Roald Dahl’s
Willy WOnka
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
August 11 - 20
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm
4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH www.MetroParks.cc/Theatre
2017/2018 season opener! LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ FRENCH CREEK THEATRE PRESENTS:
BONNIE & CLYDE BOOK BY IVAN MENCHELL | LYRICS BY DON BLACK MUSIC BY FRANK WILDHORN
DIRECTED BY BRITTNI SHAMBAUGH ADDISON MUSICAL DIRECTION BY ANTHONY TRIFILETTI
OCTOBER 13 - 29
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30 PM AND SUNDAYS AT 3 PM TICKETS: $10 - $18 | (440) 949-5200 OR WWW.METROPARKS.CC
French Creek
Theatre
French Creek Nature and Arts Center
Cultural Arts Manager / Site Manager....................................Rick Fortney Ranger Supervisor / Park Manager....................................... Brian Holmes Senior Naturalist................................................................................. Aimee Potonic Naturalist................................................................................................Rachel Mazzola Cultural Arts Programmer..............................................................Brian McNally Front Desk Box Office Staff..............................Camille Olsen, Chris Bizub 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. Joseph Hribar Board Member.............................................................................................. Mr. Fred Alspach
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French Creek
Theatre
Introducing the 2017-2018 season! E w i n g T h e at r e
E w i n g T h e at r e
Bonnie & Clyde
Annie
The Great Depression. As the country’s corporations, banks and institutions crumble, suffering Americans crave a reckoning. Two upstart criminals emerge from the dust of poverty to become folk heroes for their brazen, lawless and deadly deeds.
Billionaire Oliver Warbucks is a man who thinks he has everything. Elevenyear-old Annie is an orphan with nothing. When the unlikely pair meet, together they find the thing that was missing in each other.
Oct 13 - 29, 2017
Book by Ivan Menchell Lyrics by Don Black | Music by Frank Wildhorn
P i j o r T h e at r e
Dec 1 - 17, 2017
Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse | Lyrics by Martin Charnin Based on Little Orphan Annie by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.
E w i n g T h e at r e
I’m Not Rappaport
Children of Eden
From a bench in Central Park, Nat & Midge, two feisty octogenarians, refuse to disappear into the diminishing twilight of their lives. While Nat’s daughter imperils his independence with the threat of nursing homes, Midge fights the yuppie forces trying to push him out of his job. Using the wiles and wisdom that only come with age, they make their final stand in this sidesplitting and thoughtful Tony-award winner.
In the beginning, Adam and Eve live in a state of perfection with their Father. But when they eat from the Tree of Knowledge, their disobedience sets off a powerful chain of events spanning generations, and leaves the far reaches of their bloodline searching for the way back to Eden.
Feb 2 - 18, 2018
By Herb Gardner
Mar 9 - 25, 2018
Book by John Caird Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Based on a concept by Charles Lisanby Orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and Martin Erskine
P i j o r T h e at r e
E w i n g T h e at r e
The Elephant Man
Oliver!
In 1886, a horrifically deformed sideshow attraction named John Merrick is taken in by a young English surgeon named Frederick Treves. As Treves endeavors to civilize him by introducing him to London’s elite, Merrick dreams of being like other men. But when manners and propriety leave Merrick dissatisfied, Treves begins to question his own altruistic pursuits.
Sold from the only life he’s ever known in a toilsome workhouse to be an apprentice coffin-follower for a jocund undertaker, the orphaned and hapless Oliver escapes to find someplace he truly belongs. Taken in by a band of young pickpockets, Oliver thinks he’s finally found a family until a robbery gone sour incurs the wrath of their menacing leader.
May 4 - 20, 2018
July 13 - 29, 2018
Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart
By Bernard Pomerance
L a k e v i e w Pa r k , Lo r a i n
Romeo & Juliet
Aug 17 - 19 (Shows at 7pm) One of the greatest tragedies of all time, Shakespeare’s tale of passion and calamity is performed outdoors as Lorain County Metro Parks is transformed into “fair Verona, where we lay our scene…” By William Shakespeare
Shakespeare in the Park! Pg. 5
Visit Us! 38790 Chester Road Avon Ohio 44011 440.934.WINE (9463) www.thewoodnwine.com
Proud supporter of French Creek Theatre! Pg. 6
French Creek
Theatre
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
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 Artistic Director // Rick Fortney Director // Andrew Keller Music Director // Maria DiDonato Choreographer // Mo Martin Stage Manager // Timothy Maca Sound Designer // Stan Kozak Costume Designer // Justin Bilewicz Scenic, Lightin and Prop Design // Derek Green Assistant Scenic Artist // Brittany Ozanich Board Operator // Jordan Demich-Bogner Spotlight Operators // Timothy Richard Parks, Alex Justice Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
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Welcome to French Creek Theatre Welcome to the French Creek Theatre and to the world of pure imagination, French Creek Theatre’s Summer Golden Ticket! Willy Wonka is opening his marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory...to a lucky few, including you!!!!! I would like to thank our summer team, staff, production team, crew, instrumentalists and of course … our actors … each have worked endless hours in bringing this delectable treat to our stage.
Rick Fortney Artistic Director, Lorain County Metro Parks
If you have yet to receive a brochure for the 2017-2018 French Creek theatre Season, please pick one up before leaving. Please consider joining us as a season ticket subscriber! Learn more at the front desk during intermission or anytime throughout the week. Thank you for supporting the arts here at French Creek Theatre and throughout the region.
Rick Fortney Artistic Director
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Synopsis Act I Prologue • Pure Imagination • Golden Age of Chocolate
Scene 1: The Bucket Shack Scene 2: Outside the Bucket Shack • The Candy Man
Scene 3: The Bucket Shack Scene 4: Outside the Bucket Shack SCENE 5: The Gloops • I Eat More!
SCENE 6: The Salts SCENE 7: Outside the Bucket Shack • Think Positive
SCENE 8: The Bucket Shack SCENE 9: The Beauregardes SCENE 10: The Teavees • I See It All On TV
SCENE 11: The Bucket Shack • Cheer Up, Charlie
SCENE 12: The Snowy Streets • Think Positive (Reprise) • I’ve Got A Golden Ticket
// Intermission // Pg. 10
Synopsis Act II SCENE 13: Outside Wonka’s Factory • Pure Imagination (Reprise) • In This Room Here
SCENE 14: The Chocolate Smelting Room • Oompa-Loompa #1
SCENE 15: The Pink Candy Boat • There’s No Knowing
SCENE 16: The Inventing Room • Chew It • Oompa-Loompa #2
SCENE 17: The Fizzing Lifting Room • Flying • Burping Song
SCENE 18: The Nut Room • I Want It Now! • Oompa-Loompa #3
SCENE 19: The Choco-Vision Room • Oompa-Loompa #4
SCENE 20: The Wonkavator • Flying (Reprise) • Oompa-Loompa/Candy Dreams • Finale
// Bows //
Cast Willy Wonka...........................................................Michael Ferraro Charlie Bucket.......................................................Noah Underhill Candy Man...................................................................Randy Wysocky Phineous Trout..........................................................Connor Fields Mrs. Gloop, Grandma Georgina.........................Erika Kunath Grandma Josephine..........................................Brittany Ozanich Grandpa George..............................................Tobin Grendzynski Grandpa Joe................................................................Josh Herrmann Mr. Bucket............................................................................Jacob Boyle Mrs. Bucket..................................................................................Joni Gill Veruca Salt................................................................Marissa Dingess Mr. Salt...........................................................................Patrick Gladish Violet Beauregarde.......................................................Cara Myers Mrs. Beauregarde........................................................Katie Rotuno Augustus Gloop...............................................................Jack Drinan Mike Teavee............................................................Luciano DiFranco Mrs. Teavee...............................................................................Mo Martin Ensemble.................................................................................Ana Drinan Ensemble...........................................................................Amelia Bohac Ensemble, Matilda.........................................Brooklyn Freeman Ensemble, James..................................................Scott Kortowich Ensemble.........................................................................Juliette Kinlin Ensemble............................................................................Gina Rodgers
Thank You
French Creek Theatre would like to give special thanks to Sandstone Summer Theatre.
Thank You
French Creek Theatre would like to give special thanks to the Palace Youth Theater.
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Production Team: Director.........................................................................Andrew Keller Music Director.........................................................Maria DiDonato Choreographer...................................................................Mo Martin Stage Manager.............................................................Timothy Maca Sound Design.......................................................................Stan Kozak Costume Design.......................................................Justin Bilewicz Scenic, Lighting and Prop Design......................Derek Green Assistanct Scenic Artist..............................Brittany Ozanich Board Operator....................................Jordan Demich-Bogner Spotlight Operator............................Timothy Richard Parks Spotlight Operator.....................................................Alex Justice
Orchestra: Keyboard, Conductor......................................................Eli Manos Percussion............................................................................Greg Cross Horn...............................................................................................Lisa Muth Bass.........................................................................................Drew Postel Oboe.............................................................................................Zack Abbey Violin.......................................................................................Denise Lavin
–– PLEASE NOTE ––
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
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Cast and Crew Bios
CAST Amelia Bohac (Ensemble) is in the seventh grade at Bay Middle School, and has studied acting for four years. She has previously appeared at French Creek Theatre in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Children’s Chorus), and at the Beck Center in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Alice’s Sister), Aargh! (Musket Mel) and Schoolhouse Rock Live! She is excited to be back at French Creek with the amazing Willy Wonka cast! Amelia would like to thank her family and friends for their support. Jacob Boyle (Mr. Bucket) is a Cleveland area actor and graduate of Cleveland State University. He has frequented the slice of Narnia that is Talespinner Children’s Theatre, bringing the magic across Cleveland with The Brementown Musicians. He also toured Neverland in an original production of Hook and Smee. To have the chance to bring some magic Pg. 14 to French Creek has been a delightful experience.
L u c i a n o DiFranco (Mike Teavee) has been in several shows since 2012. He is a junior at Avon High School and he loves to sing and dance. You may have seen him in Bye Bye Birdie as Mr. MacAfee or The Man in the Yellow Hat in Curious George and the Golden Meatball. He hopes you enjoy this “sweet” show. M a r i ss a Dingess (Veruca Salt) is thrilled to be a part of French Creek Theatre’s production of Willy Wonka. Some of her favorite roles include Cellise in Godspell (Heights Youth Theater), Little Red in Into The Woods (Cassidy Theatre), Dori in Schoolhouse Rock Live! (Beck Center), and Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. She studies voice with Helen Todd and is a dancer at The Beck Center. Ana Drinan (Ensemble) is 11 years old and is going into sixth grade at Avon Middle School. She plays the clarinet and the piano. She enjoys
Cast and Crew Bios playing soccer, softball, volleyball, and basketball. She also loves to draw and sing. This is her second production at French Creek Theatre. She was last seen in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Thank you cast and crew and enjoy the show! Jack Drinan (Augustus Gloop) is an eighth grader at Avon Middle School. He plays the piano, saxophone, and oboe, and has recently become a member of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony. He is an active member of his Boy Scout troop. This is his third production at French Creek Theatre. He has previously been a part of Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He is grateful, once again, for having been given the opportunity to get to know and learn from everyone involved in the show. He has loved every minute of it! M i c h a e l Ferraro (Willy Wonka) is very excited to return to the stage for Willy Wonka, and honored to work with so many talented young actors and actresses. It’s been a while since he’s been in a show since returning
to Lorain after studying acting and directing at Bowling Green State University. He took a long break following his performance as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. It’s been an exciting and fast paced journey, and we hope you enjoy the show, because a good show can change more than the world - it can change your perspective. Connor Fields (Phineous Trout) is currently a student at Brookside High School. Recently, he was Scarecrow in The Wiz, and Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. He won an award for the role of Jack in Into The Woods! He would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight, and his mom for allowing him to live his dream every day! B r o o k ly n F r e e m a n (Ensemble, Matilda) is excited to be cast in French Creek’s production of Willy Wonka. She was last seen in French Creek’s Our Town and this past fall she was in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Brooklyn will be turning 11 years old this coming fall and will be going into fifth grade. Pg. 15
Cast and Crew Bios She is a child of four. When she is not rehearsing she enjoys dancing, singing, hanging out with her friends and babysitting. Joni Gill (Mrs. Bucket) is happy to return for her second show this season at French Creek Theatre after several years away from performing. She previously made her French Creek debut with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this past March. Previous credits include Seussical, the Musical (Mrs. Mayor), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Mother) The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Ensemble Soloist), and Once on This Island (Erzulie) among many others. Endless thanks to Andrew and Mo for this opportunity, and Maria and Tim for all of their work in allowing this show to come together! Joni would also like to thank the cast and crew for all of their support and wonderful friendship during this process! “Enjoy the show!” Patrick Gladish (Mr. Salt) is thrilled to be cast in his second show at French Creek Theatre! He loved Willy Wonka growing up, both the book by Roald Dahl and the movie starring Gene Wilder. His last role at French Creek was Simon Stimson in Our Town. Other past roles around Northeast Pg. 16 Ohio included Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet,
Ted in Harbor, and Biondello in Taming of the Shrew. You may also have seen performing improvisational comedy in groups such as Something Dada and Torque. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and director for the journey. He hopes you enjoy the show and thanks you for supporting the arts! T o b i n G r e n dz y n s k i (Grandpa George) is excited to be joining the cast of Willy Wonka. Tobin lives in North Ridgeville and is a freshman in North Ridgeville High School where he runs cross country and track. Tobin is also a tenor in concert choir and loves to sing. He started acting in 2014 at the Olde Towne Hall Theater in Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. He started with French Creek as The Big Bad Pig in The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. Tobin would like to thank his family for all the support that they have given him. Joshua Herrmann (Grandpa Joe) is very happy to be participating in Willy Wonka. This is his first time preforming at French Creek Theatre. Josh has had a passion for the theater since he was 11 years old when his first
Cast and Crew Bios musical was Annie. Since then he has been in numerous musicals and plays ranging from Joseph & the Amazing Te c h n i c o l o r Dreamcoat (Joseph), Seussical The Musical (Horton), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), and 1776 (Joseph Hughes). He is very grateful for this opportunity and is very hopeful for the future. Juliette Kinlin (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of the Willy Wonka. She has worked with French Creek Theatre, LCMT, and the Lorain Palace Theatre in the past. Some of her favorite shows include The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie and All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. She will start 7th grade at Brookside Middle School in the fall. Juliette has won many awards for academics, cheer and dance. She would like to thank her family, especially her mother and father, for making this experience possible. Scott Kortowich (Ensemble/ James) is a seventh grader at Avon Middle School, and is super excited to be an Oompa Loompa. He has also been in James and the Giant Peach at Olde Towne Hall Theater, and in
Carrie the Musical at Beck Center. In his spare time, he draws portraits of famous people, spoils his French bulldog named Paris and battles his brother in Mario Kart. Erika Kunath ( G r a n d m a Georgina/Mrs. Gloop) is happy to be returning to French Creek. This is her second show with French Creek, her first being Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last spring in the role of Pharaoh. In her spare time, Erika is an avid karaoker, a Certified Cicerone, and an artist. She would like to send a shout out to her family for always supporting her, her coworkers at Sherwin Williams for being so flexible with her rehearsal and show schedule, and her many friends that continue to come see her perform as well as perform with her. Mo Martin (Mrs. Teavee/ Choreographer) attended high school at St. Joseph Academy where she was very involved in choir and
Cast and Crew Bios theater. Some of her favorite shows include Into the Woods, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Seussical. She went to Walsh University where she continued singing and acting. Mo has also performed at North Canton Playhouse in Legally Blonde. Recently she appeared in Joseph…Dreamcoat here at French Creek. She has had a very busy summer teaching and choreographing at TrueNorth Cultural Arts’ Summer Theatre Camp. She’s honored to work with such a talented cast, and wants to thank her family and friends for all the love and support. Break a leg cast and crew! Cara Myers ( V i o l e t Beauregarde) is a seventh grader at Olmsted Falls Middle School. Cara has performed in local theater for the past four years. Some of her favorite shows include A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theater), Willy Wonka (Brecksville Theater on The Square), Beauty & The Beast (Mighty Goliath Productions) and anytime she gets to perform in a show with her dad and brother. Cara’s favorite theater experience was being a part of the National Tour of Ragtime during her fifth grade year. Cara would like to thank her family for always supporting her dreams.
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B r i tt a n y O z a n i c h ( G r a n d m a Josephine / Assistant Scenic Artist) is excited to be part of Willy Wonka. This is her first production at French Creek Theatre. She has done previous scenic artwork at Olde Towne Hall Theatre for Camping with Henry and Tom and Fiddler on the Roof. She is currently studying theatre and music at Cleveland State University with a focus in scenic, costume, and lighting design. She would like to give a huge thank you to scenic designer Derek Green for sharing his wealth of artistic knowledge with her and looks forward to continuing to work with him on future productions. Gina Rodgers (Ensemble) is happy to be making her first appearance at French Creek Theatre. Gina has appeared in summer productions of Annie, The Music Man, and Mary Poppins, as well as several musicals at her school. Her most recent role as Fiona in Shrek Jr. was her first lead character. Her other talents include clarinet in the school band, and competitive Scottish Highland
Cast and Crew Bios Dancing at festivals around the region. She sang for the talent scouts from America’s Got Talent last December; no TV show yet, but the experience was unforgettable. Joining the cast of Willy Wonka is especially fun after her real life cousin accepted a position with Hershey’s Chocolate this year. They say art imitates life! Katie Rotuno (Mrs. Beauregarde) returns to the French Creek Theatre stage for the fifth time this 2016-2017 season. She made her FCT debut last fall in Jekyll & Hyde (Nellie/Ensemble), followed by appearances in White Christmas (Rita), Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Levi), and Parade (Mrs. Phagan). She recently worked behind the scenes assisting with makeup and hair for The Little Mermaid at LCMT. Next up: taking a break from musicals to perform in Brecht’s play, Caucasian Chalk Circle for Shaharazad Theatre Company’s inaugural production in Cleveland Heights this fall. Thank you to Andrew for the opportunity, the cast/crew for your energy and patience, and to all willing to join us, “in a world of pure imagination!”
N o a h Underhill (Charlie Bucket) is excited to be returning to the stage that sparked his love of acting in 2014 in Seussical. This is Noah’s fifth show including Suessical (Wickersham #1) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck) with TrueNorth Cultural Arts, Beauty & The Beast twice, once as Lefou with Palace Youth Theater, and once as a member of the ensemble with Mighty Goliath Productions. When Noah is not acting he is an avid swimmer and a member of the Oberlin Choristers. Thanks for coming, and enjoy the show!
Fabulous job, Noah! Love you buckets! - Mom, Dad, Zoe & Selah
Congratulations!
To Noah and the cast of Willy Wonka on a fantastic production. Legacy Appraisals, Inc. Elyria, OH | (440) 897-4699
Cast and Crew Bios R a n d y W y s o c k y (Candy Man) is thrilled to be a part of his first ever show here at French Creek. He’s been active in theatre for a little over a year and loves everything about it. Some of his favorite roles in the past include Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Will Parker in Oklahoma, and Benny in RENT. He would like to thank all of his friends and family for all the support they give him in pursuing theatre. Enjoy the show!
Production Team: Andrew Keller (Director) is very pleased to be returning to French Creek Theatre, having appeared in Our Town and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat earlier this season. His is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, where he received a BA in Acting and Directing. His previous directing credits include The Office and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at BW, and he served as the Assistant Director for Into the Woods at The Upton Players in his native Toledo. Since graduation he has worked in the area as an actor performing at The Huron Playhouse, Ensemble Theater, Blank Canvas Theater, and Strongsville Pg. 20 Community Theater. He
is very humbled and grateful for the experience of bringing this timeless story to life, and working with an incredible cast and production team. The biggest thanks to his family for their constant love and support. Enjoy the show! Maria DiDonato (Music Director) is beyond excited to be music directing her first show at French Creek Theatre! Maria has recently been the music director for Avenue Q at Playhouse Square, Footloose at Cuyahoga Community College, and A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Academy for the Dramatic Arts. She will be music directing Company at Playhouse Square in the fall. Maria has a B.M. in Music Education with a minor in Theatre from Cleveland State University and is working on her M.M. in Vocal Performance. Maria performs regularly in operas, musicals, and with her band Hip to That throughout the Cleveland area. She feels absolutely blessed to work with such talented actors and her brilliant production team, and hopes you enjoy this magical production! Timothy Maca (Stage Manager) can usually be found in his natural habitat of Talespinner Children’s Theatre where he is the Resident Stage Manager. This is his first experience with French Creek Theatre. Tim is a Graduate of Cleveland State University, and is an actor, stage manager, and director. He has been an Assistant Stage Manager for Cabaret at CSU, and upgraded to
Cast and Crew Bios Stage Manager for TCT’s The Floating Dolls, and has done several shows since. Stan Kozak (Sound Designer) Stan Kozak, currently in his twenty-seventh season at Great Lakes Theater, has more than 50 design credits including Bat Boy: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Comedy of Errors, Amadeus, You Can’t Take It With You, Private Lives, Into the Woods and the Tom Hanks’ benefit performances. His work in 1979 and 1981 with Geraldine Fitzgerald on Streetsongs at GLTF led to the original cast album. Mr. Kozak was the resident sound designer for four seasons at the Porthouse Theatre Company, including productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Niteclub Confidential and a Nightingale Sang. His collaborations with Victoria Bussert at Baldwin-Wallace College include productions of Chess, Hair, Company, Cabaret, West Side Story, Tommy in Concert, Parade, the Ohio premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, and one of the first nonprofessional productions of Phantom of the Opera. For Cain Park, his design credits include Secret Garden, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Bat Boy, Tick, tick…Boom, Nine, The Wiz, Harold and Maude and Pippin. Mr. Kozak has also designed sound for Wit and Last Five Years for the Dobama Theater, Iolanthe and Sweeney Todd for the Cleveland Opera, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Forbidden Broadway SVU for the Hanna Theatre and A Shayna Maidel, Brooklyn Boy and Pangs of the
Messiah for the JCC. He has served as sound designer for the All-City Musical for the Cleveland school system for eight seasons. He also had the good fortune to have worked with Bebe Neuwirth in her concert performance for the Ideastream Gala in 2005. He was honored to be among the first group of LORT sound designers to achieve recognition in USA 829. D. Justin Bilewicz, III (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be costuming Willy Wonka for French Creek. Justin’s theatrical credits extend across Northeast Ohio, working as a costume designer for community and academic theatre in Amherst, Cleveland, Lorain, Shaker Heights, Case Western Reserve University, Westlake, etc. He is also the Costume Shop Supervisor for Ashland University and the drama director for Clearview High School. Justin graduated from Ashland University with a BA in Costume Design. Justin’s recent costume design credits include Mothers and Sons (Beck Center for the Arts), Carrie, the Musical (Sandstone Summer Theatre), Joseph....Dreamcoat, Death of a Salesman, White Christmas, and Jekyll and Hyde (French Creek Theatre). Justin just finished Directing The Palace Youth Theatre’s 40th anniversary show, Shrek the Musical, Jr. and just finished costuming Sandstone Summer Theatre’s production of Sister Act.
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Cast and Crew Bios Derek Green (Tech Director, Scenic and Lighting Design, and Props Master) is happy to continue working with French Creek this summer. Design credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (FCT); The Tempest, Richard II (Cleveland Shakespeare Festival); South Pacific, The Curious Savage, Joseph… Dreamcoat, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Here Come the Brides (NDCL). He has also performed with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble Theatre, and alongside the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Derek currently works as part of the Education staff at Cleveland Playhouse. Jordan Demich-Bogner (Board Operator) is currently in her senior year at Cleveland State University where she will earn her bachelor degree in technical theatre with a concentration on light design. She has served in many theatre roles over the past twelve years including acting, house manager, stage manager, light designer and board operator, sound board operator, and technical crew from props to building the set. This is her first season at French Creek, she is excited for this opportunity and would like to thank the cast and crew for bringing their talent to the stage. Elias Manos (Conductor) is a pianist and composer at Cleveland State University. Eli studied piano as a child with Madeline Levitz and now studies piano performance with
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Grammy-winning artist Dr. Angelin Chang and collaborative piano with Joela Jones, the head keyboardist of the Cleveland Orchestra. He is an active freelancer in Eastern Ohio and has music directed and accompanied multiple shows in the Cleveland area. Eli also accompanies multiple choirs in Cleveland, including the Singers Club men’s choir and the Singing Angels children’s choir. He has traveled and performed with the Singing Angels in several well-known venues, including Playhouse Square, the White House, and in the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland as part of the Rhythms of One World international festival. In addition, he was invited to participate in the Coimbra World Piano Meeting in Coimbra, Portugal. During this festival, he made his international debut as a composer and had his compositions premiered before the mayor of Sardoul, Portugal, and at the Conservatoire MauriceBaquet in Paris, France. Eli began his composition studies at a young age with Chris Auerbach-Brown and now studies under Dr. Andrew Rindfleisch and Dr. Greg D’Alessio. He has received the Bain Murray Award numerous times for his compositions. Eli also regularly composes music for local films, a few of which were featured in the 48 Hour Film Festival in Cleveland. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and Piano Performance in 2018, and move on to graduate school for film scoring and piano performance.
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