May 12-21, 2023
Book
Originally produced on Broadway by: Nick Vanoff, Roger Berlind, Jujamcyn Theaters, Suntory International Corp. and The Shubert Organization
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
City of Angels is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
www.concordtheatricals.com
by Larry Gelbart • Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by David Zippel
The noir detective genre did not start on screen. The most famous noir films of the 1940s; The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, among others, were adaptations of novels from such authors as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. And noir’s reach continued to grow, from comics (Batman is likely the best known noir detective) to video games (Rockstar’s “L.A. Noire” for modern gaming consoles).
Yet noir is most closely associated with movies because that medium has the widest reach, having enveloped many Hollywood big-draw actors. Over decades, film noir expanded its own scope, spawning several popular subgenres such as neo-noir (e.g., Polanski’s, Chinatown) and tech-noir (e.g., Scott’s, Blade Runner). It has ballooned so large that likely some of your favorite movies feature noir elements of which you might not be aware.
Classic film noir of the 1940s is the most distinctive due to its striking visual style. Black and white filmmaking of that era paired well with the gritty, nihilistic themes of the movies, with its dim lighting and high-contrast shots. Low angles, wide angles, and dutch (skewed) angles were also frequently used. Movies often moved through numerous settings. All this keeps the viewer onedge, never quite comfortable or sure where the next scene will take them.
In bringing film noir to the stage with City of Angels, I tried to incorporate these characteristic filmmaking techniques. The musical’s black and white scenes are part of the script, but anything more is up to the specific director. To accommodate the many scenes, our set primarily utilizes modules that are frequently in motion. A challenge was to create unique locations that would still allow each scene to flow into the next. Certain set pieces are abstract, rotating and rolling between the foreground and the background, arranged and rearranged in different shapes intended to simulate film noir’s offsetting dutch angles.
Additionally, we’ve used the large dimensions of Shannondell’s stage to replicate film noir’s notable wide shots and height differentials. Film noir characters fit in a hierarchical structure; the playing field is never level, and the protagonists are typically near the bottom. However, their struggle to come out on top against unfair odds is what makes them so engaging. So we worked to showcase this visually on stage.
I believe film noir is an honest genre. While many of its characters are liars and cheats, it presents an honest view of the world and the people populating it: the good, the bad, and the really ugly. In putting on City of Angels, I felt it important to present its characters in true form. Many rehearsals were spent discussing what makes the characters “real.” It would be easy to fall into caricatures, especially with such a witty script, but we worked to make the humor a by product of a character’s layered personality, as opposed to a mere wink and a nod to the audience. The comedy lies in the truth (feeble pun intended).
Whether we succeeded with these goals is for you to consider. City of Angels is among the most difficult musicals I’ve directed, if not the most, for many reasons that likely will be clear as you watch. It’s also one of my favorite musicals, again for reasons that hopefully will be clear as you watch. The process has been as rewarding as it’s been challenging. Thanks for coming; I hope you find it as enjoyable as I.
Paul Recupero Director"Studio Cast" "Film Cast"
Matt Bartolotta Stine -
Matthew Bookler - Stone
Roseann Enwright Gabby Bobbi
Elizabeth Wheeler Donna Oolie
Evan Schwartz Buddy Fidler Irwin S. Irving
Lindsay Looloian Carla Haywood Alaura Kingsley
Jeff Holland Pancho Vargas Lt. Munoz
Amanda Mahoney Avril Raines Mallory Kingsley
Brett Kenna Jimmy Powers Jimmy Powers
Maddi Sloan Angel City 4 (Soprano) Angel City 4 (Soprano)
Lauren Grondel Angel City 4 (Alto) Angel City 4 (Alto)
Randy Frame Angel City 4 (Tenor) Angel City 4 (Tenor)
Jude Adams Angel City 4 (Baritone) Angel City 4 (Baritone)
Kenneth Olin Del Decosta Dr. Mandril
Sean Brennan Gerald Pierce Peter Kingsley
Tim April Werner Kreigler / Gilbert Luther Kingsley / Gaines
Troy Gartner Gene Officer Pasco */ Orderly
Judy Winship Hairdresser Yamato*
Madison Rich Shoeshiner Mahoney*
Aleeza Furman Anna Margie
Jim Hopper Studio Cop Big Six
Grace Albert Studio Cop Sonny
Allison Baron Carla's Stand-In Margaret
*Backup Vocal Trio in “All You Have To Do Is Wait”
Janice Orner & Loretta Rurode.............................................................Producers
Paul Recupero......................................................................................................Director
Barbara Newberry..............................................................................Music Director
Laura Burhans..................................Accompanist/Assistant Music Director
Allison Baron.....................................................................................................Costumer
Sue Carney & Brenda Hunsberger..............................Assistant Costumers
Kate McShane.......................................................................................Hair & Makeup
Yvonne Montgomery...........................................................................................Props
Ilene Perelman & Dee Suprenaut...........................................Assistant Props
Harvey Perelman.............................Set Design/Co-Set Construction Lead
John Cross & Kenneth Olin...................................Co-Set Constuction Lead
MaryBeth Richmond.............................................................................Scenic Artist
Aleeza Furman......................................................................Assistant Scenic Artist
Gabi Cherelli..........................................................................................Stage Manager
Jim Hopper, Janice Orner, Ilene Perelman, Harvey Perelman, Sarah
Popek, Kate Remolde, Loretta Rurode, Alicia Simme, & Ryan Simme ..Stage Crew
Dean Soltes....................................................................Lighting Design/Operator
Mark McElwee & Frank Piper..........................................Spot Light Operator
Ryan Kadwill.................................................................Sound Designer/Operator
Gabi Cherelli & John Gray.............................................................Photographers
Gabi Cherelli & Christine Furey................................................Graphic Design
John Gray......................................................................................................Board Liason
The Cast & Crew of City of Angels & John Carney, Rylee Cella, John
Corkum, John Cross, John Gray, Bill McShane, Michelle Miller, & Steve Montgomery.................................................Set Construction / Painting
SPECIAL THANKS:
Kelly Connor
Jenkintown Music Theater
Shannondell
MCT 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Kate McShane (President)
Nicolette Adams (Vice President)
Lindsay Zimmerman (Secretary)
Brenda Capwell (Treasurer) - non-board
Barb Cross
John Gray
Katie McCool-Bartolotta
Heather McElhiney
Janice Orner
Rebecca Yenser
Barbara Newberry....................................................Music Director/Conductor
Laura Burhans............................................................................Accompanist/Piano
Lisa Gilmer.................................................................................................................Drums
Mason Coccodrilli........................................................................................Percussion
Scott Porreca....................................................................Flute, Clarinet & Alto Sax
Chrissy Hower.................................................................Flute, Clarinet & Alto Sax
Bruce Greenwald.....................................................................Clarinet & Tenor Sax
Shawn Snavely..............................................Clarinet, Bass, Clarinet & Bari Sax
Jake Sholly.............................................................................................................Trumpet
Alison Grady.........................................................................................................Trumpet
Justin McAdams................................................................................................Trumpet
Dan McGahey.................................................................................................Trombone
Aaron Gould.....................................................................................................Trombone
Gene Whitaker..........................................................................................................Guitar
Matt Agranat...............................................................................................................Violin
Keala Tekolste.............................................................................................................Violin
Linda Alle-Murphy...................................................................................................Cello
George Livanos............................................................................................................Bass
Set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 1940s, the world of film studios and filmy negligées, the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, as he attempts to write a film noir screenplay under the uncompromising eye of egocentric movie producer / director Buddy Fidler. The script is an adaptation of one of Stine's novels, which features his Raymond Chandler-esque hero, a hard-boiled private eye named Stone, who faces peril as he tracks down the whereabouts of the stepdaughter of a mysterious socialite. The musical follows two plots occurring in tandem. Stine's tribulations in real life play out on stage in "color," while Stone's escapades in the movie are featured on stage in "black and white" (as though watching a true film noir). Cleverly, because the characters in the movie script are modeled off people in Stine's real life, each actor plays both a role in the real world (color) scenes and the corresponding role in the movie (black and white) scenes. As the unraveling plots in the real world and the movie start to intersect, things take a surprising turn...
Jude is a veteran of the MCT stage. Highlights include: Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Seussical (Horton), Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely), The Addams Family (Fester), and Shrek (Shrek). Outside of the theater world, Jude has been an elementary school teacher for 21 years. Jude would like to thank his family and friends for their support. Special thanks to his amazing wife, Nicolette, and his wonderful daughter, Rosalyn, for encouraging him to get back on the stage.
Grace is thrilled to perform on the beautiful Shannondell stage with so many talented performers. She has appeared in shows at Playcrafters Of Skippack, Village Players Of Hatboro, Footlighters, and Kelsey Theatre. Outside of singing, acting and dancing, she also loves to sew and cosplay!
Tim April ( Werner Kriegler / Luther Kingsley)
Tim is grateful to have been accepted by this cast and crew as a late-comer to a show he previously knew nothing about. Previous roles include: Ensemble/Troupe parts in Something Rotten! last fall with Willow Manor Players, Victor (and the Ape) in MCT’s Cabaret in 2021, various parts in the ensemble of MCT’s The Producers in 2014; and with the King of Prussia Players as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz in 2013 and Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof in 2012. Tim thanks his family for their encouragement of his being a part of this show: Holly, his wife of 22 years, and their sons, Jonathan (18), and Sean (14).
Allison Baron (Carla's Stand-In / Margaret / Costumer)
Allison is having a gas working on her 9th MCT production. Past favorite shows include: Gypsy (costumer) and Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble). Holy mackerel, she thinks this cast and crew are aces! Thank you to her sister for helping her stay busy and creative.
Matt is proud to be involved in his sixth MCT production. City of Angels was one of the first broadway shows he ever listened to, and he is honored to be able to perform alongside this amazing cast, crew, and production team. A few favorite roles include Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde), and Rapunzel's Prince (Into the Woods). He would like to thank his wife, Katie, for being the most supportive partner and friend he could ever want. Enjoy the show!
Of all the community theatre auditions in all the Philadelphia area, he walked into ours. Matt Bookler made his fortune in pharmaceuticals, but when he wasn’t slinging pills or prancing around on the stage pretending to be someone he isn’t, he could usually be found driving fast cars and fraternizing with fast women. Speaking of fast women, then there was his wife Shelli. She had the kind of looks that haunted a man’s dreams, with a brain to match. Oh yeah, they were a theater power couple all right. Most people look at him and wonder why he is the way he is. Me? I blame his parents.
Sean is excited to be in his first MCT production. Although nervous at first, he quickly warmed up to the cast, and is ready to put on an amazing show!!!
Roseann is excited to be back on MCT’s stage again where she was last seen in Big Fish in 2022. Roseann is an English teacher and mama to two littles, and often wonders how she able to squeeze in theater. She is very lucky to have a loving, supportive partner and lots of caffeine! Previous favorite roles include: Miss Scarlet in Clue, Maureen in Rent, Marguerite St. Just in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Sheila Franklin in Hair. Much love to her favorite people: Mom, Jim, Brad, Jeremy, Julie, Jenny, Isla, Vayda, and Chris. Many thanks to the two Matt’s who are awesome stage partners!
Professional writer, grammar snob, serial comma proponent, and cliché hater Randy Frame is both thrilled AND excited to see how many of his COA castmates accepted his challenge to write their bios without using either “thrilled” or “excited.” Randy is a veteran of more than 30 shows at nearly a dozen area community theaters. This is his first at MCT. Randy sings tenor in the Del Chordians Barbershop Quartet.
City of Angels marks Aleeza's first foray into community theatre. She is returning to the stage after a nearly ten-year gap since her last full-scale show—a high school production of Into the Woods. In more recent years, she participated in over fifteen twenty-four-hour theater festivals, primarily writing one-act comedy plays.
Troy is excited to make his MCT debut in the production of City of Angels. Previous roles include: Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, A-Rab in West Side Story, Zebulun in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Moonface Martin in Anything Goes. As a sophomore in high school, Troy commenced his tutelage with the Kim Russell Voice Studio, a privilege he continues to this day. Upon graduation from high school, Troy matriculated at Millersville University, located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, as a double major in Music Education and Voice Performance. Troy completed this ninesemester program in 2020, culminating in his graduation with two bachelor’s degrees.
Making her MCT debut, this is Lauren's 3rd production since moving to Philadelphia last spring. She has previously been seen as: Frieda/Violin in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Lt. Friedrich in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Thanks to this marvelous cast and crew, and to family and friends for their constant love. And thank YOU for supporting community theater!
Jeff Holland (Pancho Vargas / Lt. Munoz)
Jeff is a local writer/editor who carefully crept back into theater after 20-some years on account of really liking this musical when he saw it in the 90s, and enjoyed the opportunity to finally take part in it. Back in the day he had roles as Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees, Albert in Bye Bye Birdie, The Narrator in Into The Woods, and a few other quality parts. Thanks for coming out to see the show.
Jim Hopper (Studio Cop / Big Six)
Jim returns to an MCT stage for the first time in 20 years where he hopes to get a little revenge on Matt Bookler for feeding Orin Scrivello to that plant in Little Shop of Horrors. Many thanks to Paul Recupero for bringing him back to work with this wonderful group of people, and in the show where we originally met (along with Liz Wheeler) 17 short years ago. Jim most recently appeared as Dick (and others) in 9 to 5 at JMT and as Kyle (and others) in Legally Blonde at the Barn Playhouse. I love you Leslie, Brynn and Kelsey.
Brett Kenna (Jimmy Powers)
Brett is honored to be part of this amazing cast of City of Angels here at MCT, playing the role of Jimmy Powers. Brett’s past theater experience include: Oliver!, Cinderella, Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz, A Year with Frog and Toad, and Mary Poppins
Having classical vocal training from Mansfield University, Brett has also performed in several operas including: Die Zauberflote, La Boheme, Don Giovanni, Thais, and Orpheus in the Underworld
He also sang with three major choirs in Pittsburgh: the Mendelssohn, the Bach and the Renaissance City. Currently Brett sings with the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Philadelphia.
Lindsay Looloian (Carla Haywood / Alaura Kingsley)
Lindsay is so happy to be back on the MCT stage! Other shows Lindsay has been in include: Crazy for You (Polly), Legally Blonde (Elle), Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Shrek (Pinocchio), The Addams Family (Morticia), Mamma Mia (Sophie), Into the Woods (Bakers Wife), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), and Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larken). Lindsay would like to thank her husband, Sean, and her family for always being so incredibly supportive.
Amanda Mahoney (Avril Raines / Mallory Kingsley)
Amanda is overjoyed to be playing Mallory/Avril in City of Angels! This is her first community theater production, but she has been a part of school shows such as: The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), and Grease (Ensemble). She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, her voice teacher Kim Russell, and the entire cast and crew for being so kind and helpful throughout this journey!
Kenneth Olin (Del DaCosta / Dr. Mandril)
Kenneth was last onstage in 2022 in MCT’s How To Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying) in November, as well as Lend Me A Tenor (Bellhop) in May. He’s appeared in numerous other MCT productions: November 2021 in Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig). During the pandemic in It’s a Wonderful Life: a Radio Play. As well as She Loves Me (Headwaiter), Little Women (Mr. Laurence), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, SHOUT! The Mod Musical, The Battle of Shallowford, and My Fair Lady. He began with The Producers in 2015. Other favorite shows: Sweet Charity, Urinetown, The Music Man, Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Sound of Music, and Ragtime. Kenneth has a B.A. in Theatre Arts.
Madison Rich (Shoeshiner / Mahoney)
Madison is ecstatic to be part of her first show with MCT!
Previously, Madison has been seen in the recent production of The Barn Playhouse’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. A special thank you to the cast and crew of City of Angels, as well as her friends and family for their support.
Evan Schwartz (Buddy Fidler / Irwin S. Irving)
Evan wishes he was at the movies, sitting in a comfy, dark balcony. He played Ladislav Sipos in MCT’s She Loves Me, and a dozen characters for their pandemic production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Other recent and favorite roles include: Man in Chair (The Drowsy Chaperone), Brother Jeremiah (Something Rotten!), Papa/Otto Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank), and Billy Crocker (Anything Goes). When not makin’ motion pictures, Evan is the owner of Open Book Bookstore in Elkins Park (#ShopLocal). He dedicates this performance to his parents, who fearlessly took him at a very young age to see Broadway shows like HAIR, 1776, and Man of La Mancha, and instilled his love of theatre and music.
Maddi Sloan (Angel City 4 - Soprano)
Maddi is thrilled to be back for her second show with MCT! She is an active member in community theaters around the area, and her last role at MCT was as Feste in The Twelfth Night. Other favorite past roles include: Bea in Something Rotten! (Barn Playhouse), Florika/Ensemble in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Barn Playhouse), and Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Facetime Theater). Thank you to the cast, crew, orchestra, and production team for all of their hard work on this spectacular show. Special thanks to Barb and Laura for all of their time they put into the music for the AC4!
Elizabeth has been performing in the area for over 25 years. Some of her favorite roles include: Diana in Next to Normal with Playcrafters of Skippack, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Barley Sheaf Players, Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years at Forge Theatre, and Helen Bechdel in Fun Home with Facetime Theatre. When not at the theater, Liz can be found working as a sign language interpreter, an adjunct college professor, a theatre camp director, a C-Print captionist, or her favorite job, as a mom cuddling with her kids. In 2006, she was in a production of City of Angels and she has been waiting all these years for it to come around again! Liz wants to thank Paul, Barbara, Laura, and the rest of the production team for this opportunity. She sends much love to Aubrey, Sawyer, and her incredible husband, Jeremy.
This is Judy’s 4th time on the MCT stage, and she has had a lot of fun with the cast and crew of this wonderful show. She knows you will too! Judy is thankful for her supportive family as always and for the love and support of her ‘swing sisters’. Get ready to tap your toes folks, and enjoy the show!
Barbara is a former high school music teacher whose responsibilities included directing the wind ensemble, concert and marching bands, pit orchestra, indoor guard, small ensembles; and teaching music theory and music appreciation. Barbara is actively involved in local community theater either playing woodwind instruments in the pit orchestra, serving as music director and/or conducting. Additionally, Barbara continues to teach instrumental music in local school districts. Barbara’s passion for music is equaled by her husband Aaron who she met in a pit orchestra!
Paul is honored to direct this Tony-award winning, yet seldom-done, musical tour de force for MCT. An attorney by day, Paul has performed in and directed numerous musicals and plays in the Philadelphia area. He's no stranger to City of Angels, having previously appeared in three separate productions; however, directing it is has proven to be a very different and challenging experience! He would not have been able to do so without his dedicated production team, including: Janice, Loretta, Barb, Laura, Harvey, Gabi, Yvonne, Dean, Ryan, Allison, and Kate, among many other helpers. Thanks also to his talented cast, his supportive wife, Brittany, and you the audience for seeing what he hopes you'll find an engaging musical tribute to classic Hollywood and film noir!
Friends ($20-$99)
Steve Arcidiacono
Linda Clark
Janice and Ken Orner
Supporters ($100-$499)
John and Barb Cross
Steve and Yvonne Montgomery
Patrons ($500-$2499)
John & Kathryn Gray
Johnson & Johnson
Deb Schrager
Bill and Kate McShane
You have a role at MCT.
MCT is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(C)(3) theater company that has produced high quality live theater in Montgomery County for over forty years. This season, we will present three musicals, one stage play, and one youth theater production. We create outstanding shows that entertain our audiences, provide a creative outlet to the community, and educate people of all ages about the theater arts.
Support our mission by becoming a member, becoming a patron, and telling a friend about the show you saw today. Word of mouth is the most effective way that we attract new audiences.
Our members create costumes, design sets, source props, devise lighting and sound plans, perform, manage our finances, create marketing plans, and much more. We welcome new volunteers at every skill level and would love to tell you more about how to get involved at MCT!
Our patrons support our shows through ticket sales, direct donations, employer matching, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, and planned gifts. We gratefully accept cash and check donations at every performance.
To contribute online, please use this link to donate: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/become-a-mct-donor
To contribute by mail, please send your donation to: MCT
PO Box 26144
Collegeville, PA 19426
July 14 - 23, 2023
Shannondell Performing Arts Theater
November 3 - 12, 2023
Shannondell Performing Arts Theater
