A welcome from our chairman Welcome to the Little Theatre Club’s production of “Copacabana”. This is the first time we have staged this show and we have had a wonderful time learning Barry Manilow’s music. Most of you will be familiar with the title song, but I think you will love the rest of the numbers with their exciting Latin American rhythmns or beautiful melodies. I guarantee that even if you didn’t know them before, some of you will leave the theatre humming “Sweet Heaven” or “This Can’t Be Real”. As a complete contrast, our next show in April 2008 will be “Oklahoma”. This much-loved show is one of our favourites as it contains a wealth of wonderful numbers for both principals and chorus. We are very proud of our chorus work; indeed, we won the NODA Best Chorus award for our production of “Kiss Me Kate” last year. “Oklahoma” will mark our return to our old “home” – The Palace Theatre, Westcliff. I do hope you can join us to celebrate our return. I look forward to seeing you there. Another important piece of information for our audiences is that we are changing our name. From now on we will be known as the “Little Theatre Company”; so don’t be confused if you see this name, it’s still us - the LTC. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy “Copacabana”. Please feel free to tap your feet, shake your maracas and, in the words of John Lennon “…people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. All the rest of you, just rattle your jewellery”
Sally Lightfoot Little Theatre Club Chairman
Synopsis “Her name was Lola ...” the unforgettable opening lyric of Barry Manilow’s Grammy Award winning hit song, “Copacabana,” is the inspiration for an exciting and passionate new musical. Copacabana is a tale of love and romance set at the heart of the swinging nightclub scene of the 1940’s. While creating the world’s next big hit, Stephen, an aspiring songwriter, is carried back to an era when “music and passion were always the fashion” at the world famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City. In his own imagination Stephen is Tony Forte who falls immediately in love with the arrival at the Copa of Lola La Mar, a young girl with dreams of stardom, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. We follow the story as Lola fails various auditions before managing, with Tony’s help, to impress the Copa’s owner Sam Silver and win a place among his troupe of dancing girls. Captivated one evening by Lola’s performance, the villainous Rico Castelli whisks her away to his own Tropicana nightclub in Havana. From this exotic, distant new world, a tale of old-fashioned love, jealousy, and murder in the entangled lives of Lola, Tony and Rico unfolds amidst dazzling costumes, spectacular sets, sensational choreography and show-stopping numbers like Dancing Fool, Bolero D’Amore and, of course the title track, Copacabana. ‘There was blood and a single gunshot, but just who shot who?’
Production Team Steve Wilkinson Director Steve joined the LTC in 2003 and has been on stage in all but one show since then. Although he has directed shows at Westcliff High School for Boys, where he works, this is his first foray into directing with LTC. It has been a challenge but one he has thoroughly enjoyed, but if pressed as to whether he would rather direct teenagers or adults… no comment!
LouLou Clark Choreographer This is Loulou’s 4th show with LTC and 2nd as choreographer. She has been involved with dancing and musicals since an early age and first performed with LTC as a child in “Will Roger’s Follies” back in 1996. She has thoroughly enjoyed taking on this role for a second time with Sarah and working with a different Cast and Production Team has been loads of fun! Lou wants to thank everyone involved: dancers, principals and chorus, for working so hard and for having her back for a second round!
Sarah Parmenter Choreographer Sarah first performed with LTC back in 1999 for ‘The Wiz’, her favourite roles to date have been Sally Smith “Me and My Girl”, Katie Brown “Calamity Jane” and most recently Mabel in “Pirates of Penzance”. Sarah and Louise choreographed our award winning production of “Kiss me Kate” and hope to add some of the same sparkle to “Copa”. Sarah has just bought a house with her boyfriend Stuart, who last week completed his run of Billy Bigelow in “Carousel” thankfully all the dancing, singing and perfecting american accents at various times of day and night hasn’t phased the neighbours...yet!
Production Team Paul Day Chrous Master Paul started his musical career at the age of 8 playing flute and guitar. He has been assistant musical director for the Eastwood Chorale for many years, and in 1995 was involved in a two week tour of the Seychelles playing flute and singing in the choir. Paul has MD’d for Rayleigh Operatic, Thundersley Operatic and Ingatestone Operatic societies and was involved with Rainbow2000 for many years. Paul has also arranged and directed a number of concerts and fund raising cabarets. More recently Paul has joined the Southend Philharmonic Orchestra playing flute and percussion when ‘persuaded’!
Paul Green Musical Director This is Pauls 20th Show for the club after also having conducted “Pirates of Penzance” in April. His own association with the club goes back to the 1950’s when, as a schoolboy, he first played in the orchestra for our shows at the Palace Theatre. Since then he has conducted shows for all the leading operatic societies in the town. With four young grandchildren taking up plenty of his time, he now has less time to spend on other hobbies!
Ian Gilbert Stage Manager Ian is currently in his final year studying for his degree in stage management. He has taken time out of his busy schedule to join the LTC as stage manager. Recently Ian toured the South-East for “Stoning Mary?” as Deputy Stage Manager and a 3-month Stint in the West End as Technical Stage Manager. Ian last appeared on stage with LTC as Barnaby Tucker in “Hello Dolly” and is happy to be returning in a different capacity.
Doreen Goodfellow Wardrobe Doreen has directed numerous shows in the past, including our last Spring show “Pirates of Penzance”. Doreen also regularly takes on chorus mistress and wardrobe for many of our productions.
The Cast
Cast (in order of appearance) Stephen / Tony Forte Samantha / Lola La Mar Gladys Murphy Willie Sam Silver Rico Castelli Conchita Alvarez McManus
Darren Harper Laura Wilson Audrey Bott Chris Scott Colin Bott Dave Lobley Sarah Mummery Barry Jones
Copa Girls Angie Viv Jane Brenda Alice Cathy Barbara
Jo Adams Sharon Allwright Sharon Gibb Rachel Gibbs Nicola Bott Loulou Clark Sarah George
Copa Boys Skip Ian Ben Jamie
Phil Savill Kane Davis Chris Jolly Steve Wilkinson
Maitre D’ Coatcheck Girl Male Auditioner Hoover Girls
Barry Jones Debbie Smallbone Chris Jolly Sharon Allwright Sharon Gibb Joan Hubbard Antony Smith Tim Cater Chris Scott
Piano Accompanist Luis Carlos Pirate Captain
Ensemble Elaine Doherty Elaine Steele Joy Kingston Edna Smith Laura Deaves Stephanie Kenna Jamie Redgate Bradley Green Lesley Broadway Debbie Smallbone Tim Cater Antony Smith Joan Hubbard
Musical Numbers Act One 1)
Overture – Instrumental
Scene 1 – Somewhere in Stephen’s Imagination / Stephen’s Studio, Present Day 2)
Copa Opening – Stephen & Company
Scene 2 – Grand Central Station, New York City, 1947 3) Just Arrived – Lola & Women Scene 3 – The Copacabana, 1947, Evening 4) Dancing Fool – Tony & Copa Boys 5) Sweet Heaven – Tony & Chorus Scene 4 – Various Audition Rooms in New York, The Next Day 6) Audition Sequence – Various Scene 5 – Outside The Copa, Late Afternoon 7) Copa Girl – Gladys Scene 6 – Inside The Copa, Minutes Later 8) Man Wanted – Lola 9) Who Needs To Dream – Tony Scene 7 – The Copa, Several Weeks Later 10) Rico’s Entrance – Stephen 11) I Gotta Be Bad – Lola & Copa Girls 12) Bolero D’Amore – Rico & Chorus
Act Two 13)
Bolero Entr’acte – Instrumental
Scene 1 – The Tropicana Nightclub, Havana, Cuba 14) Havana / Caramba – Conchita, Tropicana Boys & Girls Scene 2 – Backstage, The Copacabana 15) Kidding Trilogy – Gladys, McManus, Willie, Sam, Tony, Alice, Viv Scene 3 – A Bedroom in Rico’s Compound, Havana 16) This Can’t Be Real – Lola & Stephen Scene 4 – The Stage of The Tropicana, Rehearsal, A Few Hours Later Scene 5 – The Tropicana Stage, Several Nights Later 17) El Bravo – Lola, Pirate Men & Women Scene 6 – The Tropicana Stage, Minutes Later / The Copa, A Few Days Later 18) Sweet Heaven 2 – Tony, Lola & Chorus Scene 7 – Stephen’s Studio, Present Day 19) Finale – Stephen & Company 20) Copacabana Finale – Company
The Cast
Darren Harper Tony Forte (Stephen)
Laura Wilson Lola La Mar (Samantha)
Audrey Bott Gladys
Colin Bott Sam Silver
Darren is delighted to be returning to the stage, after work commitments forced him into an 18month break. “Copa” is Darren’s 15th show with LTC. He has previously played many different roles for the club, including Billy Lawler (Anything Goes), Lun Tha (The King And I) and most recently, Cornelius Hackl (Hello Dolly). However, his favourite part was his portrayal of Bill Snibson (Me And My Girl).
Laura joined the LTC in 1997 at the age of 15 after appearing in “Carousel” and “Will Roger’s Follies” as a child. Laura made her adult leading debut as Peggy Sawyer (42nd Street). She has also enjoyed working alongside the production team as Dance Captain for various musicals.
Audrey joined LTC almost 40 years ago. She has featured regularly as one of our dancers and recently played Helen in “It’s Murder In The Wings”. Previous roles also include Grete in “The Dancing Years” and Liesl in “The Sound of Music”. In “Copacabana” she is delighted to be playing alongside hubby Colin and daughter Nicola.
Colin is one of our longest serving members of the club, but this is the first time he has played opposite his wife Audrey since “Bitter Sweet”, over 30 years ago. During that time, Colin has taken a number of lead roles and has directed several of our musicals.
She is currently choreographer for another local theatre company for their upcoming show “Calamity Jane”.
Copa Boys
Kane Davis
Chris Jolly
Phil Savill
Steve Wilkinson
Sarah Mummery Concita Alvarez
Dave Lobley Rico Castelli
Chris Scott Willie
Barry Jones McManus
Sarah has been a member of LTC for five years. In that time she has been fortunate enough to have leads in “Anything Goes”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Calamity Jane”. “Copacabana” has been an exciting challenge for Sarah and she has had lots of fun polishing up her Spanish accent!
This is Dave’s sixth production for LTC and he is delighted to have the role of Ricco Castelli. He is really looking forward to working with Laura for the first time, to clashing with his old LTC football team-mate, Colin and to taking on Sarah in the battle of the accents! Special thanks to Steve for this great opportunity. Hope you all have fun, enjoy the show.
Chris has been acting for many years and was recently awarded the East Essex Player of the year, 2007. This is Chris’ 2nd musical for LTC, which he is thoroughly enjoying.
Barry’s has been with LTC since 2003; his principal roles include Big Jule in (Guys & Dolls), Gerald Bolingbroke (Me and My Girl), and Danny Gilmartin (Calamity Jane). He is a former member of The Benfleet Operatic Society, where he performed as Fyedka (Fiddler on the Roof), and Big Jule (for the first time!). On a more classical theme, he appeared as Liberto in Monteverdi’s “The Coronation of Poppea” with The Essex Opera Workshop. For the past 3 years, Barry has served as a committee member of LTC.
Copa Girls
LouLou Clark
Nicola Bott
Rachel Gibbs
Sharon Allwright
Jo Adams
Sharon Gibb
President Lady Dorothy McAdden
Vice Presidents Mrs Sandra Burford
Ms Joanne Ellis
Mrs Doreen Goodfellow
Mrs Iris Lucas
Mr Michael Matlin
Mrs Sheila Melville
Mrs Sheila Nicol
Mr Brian Odell
Mrs Pat Odell
Mrs Lynne Young
Honorary Patron: Gemma Craven
Life Members Mrs Annette Blake
Mr Michael Burford
Mrs Pat Collop
Mrs Ann Couldridge
Mr Ron Couldridge
Mr Gerry Davis
Mrs Wendy Hatton
Mr Brian Houser
Mrs Sally Lightfoot
Mrs Sue Morley
Mr Ray Newby
Mrs Beverley Onslow
Mr John Onslow
Miss Madeline Palmer
Mr Colin Simmonds
Mrs Debbie Smallbone
Mrs Olive Smith
Mr Derek Smith
Mr David Stokes
Mrs Sheila Thomson
Mr Brian Topsfield
Mrs Valerie Wilcox
Mrs Stephanie Wilson
Mrs Shirley Wolfe
Mr Jim Wolfe
Mr Roger Young
The LTC Committee Chairman Sally Lightfoot Treasurer & Vice Chairman Joanne Ellis Secretary Doreen Goodfellow Business Manager Steve Wilkinson Entertainments Officer Carla Reynolds General Committee Barry Jones Dave Lobley
Costume Hire The Little Theatre Club has an extensive costume wardrobe, all of which are available to hire. Please contact Doreen Goodfellow on 01702 349277 for more information.
Past Productions 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
No No Nanette The Girlfriend Mr Cinders Please Teacher Me & My Girl Blue for a Boy Anything Goes South Pacific Love from Judy Kiss Me Kate Girl Crazy South Pacific Annie Get Your Gun Flower Drum Song The Music Man Carousel Love from Judy Oklahoma! The Pajama Game The Flower Drum Song++ Camelot Half a Sixpence** Showboat How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Carousel West Side Story The King & I Half a Sixpence No No Nanette Me & My Girl Charlie Girl The Music Man Rose Marie Camelot Robert & Elizabeth Variety ‘75 Bitter Sweet Variety ‘76 Kiss Me Kate Variety ‘77 Mame West Side Story The King & I Variety ‘79 Love from Judy The Dancing Years Variety ‘81
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1996
1997 1998 1999 2000
The Sound of Music Salad Days Orpheus in the Underworld Golden Variety ‘82 Oklahoma! Variety ‘83 South Pacific 7 Brides for 7 Brothers**## Fiddler on the Roof Variety ‘85 Showboat How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Guys & Dolls Camelot Sweet Charity The Pirates of Penzance Variety ‘89 7 Brides for 7 Brothers Carmen++ The Pajama Game ## The Mikado Gentlemen Prefer Blondes++ Carousel Godspell Half a Sixpence Variety ‘93 Guys & Dolls 42nd Street *## The Pirates of Penzance (New Version) Kismet Will Rogers Follies *## The Little Shop of Horrors* Singin’ in the Rain She Loves Me*##(2) Oklahoma! ## La Cage Aux Folles Some Like It Hot* The Wiz Mack & Mabel***
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
The Slipper & The Rose* Annie Crazy For You ## The King and I ## Oliver! Anything Goes Me & My Girl Calamity Jane 42nd Street ## 7 Brides for 7 Brothers Hello Dolly! Guys & Dolls Kiss Me Kate## The Pirates of Penzance (New Version) Copacabana
* Regional Premiere ** South East England Premiere *** South East Essex Premiere ++ UK Amateur Premiere
## NODA Award Winner
The Production Team Director Assistant Director Chorus Master Choreographers Musical Director Wardrobe Wardrobe Assistants Stage Director Prompt Scenery Provided by Costumes Make up Rehearsal Pianists Programme Print and Design Front of House
Steve Wilkinson Pat Pepper Paul Day LouLou Clark & Sarah Parmenter Paul Green Doreen Goodfellow Joan Hubbard, Carla Reynolds Sarah Mummery Ian Gilbert June Vallely Scenic Projects Ltd LTC, Iris Lucas, Anglia Academy Shelia Melville, Grace Green Liam Holmes, Maddie Maxwell You Know Who Media Sally Lightfoot Doreen Goodfellow, Joanne Ellis
ORCHESTRA Tracey Bridgeman
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Paula Burrell
Alto Saxophone,Clarinet,Flute Piccolo
Rob Downing
Carinet, Flute,Tenor Saxophone
Phil Davies
Trumpet 1
Bob Bearman
Trumpet 2
Andrew Pearson
Trumpet 3
Alan Thorpe
Trombone 1
Keith Pollitt
Trombone 2
Sandra Pattenden
Horn
Maddy Maxwell
Keyboard 1
Rachel Plunkett
Keyboard 2
Mike Kitts
Percussion
Roy Dowling
Bass
Richard Langstone
Guitar
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