August 19 – September 5, 2009
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Ed Sayles, Producing Director presents
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian
Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc. Directed and Choreographed by
Josh Walden
Musical Director Mark Goodman
Scenery provided by
Assistant to the Director/Choreographer
Andrea Davey Lighting Designer
Gateway Playhouse, Solomon Weisbard Bellport,NY
Sound Designer
Joel Pape
Production Stage Manager
Costume Designer
Travis Lope
Hair & Make-Up Designer
Patrick Lanczki* Lisa Rokicki
A Chorus Line is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022. *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Musical Synopsis An Audition Time: 1975 Place: A Broadway Theatre
Act I I Hope I Get It..................................................................................Company I Can Do That......................................................................................... Mike “...And...”.............................................. Bobby, Richie, Val, Judy & Company At the Ballet................................................................ Sheila, Bebe & Maggie Sing...........................................................................Kristine, Al & Company Montage-Part 1(“Hello Twelve”)............................ Mark, Connie & Company Montage-Part 2 (“Nothing”)..................................................................Diana Montage-Part 3 (“Mother”)........................................ Don, Judy & Company Montage-Part 4............................................. Judy, Greg, Richie & Company Dance: Ten; Looks: Three..........................................................................Val
There will be a 15 minute intermission between Act I and Act II.
is underwritten by:
Act II The Music and the Mirror.................................................................... Cassie One..................................................................................................Company Tap Dance........................................................................................Company What I Did For Love........................................................... Diana & Company Bows...............................................................................................Company
This production of A Chorus Line is dedicated to the memory of Thommie Walsh. Born and raised in Auburn, he was one of the creators and an original cast member of A Chorus Line. Thommie was a major figure in the creation of modern musical theatre. We at the MGR are pleased that Todd Lattimore, also born and raised in Auburn, will be playing Bobby, the role which Thommie originated. Thommie was Todd’s teacher, mentor and most of all friend.
A Chorus Line Media Sponsors
Cast of Characters Zach.......................................................................................... Richard B. Watson* Larry......................................................................................................Tony Howell Cassie............................................................................................ Elizabeth Earley* Mike............................................................................................. Blakely Slaybaugh Sheila................................................................................................. Kate Marilley* Richie.....................................................................................................Neil Totton* Val.............................................................................................Cameron McLendon Don................................................................................................ Sam Underwood Diana.............................................................................................. Megan Jimenez* Paul................................................................................................ Matthew Rickard Judy.................................................................................................... Jennifer Long Mark................................................................................................. Derek St. Pierre Kristine................................................................................................ Andrea Davey Greg............................................................................................Adam Lendermon* Maggie................................................................................................ Synthia Link* Bobby..............................................................................................Todd Lattimore* Bebe.............................................................................................. Anne Marie Vick* Al....................................................................................................... Ralph Meitzler Connie............................................................................................ Gillian Munsayac
Ensemble Nicole Alvarez, Maddy Apple, Mickey Junior-Ayer, Hallie Goodman, Kyle Erickson Hewitt, Rylyn Juliano, Gabriel Mudd, Cameron Smith
Dance Captain: Andrea Davey Equity Asst. Stage Manager: Becky Lynn Dawson* *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse is a professional theatre employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
THE USE OF CAMERAS AND/OR ANY TYPE OF VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Please be considerate of our performers and your fellow audience members. Remember to turn off your cell phones and pagers. Latecomers and Patrons retaking their seats will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager and only at an appropriate break in the performance.
Meet the Company
Nicole Alvarez
Maddy Apple
Mickey Junior-Ayer
Andrea Davey
Elizabeth Earley AEA
Hallie Goodman
Kyle Erickson Hewitt
Tony Howell
Megan Jimenez AEA
Rylyn Juliano
Todd Lattimore AEA
Adam Lendermon AEA
Synthia Link AEA
Jennifer Long
Kate Marilley AEA
Cameron McLendon
AEA = Member Actors’ Equity Association
Meet the Company
Ralph Meitzler
Gabriel Mudd
Gillian Munsayac
Matthew Rickard
Blakely Slaybaugh
Cameron Smith
Derek St. Pierre
Neil Totton AEA
AEA = Member Actors’ Equity Association
Sam Underwood
Anne Marie Vick AEA
Richard B. Watson AEA
Orchestra Conductor/Keyboard I...........................................................Mark Goodman Assistant Musical Director/Keyboard II........................................ Jeff Theiss Percussion.........................................................John Allis, Tristan Marzeski Bass........................................................................................ Mike Fittipaldi Reeds........................................................... Jim Spadafore, John Jeanneret Trumpet........................................................ Paul Baron, Terrance Caviness Trombone..............................................................................Mark Anderson Reduced orchestrations by Cherie Rosen Merry-Go-Round Playhouse is a professional theatre employing members of the American Federation of Musicians.
Nicole Alvarez (Cut Dancer/US Diana/Connie) recently graduated from SUNY Cortland with a BA in Musical Theatre. Cortland credits include: Guys and Dolls (Adelaide), Luna Park, Tommy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Little Night Music, Pippin and Sweet Charity. Other credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Belle), How to Succeed in Business (Smitty), and Oklahoma. Nicole would like to thank her family and friends for encouraging her to dream big. “Love you all!” Maddy Apple (Cut Dancer/US Bebe/Judy), originally from Jupiter, Florida, is now living in NYC and will be a junior in the fall at NYU-Tisch-Cap21. Favorite credits include: Crazy for You (Polly), South Pacific (Nellie), State Fair (Vivian), and The Crucible (Mary Warren). Thanks to Mom and Dad for always supporting and believing in me and to Ed, Lori, and the MGR staff for this amazing opportunity! Mickey Junior-Ayer (Cut Dancer/US Richie/Mark) is excited to be on the line after last being seen as Zeke in High School Musical! Some of his favorite roles include: James “Thunder” Early (Dreamgirls-CEA Nomination), Scarecrow (The Wiz), Mereb (AIDA). Mickey has trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Long Beach Ballet Arts Center, Milwaukee Ballet School (Company Member), Dallas Black Dance Theatre II (Company Member). Mickey would like to thank Merry-GoRound Playhouse for this amazing opportunity! Andrea Davey (Kristine) returns to the Fingerlakes to work with Josh on this incredible show! Favorite MGR memories include choreographing Mame, assisting Kate Swan (Beauty and the Beast), playing Tess (Crazy for You), and dance captaining (many others). As choreographer for the NYCbased Anonymous Ensemble, her work has been presented from New York to Brisbane to Berlin, and as teaching artist for National Dance Institute, her work has been presented in NYC from Chinatown to the Bronx. Love to Eirik! Elizabeth Earley (Cassie) is excited to be back at MGR having recently returned from performing in the Broadway-bound revival of Ragtime at The Kennedy Center. AEA National tours: Whistle Down the Wind, Beauty and the Beast. Regional credits include Sacramento Music Circus, MGR, Media, Fireside, Forestburgh, Shawnee, Skyline Theatre. Elizabeth danced with The Brandywine Ballet and Opus 1 Contemporary. BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Proud AEA member. Big thanks to Josh and Ed. A heart full of love and gratitude to God, Mom, Dad, and Jason! Hallie Goodman (Cut Dancer/US Maggie Sheila) is back at MGR for her second season in a row. She spent some time in Las Vegas dancing as a show-girl in Don Ardin’s Jubilee and was last seen in The Producers at the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury, CT. Thanks to Mom and Dad for all their support.
Fun Facts • The Broadway production of A Chorus Line opened on May 21st, 1975 at Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre. One month later, the production moved to the Shubert Theatre and closed after 6,137 performances on April 28, 1990. • A Chorus Line still holds the record as the longest running musical on Broadway produced in the United States, and the 4th longest running Broadway musical ever. • A Chorus Line has had productions in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada, and foreign-language versions in France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Puerto Rico, and Hong Kong. • Auburn native, Thommie Walsh originated the role of Bobby on Broadway. • Auburn native Todd Lattimore is also playing the same role in our production. • Broadway attendance during the run of A Chorus Line adds up to approximately 6,642,400 patrons. • There were 510 “Chorus Liners” during the 15 year run on Broadway. • Box Office sales for all productions including tours, national and international productions, and Broadway grossed close to $300,000,000. • The original name of the production was to be “Chorus Line” but the producers decided they would add the “A” to the beginning to make the show title A Chorus Line so the show would be listed first alphabetically in all materials. • A Chorus Line is based on the stories of actual performers who came together to tell their stories during a series of taped workshops. These performers were called “gypsies,” which was a term for dancers who move from show to show to perform in the chorus. Eight of these gypsies actually performed their own characters on Broadway. • Originally, the final dance number was supposed to have all red costumes. Theoni Aldredge, the costume designer, persuaded Michael Bennett to change them to gold because she thought the red “would be a big fiasco”. • President Gerald Ford attended the Broadway show. When he came, the lighting board failed and had to be patched with paperclips, chewing gum, and scotch tape.
Awards 1976 Tony Awards
Best Musical- Produced by Joseph Papp (winner) Best Book of a Musical- Book by James Kirkwood, Nicholas Dante (winner) Best Original Score- Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Edward Kleban (winner) Best Actress in a Musical- Donna McKechnie (winner) Best Featured Actor in a Musical- Sammy Williams (winner) Best Featured Actor in a Musical- Robert LuPone (nominee) Best Featured Actress in a Musical- Carole Bishop (winner) Best Featured Actress in a Musical- Priscilla Lopez (nominee) Best Costume Design- Theoni V. Aldredge (nominee) Best Lighting Design- Design by Tharon Musser (winner) Best Choreography- Michael Bennett, Bob Avian (winner) Best Direction of a Musical- Michael Bennett (winner)
1984 Tony Awards
Special Award (presented with a special Gold Tony Award in honor of becoming Broadway’s longest-running musical ) Â
1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama 1976 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Musical/Book (winner) Outstanding Music and Lyrics (winner) Outstanding Actress in a Musical- Carole Bishop, Donne McKechnie (winner) Outstanding Choreography- Michael Bennett, Bob Avian (winner) Outstanding Director of a Musical- Michael Bennett (winner)
1976 Theatre World Awards
Special Award given to every member of the creative staff and original cast
1976 Obie Award
Special Award given to the creators and selected cast members
1975 New York Drama Critics Award Best Musical (winner)
1977 Evening Standard Award (London) Best Musical (winner)
1978 Gold Record Award From Columbia Records
Kyle Erickson Hewitt (Cut Dancer/US Paul/Greg) is very excited to be making his MGR debut. Favorite credits include A Chorus Line (Al), Crazy for You starring Rue McClanahan, Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty (Ethan), The Producers, and many more. Thanks to family and friends. Tony Howell (Larry) is thrilled to make his MGR debut on the legendary line! Recent credits include Virginia Music Theatre, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Prather Entertainment Group, and Busch Gardens Europe. Favorite roles include Action (West Side Story), Mike (A Chorus Line), Tommy (The Music Man) and the Emcee (Cabaret). Tony would like to thank Ed for this opportunity and his amazing family and friends for all of their love and support! Megan Jimenez (Diana) is amazed that she gets to perform one of her favorite roles, in one of her favorite shows, with one of her favorite friends: Jenny Long (J-Lo). Credits: Louise (Gypsy) AMTSJ; Margarita (Crazy Love) Off Sq. Theatre Company, Consuela (West Side Story) Walnut St. / Europe; Bombalurina (Cats) Sacramento Music Circus. NYU Tisch! Thank you all for supporting my dreams. Chuck you always make me feel like my career is something special. I won’t forget “What I did for Love!” Rylyn Juliano (Cut Dancer/US Kristine/Val), a Rochester native, is a recent graduate from Syracuse University’s BFA Musical Theatre Program. Her most recent independent film credits include Cherry Crush and In the House. Recent stage credits include Steel Pier and Doubt (Syracuse Stage). She would like to thank her family and close friends for their constant love and support. Todd Lattimore (Bobby) started his career at MGR at 8 years old as one of the kids in The King and I. 16 years later he returns home to play the role originated by another hometown boy, Thommie Walsh. I would like to thank Ed Sayles, the board of directors, and the MGR staff for making the theatre what it is today. Love and thanks to my husband Brian, my Mom who put me in dance class and my Dad who never questioned my Mom for putting a boy in dance class. Doug and Kelly for their room and board. Judd and Bonnie, Timmy and Leigh and one on the way. Aunt Brenda my confidant. Pappaw for always telling everyone in the audience which one is his grandson. The Lattimores, Merrills, especially Joan and Nancy, and the O’Donnelles. My nieces Kyla, Elizabeth and Olivia. AHS class of ‘94. Joanne O’Connor for the NYC pad. Thommie, Ellie, Mammaw and Bonnie we love you and miss you very much. Proud member of AEA.
2009 Band Leader Sponsor
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(315) 253-4966 Adam Lendermon (Greg) holds a BFA in Acting and a Dance Minor from Adelphi University. He has toured nationally with Cats (Skimbleshanks) and internationally with West Side Story (Big Deal). Regional credits include: The Specialist in The Who’s Tommy (Arkansas Rep), A Christmas Carol (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Beauty and the Beast (Artpark), Chantal in La Cage Aux Folles (Arvada Center), and Cabaret (Gateway Playhouse). Thanks to Ed and Josh for letting him be a part of a show that has so profoundly impacted his life. Synthia Link (Maggie) was last seen as Flora in No, No, Nanette. Favorite credits include: Radio City Rockette: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (First National Tour), Funny Girl (Mrs. Nadler), The Producers (MGR), Into The Woods (The Bakers Wife) and Steel Pier (Mick’s Pick). Synthia can also be heard as a featured soloist on “The Rockettes Sing Your Holiday Favorites” (Track #12). Graduate of Marymount Manhattan College! Proud new member of Actors Equity. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Anthony and Cody for their continuous love and support! Jenny Long (Judy) has been seen on the MGR stage in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Gigi , My Way, and most recently as Winnie Winslow in No, No, Nanette. Other regional credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, My One and Only, West Side Story and George M! Jenny, an NYU- Cap 21 graduate, wants to thank Megan J. for her support and encouragement. She also wants to thank her amazing parents and little sister, Emily (who is a Rock Star). Kate Marilley (Sheila) is thrilled to be playing Sheila in A Chorus Line here at Merry-Go-Round! Regional roles/credits include: Judy Haynes in White Christmas, Ruth Sander (understudy Milly) in the tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain, Ivy Smith in On the Town, Belle Shakley in A Musical Christmas Carol, Flo Bates in Half a Sixpence, and most recently Fritzi in Cabaret! She received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University in Drama. This is for Grammie.
Cameron McLendon (Val) is super excited to make her debut at MGR and to finally be on that famous Line! Originally from Atlanta, GA, Cameron is now a proud resident of NYC. Favorite credits: Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), The Nutcracker (Clara). Music Videos/ TV: The Ruse “Collide”. Graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Thanks to Marcia Weissman Management and Lesley Collis (Mattel). Love to Jay D. and Christian F. Thank you Mom, Dad, Katie, Jason, Jeff, Kenzie, and family. I Love You! Ralph Meitzler (Al) is stoked to have Merry-Go-Round as his Equity house debut! This Pennsylvanian recently returned home from the ‘Land of Oz’ doing Wicked in Japan. Prior to Nippon, Ralph rehabilitated a back injury to ‘Super Swing’ the National Tour of Hairspray. 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph…, and Holland America Cruise Ships round out his credits. Special Thanks to MGR, my dear friends and family, and Nana, my saving grace! Gabriel Mudd (Cut Dancer/US Al/Larry) has been in numerous print ads, industrial films/performances, commercials and luxury cruise liners across the country and internationally. He has been heard on radio ads, video games, background vocals, featured on PBS, and seen as the featured performer at the Miss New York (Miss America) Pageant, 2008. Gabriel was seen as Mr. T in the first national tour of The Wedding Singer, and has performed roles such as Papa Ge in Once on This Island, Victor in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Cain in Children of Eden, Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, and the Tenor in 8-Track. Many thanks to MGR. Gillian Munsayac (Connie) MGR Credits: HSM; No, No, Nanette. NY Credits: Cabaret (Frenchie); Bye Bye Birdie (Alice); Cheerwars; The Love of Don Perlimplin and Belisa in the Garden (Sprite); Night (Fury). Other Credits: 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Andy Williams, 2009 Tisch Salute, AT&T voiceover commercial. Gillian is an incoming junior at NYU Tisch CAP21. Love and thanks to family, friends, MGR staff and crew, Young Talent Management, and Shirley Faison (Carson-Adler Agency). Matthew Rickard (Paul) is a recent 2009 graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in musical theatre. He recently danced with Reagle Players in Waltham, MA. Favorite summer stock roles include: Munkustrap (CATS), Ritchie Valens (Buddy Holly Story), and Herman (Cabaret). Syracuse credits include Steel Pier, Little Women, and My One and Only. Special thanks to mom and dad, Ed, and my besties from the class of ‘09! 2009 Season Sponsored by
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merry-go-round.com Blakely Slaybaugh (Mike) is elated to be on the line! Originally a native of Ft. Myers, FL, just received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Favorite roles include: Emcee in Cabaret, Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown, Dean in All Shook Up, A-Rab in West Side Story, Eugene in Brighton Beach & Biloxi Blues, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor… Thanks to Family, Friends and Gretchen for your undying support! This one’s for Don! Cameron Smith (Cut Dancer/US Bobby/Don) originally from Atlanta, GA, some of his favorite roles include Seymour in Little Shop, Matt in The Fantasticks, and Bobby in Crazy For You. Thanks to Mom, Dad, & Elizabeth for always believing in me and to my friends for their constant love and support. BFA Drama & Math from NYU/Tisch CAP21 conservatory. Derek St. Pierre (Mark) is ecstatic to be returning to MGR this summer after appearing here in Peter Pan and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Originally from Pittsburgh, Derek is heading into his senior year at The Boston Conservatory. Recent credits include 42nd Street, Meet Me In St. Louis, and Camelot at The MUNY, The Corn Is Green at The Huntington Theatre, and the Leonard Bernstein Tribute with the Boston Pops. Derek would like to thank his parents for their constant love and support! Neil Totton (Richie) is so excited to be on the line playing Richie at MGR. Neil comes here directly from Sacramento Music Circus where he played Hot Box MC/Society Max in Guys and Dolls and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other theatre credits: Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and Walnut Street. Other credits: Aida (asst. choreographer) and The Wedding Singer, Fame in Ireland, Chet Walker Dance Project, Ballet Black, and Showtime at the Apollo, and other commercials and music videos. Sam Underwood (Don/US Zach) is honored to be on the line. OffBroadway, Touring, Regional and UK credits include: Les Miserables (Marius), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy), Singin’ in the Rain (Cosmo), Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde), Oklahoma (Will), Gypsy (Tulsa) and Henry V (Dauphin). MGR Credits: High School Musical (Jack Scott); No, No, Nanette (Tom). He recently served as Assistant Director to Lynne Taylor-Corbett and understudied Shonn Wiley in the new Off-Broadway musical My Vaudeville Man. He will play Billy Crocker in Anything Goes this fall and is also co-artistic director of an upcoming theater company, Palabras. Proud AMDA graduate.
Anne Marie Vick (Bebe) returns to MGR having been seen in Thoroughly Modern Millie and All Shook Up! Favorite credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Peter Pan (Wendy), Pippin (Leading Player) and White Christmas (Rhoda). A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, CAP21, she received a BFA in Musical Theater. Thanks to the amazing directors, choreographers, and crew for all your hard work. Also thanks to my family/ friends, and especially Benjamin, all of whom support me both on stage and off! Richard B. Watson (Zach) was born and raised on the Outer Banks near Wilmington, NC. He lives in New York City. Richard was Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady at Sacramento Music Circus and Sherlock in Sherlock Holmes & the West End Horror at Pioneer. He performed recently offBroadway in The Shanghai Gesture; and as John Adams in 1776 at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Company. Richard can be seen in PS, I Love You; Law & Order: CI; and has just shot Art=(Love)² that should be out next year. He received his Master’s at the Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University & the Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C. Richard is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Don’t Forget to check out or 2010 Season! Become a Subscriber today!
The Drowsy Chaperone Meet Me in St. Louis Ring of Fire
Promises, Promises Man of La Mancha Church Basement Ladies 2
Staff Carpentry Production Assistant..................................................Katie Bruno Assistant Production Manager................................................. Alyse O’Brien Sound Engineer...................................................................... Brian Machold Electrician.................................................................................... Emily Reid
Special thanks are due to the following: Auburn City Enlarged School District Maggie Campolieta James Cantu Troy Gronau Kurt Moe Mike Nye Sally Reutlinger Nathan Rosenblum
Randy Steffen & Syracuse Stage Sam’s Shoe Service SUNY Cortland Department of Performing Arts Cortland Repertory Theatre All MGR Landlords who are kind enough to let us house our company in their homes.
2009 Season Supporters MGR would like to thank the following corporations, businesses, foundations and individuals for their support of the 2009 Season. (Updates and corrections as of July 16, 2009)
Individual Donors:
Producers $500 – $999 CNY Healing Arts LLC
Choreographers $100 – $249
David and Paula Hickey Mrs. Polly Hutchinson Anthony & Joyce Martino
Margaret Muhlnickel Mary Jean Muhlnickel Mr. Peter Murinka
Stage Managers $50 – $99
Mildred Cefaratti Kenneth R. Dowd Mr. Peter Ehresman Betty Walowsky
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Foley Marvin & Ruth Swanson Mr. Dale Steward
Ensemble $25 – $49 Peter Ruzicka