KING OF PANGAEA Playbill

Written & Composed by MARTIN STORROW

Directed by MICHAEL BARON

Music Directed by ANN-CAROL PENCE

MARCH 20 - APRIL 7

Lyric at the Plaza

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Devon Energy supports Lyric Theater because it helps build creative and culturally vibrant communities full of energy. Performing arts inspire learning, individuality and creativity. The results enrich our lives and help Oklahoma flourish.

Director’s Welcome

Welcome to Lyric – The Official State Theatre of Oklahoma and our production of the new musical King of Pangaea by Martin Storrow. Inspired by his own life, this musical is special on many levels, and we are honored to bring it to life for its first full production as part of Lyric’s New Work Initiative program.

I was instantly drawn to KING OF PANGAEA’s honest storytelling and heartfelt musical score.

I first saw a concert version of the show as part of the 2022 National Alliance for Musical Theatre New Works Festival in NYC. I was instantly drawn to its honest storytelling and heartfelt musical score. Getting new musicals on their feet is often a challenge, and having a partner theater can provide additional support to both the writer and production. We are proud and honored to work with the groundbreaking Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA, just outside Atlanta. Longtime friend and Aurora’s Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence feels the same passion for this show, and it made sense for both theaters to collaborate. This production will also have a run at Aurora Theatre in January 2025 allowing the playwright to make any additional changes between productions based on his experience and audience response here at Lyric. AnnCarol is lending her artistic talent as the Music Director for both productions, and we have cast actors from both OKC and the Atlanta area. It has been a true pleasure working with Martin, and creative teams from Oklahoma, New York, California, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Adding to the excitement, the audience who saw King of Pangaea in NYC at the 2022 festival will be gathering again here in Oklahoma City April 3-6, as Lyric Theatre hosts the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Spring Conference. Musical theater professionals from Broadway and around the country are convening in OKC for a focus on marketing and development featuring expert panels, diverse breakout sessions and a keynote address by our own Mayor David Holt. Of course, we can’t wait to share with you and our out-of-town guests King of Pangaea’s first full production. It will be thrilling as we roll out the red carpet to showcase OKC – the Modern Frontier and all Lyric has to offer.

Thank you for supporting live theater and especially Lyric’s New Work Initiative. Everyone at Lyric is excited to send this new show out into the world and we’re thankful to be a part of its creative journey. Of course, we’re just starting Lyric’s 2024 season and have three big and bold new productions coming this summer to the Civic Center Music Hall. Join us for Mary Poppins, Jersey Boys, and an innovative American Sign Language/Spoken English production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, in collaboration with Deaf Austin Theatre and ZACH Theatre. In addition, this fall promises something special as we return to the Plaza Theatre for the hit Caribbean-inspired musical Once on the Island and our 2024 edition of Oklahoma’s favorite holiday tradition, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol.

Please be sure to stay after the show for a lively conversation with the creative team…and now Martin Storrow’s King of Pangaea

See you in the lobby,

Michael Baron

Producing Artistic Director

MICHAEL BARON, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

JIM REYNOLDS, MANAGING DIRECTOR

ASHLEY WELLS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

PRESENT

KING OF PANGAEA: A New Musical

BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY MARTIN STORROW

ORCHESTRATIONS & ARRANGEMENTS ANTHONY LUCCA

COSTUME DIRECTOR JEFFREY MEEK

PROPERTIES DESIGNER

AMANDA SCHNAKE

SCENIC DESIGNER LEE SAVAGE^

RESIDENT LIGHTING DESIGNER FABIAN J. GARCIA

STAGE MANAGER ABBEY HELFEN

ASSOCIATE MUSIC DIRECTOR MARY BROZINA WIERICK

RESIDENT SOUND DESIGNER COREY RAY

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LAUREN HARRISON

MUSIC DIRECTOR ANN-CAROL PENCE

DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BARON+

In Collaboration with Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville, GA.

CHOREOGRAPHERS

ASHLYN ADAMS & DIRK LUMBARD

KING OF PANGAEA is produced by special arrangement with Bret Adams Ltd., 448 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. www.bretadamsltd.net

KING OF PANGAEA was developed with Aubrey Swander.

KING OF PANGAEA was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals in 2022. www.namt.org

Developed in part at the Barn on Fire Residency, a program of New York Theatre Barn and the Fire Island Pines Art Project. Exerpts of the poem “Wisteria” by Claudia Axel used by permission.

KING OF PANGAEA was presented and developed in part at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.

KING OF PANGAEA is made possible with funding from:

^ Member of United Scenic Artists (USA) •

Member of Actrs’ Equity Association (AEA) + Member Stage Directors and Chorographers Society (SDC)

KING OF PANGAEA Cast

The Band

Mary Brozina Wierick/Piano • Dustin Borjas/Violin • Jay Gleason/Guitar

James Metcalfe/Drums • Jeremy Sheets/Cello • Clinton Trench/Bass

Song List

“Opening/Time Rises” ................................................................... Christopher/Celia/ Young Christopher/Arthur/Sophie

“Infinite Sands” Christopher/Celia/Young Christopher

“Everyone I Love” ........................................................................................................................................................................... Elijah “Prayer”................................................................................................................................................................................. Christopher

“The Thing About The River” ................................................................................................................................................ Captain

“Stella Maya” Maya/Christopher

“The Puzzle” ................................................................................................................................. Christopher/Young Christopher

“Celia’s Warning”.............................................................................................................................................................................. Celia

“King of Pangaea” Elijah

“The Curriculum”................................................................................................................................................... Christopher/Elijah

“Elijah’s Breakdown”...................................................................................................................................................................... Elijah

“Brighter, Brighter” Christopher

“Today I am Here” Celia

“Where We Going Now Reprise”........................................................................................... Christopher/Young Christopher

“Hold the Secret” ......................................................................................................................................... Christopher/Company

“Finale” Christopher/Young Christopher

LOGAN CORLEY Christopher

RILEY MCCOOL Young Christopher

TALORIA MERRICKS Sophie/Maya

MATTHEW ALVIN BROWN* Arthur/Captain

ASHLEY J. MANDANAS Elijah & Sophie Understudy

WENDY MELKONIAN* Celia

DIRK LUMBARD* Elijah/Doctor

DUSTIN BOATRIGHT Christopher, Arthur & Captain Understudy

ELIZABETH DRAGOO Celia Understudy

CONOR FITZPATRICK Young Christopher Understudy

KING OF PANGAEA Cast

LOGAN CORLEY (Christopher) AT LYRIC: The Rocky Horror Show, Kinky Boots, Matilda. REGIONAL THEATRE: River City Players, NSU Playhouse, Matilda the Musical, The Firehouse Theatre; The Polar Express Train Ride, Rail Events Productions/Warner Brothers. OTHER THEATRE: Bonnie & Clyde, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, RENT, Rock of Ages, University of Central Oklahoma. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.M. from University of Central Oklahoma.

MATTHEW ALVIN BROWN* (Arthur/Captain) AT LYRIC: Concerto, Matilda, Lyric Kids’ Clubhouse Interactive, The Rocky Horror Show, Frost/Nixon, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, When We’re Gone, Hello, Dolly!, I Am My Own Wife, Assassins, Fiddler on the Roof, An Inspector Calls, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Odd Couple, Ragtime, Boeing Boeing, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers. NEW YORK: Rainbow Around the Sun, New York Musical Theatre Festival. REGIONAL THEATRE: The Rocky Horror Show, AntiGravity Orlando. LOCAL: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Idiot, Company, Passing Strange, Pollard Theatre; The Normal Heart, The 39 Steps, Next To Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher, CityRep; Jesus Christ Superstar, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, OKC Theatre Company; Venus in Fur, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pride and Prejudice, Oklahoma Shakespeare. DIRECTING: Kaleidoscope, Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy; Little Shop of Horrors, Pollard Theatre. Brown serves as instructor/director for Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy RoKademy Experiment.

WENDY MELKONIAN* (Celia) – is making her Lyric Theatre debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: Sister Act, The Musical, Pasadena Playhouse; Sister Act, Suessical The Musical, A Christmas Carol, Ugly Lies The Bone, Hand To God, The Alliance Theatre. REGIONAL THEATRE: The Prom, Out Front Theatre; Into The Woods, Aurora Theatre; Skintight, Actors Express; The Foreigner, Theatrical Outfit; Elf with Tony Award Winner Shuler Hensley, City Springs Theatre. OTHER THEATRE: Second City, Chicago; Dad’s Garage, Atlanta; The Groundlings, Los Angeles. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Writer, Director, acting and song coach, Master of Music from The Boston Conservatory, represented by People Store for TV/Film, and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

DIRK LUMBARD* (Elijah/Doctor) AT LYRIC: Oliver!, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol. BROADWAY: The Music Man, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Imaginary Friends, On Your Toes, Barnum, Sugar Babies. OFF BROADWAY: Flora, the Red Menace, Dames at Sea.

NATIONAL TOUR: Crazy for You, The Wizard of Oz, Grand Hotel. INTERNATIONAL: The Music Man (Stage Door Award), Kiss Me, Kate, Titus Andronicus, Comedy of Errors, Canada’s Stratford Theatre. TELEVISION: Deadline, Home Improvement, Alice in Wonderland and numerous commercials. He has been a Tap Consultant on many productions including Agnes deMille’s Rodeo and The Informer. He has directed/ choreographed for Papermill Playhouse, NJ; Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis; Muny Theatre, St. Louis; Salt

Lake’s Pioneer Theatre. Awards include: Joseph Jefferson, Stage Door and Broadway World. He is currently part of East Carolina University’s School of Theatre and Dance Department.

TALORIA MERRICKS (Sophie/Maya) – is making their Lyric Theatre debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: The Wiz, True Colors Theater; The Donna Summer Musical, Aurora Theatre; Pippin, School Street Playhouse; All the Natalie Portmans, Out Front Theater.

RILEY MCCOOL (Young Christopher) – is making his Lyric Theatre debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: James and the Giant Peach Jr., The Big One-Oh Jr., Bugsy Malone Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., Kismet Arts Studio and Theatre; Finding Nemo Jr., Spotlight Acting Academy.

ASHLEY J. MANDANAS (Elijah & Sophie Understudy)

AT LYRIC: The Sound of Music, The Play That Goes Wrong, Lyric’s Musical Interactive: Cinderella and Oklahoma!, Nunsense, Lyric’s Moonlight Cabaret, The King and I, Ragtime, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol (2011, 2023). REGIONAL THEATRE: Vietgone, The Antelope Party, Superstitions, Avenue Q, OKC Repertory Theater; Silent Sky, The Chinese Lady, Southern Plains Productions; City of Angels, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Ragtime, University of Oklahoma Theater. OTHER THEATRE: The Catmaster Cycle, Presence, Theatre Crude; Those Who Lie Beyond, 19th Century Hound. Nightshade, Madison St. Theatre Chicago; Songs for a New World, NAF South Africa. FILM: Chicken House, Golden Arm, Hell Hath No Fury, Shifter, The Girl Who Believes in Miracles. TELEVISION: The Price of Fame: Angelina Jolie. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from OU.

ELIZABETH DRAGOO (Celia Understudy) AT LYRIC: The Sound of Music, Big River, Kinky Boots. REGIONAL THEATRE: Cabaret, Reduxion Theatre; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pollard Theatre; My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Seussical, The Sound of Music, Summerstock Productions; Oliver, Kismet Arts Theatre; Guys and Dolls, The Bethany Stage; The Wedding Singer, Peter Pan, Annie, Sooner Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Director/Choreographer, B.M. Musical Theatre from the University of Central Oklahoma.

DUSTIN BOATRIGHT (Christopher/Arthur/Captain Understudy) AT LYRIC: Lyric’s A Christmas Carol. REGIONAL THEATRE: The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy. OTHER THEATRE: Oklahoma!, She Loves Me, The Pirates of Penzance, Oklahoma State University Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma State University.

CONOR FITZPATRICK (Young Christopher Understudy) – is making his Lyric Theatre debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: Finding Nemo Jr., Spotlight Acting Academy; The Big One-Oh Jr., Kismet Arts Studio and Theatre; Elf, Crossings Christian School; The Lightning Thief, Poteet Theatre.

* Member Actors’ Equity Association

The Official State Theatre of Oklahoma • 2024 Season

MARCH 20 - APRIL 7

SEPT. 18 - OCT. 6

JUNE 25-30

Nov. 23 - Dec. 27

Lyric at the Plaza

Lyric at the Civic

JULY 9-14

Lyric at the Civic

JULY 30 - AUG. 4

Lyric at the Civic

Lyric at the Plaza

Lyric at the Plaza

KING OF PANGAEA Artistic Staff

MARTIN STORROW (Playqwright/Composer/Lyricist) believes that our stories can change everything. A prolific writer, composer, and lyricist, Martin has created multiple albums and singles and a collection of poems. His music has been featured in film and television shows on NBC, Starz, and Netflix, and he has performed more than a thousand live concerts across the U.S. and around the globe. King of Pangaea is inspired by Martin’s own experience, and he is grateful for the incredible community that has helped to bring this show to life. Martin writes and composes in New York City, where he lives with his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Joni. @MartinStorrow

ANTHONY LUCCA (Orchestrations & Arrangements) is an award-winning music director, orchestrator, and arranger. World Premieres include: Bronco Billy (Skylight Theatre Company, LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Music Direction), Mutt House (Kirk Douglas Theater). Regional Music Direction: Calvin Berger (Colony Theatre Company), Oliver, Cinderella, Something Rotten!, Mamma Mia! (5-Star Theatricals), Evita (Palos Verdes Performing Arts Center). Orchestrations and Arrangements: Cult of Love (IAMA Theatre Company), Sideways: In Concert (Via Reggia Productions), Into Light (musical film). He is currently composing dance music for Hans Christian Andersen’s The Shadow (Mixed eMotion Theatrix). He is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts and serves on the board of the Foundation for New American Musicals.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Music Director) is a multitalented artist, serving as the Co-Founder, Producing Artistic Director and Resident Music Director for Aurora Theatre. She and Co-Founder Anthony Rodriguez grew from 120 season subscribers to 5,000 subscribers. Aurora’s greatest accomplishment to date has been the creation of the innovative partnership between Aurora Theatre and the City of Lawrenceville, which led to not only the theatre’s relocation in 2007, where it served as the cornerstone for their historic downtown revitalization, but their recent campus expansion, which opened in October 2021. The Lawrenceville Arts Center (LAC as it is now called) is an inclusive art space with 4 stages dedicated to serving Metro Atlanta, and more specifically Gwinnett County, the most diverse county in the Southeast. Aurora innovative programs include: Learning Library (or L2), an educational program highlighting Academic Knowledge Skills (Gwinnett County’s standards of learning), Teatro Aurora a Spanish language theatre, Professional Leadership Apprentice Company (AppCo) for early career professionals, Musicals by Moonlight summer concert series, and New Musical Initiative, providing development and production of new musicals. Aurora won the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, the first ever Moxie Award for a woman led business and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Arts Organization. Ann-Carol is a graduate of Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2016 Regional Leadership

Institute, and Glance Gwinnett, where she now serves as a speaker and authority on creative placemaking. These business accolades go well with her 5 Suzi Bass Awards for her music direction. She lives in Duluth, Georgia with her partner in all things Anthony Rodriguez and Bella, Aurora’s Barx Office Manager.

LAUREN HARRISON (Assistant Director) - AT LYRIC: The Play That Goes Wrong. REGIONAL THEATRE: A Raisin in the Sun, Theatre Arlington; Macbeth, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. OTHER THEATRE: The Play That Goes Wrong, An Enemy of the People, Oklahoma City University. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Director of Be Aggressive at Oklahoma City University, Assistant Director for Big River at Lyric Theatre, Assistant Director for Marie Antoinette at Amphibian Stage. Currently a Senior at Oklahoma City University pursuing a B.F.A. in Acting with a double minor in Directing and Props Fabrication/Management.

ABBEY HELFEN (Stage Manager) is a senior stage & production management major at Oklahoma City University. Abbey previously worked with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma as an assistant stage manager on Nunsense & Masterclass at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Her stage management credits include Oklahoma City University’s Sunday in the Park with George, She Kills Monsters, and Pieta + Suor Angelica Abbey would like to thank her Mom and roommates for supporting her through this process!

LEE SAVAGE* (Scenic Designer) – LYRIC: Bernice Bobs Her Hair, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, Ragtime, Oliver!.

BROADWAY: The Lightning Thief. NYC: Women’s Project, Second Stage Uptown, Keen Company, Acting Company, Mabou Mines, Labyrinth, Primary Stages, LCT3, Roundabout Underground, Page 73, Atlantic, NAATCO, Clubbed Thumb, EST, NY Fringe.

REGIONAL THEATRE: ACT, Asolo Rep, Baltimore Centerstage, Chautauqua, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Glimmerglass, Goodman, Guthrie, Huntington, KC Rep, Long Wharf, Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, PlayMakers, Trinity Rep, Two River Theater, Washington National Opera, Wilma, Yale Rep and Others. AWARDS: Helen Hayes, NAACP and Connecticut Critics Circle. AFFILIATIONS: Wingspace and USA829. MFA (Yale School of Drama), BFA (RISD), Head of Scenic Design at Rutgers, Mason Gross.

JEFFREY MEEK (Costume Director) – Is in his 24th season Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma with over 130 productions to his credit. REGIONAL: Ohio Light Opera: Over 50 productions, including Lady Kate - World Premiere, Regrets Only - World Premiere, The Arcadians - U.S. Premiere, The Grande DukeU.S. Premiere; Evan Bernardin Productions: Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, National Tour; ZACH Theatre: Cinderella; Tulsa Opera: 2003/2004 Seasons; Casa Mañana Playhouse: Annie, Disney’s High School Musical, A Christmas Carol - The Musical; Stage One: I Do, I Do, Are We There Yet? - World Premiere, Swing; Eastman School of Music: 3 Seasons; Triad

KING OF PANGAEA Artistic Staff

Theatre: Kids in America; Colossal Studios: Family Pirate Adventure; Adventure Theatre: James and the Giant Peach - Helen Hayes Nomination. LOCAL: OKC Philharmonic: 15 years of A Very Merry Pops; Reduxion Theatre: 7 Seasons, Hair, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Romeo & Juliet; Carpenter Square Theatre: Importance of Being Earnest, Maritius; Oklahoma Children’s Theatre: To Kill a Mockingbird; Jewel Box Theatre: Bus Stop, Leading Ladies, 37 Postcards, Nunsense II - The Second Coming, Suite Surrender, South Pacific. FILM: Fingerprints, Pearl, Agenda.

MATTHEW SIPRESS (Production/Company Manager) has a degree in Entertainment Business from Oklahoma City University and is currently the Production/Company Manager at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. AT LYRIC: Director/Choreographer of Curious George: The Golden Meatball, The Cat in the Hat; Choreographer of Hello, Dolly!, Fun Home, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins. REGIONAL THEATRE: Director/Choreographer of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Disaster. NEW YORK: Assistant Choreographer of Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing and Asst. Director/Asst. Choreographer of The Cocoanuts. EDUCATIONAL: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Miss Bennet: A Christmas at Pemberly, A Little Night Music, Cosi Fan Tutte, Merrily We Roll Along. As a performer Matthew has toured North America in Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing (also Broadway), Evita (twice) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Stella Parton. Some of his favorite roles played are George M. Cohan, Diesel, Larry, Big Daddy’s Asst., Old Man Strong, and Avram (twice, the second time with ASL interpolation).

JOSIAH BROOKS (Technical Director) – is a proud graduate of Chipola College (FL) with an Associate degree University of Central Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Theatre and Performance. Josiah has been employed with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma since the summer of 2015. Whether it was on stage or backstage, he has been a part of 30 productions with Lyric since then. He was the Deck Supervisor and Head Flyman for the 2022 Summer season at the Civic Center, also appearing in the ensemble of the spectacular Kinky Boots. Other positions held at Lyric have been Carpenter, Electrician, Welder, Flyman, Assistant to the Director, Fight Choreographer, Stage Combat teacher for Lyric’s Academy. Josiah loves being involved in theatre getting his start in community theatre in his hometown of Dothan, Alabama. He is also very proud of his work as a Technical Director, Director, Acting Coach and Designer for Spark Theater Company, a Young Artists theatre in his hometown.

AMANDA SCHNAKE (Properties Designer) – is an Oklahoma City native and mixed media artist who has leapt into the world of theatre. AT LYRIC: Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Prom, The Sound of Music, The Rocky Horror Show, Kinky Boots, Carousel, Matilda. REGIONAL: Vietgone, The Antelope Party, The Brothers Size, Superstitions, OKCRep; Merry Wives of Windsor, Puffs, Oklahoma City University.

FABIAN J. GARCIA (Resident Lighting Designer) –Five years with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. AT LYRIC: Concerto (World Premiere), Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Play That Goes Wrong, Big River, The Rocky Horror Show 2019 & 2022, Head Over Heels, Distant Thunder (World Premiere), Master Class, Grease, Nunsense, Denise Lee: Pressure Makes Diamonds (World Premiere), Lyric’s Moonlight Cabaret, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol 20202022, Having Our Say, Frost/Nixon, Curious George: The Golden Meatball. REGIONAL THEATRE: Kaleidoscope, The Secret Garden, 101 Dalmations KIDS, Cyrano de Burgershack, The Wizard of Oz, She Kills Monsters, Newsies Jr., Into The Woods, Puffs: Or seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School Of Magic and Magic, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, Tuck Everlasting, Lion King Jr., Mary Poppins, Rockademy Experiment 2018-23, Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy; Ain’t Misbehavin’, Theatre Under The Stars. OTHER THEATRE: Coming Home for Christmas, Music of Billy Joel, Ragtime & All That Jazz, A Classic Christmas, The Magic of John Williams, Megan Hilty Live!, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert, The Sound of Simon and Garfunkel, The Hot Sardines, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Ruddigore, Cimarron Opera; Lizzie: The Rock Musical, Small Mouth Sounds, Southern Plains Productions; Kinky Boots, 1776, Theatre Tulsa; Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma University; She Loves Me, Oklahoma State University; Notes on Survival, Oklahoma Contemporary Museum.

COREY RAY (Resident Sound Designer/Audio Engineer) has worked as an Audio Engineer in the Live/ Recorded Music Industry for 15 years and obtained a B.A. in Applied Technology from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2014. Corey joined Lyric in March of 2020 and has since produced audio for Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Prom, The Sound of Music, The Play That Goes Wrong, Big River, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, The Rocky Horror Show, Matilda, Carousel, Kinky Boots, Master Class, Grease, Nunsense, Distant Thunder, Lyric’s Kids Clubhouse/Cabaret, Head Over Heels.

ASHLYN ADAMS (Choreographer) is an award winning choreographer, performer, and dance instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She currently choreographs for Lyric’s Academy, including their recent award-winning productions of Shrek Jr. at the 2023 National Performing Arts Festival and James and the Giant Peach, Jr. at the 2024 Junior Theatre Festival. Ashlyn is also in her tenth year at Range of Motion Dance Studio as an instructor and Assistant Director of the Professional Focus Program.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) – founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

Lyric Theatre Leadership

MICHAEL BARON+ (Producing Artistic Director) – At Lyric, he directed Concerto (World Premiere), The Prom, Big River, Carousel, Head Over Heels, Master Class, Grease, Lyric Kids’ Clubhouse, Frost/Nixon, Titanic, Singin’ in the Rain, Bright Star, When We’re Gone (world premiere), Disney’s Freaky Friday, Fun Home, Disney’s When You Wish, James & the Giant Peach, I Am My Own Wife, Assassins, Fiddler on the Roof, Dreamgirls, Mann...And Wife (world premiere), Bernice Bobs Her Hair (world premiere), Big Fish with David Elder and Tony-nominee Emily Skinner, Oklahoma!, An Inspector Calls, A Little Night Music with Tonynominee Dee Hoty, Les Misérables, Triangle, Big River, Tarzan, The Glass Menagerie, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Call Me Madam with Tony-winner Beth Leavel, Spring Awakening, Ragtime, Oliver!, Boeing Boeing, Always... Patsy Cline, December Divas, The Rocky Horror Show and the annual production of Lyric’s A Christmas Carol (also adapted).

Baron has directed over 100 productions at theaters across the country, including co-directing with Sandra Mae Frank an ASL/Spoken English production of The Music Man at The Olney Theatre in Washington, D.C., co-directing with Brian Cheslik an ASL/Spoken English production of Cinderella at ZACH Theatre/ Deaf Austin Theatre, and the current production of A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Other regional directing highlights include ZACH Theatre: Peter and the Starcatcher, Spring Awakening; Signature Theatre: The Little Dog Laughed, Songs for a New World starring Tony-winner Alice Ripley, Tonynominee Brian D’Arcy James, Emmy-nominee Titus Burgess, and music direction by Jason Robert Brown; Adventure Theatre: James & the Giant Peach, the world premiere musical Big Nate; Goodspeed Musicals: Meet John Doe, Trinity Repertory Company: The School for Scandal. La Mama: The Whore of Sheridan Square (wrote and directed, published in anthology Plays and Playwrights 2006). NEA and Poetry Foundation 2010-2023: Poetry Out Loud National Competition Finals with hosts Joy Sunday, John Leguizamo, Kerry Washington and Anna Deavere Smith. Teaching: American University, Brown University, Holy Cross College, Oklahoma City University, and Rhode Island College. Michael has been a theatre grant panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Training: B.A. in Theatre Arts, Wake Forest University; M.F.A. in Directing, Trinity Repertory Conservatory. Michael served as the Associate Director of Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia-winner of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award. Michael received the 2012 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Direction of a Resident Musical in Washington, D.C. for Adventure Theatre’s production of A Year with Frog and Toad, the 2016 Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award, a 2016 special award from Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities Concerns, the 2021 Yad B’Yad, Hand in Hand Award from the Jewish Federation of OKC and the 2022 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for Olney Theatre’s production

of The Music Man. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City and an emeritus board member for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

JIM REYNOLDS (Managing Director) is now in his seventh year at Lyric Theatre. As a life-long professional in theatre management, he has an extensive background in marketing, public relations, sales, project management, strategic planning, fundraising, and patron loyalty strategies. Prior to Oklahoma City, he was the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at ZACH Theatre – the leading regional theatre in Austin, TX. During his 25-year tenure he played an integral role in growing ZACH’s annual budget from $550,000 to $8,000,000 and opening two state-of-the-art theatre facilities. Prior to that, he was the Sales Director at Dallas Theater Center, helmed by Adrian Hall and Peter Donnelly – both acclaimed leaders in the first and second generation of the American regional theater movement. Fresh from the University of South Carolina, he served as Patron Manager and Production Business Manager at the Alliance Theatre/Atlanta Children’s Theatre, the Southeast’s leading regional theatre and Tony Award-Winner. Jim has served as a civic volunteer with several non-profit organizations and served as the Board President of the Plaza District Business Association in 2021.

ASHLEY WELLS+ (Executive Producer) celebrates 22 years with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and recently was honored as recipient of the Arts in Education Governor’s Arts Award. She is on the board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Chairs the Membership Commitee. AT LYRIC: The Play That Goes Wrong, Kinky Boots (Director), Matilda (Director), Nunsense, Disney’s Newsies (Director), Hello, Dolly! (Director), Junie B. Jones (Director), Rock of Ages (Director), The Wizard of Oz (Director), The Fantasticks (Director/Choreographer), Bernice Bobs Her Hair (Choreographer), Billy Elliot (Director), Pageant (Director), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Director), Les Misérables (Choreographer), Triangle: A New Musical (Associate Director), The Odd Couple (Director), Big River (Choreographer), Tarzan (Choreographer), Some Enchanted Evening (Director), Sweet Charity (Director) with Tony Award-winner Billy Porter, Spring Awakening (Choreographer), Lyric’s A Christmas Carol (Choreographer), Oliver! (Choreographer), The Rocky Horror Show (Choreographer), Urinetown: The Musical (Co-choreographer), Jesus Christ Superstar (Choreographer), Oklahoma! (CoChoreographer), Hello, Dolly! (Co-choreographer), Cabaret (Choreographer/Ensemble), Chicago (Choreographer/Merry Murderess).

REGIONAL THEATRE: The Play That Goes Wrong, Oklahoma City University (Director); Phantom of the Opera, North Shore Music Theatre (Ensemble); Evita (Ensemble), Brigadoon (Jean), The Music Man, Music Theatre of Wichita (Zaneeta Shin); La Cage Aux Folles, Casa Mañana (Anne). BROADWAY AND NATIONAL TOUR: Hello, Dolly!

+ Member Stage Directors and Chorographers Society.

Lyric Theatre Staff

Michael Baron Producing Artistic Director

Jim Reynolds Managing Director

Ashley Wells ........................................................................................................................................................... Executive Producer

Michael Bratcher-Magallanez ................................................................................ Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Miki Galloway .....................................................................................................................................................Marketing Manager

Charlie Ludden .................................................................................................. Director of Development & Capital Campaign

Mia Sherlock ........................................................................................................................ Special Programs & Events Associate

Sydney Lahodny ......................................................................................................................... Individual Campaign Manager

Emily Trnka Development Intern

Jeffrey Meek Costume Designer

Dayna Brown Costume Shop Associate & Academy Designer

Matthew Sipress .......................................................................................................................... Production/Company Manager

Lauren Hathcoat ...................................................................................................................... Guest Services/Facilities Manager

Fabian J. Garcia ................................................................................................. Resident Lighting Designer/Master Electrician

Corey Ray ..................................................................................................................... Resident Sound Designer/Audio Engineer

Josiah Brooks ........................................................................................................................................................ Technicial Director

Josie Walley....................................................................................................................................................... Scene Shop Manager

James Tabor Carpenter

Pate Spencer Carpenter

Emorie Mansur Scenic Artist

Matthew Alvin Brown...................................................................................................................Production & Rental Associate

Derek Kenney ..................................................................................................................................................... Box Office Manager

Dillon Bertholf ......................................................................................................... Patron Services & Group Sales Coordinator

Rozz Grigsby..................................................................................................................................................... Director of Education

Lauren Leppke ....................................................................................................... Education Associate/Interactive Cordinator

Leia J. VanLue .......................................................................................................................................................... Finance Manager

Angela G. Dambold Payroll & Accounts Payable Administrator

KING OF PANGAEA Production Staff

Michael Mosteller ......................................................................................................................................... Musician Contractor

Jamie Ko & Sydney Stephneson Assistant Stage Managers

Jeff Cochran* Stage Manager Mentor

Josie Walley Deck Supervisor

Isabel Delgado ............................................................................................................................................. Lighting Programmer

Jackson Maner ................................................................................................................................................ Lighting Technician

Skylar Selby ................................................................................................................................................... Light Board Operator

Brett Havens ....................................................................................................................................................................... A2/Swing

Mariah Warren & James Zumwalt ..................................................................................................................... Spot Operators

Alexis Gass ...................................................................................................................................................... Wardrobe Supervisor

Lyric Theatre Individual Donors

Lyric extends its appreciation to all of our generous donors. This list reflects contributions made as of January 31st to Lyric’s 2023 Annual Fund from individuals and family foundations in support of our programs and activities.

To join Lyric’s family of supporters, please contact Sydney Lahodny, at (405) 524-9310 ext. 203 or email Sydney@LyricTheatreOKC.org for more information.

EXECUTIVE ($5,000+)

Ole & Anne Andreassen

John & Margaret Biggs

Ronna & Lawrence Davis

Janet & John Hudson

Keith & Debbie Long

Tom & Judy Love

Mr. Robert S. McKown

Paula & Carl Stover

Patricia Williams

John B. Williford

Kevin & Monica Wittrock

Keara, Nevaeh, Koreanna, Isabella, Pamela & Dr. Elliott Schwartz

Glenna & Dick Tanenbaum

DIRECTOR ($2,500-$4,499)

Robert & Karen Browne Family Fund

Phil & Cathy Busey

Dr. Pramod K. Chetty

Ed & Matilda Clements

David W. Echols

Linda Ewerth

Ellen & Tim Fleming

Dr. Eric & Shannon Friedman

Mark & Beverly Funke

Jan & Ken Goodin

Barbara & Mason Jett, MD

Peggy Kates

The Honorable & Mrs. Frank Keating

Janie Kinsinger

Deidra Kistler

Steve Mason

Drs. Charles & Jeanne Morgan

Carl & Beth Shortt

Gregory Smith

Billie Thrash

Carolyn & Bob Windsor

Don T. & Carolyn T. Zachritz

CHOREOGRAPHER

J.

Carol

Dr.

Patricia

Dr.

Father

Tony

Lin &

Pooja

Donna

Jay Smith

Lesley & Scott St.John

Mary

John Tellers

Mr.

Theresa

Scott

Sherry & Lonny Towell

Susan

Maccini

Ron

Dwayne Webb & Larry D. Buss

Diane

LEADING ROLE ($750-$999)

Jerry Bass

Linda Cavanaugh & William Clark

Ray Cloer

Ben & Miriam Conrady

Sid Ellington

Sandra & John Fanelli

Buck & Gladys Feng

Lynna K. Geis

Thomas & Rebecca Hill

Win & Anne Holbrook

Wesley Jackson

Nancy Kruckeberg

Betty Bellis Mankin

Brenda & Tom McDaniel

Tami Murphy Landscape Designs, Inc.

Sean & Anne Nelson

Murry Parrish

Megan Rooney

Michele & Douglas Samuels

Ellen & Andrew Spiropoulos

Bill Swigert & Shane Wilson

Amy & Andy Weyrich

CIRCLE OF STARS ($500-$749)

Anonymous

Carol & Mark Aldridge

Jane & Paul D. Austin

Amy & Roy Bankhead

Andrew Blakeman

Dr. Kyle D. Brotherton

Frank Bruno

Beth Butler

Rick Cain

Olivia Glazner Cassil & Kane Cassil

Sunny Cearley

Shawn Churchman

Jeff Cochran

Thomas Cotrone

Kathryn Curry

Brad Curtis

Richard Daniel

Micah Davis

Jim & Patricia Dennis

Annette Devore

Kathryn Dooley

Pat Edwards

Dennis & Kay Emery

Tracy Evans

Richard & Linda Farris

Sarah & Judd Fisher

Byron Foley

Jacquelyn Ford

Linda D. Garrett

Eric & Elizabeth Gehr

Bailey Gordon

Lyn & Kent Graham

Barre Griffith

Tamela & Stephen Hamilton

Melanie Hanebaum

Rick Hill

Richard & Cindy Homsey

Dr. Peggy Hudson & Paul Rodgers

Barbara A. Hunt

Jamarson LLC

Diana & Danny Kennedy

Debbie Koehn

John Koons

Terry & Amanda Kordeliski

Gwin Faulconer-Lippert &

Rick Allen Lippert

Shannon & Michael Love

Paula Love

Rob & Karen Luke

Mrs. Dianna Masters

Mollie & Sam McCurdy

Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. McDonald

Jeffrey J. & Theresa McDougall

William McNeese

Marilyn & Bud Meade

Andria Medina

Meredith & Mike Wolfe

Claude Mott

Mark & Lynn Neumeister

Norick Family

Norick Investment Company

David Norton

Dr. & Mrs. W. H. Oehlert

Levi C. Onwuchuruba

Jennifer Patterson

Paul Pearson

Ric & Jennie Penner

Barbara & James Peters

Megan Poarch

Dale & Phyllis Regier

Lil Ross

Bernie Rubin

James E. Rushing

Phil & Avis Scaramucci

A. Lee & Janice Segell

Tory SmitH

J. Michael Steffen

John & Louise Thompson

Britta Thrift

Jackie & Dennis Trepagnier

Nancy Trnka

Troy & Jennifer VanBrunt

Evan & Beth Vincent

John & Carol Wall

Darlene S. Wallace

Ashley Weedn

Linda Whittington

Jim & Anna Marie Wight

John Michael Williams

Frank Wise & Anita Armstrong

Gabe Woolery

William & Lissa Wright

Anne E. Zachritz & Jane Ann Norris

SUPPORTING ROLE ($250-$499)

Anonymous

Arden Barrett

Joanie & Hank Batty

Nadine Brown

Aline & Roy Brown

James W. Carlton

Holly Caskey

Ray Copeland

Susan D. & Alton L. Dobbins

Kristy K. Ehlers, Ph.D.

Glenda Eisenhour

Donor Designated Fund

Hillary Farrell

Mark Fitch

Senator Kay Floyd

Carl Gibson

Dr. Gilbert Gibson

Faye E. Hall

Warren W. Henson, Jr.

Jesse & Arlene Hunter

Terese & Quinn Irwin

Josh Koehn

Stephen A. Ladner

Nancy Leonard

Leann Lienhard

Deborah D. Minard

Max Patterson

Jake Phelps

Angie Quintero

Roy & Julie Rindler

Gary & Carol Sander

Michele Simon

Dr. Eugene & Mrs. Donna Steinberg

Stephanie & J.D. Stewart

Thomas Voss

Paul & Barbara Weigl

Larry & Leah Westmoreland

Ryan & Tessa Wicks

Angel Willits

CHORUS ($100-$249)

Anonymous

Leigh Ann & Paul Albers

Shari Ames

Scott & Catherine Anderson

Lonnie & Cindy Bartel

Sherri D. Biggs

Rev. Stephen Bird

A.J. & Janice Bisson

Pamela Blevins

Pamela Bloustine

Taylor & Teri Boyd

Susan Brantley-Scott

Michael & Joshua

Bratcher-Magallanez

Jane Bronnenberg

Susan Bryant Brook Burke

Greg & Barbara Cable

Christine Carpenter

Debbie Catteeuw

Jennifer Chambers

David A. Cheek

Jayne Clarke

Cody Clingman

Lori Cloud

Derek Cohlmia

Nancy Coleman

Emily Comisar & David Pilchman

LaTasha & Jeff Craig

Lavinia Creswa

Richard Cupit

Caroline & Robert Dennis

Steve & Susan Donchin

Bill Durrett

Chris & Stacy Dykstra

Randi Ellefson

Marcia R. Enos

Maria Tully Erbar

CRESCENDO

A festive evening of music, food cocktails AND FUN

Individual Donors (con’t.)

Michael

Lacy

Valerie

Kathy

Ronald

Kevin

Emilie

Mark,

Toni

Julie

Greg R.

James &

Mary &

Betty

Jeanne

Derek

E.J.

Kay

Melissa

Melissa

Gayle

Paul

Drs.

Judy

Dava

Ed

IN HONOR and MEMORIAL DONATIONS

In Honor of

Award Fund

In Honor of Christopher & Eric Salazar

Cayla Lewis

In Honor of Monica Wittrock

Diane Wittrock Hardin

Lyric Theatre Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DR. ERIC FRIEDMAN, M.D President

ELLEN SPIROPOULOS Vice President of Education/President Elect

MONICA WITTROCK ...................................... Immediate Past President

LORI MATHENA Secretary

MEGAN ROONEY ............................................. Vice President of Finance

CARRIE LEONARD Vice President of Development

JJ KUHN Vice President of Marketing

JIM GRANT .................................................... Vice President of Facilities

SCOTT BARTEL Vice President of Governance

CAROL RINGROSE ALEXA NDER, ELLEN FLEMING and BRAD FERGUSON .................................................... Members-at-Large

BOARD MEMBERS

Olivia Cassil

Edward Clements

David Dobson

Toni Ellington

Kay Floyd

Brenda Hernandez

Janet Hudson

Rachel Jamieson

Farooq Karim

Lou Kerr

Blake Lawrence

Christopher Lloyd

Paula Love

Mollie McCurdy

Robert McKown

Scott Mclaws

Sarah Moore

Matt Nail

Alicia Ortwein

Murry Parrish

Judy Reyes-Henderson

Richard Riggs

Gary Rosenhamer

Pam Shanklin

Carl Shortt

Dr. Pooja Singhal

Lesley St.John

Blaine Stansel

Britta Thrift

Jon Trudgeon

Sponsorships available at:

Dr. Patricia Williams

Meredith Wolfe

Tonya York

Emily Yowell

LAPS Co-Chairs

Kristin Goodale

Cassie Alexander

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

J. Angela Ables

Patricia Austin

Gail K. Beals

Randy Compton

Dr. David Flesher, M.D.

Linda Garrett

Dee Hessel

L. Win Holbrook

Richard R. Horton

Barbara Jett

Ginny Lawrence

Robin Lister

Keith Long

Paula Stover

Mary Streich

Mike Turpen, Esq.

Featuring performances by Lyric Theatre alum & Grammy-Award Winner, Adrianna Hicks!

Lyric Season Sponsors

SEASON SPONSOR

LYRIC’S FAMILY FAVORITE MUSICAL SPONSOR

ARTS OUTREACH TITLE SPONSOR

KING OF PANGAEA SPONSOR

THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSICAL SPONSOR

O.K. DETRICK FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION & MAJOR SEASON SUPPORT

IN-KIND & OTHER SEASON SUPPORT

LARSEN MUSIC COMPANY

EDUCATION & ARTS OUTREACH SUPPORT

Dr. Elliott R. Schwartz & Pam Shanklin

Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation • Devon Energy Corporation

Allied Arts Educational Outreach Program • Inasmuch Foundation

Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company • Oklahoma Arts Council • Kirkpatrick Foundation Inc.

Wilshire Charitable Foundation • The Shubert Foundation Inc. • The McGee Foundation

SPECIAL THANKS

Walnut Gardens Apartments • Clements Foods • Harn Homestead • University of Central Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University • Kings Worldwide Transportation • Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City

And, to the following organizations who match the gifts of their employees: Devon Energy, AT&T, Bank of America, Boeing, The Coca-Cola Company, Dell, E.L. & Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, and Kimray.