an entire line of food and bath products bearing the Mannheim Steamroller name.

Another current focus is using music as a healing therapy, something that came about as a fluke. “I was at The Mayo Clinic myself because I had to have a hip replacement. I soon discovered

that being locked into a hospital room for long periods of time can lead to claustrophobia or anxiety”, he says.

“Years ago I had been messing around with sound algorithms, recording nature sounds on my farm and replicating them in a surround sound format. I discovered that closing your eyes and listening to the recordings made your mind de-focus on what your surroundings actually were and instead believe that you were actually standing in the middle of a Nebraska field. I thought that perhaps there might be an application for this, using it to achieve the same open feeling for someone locked in a hospital room.”

Davis’ Ambient Medical endeavor has since become a major development.

“We’re in many leading hospitals right now including the Mayo Clinic, Wake Forest University Hospital and UCLA Pediatrics The system was recently installed at the new National Intrepid Center for Excellence in Bethesda where military members are treated for traumatic brain and other injuries.

“In each facility, we install a therapy system that my engineers developed, using a combination of 4 channel surround sound algorithms and musical content. It calms patients and alleviates pain or anxiety, ultimately allowing for faster healing.” says Davis.

NASA is also experimenting with Chip’s technology for potential use on longterm space flights. “And we’re also proud to have played a part in the Space Shuttle program,” says Davis. Mannheim Steamroller was given unprecedented access to record two shuttle launches and one landing at Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida. The resulting recordings have been characterized by NASA officials as the most accurate ever made.

With his musical empire now mature, Davis is also now working on getting back to his artistic base. “I am starting to spend a lot more time being the creative artist again. I like the business aspect and I find it interesting, but my real desire is to work as an artist. From here on out, I can focus on my two great loves—my music and my children”.

LIEDCENTER.ORG

SPONSOR STORY THE LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Lincoln Community Foundation represents generous donors who believe in creating a better community, not just for today but for generations to come.

Ruth K. Seacrest was one of those visionaries who had a passion for performing arts. Sons Joe R. Seacrest and James C. Seacrest established a fund at the Lincoln Community Foundation to memorialize her love of music. Through the Ruth K. Seacrest Fund, The Lincoln Community Foundation is able to fulfill the wonderful legacy created in honor of this extraordinary benefactor.

RUTH KADEL SEACREST Ruth Seacrest’s musical talents, particularly the piano, were developed at an early age, performing as a member of the musical Kadel Sisters in the Tilden/ Genoa area. She graduated from Brownell Hall in Omaha. During World War I, she worked for the American Red Cross and the U.S. Navy Contracts office.

After the war, she returned to the University of Nebraska and joined Kappa Kappa Gamma, later serving two terms as its national president.

In June, 1922, she married newspaper publisher Joseph Winger Seacrest. During World War II she worked as Assistant Chairman of Lincoln’s Civil Defense Committee. For many years after the war, Ruth and a small group of her musical friends entertained at the Veterans’ Hospital, with Ruth’s piano going from floor to floor on the elevator.

Ruth was listed in the First Edition of Who’s Who Among American Women.

She was a director of Association of Junior Leagues of America. Ruth was also the assistant organist at First Plymouth Church, where she played the carillon, and served for many years on the board of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra.

Her musical talents were of a professional caliber and provided entertainment and enjoyment for many audiences.

LIED CENTER

E.N. ThompsoN Forum oN World IssuEs 2012-2013

FElIcE GaEr | FEB. 4

shIrIN EBadI | FEB. 26

Protecting the Human Rights of Religious Minorities Worldwide: International Religious Freedom in U.S. Policy

True Islam: Human Rights, Faith, and Women

ENThompsoN.uNl.Edu | FRee and oPen To THe PUblIc

CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCES THIS SEASON AT THE LIED!

BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

WITH KEITH LOCKHART

FEBRUARY 7

JANUARY 26

DRUMLINE LIVE FEBRUARY 9

FEBRUARY 12–13

THE SPENCERS THEATRE OF ILLUSION APRIL 19

SLEEPING BEAUTY

MAY 2

JANUARY

MARCH CONTINUED . . .

Broadway Today! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 18 Shatner’s World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 26

FEBRUARY Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 1 BBC Concert Orchestra with Keith Lockhart . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 7 DRUMLINE LIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 9 Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan . . . . . Feb. 12–13 L.A. Theatre Works: Pride and Prejudice . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 16 Chris Botti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 21

MARCH The Joffrey Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 2 Elvis Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 7–8 Danú . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 9 Angels Theatre Company: What the Wind Taught Me . . . . . . . . March 15–23

John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean . . . March 15 Susan Werner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 22 Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT . . . . March 29–30

APRIL Hitler’s Daughter . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2 The Hutchins Consort . . . . . . . . April 4 C.S. Lewis: The Screwtape Letters . April 6 MOMIX: Botanica . . . . . . . . . . . . April 10 The Spencers Theatre of Illusion . . . . . . . . April 19 Whose Live Anyway? . . . . . . . . April 20

MAY The Russian National Ballet Theatre: Sleeping Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 2

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

LIEDCENTER.ORG

402.472.4747 800.432.3231

301 N. 12TH ST. LINCOLN, NE

COME SEE TOMORROW’S STARS TODAY! Silver Hawk Theatre is soaring at Lincoln Southwest! Join us for the winter shows of our 11th Anniversary season!

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

December 13–15, 2012 | 7:00 P.M. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 13.

ENCORE 6

January 3 & 5, 2012 | 7:00 P.M. January 6 | 2:00 P.M. Tickets go on sale Monday, December 3.

SEATS FOR SILVER HAWK THEATRE SHOWS ARE RESERVED Tickets can be reserved after each show’s “on sale” date by calling the box office, 402.436.1335 anytime.

http://wp.lps.org/bhenrich

Silver Hawk Theatre

FREE TICKETS! FOR UNL STUDENTS

S ART LL FOR

A

UNL students: reserve your FREE tickets to over 20 Lied shows this season! go.unl.edu/arts4all

NEBRASKA Presented by the UNL School of Natural Resources

Astron Day

my

Thank You Red Cross First Aid Team

Thank you to these licensed emergency medical responders registered with the state of Nebraska for volunteering their time through the Cornhusker Chapter of the American Red Cross to make sure their neighbors are safe at the Lied Center and across the community.

abendmusik.org (402) 476-9933