'South Pacific' playbill

PLAYBILL TrueNorth at French Creek 4530 Colorado Ave. (Rt. 611) Sheffield Village, OH

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS & TRUENORTH CULTURAL ARTS PRESENT:

SOUTH PACIFIC

MUSIC BY RICHARD RODGERS | LYRICS BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II BOOK BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II AND JOSHUA LOGAN ADAPTED FROM THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNING NOVEL

JULY 15 - 31

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30 PM AND SUNDAYS AT 3 PM TICKETS: $10 - $18 | (440) 949-5200 OR WWW.TNCARTS.ORG

COMING SOON! LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS & TRUENORTH CULTURAL ARTS PRESENT:

THE TRUENORTH SUMMER THEATRE CAMP PRODUCTION OF:

BYE BYE BIRDIE

BOOK BY MICHAEL STEWART | MUSIC BY CHARLES STROUSE LYRICS BY LEE ADAMS | ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY EDWARD PADULA

AUGUST 12 - 14

FRIDAY & SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM AND SUNDAY AT 3 PM TICKETS: $10 - $18 | (440) 949-5200 OR WWW.TNCARTS.ORG

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Lorain County Metro Parks and TrueNorth Cultural Arts

present:

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s

South Pacific

Music by RICHARD RODGERS Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

Book by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II and JOSHUA LOGAN Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener SOUTH PACIFIC is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.

Musical recording provided by The MT Pit L.L.C. www.themtpit.com

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From the Artistic Director, Rick Fortney Welcome to South Pacific and French Creek Nature and Arts Center!

There are a few dates remaining in our 2015-2016 season: Please join us for Bye Bye Birdie August 12, 13 and 14. The cast is made up of our Center Stage Summer Theatre Camp, meeting daily for 5-weeks as they study theatre and put on a show!

Sunday, August 14th, Music Under the Stars continues, 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Park featuring The TrueNorth Big Band! Bring a beach blanket or chair and enjoy the great music amidst the beautiful lakefront setting!

Saturday, August 20th join us for Art After Dark as TrueNorth celebrates 9 years of service in partnership with The Lorain County Metro Parks.

Entertainment, Fine Art, Hors D’Oeuvres, Wine and Craft Beer, Silent Auction and Raffles the ingredients for a perfect evening; We hope you will join us!

Tickets are $ 20.00, available by phone 440.949.5200 x 221 or online www.

TNCArts.org.

A special thank you to Nan Mahony, Tanner Lias, and the entire production team and cast of South Pacific. It has been wonderful hearing the sounds of Rodgers and Hammerstein ring through the halls throughout the past 6 weeks!

We appreciate you attending, please join us throughout the summer as together we celebrate the arts throughout Northeast Ohio! Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show!

Rick Fortney, Artistic Director, TrueNorth Theatre / French Creek Nature and Arts Center

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From the Director of the Lorain County Metro Parks Welcome to YOUR Lorain County Metro Parks! We hope you enjoy South Pacific from TrueNorth. As the Mainstage Series 2015-2016 season comes to a close, we hope you have a great time!

On behalf of Lorain County Metro Parks, I want to personally invite you to a variety of activities and happenings throughout the park district this season. Regardless of where you live, we have an exciting event for you!

There are plenty of upcoming events throughout the park district that we’d love to share with you. First off, our summer concert series is going on throughout the park district. There are wonderful outdoor concerts on the patio at Miller Nature Nature Preserve, at our gorgeous amphitheatre at Vermilion River Reservation and finally along Lake Erie at Lakeview Park.

Make sure to check out the full schedule for times, dates and locations.

Also at Miller Nature Preserve in Avon, the Butterfly House is open for the summer so stop by for a glimpse of some of these awesome creatures.

The 2015-2016 theatre season is nearly coming to close. The last show of the season is the Summer Theatre Camp production of Bye, Bye Birdie.

It runs on the weekend of August 12th-14th. We hope to see you there.

We thank you for your continued support of Lorain County Metro Parks and hope you continue to enjoy the many offerings we bring through our partnership with TrueNorth Cultural Arts!

Sincerely,

James E. Ziemnik, Director, Lorain County Metro Parks

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The Play

Setting

A collection of islands in the South Pacific during World War II

Act I Overture Scene 1: The Terrace of Emile De Becque’s Plantation Home

Dites Moi.....................................................Ngana and Jerome

A Cockeyed Optimist.......................................................Nellie Twin Soliloquies............................................Emile and Nellie Some Enchanted Evening................................................Emile Finaletto.........................................Emile, Ngana, and Jerome

Scene 2: Another Part of the Island

Bloody Mary...................................Seabees and Bloody Mary

Scene 3: The Edge of a Palm Grove Near the Beach

There is Nothin’ Like a Dame............................Billis, Seabees,

Nurses, and Nellie

Bali Ha’i...............................Bloody Mary, Cable, and Seabees

Scene 4: The Company Street Scene 5: Inside the Island Commander’s Office Scene 6: The Company Street Scene 7: The Beach

I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair............Nellie

and the Nurses Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise.................Emile and Nellie I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.........Nellie and the Nurses

Scene 8: Inside the Island Commander’s Office Scene 9: Another Part of the Island Pg. 8

The Play

Scene 10: Inside a Native Hut on Bali Ha’i

Younger Than Springtime.................................Cable and Liat

Scene 11: Near the Beach on Bali Ha’i Scene 12: Emile’s Terrace

I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy (Reprise)....Nellie and Emile This is How it Feels........................................Nellie and Emile I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out

of My Hair (Emile’s Reprise)............................................Emile Finale Act 1....................................................Emile and Nellie

////////// 15-minute Intermission //////////

(Food and Refreshments sold at the 8th Note Cafe located near theatre entrance)

Act II Scene 1: A Performance of “The Thanksgiving Follies” Scene 2: Backstage at “The Thanksgiving Follies”

Happy Talk...................................Bloody Mary, Cable, and Liat Younger Than Springtime (Reprise)................................Cable

Scene 3: The Performance Resumes, as in Scene 1

Honey Bun...........Nellie, Billis, Nurses, Seabees, and Officers

Scene 4: Backstage, as in Scene 2

You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.........Cable and Emile This Nearly Was Mine..............Emile

Scene 5: The Radio Shack Scene 6: Another Part of the Island Pg. 9

The Play Scene 7: The Radio Shack Scene 8: The Company Street Scene 9: The Beach

Some Enchanted Evening (Nellie’s Reprise)..................Nellie

Scene 10: The Beach Honey Bun (Reprise)................................Seabees and Nurses

Scene 11: Emile’s Terrace

Finale Ultimo.......................Nellie, Ngana, Jerome, and Emile

Bows..............................................................Full Company

–– PLEASE NOTE ––

Videotaping and flash photography of any kind are strictly prohibited during the performance.

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33040 Just Imagine Dr, Avon, OH (440) 937-0909

Director’s Note

R

odgers and Hammerstein always insisted that their musicals have a single guiding principal: that all of the elements of the show (book, music, lyrics, dance, and design) function together to tell a compelling story in an entertaining way. Additionally, they wanted the overall approach to present a positive and hopeful world view. All Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musicals include a strong romantic component; however, South Pacific strayed from the traditional pattern by including two serious romances in one story. Each has its own identity and complications, but they share the strong themes of racism, bigotry, and prejudice. While the world has changed considerably over the more than six decades that South Pacific has graced stages around the world, sadly, these themes still tend to dominate our news nudging us to do better. I hope the message, beauty, and, yes, fun of this production entertains and satisfies your artistic yearning.

-Nan Mahony, Director

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Cast/Crew

Cast

Nellie Forbush....................................................Jill Zeszut Emile De Becque...............................................Rick Fortney Ngana.................................................................Anya Sagnes Jerome............................................................Julian Sagnes Henry.............................................................Jostein Sagnes Bloody Mary..................................................Mariah Sledge Liat..........................................................................Maya Shed Luther Billis...........................................Brenton Cochran Stewpot...........................................................Steven Huynh Professor.................................................Austin Rubinoski Lt. Joseph Cable..................................Robert Kowalewski Capt. George Brackett...........................David Arredondo Cmdr. William Harbison.................................Brett Miller Lt. Buzz Adams..................................................Arne Sagnes Yeoman Herbert Quale..............................Daniel Weddell Bob McCaffrey...............................................Spencer Riley Seabee Morton Wise....................................Gabriel Chuna Ensign Dinah Murphy....................................Tara Corkery Ensign Janet MacGregor...........................Hannah Wargo Ensign Cora MacRae..................................Laurie Gartman Nurse Lt. Genevieve Marshall.....................Persis Sosiak Nurse Connie “Pamela� Walewska.......Gabriella Sagnes Nurse Bessie Noonan........................................Megan Lilly Abner......................................................................Jack Horn

Production Team

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Director.............................................................Nan Mahony Artistic Director............................................Rick Fortney Music Director...........................................Ben Malkevitch Choreographer..............................................Katy Russell Dance Captain.................................................Persis Sosiak Costumer/Props Manager..............................Jacqi Loewy Tech Director..........................................Daniel Temelkofs Lighting Designer........................................Rosilyn Cicora Sound Designer..................................................Stan Kozak Scenic Designer.......................................Kirsten Williams Scenic Painter..............................................Melissa Hudak Stage Manager..................................................Tanner Lias Productions Designer......................Michael S. Martinek Sound Board Operator..........................Tyler Cockerham Sound Board Operator........................Kristy McNally 12 Spotlight Operator...........................Scott Heuerman

Staff

TrueNorth Staff

Founder/Executive and Artistic Director.................................Rick Fortney Cultural Arts Programmer/Youth Outreach Coordinator......Brian McNally Administrative Assistant.....................................................Nancy Spencer Box Office/Front Desk........................................Drew Porter, Camille Olsen Financial Manager...............................................................Stefanie Corlew Gallery Manager....................................................................Susan Schauer Gallery Assistant-ceramics, glassware, and jewelry............ Teresa Hoenig Greeters, Ushers, and Concessions............................Friends of TrueNorth Marketing/Social Media...........................................................Laura Golden Music Directors.........................................................Rick Fortney (Chorale),

Joshua Konow (Chamber Orchestra), Eric Dregne (Big Band),

Susan Vance-Koch and Kelsey Geren-Witt (Children’s Choirs) Volunteer Coordinator............................................................ Camille Olsen

TrueNorth Board of Directors

Board Members..............................Hu Auburn, Cathy Dietlin, Rick Fortney, Jim Golden, Jeff Steeber, John Edward Thomas, Anthony Trifiletti, Becky Voit, Jennifer Wilson

French Creek Nature and Arts Center

Cultural Arts Manager / Site Manager ...................................Rick Fortney Ranger Supervisor / Park Manager...................................... Brian Holmes Senior Naturalist.................................................................. Aimee Potonic Cultural Arts Programmer......................................................Brian McNally FCNAC 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 Chief Naturalist.................................................................Grant Thompson Public Information Officer...................................................Vanessa Klesta Web Developer and Graphic Artist......................................Nicholas Baker

Lorain County Metro Parks Board of Park Commissioners

Chairman ...................................................................... Ms. Cookie McLoda Board Member................................................................... Mr. Fred Alspach Board Member..................................................................Mr. Joseph Hribar

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Biographies

Cast David Arredondo (Captain George Brackett) began his acting journey as a senior at Admiral King High School, appearing in their production of South Pacific as Lt. Commander Harbison. After a hiatus of many years, he returned to the stage with his then 11 year old daughter Eliana in Lorain Community Music Theatre’s 2001 production of South Pacific. She played the role of Ngana while David played Henri, Emile’s butler.

His last role at TrueNorth was in, Of Mice and Men in which he played Boss. David thanks his daughter Eliana for inspiring his theatre involvement and his wife, Judge Michele Silva Arredondo, for her support.

Gabriel Chuna (Seabee Morton Wise) is honored to join the cast of South Pacific even on such short notice. This will be Gabriel’s first show with TrueNorth Theatre.

Just last year he graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre with a focus on acting. In his four years at college he has starred in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Tale of a West Texas Marsupial Girl, The Dybbuk, and out of college starred in a few Pg. 14 improv dinner shows by

Jovialities Entertainment and starred in Death on the Canal, a fun murder mystery written by the director David Van Gaasbeek. Gabriel has had a great time with the cast of the show and hopes to work with them again in the near future.

“Whether it be at TrueNorth Theatre or in another company altogether, either way, I wish them all the best in this show and the next.”

Brenton Cochran (Luther Billis) has been involved in theatre since the age of 12. Several of those years were spent working as a Resident Youth Director with middle school, high school and college students on large scale theatrical productions as well as acting classes and workshops. Some of his favorite previous directorial credits include South Pacific, Funny Girl, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, The Secret Life of Girls, Gypsy and most recently Barbecuing Hamlet at the Broadview Heights Spotlights. He also had the pleasure of musical directing the Northeast Ohio’s community theatre premiere of RENT at the Canton Palace Theatre as well as musical directing Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening and The Rocky Horror Show to name a few. Brenton also worked for several years as an Assistant Director, Choreographer and Staging Director for Walsh University Genesius Players. He has also been seen onstage in many other productions. Favorite credits include William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam…, Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Reverend Shaw in Footloose and Horton the Elephant in Seussical

Biographies the Musical. When not onstage, Brenton spends most of his time working for McDonalds as the General Manager in Twinsburg. He would like to send a special thank you to his family and friends and to his best friend Tara. Enjoy the show!

Tara Corkery (Ensign Dinah Murphy) is excited to make her TrueNorth debut as Ensign Dinah Murphy in South Pacific. Some of her favorite theatre credits include Cry Havoc (Flo), Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Peter Pan, Songs for A New World, Little Women (Jo), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine), Durang Durang, The Addams Family, Hairspray (Tracy), Sunset Boulevard, Next to Normal (Diana), Legally Blonde, Baby (Pam), john & jen (Jen), Shrek, and August: Osage County. Tara works full time for Cleveland Clinic Akron General in patient access and is the assistant coach for Canton South High School Speech and Debate.

Richard A. Fortney (Emile De Becque) is the Founder and Executive Director of TrueNorth Cultural Arts, established in 1999.

At TrueNorth, Mr. Fortney conducts the TrueNorth Chorale, serves as TrueNorth’s Artistic Director in theatre, music, visual arts and dance. He founded the TrueNorth

Orchestra, serving as its conductor for 5 years. He is also the Cultural Arts Manager for Lorain County Metro Parks.

Rick’s professional singing resume includes performances with New York Choral Artists, Musica Sacra, Trevor Pinnock’s Classical Band Chorus, The New York Concert Singers, The Juilliard Singers, The National Chorale, The David Dussing Singers, and featured Soloist within the Calvary Baptist Chamber Concert Series. Theatrically he was Spirit McCoy in the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s in Beckley, West Virginia outdoor theatre; worked with American Entertainment, singing at Convention Shows, State Fairs and Cruise Ships for a number of years; and was in the opera chorus for three seasons with Director Peter Sellers while living in New York City.

Since returning to Ohio he has been with Mighty Goliath Productions, Huntington Playhouse, ACT of Brunswick, and ofcourse TrueNorth; as an active chorister, he has been a member of CleveWest Music Consorte, and The Canterbury Singers, USA with which he has sung several choral residencies at Cathedrals throughout England. Mr. Fortney received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts Degrees from Bowling Green State University.

ENJOY THE SHOW! Laurie Gartman (Ensign Cora MacRae) is pleased to join the talented cast of South Pacific.

Most recently, Laurie portrayed a delightfully moody swine, Piggie, in acclaimed children’s author

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Biographies Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie: We are in a Play! (Brecksville Theatre on the Square). She came to love the welcoming and wonderful atmosphere of TrueNorth when she joined the ensemble of White Christmas. Backstage, she’s worked as stage crew, wardrobe assistant/dresser and costume designer, even choreographer for 106 Munchkins for Westlake High’s Wizard of Oz. She studied voice at Cleveland State University and has had the pleasure of singing with several area choirs over the years, including the Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom Festival Chorus.

Super Mommy by day, Super Star by night, she’s most grateful to her loving and supportive husband, Matt, and two beautiful sons, Linus (5) and Calvin (2).

Jack Horn (Abner) This has been Jackson’s first community t h e a t r e experience.

Before playing Abner in South Pacific, Jackson has portrayed a culmination of all guards in Romeo and Juliet, Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, Count Dracula in Dracula, and Jeffrey in Godspell all at Elyria Catholic under Nan Mahony. He then moved on to play Neleus in Mary Poppins at Midview High. He thanks everyone for coming out and supporting TrueNorth Theatre, and hopes you enjoy the show.

Steven Huynh (Stewpot) is a recent graduate from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst.

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of South Pacific is his first production that he’s involved in outside of Amherst, and he has had a wonderful time getting to rehearse and perform with a new group of cast members. From him to you, “I’m truly excited for this production, and I just wanted to thank you for coming to TrueNorth; I hope that you enjoy our journey together to WWII’s South Pacific.”

R o b e r t Kowalewski (Lt. Joseph Cable) is an alumnus of Robert Morris University (Pittsburgh, PA; BSBA Accounting) – where he took part in numerous productions with professional and community theatres. Favorite roles include: Antonio Salieri in Amadeus, Peter in bare: A Pop Opera, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Robert recently starred in the regional premiere of Love’s Labour’s Lost (Berowne) where he was selected as one of seven actors nationwide to receive an award of achievement from the Kennedy Center. He recently worked on Next To Normal at TrueNorth as Henry (#NoMoreMeatballs) and The Wedding Singer at Cassidy Theater.

He will be returning to Cassidy as Josh Baskin in their production of

Biographies Big: The Musical in August. He thanks everyone who made this production possible and for welcoming him into the Cleveland performing arts community!

Megan Lilly (Nurse Bessie Noonan) is very excited to be a part South Pacific for the second time under the direction of Nan Mahony. In 2007 she was in the cast at Elyria Catholic High School. She is a 3rd grade teacher at St. Peter School Lorain. TrueNorth’s Jesus Christ Superstar was the first show Megan was in since high school. In October she was able to expand her theatre experience and Assistant Directed Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical.

She also played Tessie in TrueNorth’s production of White Christmas.

She would like to thank everyone at TrueNorth for being so supportive and the whole production team!

Brett Miller (Cmdr.

Harbison) last appeared onstage earlier this year as Harry Baldwin in Panache at Clague Playhouse. Before that, he appeared in Brigadoon at Strongsville Community Theatre, where he had the pleasure of appearing onstage with his wife, Persis Sosiak. (Brett doesn’t do musicals unless his wife is in the show and he doesn’t have to sing or dance.)

His favorite shows include Anna in the Tropics, The Odd Couple (both at Cassidy Theatre), and The Great White Hope (Karamu House).

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Biographies Spencer Riley ( Mc C a ff r e y ) Spencer is excited to be in his first musical

by Rodgers and Hammerstein, his favorite team of musical theatre composers.

Spencer has been acting since he was 8, and has performed with the Lorain Community Music Theater, Lorain Palace Youth Theater, Brookside High School Drama Club, TrueNorth, and the Marietta College Theater Department.

Spencer received his BFA in Theater from Marietta College in May 2014.

Some of his favorite roles include the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Shahryar in The Arabian Nights, Peter in Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo, Mr. MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, to name a few. Spencer would like to thank his friends and family for their continued love and support. Enjoy the show!

Austin Rubinoski (Professor) is a sophomore at Rockford University and is getting his BFA in musical theater.

This is Austin’s first show with TrueNorth!

Recent Credits include Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), Seesaw (Chorus), Tommy Ross in Carrie, Garry Lejuene in Noises Off, and Nathan Detroit in Guys Pg. 18

and Dolls. Austin thanks his parents and friends and girlfriend for their constant love and support.

Anya Sagnes (Ngana) is pleased to make her theatre debut.

She is entering second grade and enjoys acting and dancing.

She has recently worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers to create their play-offs commercials.

programming design.

Arne Sagnes (Lt. Buzz Adams) is making his theatre debut.

He enjoys martial arts, basketball and fishing.

He works as a System Engineer and enjoys and computer

G a b r i e l l a Sagnes (Nurse Connie “Pamela” is Walewska) making her theatre debut. She enjoys singing, dancing and reading. She manages the careers of the Sagnes Children and has worked on projects such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier as the Marvel Studio Teacher.

Biographies Jostein Sagnes (Henry) is making his theatre debut.

He is entering eighth grade and has worked on movie projects such as the indie film North, along with blockbuster projects such as the upcoming Baywatch movie and The Fast & The Furious 8.

Constable Locke in The Music Man, and Daisy Bluebell in On Track for Murder. She also directs Performing Arts for Jesus, a group she started at her church that teaches kids about the performing arts. Maya plans to attend college in the fall of 2017 to major in either Musical Theater or Music Therapy. Special thanks to her mom for her constant love and support, and to Mike and Brenda Larochelle for reminding her why she fell in love with performing.

Julian Sagnes (Jerome) is excited to make his theatre debut.

He is entering fourth grade and enjoys running, parkour and basketball.

He has recently worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers to create their play-offs commercials and has acted in The Fast & The Furious 8.

Mariah Sledge (Bloody Mary) her love and passion for Theatre began when she was in high school and she was given the opportunity to portray Crystal in Lorain Admiral King High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. She then went on to star as “Dorothy” in Lorain City Schools First All-City musical production of The Wiz. It wasn’t long after that before TrueNorth became her home theater. She first graced TrueNorth’s stage in 2009 at the summer camp Theatre production of Honk! Jr., where she played The Cat. She went on to be in the ensemble for Miracle on 34th Street, an unnamed runaway slave in the Underground Railroad for two consecutive years, a member of the ensemble in The Lion King, and Harriet Tubman in Road to Freedom; all of which were TrueNorth Productions. Mariah played Bernice in Piano Lesson and the Dragon in Shrek, also at Pg. 19

Maya Shed (Liat) is making her second appearance on the TrueNorth stage after having such an amazing experience performing in Godspell earlier this year. A senior at Midview High School, Maya is a part of her school’s drama club, girl’s a capella group, show choir, and Thespian Troupe #1674. A few of her past credits include Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins,

Biographies TrueNorth. Mariah is excited to be a part of this wonderful cast and she hopes you all enjoy the show!

Persis Sosiak (Nurse Lt. Genevieve Marshall) is very happy to return to the TrueNorth stage and share this production with her husband, Brett Miller, Esq.!

Previous TrueNorth appearances include The Secret Garden (Lily Craven), The Lion King in Concert and Blooms of Steel. Locally, she has appeared in Brigadoon (Fiona MacLaren) at Strongsville Community Theater; Bye, Bye Birdie (Rose Alvarez) and Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew) both with the Garfield Players; The Music Man (Marian Paroo) at Cassidy Theatre; My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle) with the Canal Fulton Players; Hello Dolly! (Irene Molloy) and The King and I (Lady Thiang) both with Lorain Community Music Theater. Regional appearances include 1776 (Abigail Adams), The Sound of Music (Maria Rainer), Gypsy (Louise) and A Chorus Line (Maggie Winslow). In 2003 Persis was nominated for and received the Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH) Award for Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music with The St. Mark’s Players in Washington, DC. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!

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Hannah Wargo (Ensign Janet Macgregor) is thrilled to be making her TrueNorth premiere with such a talented cast and crew, and in a show that has themes still relevant today! Hannah is an upcoming sophomore theatre student with a focus in performance at Ohio Wesleyan University. Recent productions include: Red, Hot, and Cole (Linda Porter), Artifice: A Farce (Judith Fontaine), West Side Story (Velma), Lost in Yonkers (Grandma Kurnitz), Rumors (Chris Gorman), and many more. Hannah would like to thank her friends and family for being patient with the “I have rehearsal” excuse constantly and supporting her crazy dreams. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Daniel Weddell (Yeoman Herbert Quale) is thrilled to be revisiting Rogers and Hammerstein for the first time since high school and to be making his TrueNorth debut! He is an upcoming junior theatre major on the acting track at Cleveland State University. Recent credits include Big: The Musical (Mr. Baskin / Zoltar), Bright Ideas (Coach Angus), and Oliver! (Mr. Sowerberry / Dr. Grimwig) at Beck Center for the Arts Youth Theatre, The Addams Family

Biographies (WWI Soldier Ancestor) and Happy Days: The Musical (Warren “Potsie” Webber) at Broadview Heights Spotlights, Carrie: The Musical (Stokes) at Sandstone Summer Theatre, Guys and Dolls (Calvin / Ensemble) at Olmsted Performing Arts, and he will be appearing in The Drowsy Chaperone (Underling) at Stagecrafters Student Stock this August. He would like to thank all of his friends and teachers for supporting him every step of the way and hopes you enjoy the show!

Jill Zeszut (Nellie Forbush) is so grateful to be a member of this talented cast. Regional: Mary Poppins (Ensemble) Beck Center for the Arts. Other recent credits: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) at Geauga Lyric Theater and Happy Days (Marion Cunningham) at TrueNorth Cultural Arts. Thanks to the S.P. production staff for this opportunity and of course God, my family, and my friends for their constant love and support.

Production Team Rosilyn Cicora (Lighting Designer) is a creative theatre artist working in the Akron- Cleveland area. She graduated from The University of Akron with a BA in Theatre, an emphasis in acting and direction, in 2013. Currently she has been stage managing both Fiddler on the Roof

and Into the Woods at Hathaway Brown for their summer Theatre Institute. She is a member of New World Performance Lab, a company that has been housed in Akron for the past 25 years. She is looking forward to continuing to develop new work for Industrial Valley: The Devil’s Milk Part III the third part of a three piece development about the relationship between Akron and the rubber industry, set in the 1930s.

Tyler Cockerham (Sound Board Operator) is twenty-one years old and has been in the theatre and IT industry for over seven years. He began his theater work at Parma Senior High School and quickly learned all of the various technologies such as light and sound production. This will be his fourth time running the sound for TrueNorth as it always provides to be a great learning experience.

Some of his favorite musicals include Beauty and the Beast, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, and Chicago. Chicago being his favorite to design and operate. Outside of the theater industry he works in IT at Darice working on numerous technologies from servers, networking equipment, conveyor systems, and much more. “I strive to learn new things each and every day to further myself and to achieve my goals. Working in stage crew has been one of the best things in my life! There is always room for more individuals!”

Tanner Lias (Stage Manager) is a rising senior Theatre major with specializations in Acting/Directing Pg. 21

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Biographies and Design/Technical Theatre at Bowling Green State University.

Selected stage management credits include: Noises Off! (BGSU), 2016 Winter Dance Showcase (BGSU), It Runs in the Family (Workshop Players), The 25th Annual Putnam…

(BGSU-Assistant Stage Manager).

Other theatre credits include: BGSU 2016 Advanced Directing Showcase (Student Director), Night of the Living Dead (Zombie Ensemble).

South Pacific marks his debut with TrueNorth. Tanner thanks Rick and Nan for this amazing opportunity.

He would also like to thank the wonderful production team, cast, and crew of South Pacific for all of their hard work and dedication!

Finally, Tanner would like to thank his family, friends, and Mitchell for their endless love and support.

Nan Mahony: Nan Mahony (Director) feels incredibly blessed to be directing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific at TrueNorth with this wonderful cast and production team. She directed high school theatre programs in Northeast Ohio (including Southview, Lorain Catholic, and Elyria Catholic) until her “retirement” last year. Nan was also the director of Sandstone Summer Theatre for 17 years and founded the intermediate acting troupe, Sandstone Apprentices. In her “spare” time, Nan is an adjunct professor at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. South Pacific has long been one of her favorite shows to direct because of its beauty, intensity, and timeliness.

Michael S. Martinek (Productions Designer) currently the technology coordinator and a teacher at Saint Peter School in Lorain has been involved in Northeast Ohio performing arts for over 6 years. He has conducted various choral and instrumental ensembles; provided theatrical, technical, box office, and event oversight; and served in various behind the scenes roles of Stage Manager, Sound Designer, Lighting Designer, Projection Designer, Set Designer, Technical Director, and Event Consultant to vast number of productions at Saint Ignatius High School’s Breen Center for the Performing Arts, Notre Dame College, and Mercury Theatre Company. He is extremely excited to return for his sixth show at French Creek Nature Center and TrueNorth Cultural Arts (previously he Lighting Designed Knuffle Bunny, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig, Falling, and Really Rosie) and would personally like to thank the cast for their wonderful talent, hard work, and enthusiasm; and the production staff for all their wonderful direction, dedication, and leadership in this production.

Katy E. Russell (Choreographer) a native of NE Ohio has an immense background in dance and theatre.

Having grown up in the arts, it was no surprise she pursued it further as she graduated from Cedarville University having studied communications and theatre. At Cedarville, Katy was the choreographer and talent coordinator for “Elliv,” a large scale award Pg. 23

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Biographies show, she performed in and choreographed multiple theatre shows, and received a Day-Tony for her choreography in Cedarville’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” The arts have taken her everywhere from Australia and Europe, and Chicago to LA where she has trained under Laura Edwards, Kevin Maher, Luther Brown, Donyelle Jones, Rhapsody, Jabbawockeez, and more. Now she is back in NE Ohio teaching and creating choreography for a variety of projects including work at the Lorain Palace Theatre, Sandstone Summer Theatre, Canton Palace Theatre, Playhouse Square and more. Her work was last seen at TrueNorth this past winter as she choreographed White Christmas.

Katy also teaches with Dancing Classrooms, a non-profit social development program that uses ballroom dance to teach respect, elegance, and self-confidence to 5th and 8th grade students. She also is the head coach of the speech and debate team at her alma mater, Louisville High School. When she is not dancing and coaching, Katy also enjoys working in the talent and casting world having worked on a myriad of shows, including The Voice, MasterChef, and Dance Moms.

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Bendix

is proud to sponsor TrueNorth Cultural Arts!

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Help keep the arts alive!

Make a tax-deductible donation today.

Remember the thrill you experienced the first time you were on stage? How about the first time you watched your child’s face light up as they were introduced to the magic of the theatre? Or the first time you experienced a beautiful piece of music or work of art?

Help TrueNorth bring a set of “first times” to a brand new generation. Keep the arts alive for our children to enjoy and carry on our message.

TrueNorth is a non-profit organization that relies on support from people just like you. Your donation is tax-deductible and helps us bring the following to the community: Professional theatre in Lorain County A Family Life Series geared towards younger children Arts Education programs A Chorale & Symphony Fine Arts Free workshops in arts and nature And much more!

To make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Rick Fortney at (440) 949-5200 Ext. 229, or simply mail a check to TrueNorth Cultural Arts, Attn: Donations, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village OH 44054.

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Thank you for your continued support!

Ford Motor Company is proud to sponsor TrueNorth Cultural Arts!

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2015-2016 Season Donors Spotlight Sponsors ($1,000 or more) Hu & Jan Auburn Avon Lake Printing Paul Balcom & Cathy Dietlin Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

(in support of the TrueNorth

Chamber Orchestra) Steven Bridge Campana Development - Patsie & Jenee

Community Foundation CenturyLink Emerson Charitable Trust Ford Motor Company - Ford.com Fortney Family Foundation Hermes, 5K Artsfest 2015 Cathy and Eric Harvey (in memory of

George and Jane Oechsle) Key Bank Foundation Lorain County Metro Parks Sherrill “Cookie” McLoda Bob & Lynn Miller Stanley Morgan Norton Family Foundation (to be used for

2016 mental health cultural arts programming) Ohio Business College Parsons Insurance PGA Tour Inc. Carl & Ruth Prokop C.H. Smith, Sr. Foundation WOBL/WDLW Jean Young Podium Partners ($500 - $999) Randy & Laura Graham Lakeland Health Care Corp. Agency Judy Reich (in memory of Bob Reich) Conductor’s Circle ($250 - $499) Bruce & Jenny Barden Jen & Adam Bilczo Daryl & Karen Edwards

Laura & Jim Golden James & Karen Miraldi Benjamin & Sara Jane Norton WeedPro (Weed-Pro.com) Gwen Scott Concertmasters ($100 - $249) Joseph & Sandra Agnello (in memory of

Larry Gaynor) Joseph Batcha Jonell, Keven & Tyler Baker Agnus & Bryon Bauman Charlotte & Bruce Burge Jim & Debbie Dowdell Elaine Engelin Christine & John England Rev. Jon & Mary Fancher FirstMetrix Corp.

Margerita & Bengt Gerborg David & Mary Ann Heuerman Jackson Dieken & Associates Judith A. Klucas Gary M. Lilly Mike & Carol Liston Vivian McCullough Michael & Frida Wochna-McGee Kristi & Brian McNally (in support of

TrueNorth Family Life Series) Navital Inc. Barbara A. Nicol Sara Otts Paul & Janice Peters Charles & Carolyn Reed The Rock Pile - therockpile.com Elizabeth Rothenbusch Lynn & Sue Schlessman Joseph & Sally Smith Melissa Trifiletti Nancy Wargo Kathryn L. Whyte Andrew & Michelle Young

Want to see your name here? Contact Rick Fortney at (440) 949-5200 to find out how you can make your tax-deductible donation

2015-2016 Season Donors Friends of the Arts ($50 - $99) Becker’s Donuts - Barbara Mamrar Ted & Terri Brewer Marilynn & Peter Bronson Paul & Francis Burik James & Mary Ruth Burns Dustin & Patricia Bush Deb Chelko Constance L Clark Stefanie Corlew Sally Cornwell David & Mary Jane Croston Bruce Cudney Sandra & Dave Dibbell Doris J. Gaertner Sandi Gerhan Stefanie Gorlew Brett Hall Roberta Hawley Amalia Hoke Ed & Muriel Homer Kuno A. & Christa Josupeit Mark & Michelle Kelly Allan Kirst Dr. Craig & Lois Koehler Alan & Erica Lerner (in honor of Cassie Clair) Julie Mannarelli Leslie R. McGinnis Lila McGinnis Mona Lisa Salon (in memory of

Flory Necsuleu) Gene & Joyce Nickley Frank & Sandra O’Dell Bill & Kathleen O’Malley Richard & Diane Pilat Denny & Bobbie Potonic Dudley & MaryAnn Price Carol Rettew Janet Romanski Edward Selavko Ann Hathaway Seltzer & Gary Izo (in honor

of Rebecca Russel)

Jeffrey Suhanic Michael & Patricia Sweeney Ben & Tonya Thompson Gaylord & Sandra Tucker Sylvia Upchurch & Edward J. Selavko Carole Z. Warren Allen & Martha West Stan & Muir West Richard & Delores Wyer Understudies Janet & R. Herman Barlow Quella Columbaro Lawrence & Claudia Forbes (in memory of

Mary Lou Fortney, my long-time

organ teacher) Mark & Robin Johnson Margaret Kurta Lynne Medlik John & Judith Peterson Daniel & Lisa Shullick Gail & Stephen Smith Nina Sobel Jeff & Melissa Steeber Craig & Elizabeth Shoemaker Becky & Bill Voit Laura Weichel E.J. Wennerberg Jean Youngs

Want to see your name here? Contact Rick Fortney at (440) 949-5200 to find out how you can make your tax-deductible donation

Connect with TrueNorth

Want to get the latest scoop on auditions, performances, behind the scenes photos, contests, videos, and more?

Stay connected with TrueNorth by “liking� our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TNCArts

Your Ad Here!

TrueNorth serves thousands of captive audience members each year. What better way to spread your company’s message?

For advertising opportunities call (440) 949-5200 Ext. 228

Lorain County Metro Parks is a proud partner of TrueNorth Cultural Arts!

French Creek Theatre 2016-2017 Season Fridays & Saturdays – 7:30 pm (Ewing Theatre performances); 7pm (Pijor Hall performances); Sunday Matinees – 3 pm

Curious George The Golden Meatball

September 23 - October 2, 2016 Music by John Kavanaugh | Book & Lyrics by Jeremy Desmon Based on the books by Margret and H.A. Rey and the Play Owned by Universal Stage Productions Musical for the entire family When Chef Pisghetti vows to never cook again on All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day, it’s up to George to swing into action. Everyone’s favorite furry friend stars in this new Pijor Hall adventure filled musical that reminds us the most important ingredient of all is love.

Conceived for the stage by Frank Wildhorn & Steve Cuden | Book and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse October 14 - 30, 2016 Music by Frank Wildhorn | Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson London’s elite are the epitome of pomp and circumstance: sneering sentiment and Musical with adult themes Victorian meticulous manners form the fragile facade of high society until one murderous monster with a taste for bourgeois blood peels back the curtain on their sordid private lives. The classic by Robert Louis Ewing Theatre

Hyde

AND

Stevenson comes to life in the thrilling musical saga of Jekyll & Hyde.

November 11 - 20, 2016 Play for the entire family Pijor Hall

Based on the books by Robert Fulghum | Conceived and Adapted by Ernest Zulia | Music by David Caldwell

A school play. The skies over Los Angeles. The rubble of World War II. Life lessons arise from the most unpredictable places. Featuring stories alternately moving and hilarious, this stage adaptation of the bestselling book urges us to rediscover the meaning in life’s teachable moments.

December 2 - 18, 2016 Musical for the entire family Ewing Theatre

Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin Based upon the Paramount Pictures Film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank Book by David Ives and Paul Blake

Back by popular demand!

Back by popular demand! Two ex-army men, one pair of sultry singers and an unseasonably warm Vermont winter add up to the perfect holiday musical. Relive the days of yuletide yore with memorable music, a heartwarming story and a whole lot of throwback holiday cheer as last year’s record-breaking hit returns to the French Creek stage.

DE AT H - of a -

SALESMAN

January 13 - 29, 2017 Play with adult themes Ewing Theatre

By Arthur Miller A man struggles to earn a living wage after decades on the job. His grown children struggle to make careers for themselves. When hard work reaps little success, their family begins to doubt each other. As relevant now as it was when it opened 68 years ago, witness Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning treatise on the price of the American Dream.

Adapted by Scott Davidson February 10 - 19, 2017 Play for the entire family The tale of a child’s beloved toy yearning to be real graces the stage with all the magic and heart of Margery Williams’ original classic. With a timeless message and unforgettable characters, this enchanted story is sure to captivate young and old imaginations alike.

Pijor Hall March 3 - 19, 2017 Musical for the entire family Ewing Theatre

Bloom

Lyrics by Tim Rice | Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Scorned by his brothers, sold into slavery and jailed for a crime he didn’t commit – how on earth is Joseph going to become the second most powerful man in Egypt? With a little help from his friends, a knack for decoding dreams and a certain extravagantly pigmented jacket, watch the original underdog come out on top in this musical sensation.

March 31 - April 9, 2017 By Andrew Morton Play for ages 10+ Following a violent incident at school, a 15-year-old boy is assigned to work with his social worker’s father, an urban gardener coping with the loss of his wife. Over the course of one Pijor Hall summer, a budding friendship empowers them to grow beyond their troubled pasts.

Book by Alfred Uhry | Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Co-Conceived and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince Based on the true story of May 5 - 21, 2017 the trial and lynching of Leo Frank Musical with mature themes 1913. Marietta, Georgia. A teenage girl is found murdered in the factory where she works.

The town wants justice at any cost, and all eyes turn to her supervisor, a Brooklyn Jew Ewing Theatre who has never fit in with their southern way of life. Grief, ambition and tragedy come together for a beautiful and stirring musical that challenges our own prejudices.

June 25, 2017 Musical for the entire family Ewing Theatre

Here’s a show that will appeal to the entire family, from the very young to the very young-at-heart.

You’ll hear classic songs including “I Won’t Grow Up,” “Getting to Know You,” “Pure Imagination” and “The Rainbow Connection.” And timeless tunes from Disney and Sesame Street will be sure to have kids, their parents and even their grandparents up on their feet for this interactive performance.

Ticket

Golden

July 14 - 16, 2017 Play for the entire family Ewing Theatre R O A L D D A H L’ S

Willy Wonka

Presented by:

Featuring Ursula Cataan, Jodi Maile Kirk, Nancy Maier and Shane Patrick O’Neill

August 11 - 13, 2017 Musical for the entire family Ewing Theatre

By Thornton Wilder Ushering in a new era of modern theatre, Thornton Wilder wrote of a people frozen in the earliest years of the 20th century. Decades later audiences continue to be moved by their simple yet universal struggles, dreams, loves and triumphs.

Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse & Timothy Allen McDonald Based on the book Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl The world’s most famous chocolatier reemerges after years in hiding, and five lucky children win a once-in-a-lifetime trip through his factory. Save your appetite and get your golden ticket to this summer’s most delectable musical treat.

French Creek Nature & Arts Center, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH | (440) 949-5200 | www.MetroParks.cc

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- Donald and Karin Hopkins

Find out more at ideastream.org/support