OHMPAA | Circle Mirror Transformation

by Annie Baker

The Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association presents

by Annie Baker

DIRECTED BY Laurie Riihimaki featuring

Kathryn Gardner Marty Mike Newsom Schultz Hillary Perry Theresa Daniel Rennie James Jasmine Wells Lauren

PLACE

A windowless dance studio in the town of Shirley, Vermont. There is a wall of mirrors. There is a big blue yoga ball. TIME Summertime.

THE VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PERFORMANCE BY ANY MEANS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Circle Mirror Transformation is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Producers’ Note

Laurie first pitched this show to OHMPAA back in the fall of 2019. Her passion for this play came through loud and clear and we easily chose it, and her, for the June 2020 slot. We all know what happened next. Two years later we asked Laurie to pitch again. She was even more enthusiastic, and we were thrilled that she came back on board.

As producers, working with Laurie and this cast has been a delight from the very first read through. They are a hard-working, funny, committed, talented, and creative bunch and all of them stepped out of their comfort zones in many ways.

We are so grateful to them, and to the sponsors, advertisers and members who provide vital production support. We especially thank you for buying a ticket and coming with us to a windowless room in a small town community center. You will laugh, wince, perhaps cry. It will be worth it.

Jenny Adams, Terry Cole, Mary Louque

VOTING MEMBERS

Jenny Adams*

Connie Allen*

Matthew Brackett

Mary Ellen Cafiso*

Terry Cole*

Christine Hebert

Carol Huotari

Norman Hutchins, Jr.*

Peter & Becky Kaurup

Mary Louque*

Richard McIntosh

Stephenie Michaud*

Julie Middleton

Jeff Orwig*

Scott Parsons*

Sarah Porter*

Jon Potter*

Rachel Potter

Janelle Raven Cynthia Reedy Kenn Sawyer

Kristen Searles*

Claire Sessions

Shelly Shibles*

Aaron Skolfield*

Kristen Short

Danielle Tran*

SUPPORTING

MEMBERS

Mary Ann Brown

Curtis Cole

Mark D’Andrea

Christopher & Paula Easton

Debra Koczon

Carol Lessard

Foster & Mickie Shibles

Lois Strauss Sharon Wilson-Cox

PATRONS

Anonymous

Connie Allen*

Gene & Ellen Benner

Mary Ellen Cafiso*

Curtis & Terry* Cole

Linda & Larry Cousins Mark D’Andrea

Thelma Denlinger

Susan Denison

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership in the Oxford Hills Music & Performing Arts Association is open to all those who wish to support this non-profit community theater group. Membership will keep you informed of OHMPAA’s productions and plans. We also invite all potential actors and those wishing to help in productions to come join the fun!

Membership applications are available in the lobby or you may speak with any board member if you have questions about membership or being a part of a future production.

www.ohmpaa.org • www.facebook.com/OHMPAA

On January 1, 2009, OHMPAA became a program of Norway Maine Opera House Corporation which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Christopher & Paula Easton

Leo & Sandy Geddry

Kathleen Gerrits-Leyden Dick & Janice Guilford Karen Hakala & Tim Hutchison

Judy King

Janice Knightly Don & Judy Mayberry

Bill & Marge Medd

Shirley Miller

Bob & Joan Moorehead Lorie Olson & Paul Ricci Bob & Vernice Pelletier

Verna Pendexter

Phin Enterprises LLC

Becky Preble

Brian & Shelly* Shibles

Foster & Mickie Shibles

Mary F. Smith

Lois Strauss

Karen Turino

Dennis Twitchell

Florence Wendell

MEMBERS EMERITUS

Dan Allen

Shirli Allen-Heald

*OHMPAA Advisory Board Member

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY WILLIAM FINN

BOOK BY RACHEL SHEINKIN

CONCEIVED BY REBECCA FELDMAN

November 10–13 & 17–20, 2022

Norway Grange | 15 Whitman Street

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. Directed by Kristen Searles.

Smokin’ Dave’s Backyard BBQ

230 MAIN STREET • NORWAY • 207-744-2578

Open Wednesday–Sunday for lunch and dinner

Offering fresh smoked meats and appetizers, steaks & burgers, side dishes of all kinds, fresh breads & desserts.

The Norway Opera House Corporation is embarking on the fourth and final phase of the restoration of the Norway Opera House. This final phase has been made possible by completing the first three phases that secured, stabilized, and reactivated the Main Street retail spaces. The work has been funded by grants, use of federal and state historic tax credits, as well as by individuals in the community.

There have also been countless hours of clean-up and demolition work done by the corporation board members and local volunteers. We proudly showcase the beautiful store fronts which have brought foot traffic and shoppers to Main Street. Our sights are now on the upstairs hall which will once again be the hub of community activities and the pride of Main Street.

Help us realize our vision of a multi-use performance space and make a donation today at norwayoperahouse.org!

Please visit the Opera House retail businesses!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

The theater for me has always been my safe space. Being surrounded by like-minded creatives who collaborate effortlessly and give me permission to be silly feels like home. There is something magical about the process; we start with simple words on a page and transform it into a one-of-a-kind gift that exists only in present time. The full yet brief “life” of theater is heartbreaking, but for me, it’s a reminder of why life is worth living.

Love at first sight is how I would describe the way Baker’s words enveloped me in 2010. I was a college freshman in Boston and had the opportunity to see not one, not two, but three of Annie Baker’s productions go live at The Calderwood Pavillion. I was intensely hit, and frankly, creatively turned on by Baker’s use of the English language, combining modern slang with BIG ideas, incorporating true-to-life pauses and silences, and making use of everyone’s favorite lazy hesitation: “ummm.” Her authentic characters and the compassionate way she portrayed life’s hardships and internal struggles mixed with everyday bustle truly scratched a creative itch I didn’t know existed.

I was overjoyed that my old friends at OHMPAA welcomed me back with open arms — after I left for nine years to study and work creatively in Boston, London, and NYC — and trusted me to produce a piece that still gives me goosebumps. It may have taken us a few years because of the pandemic, but I was over the moon when we were finally able to move forward, despite my own health issues. OHMPAA’s faith in me to effectively direct this thoughtful piece a month after brain surgery definitely speaks for itself! As one board member said, “It’s not a prerequisite but it helps to have brain surgery before playing with us.” Directing this show has been a very enjoyable and important

part of my healing. This is a long and hard recovery and I would not be feeling as good as I am without the belly laughs, positive creative energy, and community of kind people. I am so blessed to have all of your support. Thank you to the board for letting me play. Let’s do this again sometime!

To the cast, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me. Your willingness to jump when I said “jump,” even when it seemed foolish, is the best gift a director could ever receive. It was a thrill to see you try, fail, and get up without question and try again. You all worked and worked until it felt just right. This is the part of the process the audience doesn’t see, but let me tell you, it takes a lot of guts to openly leap into failure three evenings a week until you feel that emotional ping in your chest or hear a teary laugh (sorry guys!) from the director’s table that indicates success.

Your bold choices, your eagerness to explore, and your access to your emotions helped to create the five very real characters we’re sharing with an audience today. Being vulnerable is not an easy thing to do, but it certainly helps put on a good show.

There is a special place in my heart for all of these characters and I hope as an audience member you connect with them, understand them, and cherish them the way we all have. Maybe you’ll even see a little bit of yourself onstage.

Laurie Riihimaki

Meet the Cast

Kathryn Gardner (Marty) lives in Otisfield with her family and works as a Somatic Movement Therapist. She likes dancing, making music and gardening, and tries to find ways to address the climate crisis. “I’ve loved playing with folks and performing in many OHMPAA productions including On Golden Pond, The Road to Eden’s Ridge and Almost, Maine. Shout out to family and friends who brighten these troubled times, and especially Michael, Olivia, our two kitties and Remy the wigglebutt dog. I love you. And Mom — thanks for being the first one to buy a ticket!”

Mike Newsom (Schultz) Mike’s OHMPAA roles include Henry McCoy in Papermaker (2019), Charlie in On Golden Pond (2015), the Bullfrog in HONK! (2014), Michael in The Road to Eden’s Ridge (2012), and Pete, Jimmy, Lendall, Randy and Man in Almost, Maine (2008). For his day job, Mike sells Medicare plans at Wheelers Insurance. He is the board chair at the Center for an Ecology Based Economy in Norway, is developing an affordable housing project for Norway, and is a certified teacher of Re-evaluation Counseling (cocounseling. org.) “Thanks Liv for letting your parents do this again. Thanks Kathryn for encouraging me to take the risk.”

Hillary Perry (Theresa) is happy to be back at the Grange, performing in her fifth show with OHMPAA! After being cast in the last four musicals with OHMPAA (Drowsy Chaperone, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Monty Python’s Spamalot) she decided to audition for the next straight play, and here we are! She hopes you will enjoy watching this play as much as she has enjoyed acting it. Besides theater, Hillary also spends her time working in the Infant Classroom at OT to Play and taking dance classes at Expansion Arts here in the Oxford Hills. She’d like to say a

huge and warm thank you to her husband, family members, and friends who have continuously supported her in the arts.

Daniel Rennie (James) Daniel is a father of two and husband of one. He has performed in many local productions. OHMPAA roles have included Ernie in Papermaker, Dr. Orrin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors, East and others in Almost, Maine and The Wolf/Prince Charming in Into the Woods. You may also have seen him as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid. He is very humbled and pleased to be pounding the floorboards at the Norway Grange, presenting a very different and powerful play. Daniel would like to thank his wife and partner Jenny for making it possible for him to pursue his passions in the arts. He is also deeply grateful for his children who continue to teach him the most valuable lessons daily. Papa loves you, Lilijune and Henry Hercules.

Jasmine Wells (Lauren) a junior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. She has appeared in one other OHMPAA production — The Wind in the Willows in 2019 — and has had a love for theater since her elementary school. At Oxford Hills she is in the Advanced Communications program through the tech school where students learn all the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking, from lighting to operating a camera. “Circle Mirror Transformation has truly been a wonderful experience and I am so glad we can have some normalcy back in our lives.”

Lorie Olson Broker

Get Involved

Would you like to join in the fun? There are many ways to become more involved in OHMPAA.

Take the stage or work behind the scenes

We are always looking for: actors; directors; readers; musicians; music directors; people to help with costumes, props and publicity; set designers and builders; stage managers; stage hands; technical directors; and house managers.

Direct a show

Each year we ask potential directors to submit ideas for shows. Ask any board member for more information.

Become a member

Membership in the Oxford Hills Music & Performing Arts Association is open to all those who wish to join and support this non-profit community theater group. Membership will keep you informed of OHMPAA’s productions and plans. Membership applications are available in the lobby at each performance, or you may speak with a show producer or board member if you have questions about membership or being a part of a future production.

Sponsor a show or advertise in our program

We are fortunate to have many local businesses who support arts in the Oxford Hills by sponsoring shows or advertising in our programs. We are most thankful for their vital help in producing our shows. For information about how you can sponsor a show or advertise your business, please ask for a copy of our advertising rate card.

Calling Directors!

We are planning our 2023 season and we are looking for plays, musicals, children’s theater, one-acts, and/or dinner theater to create another exciting season.

If you are interested, please send us a list of shows you would like to direct in order of preference, and your choice, if any, of a time slot (spring, summer, fall). Please include a brief description of the show(s), cast size, and any other helpful information, such as set, technical and costume requirements.

We may ask interested directors to pitch their ideas at the August or September board meetings. Please send your selections to ohmpaa@gmail. com or OHMPAA, PO Box 131, Norway, ME 04268. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact us at ohmpaa@gmail.com or 207613-5232. The submission deadline is July 15.

The OHMPAA Advisory Board thanks:

• W.J. Wheeler Insurance Company for their generous help in establishing a Costume & Props Workshop.

• Anonymous friends for their generous support of OHMPAA and arts in the Hills.

• Claire Sessions for her organizational expertise.

• B&C Oil for prompt service.

www.ohmpaa.org

OHMPAA’s Theatrical History

SHOW YR

Get Happy—A Speakeasy** 1985 Maybe It’s Love** 1986 Sentimental Journey** 1987 Working* 1987 The Mikado* 1987 Children Of A Lesser God 1988 Tears And Laughter** 1989 The Real Inspector Hound 1989 Side By Side By Sondheim* 1989 Harvey 1990 HMS Pinafore* 1992 The Mousetrap 1993 The Fantasticks* 1993 Nunsense* 1994 Mayhem & Merriment** 1995 Butterflies Are Free 1995 Steel Magnolias 1996 Cinderella* 1996 Rebecca 1997 Guys & Dolls* 1997 Moon Over Buffalo 1998 Forever Plaid* 1998 Rumors 1999 Grease* 1999 Forever Plaid* (2 runs) 1999 Sylvia 2000 Nunsense* 2000 See How They Run 2000 The Secret Garden* 2001 Love Letters 2001 Our Town 2002 Little Mary Sunshine* 2002 The Foreigner 2002 Arsenic & Old Lace 2003 A Grand Night For Singing* 2003 The Nerd 2003 1940’s Radio Hour* 2003 You Can’t Take It With You 2004

SHOW YR

OHMPAA’s Retrospective Show** 2004

The Odd Couple 2004 Don’t Drink The Water 2005 The Music Man* 2005 Swingtime Canteen* 2005 And Then There Were None 2006 tick, tick…BOOM!* (2 runs) 2006 Something’s Afoot* 2006 A Funny Thing Happened  On the Way to the Forum* 2007 Cinderella’s Glass Slipper* 2007 Don’t Dress For Dinner 2007 The Glass Menagerie 2008 Almost, Maine 2008 Man Of La Mancha* 2008

All This Talk Is Killing Me † 2009 The Prisoner Of Second Avenue 2009 Never Too Late 2009 Murder At Cafe Noir † 2009 How To Succeed In Business  Without Really Trying* 2009 Enchanted April 2010 Bus Stop 2010 Witches, Britches, Rings ’n’ Things 2010 Murder Rides Again † 2010 Roles of a Lifetime:  a musical journey** 2010 Run For Your Wife 2011 Lend Me A Tenor 2011 Large Window on a Small World 2011 Marriage Can Be Murder † 2011 I Do! I Do!* 2011 Jake’s Women 2012 The Senator Wore Pantyhose 2012 The Altos † 2012

The Road to Eden’s Ridge:  the musical* 2012 The Good Doctor 2013 The Fourth Wall 2013

SHOW YR

Accent on Murder † 2013

Wait Until Dark 2013 What the Butler Saw 2014 See How They Run 2014 Honk!* 2014 Frankly, Scarlett, He’s Dead † 2015 On Golden Pond 2015 A Funny Thing Happened  On the Way to the Forum* 2015 A Christmas Cabaret** 2015 Our Town 2016 One Acts Weekend 2016 Into the Woods* 2016 Amahl and the Night Visitors* 2016 Barefoot in the Park 2017 The Drowsy Chaperone* 2017 Noises Off 2018

This is What Happened:  Backstage Stories 2018 Little Shop of Horrors* 2018 The Gift of the Magi and  The Happy Prince 2018 The Wind in the Willows 2019 Papermaker 2019 Godspell* 2019 Love is in the Air Cabaret ** 2020 Roles of a Lifetime Anniversary Virtual Open Mic Series** 2020 Monty Python’s Spamalot 2021 Circle Mirror Transformation 2022

*Musical **Musical Review †Dinner Theater

Explore Your Faith With Us

We meet in the Christian tradition offering an open minded, welcoming environment for all as we discover our faith together.

Sunday Worship & Sunday School at 10 am (9 am July–August)

First Congregational

17 East Main St., South Paris, ME 04281

Mike Carter, Pastor

Our Sunday services are live-streamed at www.firstcongosparis.com and on our Facebook page

Would you like to promote your business or organization AND support the arts?

Advertise in our program!

Reach hundreds of theatergoers during each production.

Ads are inexpensive and a great way to highlight your organization or business to friends and neighbors from the Oxford Hills and from away.

For more information, visit the Get Involved section of our website at: www.ohmpaa.org

About the Show

Circle Mirror Transformation received its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in New York City on October 13, 2009. It was directed by Sam Gold; the set and costume design were by David Zinn; the lighting design was by Mark Barton; the sound design was by Leah Gelpe; and the production stage manager was Alaina Taylor.

Original Cast

Schultz Reed Birney

James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Peter Friedman

Marty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deirdre O’Connell

Lauren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Theresa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tracee Chimo

Heidi Schreck

Production Staff

Producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mary Louque, Terry Cole, Jenny Adams

Director Laurie Riihimaki

Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rachael Leighton

Stage hand Bri Spinhirn

Lights and sound operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Bailey

Set design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristen Searles

Set construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Rennie, Aaron Skolfield Scott Parsons

Set decorating Jenny Adams, Terry Cole, Mary Louque, Shelly Shibles

Lighting design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norman Hutchins

House manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Cairns

Graphic design Jenny Adams

Promotional videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aaron Skolfield

Program advertising coordinators . . . . . . Terry Cole, Mary Louque

Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jess Bailey

Thank You

• To The Tribune for acting as our local ticket agent.

• To the Norway Grange for the use of this wonderful historic facility.

• To our show sponsor, New Balance.

• To our show co-sponsor, Oxford Federal Credit Union.

• To our ticket sponsors, Oxford Lodge #18 and Ryan Kane Trucking and Custom Sawing.

• To our program advertisers for their support.

• To MSAD 17 and Norway Historical Society for the use of their fences for our banners.

• To Aaron Skolfield for help with lights.

• To Russ Rowe for the door and help painting.

• To Nancy Barry and Interlakes Theatre for the mirrors, to Terry and Curtis Cole for transporting them, and to Daniel Rennie and Sarah and Mike Porter for moving them.

• To Wheelers Insurance for the bulletin board and white board.

• To Jeff Orwig for the bulletin board.

• To Judy King for making a vest.

• To Hamilton Industries for the black hoodie.

• To Kristen Searles for the yoga ball.

• To Valerie Berg Strehlke for picking up print materials.

• To our friends and families for their support.

• To OHMPAA Members, Patrons and those who have donated to OHMPAA.

• And—as always—to you, our wonderful, faithful friends in the audience!

STORAGE UNIT RENTALS

Brian Phinney *** Joyce Phinney 207-743-8416 207-890-8697 email: phinent@msn.com PO Box 208, S. Paris, Me 04281

www.ohmpaa.org