As You Like It

As You Like It

by William Shakespeare Directed by Brian McNally

Shakespeare in

the Park Live at the Bacon Woods Amphithea tre, Vermilion River Re servation

August 16, 17, and 18

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00pm

4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH www.MetroParks.cc

Visit Us! 38790 Chester Road Avon Ohio 44011 440.934.WINE (9463) www.thewoodnwine.com

Proud supporter of French Creek Theatre!

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French Creek

Theatre

As You Like It

by William Shakespeare

Director // Brian McNally Stage Manager // Julie Billinghurst Costume Designer // Jane Medoro Fight Choreographer // Kelly Elliott

–– NOTice ––

Please refrain from using flash photography during this production.

French Creek

Introducing the ‘19/’20 seas on!

Theatre 2019-2020 season A Christmas Carol (Barlow)

The Drowsy Chaperone

In this fresh and lively adaptation of the beloved Charles Dickens’ classic, five actors tell the entire redemptive story of Ebenezer Scrooge through puppetry, song and a lot of imagination. Fast paced and funny, this intimate production still honors the true the spirit of the season as Scrooge comes to learn and remind us “…we are all of us upon this earth a great family all together, Sir! Are we not dear Bob!”

Take a seat, dust off your old record collection, and reminisce on the unforgettable 1928 Broadway hit that never was: The Drowsy Chaperone.

In this screwball satire of Great White Way clichés, brides, grooms, gangsters, and one inebriated chaperone come together for a hilarious night of musical mishaps and mayhem.

Dec 6 - 22, 2019

By Charles Dickens A New Adaptation by Patrick Barlow

And Then There Were None Apr 24 - May 10, 2020

Ten strangers arrive on an isolated island after receiving mysterious invitations. Stranded by a violent storm, their holiday soon turns deadly as scandalous secrets are revealed, and one-by-one they begin to die.

As a children’s nursery rhyme counts down the murders, it’s up to the guests to discover the killer before none are left.

By Agatha Christie

Feb 7 - 23, 2020

Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar Original Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone produced by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Bob Boyett, Stephanie McClelland, Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman.

The Music Man July 10 - 26, 2020

Con man Harold Hill strolls into town, and the good people of River City are woefully unprepared for his quick talking trickery as he rolls out a ruse to start a boys’ band, bought and paid for by the townsfolk. This timeless and wholesome American musical features a rousing score and story that will have audiences of all ages humming a tune and tapping their toes when the final curtain falls!

Book, Music & Lyrics by Meredith Willson Story by Meredith Willson & Franklin Lacey

Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Rd., Avon

MaCbeth

Aug 14 - 16, 2020 (Shows at 7pm) In the aftermath of bloody battle, a great Scottish general meets three weird sisters who reveal that he will be king. The eerie encounter sets a murderous melee into motion as Macbeth will stop at nothing to keep the crown. Shakespeare’s tragic tale of greed, ghosts and gore is performed free and outdoors at Miller Nature Preserve.

By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in the Park!

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Synopsis Orlando, son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, complains to his family servant, Adam, that his older brother, Oliver, treats him with contempt, and has denied him his inheritance. Following a confrontation between the two brothers, Oliver enlists the help of the wrestler, Charles, to fatally injure Orlando in an upcoming match. Rosalind, daughter of the banished Duke Senior, and her cousin, Celia, daughter of the usurping Duke Frederick, attend the wrestling match where Orlando defeats Charles, and Rosalind and Orlando experience an instant attraction to each other. Later, Rosalind is unexpectedly banished by her uncle, Duke Frederick, and together Rosalind and Celia devise a plan to disguise themselves and travel to the Forest of Arden with the court clown, Touchstone, to seek out Rosalind’s father. Upon arriving home, Adam warns Orlando he has overheard Oliver making plans to murder him, and the two set off to the Forest of Arden. Once in the forest, Touchstone; Rosalind disguised as a boy, Ganymede; and Celia disguised as Aliena meet a shepherd, Corin, who provides them lodging at his master’s sheepcote. In another part of the forest, the starved Orlando and Adam are given food and shelter by Duke Senior and his cohorts. Later, Rosalind discovers poems Orlando has written about her nailed to trees throughout the forest, and meeting by chance, Rosalind – disguised as Ganymede – promises to cure Orlando of his love if he woos Ganymede as though he were Rosalind.

Elsewhere, Touchstone couples with a rustic local, Audrey. Silvius, and the object of his perpetual affection who rebuffs him, Phebe, happen upon Ganymede, and Phebe is immediately drawn to him. On his way to meet with Ganymede, Orlando comes across the sleeping Oliver, and saves him from an attacking lioness, but is injured and loses consciousness once back at his lodging. Oliver, transformed by his brother’s bravery, seeks out Ganymede to explain the cause of Orlando’s delay, and is straightaway smitten with Celia, who agrees to marry him the next day. Set upon by the frustrated lovers, Ganymede promises that at Oliver’s wedding Orlando will marry Rosalind, and that Silvius and Phebe will both be satisfied. As everyone is gathered the next day, Rosalind reveals herself, is reunited with her father, and the new brides and grooms celebrate.

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French Creek

Theatre

French Creek Nature Center

Cultural Arts Manager / Site Manager..................................Brian McNally Cultural Arts & Nature Programmer...............................................Erin Moran Senior Naturalist................................................................................. Aimee Potonic Naturalist II.............................................................................................Rachel Mazzola Front Desk Staff.....................................................................................Camille Olsen, Elizabeth Fernandez, Mary Johnson FCNC Building and Grounds Crew................................................Tim Barrett,

Thomas Bourque, David Davis

Lorain County Metro Parks

Director.....................................................................................................................James Ziemnik Assistant Director..........................................................................................Jennifer Bracken Operations Supervisor............................................................................................Paul Hruby

Lorain County Metro Parks Board of Park Commissioners

Chairman ................................................................................................... Ms. Cookie McLoda Board Member..............................................................................................Mr. Joseph Hribar Board Member.............................................................................................Mr. Kenneth Lieux

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Cast Orlando..................................................................................Brett DiCello Adam........................................................................................Brian McNally Oliver...................................................................................Tyler Barhorst Charles...........................................................Isabel Faith Billinghurst Celia............................................................Adrionna Powell Lawrence Rosalind........................................................................Kimberly S. Martin Touchstone.....................................................Eric Wayne Coulbourne Le Beau...........................................................................................Corey East Duke Frederick......................................................................Shley Snider Silvius.............................................................................................Corey East Corin............................................................................................Ryanne Fury Amiens...................................................................................Sam Bashwiner Jaques.........................................................................................Shley Snider Duke Senior..........................................................................Ray Cosma, Jr. First Lord.......................................................Isabel Faith Billinghurst Audrey...............................................................................Mikhayla Wilkins Sir Oliver Martext........................................................Tyler Barhorst Phebe.....................................................................................Sam Bashwiner William............................................................Isabel Faith Billinghurst

Production Team Director..............................................................................Brian McNally Stage Manager...........................................................Julie Billinghurst Costume Designer...............................................................Jane Medoro Fight Choreographer..........................................................Kelly Elliot

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from the director “You make me feel three glasses in.”

-The Beths

“Won’t you read my book?”

-Damien Rice

“I never had much say in how I felt.”

-Taylor Goldsmith

TLorain, he Morning Journal OH | www.MorningJournal.com Proud Supporter of Lorain County Metro Parks Pg. 9 and French Creek Theatre!

Actor/Actress Bios

CAST T y l e r Barhorst (Oliver/Sir Oliver Martext) is exhilarated to be performing with French Creek Theatre for the first time! Tyler was seen most recently as Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Avenue Arts. His other stage credits include Horst in Avenue Arts’ production of Bent, Nick in Stow Players’ Over the River and Through the Woods, and Vladimir in Waiting for Godot at Brecksville.

Tyler can be found on Instagram as @tyler_barhorst1 and on Twitter as @tyler_barhorst.

Sam Bashwiner (Amiens/Phebe) is a Junior at Baldwin Wallace University working towards their BA in theatre and a minor in dance.

Some of their previous credits include FYOO ZH EN ’18 (U/S Dancer), Stagedoor (Ann Braddock), The Drowsy Chaperone (The Chaperone), and Into the Woods (The Witch). They would like to thank their Cast & Crew, Miles, and their wonderful family for all of their support.

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Isabel Faith Billinghurst (Charles/First Lord/William) is thrilled to be returning to French Creek! She is currently a senior Musical Theatre major at Otterbein University where she was seen in Macbeth (Banquo), The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. van Daan), and Next to Normal (Diana). Previous French Creek productions include White Christmas (Judy), Tuck Everlasting (Teenage Winnie/Ensemble), and her personal favorite, The Glass Menagerie (Laura Wingfield). Thanks for supporting live theatre, Shakespeare, and the whole nature thing!

Ray Cosma, Jr. (Duke Senior) is appearing in his second production at French Creek Theatre. Two years ago, he performed as Bobby in Bloom. He has also served as the Grandfather/Narrator in The Nutcracker for Olmsted Performing Arts and North Pointe Ballet.

Additionally, he has had the honor of portraying various historical characters, such as George Pullman in American Enterprise and Ralph Waldo Emerson in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (both at LCCC) and Thomas Edison in Company With Henry and Tom (Olde

Actor/Actress Bios Towne Hall Theatre). Sit back and enjoy our frolics in the forest!

Eric Wayne Co u l b o u r n e (Touchstone) is a graduate of Kent State University’s theatre program.

He spent a number or years working with Northeast Ohio community theatres in a number of capacities doing everything from costumes and props to acting. Eric was last seen in a staged reading of Boys in the Band at Western Reserve Playhouse. Eric has appeared at the Western Reserve Playhouse in their production of Hay Fever, and at The Gates Mills Player’s in The Thin Man. Eric is pleased to be working with French Creek Theatre.

Brett DiCello (Orlando) is honored to be making his French Creek Theatre debut!

Previous credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (Bill Slank/Hawking Clam) at Dobama, The Seagull (Shamrayev) at Cleveland Playhouse, Avenue Q (Trekkie Monster) at Blank Canvas Theater, Red (Mark Rothko) and Urinetown (Lockstock) at Eldred Theater. Brett was a member of IMPROVment: Case Western’s Premiere Improv Comedy Troupe. He

spent a semester studying abroad at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and studied Theater Arts and Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support.

Corey East (Le Beau/Silvius) is excited to be in his first official show with French Creek.

You might’ve seen him in numerous shows at LCCC (Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Ubu Rex). Some favorite roles include Stanley in Brighton Beach Memoirs at Medina County Showbiz Theatre, and his upcoming role in Homos, at Convergence-Continuum. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Ryanne Fury (Corin) is a Junior at LCCC, and she is majoring in Musical Theater.

She is about to go to Texas to complete an Apprenticeship in Lighting and Sound Design. Her favorite credits include Jenny (Exit the Body), Chloe (The Idiot Box) and Scuttle (Little Mermaid Pg. 11

Actor/Actress Bios Jr.). She would like to thank the “Dream Team” for always being there to support her!

A d r i onn a Pow e l l Lawrence (Celia) is from Uniondale, New York. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Findlay majoring in Theatre Performance. She is entering her second year as an Actor/Teacher with the Education Program of Great Lakes Theater. Adrionna recently had her professional debut with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival in Henry V, and is extremely excited for French Creek Theatre to be her second!

K i m b e r ly S. Martin (Rosalind) is happy to make her French Creek Theatre debut.

You might’ve seen her performing this summer at the Marilyn Bianchi Kid’s Playwriting Festival at Dobama; as the Archbishop of Canterbury and others in Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s Henry V; or as the back of a Baby Elephant as a part of Roger Titley’s Creatures at the BorderLight Festival. During the school year, she works Pg. 12 with Great Lakes Theater

as an Actor-Teacher. Evermore thanks to her friends and family for their continued support and the cast and crew for always being a laugh.

Shley Snider (Duke Frederick/ Jaques) was recently seen as Henry V (Henry V, Cleveland Shakes), Velma (West Side Story, Akron Symphony), and the White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Players’ Guild). Future projects include Ensemble Theatre’s The Penelopiad and Kindertransport. Shley has an MFA in Performance from USM and is a produced playwright and comedy rapper, performing for the Impractical Jokers Cruise, The PIT NYC, and Lyric Theatre Miami. She’s thrilled to be making her FCT debut! thatswhatshleysaid.com Instagram @shleytherapper M i k h ay l a Wilkins (Audrey) is excited to be doing her second Shakespeare in the Park show with French Creek Theatre! Mikhayla is an actor and voice actor in the Cleveland area. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a BA in Acting and Directing. Last year,

Actor/Actress Bios she was seen as Gregory and Friar John in French Creek’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Other credits include Candy Starr (One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest), Miss Forsythe (Death of a Salesman) and Thersites (Troilus and Cressida). Thank you to the cast, production team and crew for making this such a positive experience, and to the audience for supporting live theater. Enjoy the show!

Production Team: Brian McNally (Director/Adam) is a graduate of Cleveland State University.

Favorite credits include Hair (Claude), Of Mice & Men (George) and King Lear (Edgar); favorite directing credits include Romeo & Juliet, All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Being a Zombie and Tarzan the Musical.

Brian happily lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristy, their six-year-old son, Marty, and some cats.

Julie Billinghurst (Stage Manager) is excited to be back for the second annual Shakespeare in the Park with French Creek Theatre.

This rounds out her fourth season as SM with French Creek Theatre.

Some of the favorites she’s worked Pg. 14 on include: Romeo &

Juliet, She Loves Me, Parade, Bonnie and Clyde and Big Fish. She is very happy to share this summer show experience with her daughter, Isabel, and the rest of this talented troupe. Thanks to Brian, Kelly and Jane for helping to bring this show to life. Teamwork makes the dream work! Sit back, relax and enjoy the magical experience of outdoor theatre!

Kelly Elliott (Fight Choreographer) has choreographed stage combat all over Northeast Ohio, Central Virginia, Washington DC, and a little bit of Michigan for the past 20 years. Her violence has been seen in schools, colleges, and universities as well Cleveland Public Theatre, Rubber City Theatre, French Creek Theatre, Clague Playhouse, The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, among others. Kelly also works as a director, teacher, and actor. She has a MLitt and MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University.

Jane Medoro (Costume Designer) is happy to be ending her summer at French Creek. Her recent credits include costume design for French Creek’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, Benvolio in French Creek’s production of Romeo & Juliet, First Witch in Tri-C’s Macbeth, and designing and directing Sweeney Todd at her University. Lastly, she’d like to say thank you to her director Brian and her stage manager Julie.

2019/2020 season opener!

Patrick Barlow’s

a

CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Cha r les Di cke ns A New Ad a pta tion by Pa t r i ck Bar l ow

DEC E M BE R 6 - 2 2

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30PM AND SUNDAY MATINEES AT 3:00PM

TICKETS | ADULTS: $16-$18 | CHILDREN: $10

(440) 949-5200

ADDRESS 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village

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W W W. M E T R O PA R K S. C C / T H E AT R E

ONLINE www.MetroParks.cc/Theatre

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PHONE 440.949.5200 ext. 221

“A Christmas Carol (Barlow)” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

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