Program for Brighton Beach Memoirs

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS CAST

EUGENE.................................................................... Porter DeBacker STANLEY ..................................................................... Cameron Estes KATE ........................................................................ Beverly L. Freitas LAURIE ............................................................................. Lillian Hare NORA ................................................................................Molly Hare JACK ................................................................................. Joe Martin BLANCHE ..................................................................... Tracy Webber

TIME & PLACE

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, 1937 The show runs approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, which includes a 20-minute intermission.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

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Pentacle Theatre

By Neil Simon

PRODUCTION STAFF

DIRECTOR .............................................................................Jo Dodge ASSISTANT DIRECTOR............................................. Jennifer Gimzewski TECHNICAL DIRECTOR .....................................................Chris Benham LIGHTING DESIGN ........................................................... Jenni Bertels SET DESIGN .....................................................................Chris Benham SET CONSTRUCTION ..................................... Saul Coria, Brady Howell, Finch Lappenbusch, Scott Ramp, Antonio Schoaps, Rob Sim, Becky Tei, Noah Vanderburgh

STRIKE CREW .......................................Quinn Connolly, Brady Howell, Finch Lappenbusch, Rob Sim, Becky Tei, Elizabeth Tei

SOUND DESIGN ................................................................... Liz Rogers SOUND & LIGHT TECHNICIAN............................................Nancy Mayo COSTUME DESIGN......................................................... Karen McCarty HAIR ................................................................ Alexa Gray, Doug Gray STAGE MANAGER ...................Maya Griffin, Jen Killikelly, Doug Swaim PHOTOGRAPHY ................................................................. Vicki Woods POSTER DESIGN .............................................................. Isaac Mitchell PROGRAM DESIGN .........................................................Carlee Wright HOUSE MANAGERS .......................................... Chris & Karen McCarty BOARD LIAISONS ..............................Katie Lindbeck & Kaelyn Kappes

Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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IS Sponsored by

The Bower Trust In loving memory of Pentacle Lifetime Member Paul “Benny” Bower.

Honoring Jo Dodge, Pentacle Lifetime Member, long-time friend, and mentor.

Jo’s direction of Brighton Beach Memoirs marks her 50th Pentacle production.

Jo has also inspired countless actors with her long-running acting workshops, including Benny Bower!

and

Lorene Ferris Mcmurrin 4

Pentacle Theatre

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S LETTER

Brighton Beach Memoirs is one of Neil Simon’s most beloved comedies: a semi-autobiographical presentation of a few days in the Jacob Jerome family home in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York.

Fifteen-year-old Eugene (Neil Simon) is the narrator of the story. He leads us through the ups and downs the extended Polish immigrant family faces as they deal with cramped accommodation, monetary difficulties, and four teenage children in the years following the Great Depression.

It is 1937 and war is looming. This is the first year that Eugene ‘started noticing girls that weren’t too bad to look at.’ His brother, Stanley, has problems at work and his cousin, Nora, has ambitions of becoming a Broadway star.

Eugene’s parents, Kate and Jack, together with Aunt Blanche, navigate their problems with humor, love, and a healthy helping of principles.

This heartwarming tale of family life in a bygone day will entertain you, make you laugh, and perhaps remind you that, in the end, what matters to us all is love, kindness, and family.

Jennifer Gimzewski Assistant Director

SUPPORT LOCAL THEATRE

To learn about sponsoring a Pentacle production, call 503-485-4300 or email executive_director@pentacletheatre.org Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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Honoring the generous individuals who have made a provision in their estate plans for Pentacle Theatre:

Bright Lights S o c i e t y Anonymous Pamela Abernethy & Chris Fletcher Robin Bower Laurene & Roger Brousseau Eden Rose Brown Cherie & Craig Cline Susan Elliott Linda Gilbert Kelli & Ron Jaecks Ed Kramer MaryKate Lindbeck Dennis & Linda McIntire Jackie B. Miller

Jeanne M. Miller Janet Neuburg Jackie & Al Pierce Laurelyn Schellin Cesie & Tom Delve Scheuermann Barbara & Bruce Thompson IN MEMORIAM Virginia Choate Carol Farber Lois Harris Louise Larsen Larry Roach

If you have included Pentacle Theatre in your estate plans, we’d like to know and honor you here.

Contact 503-485-4300 or email Steven; Executive_Director@PentacleTheatre.org.

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Pentacle Theatre

CAST & CREW Jo Dodge Director

Jennifer Gimzewski Assistant Director

Jo has acted, directed, and taught theater in New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu. She has been with Pentacle for 42 years and has directed 50 productions. Most recently, she directed Rabbit Hole, Over the River and Through the Woods, Mothers and Sons, The Elephant Man, Beauty and the Beast, The Rainmaker, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dr. Dolittle, The Desperate Hours, Willy Wonka, The Lion in Winter, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Gypsy, and Proof.

Other directing credits include Cabaret, A View From the Bridge, and Of Mice and Men. Jo’s numerous Pentacle stage credits include Doubt, Wings, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and The Glass Menagerie. Jo lives in Salem, teaches an acting workshop at Pentacle Theatre, and is retired from the Oregon Department of Justice.

Jennifer is a veteran Pentacle performer, director, and volunteer. She most recently played Emma in Over the River and Through the Woods. She has directed several plays at Pentacle, including Leading Ladies, The Women of Lockerbie, and The Cake. She was also the assistant director for Rabbit Hole. She works at Salem Art Association's Bush Barn Art Center as an Exhibitions Director. Her hobbies are reading, painting, and taking care of her two cats, Mrs. Pickles and Mufasa.

Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Attention all high school graduating seniors & Pentacle volunteers!

The Pentacle Theatre’s Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the Bill and Phyllis Cross Pentacle Theatre Scholarships & The Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship for the pursuit of higher education and the arts. Three scholarships are available to qualifying high school seniors:   

The Jo Dodge Performing Arts Theatre Scholarship The Tony Zandol Technical Arts Theatre Scholarship The Tom Ulmer Theatre Service Scholarship

A NEW scholarship is being offered to a Pentacle Theatre volunteer who is a member in good standing. This scholarship can be used for their own continued education OR can be applied for on behalf of a high school senior. The name of this new scholarship is: 

The Alice Mary Norton Volunteerism Scholarship

Applications are available starting January 12, 2024. You may download the application from the Pentacle Theatre website (www.pentacletheatre.org), pick one up from a local drama teacher, or contact the Scholarship Committee chair, Robert Salberg, at 971-208-2799 or salberg.robert@gmail.com.

Scholarship applications are due March 25, 2024, and recipients will be notified

by April 30, 2024.

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Pentacle Theatre

CAST & CREW Porter DeBacker Eugene

Cameron Estes Stanley

A freshman at South Salem High School, this is Porter’s first show with Pentacle Theatre. Theaterrelated experience includes Simba in The Lion King Jr at Howard Street (2023), and as Prince Charming in Cinderella: Or How Pipsqueak the Mouse Became a Stallion (2023), Sergei in Matilda Jr (2022) and Guildenstern in Hamlet (2021) with Children's Educational Theatre. Porter lives with his mom, dad, sister, and two dogs.

He loves to run for cross country and track, sing in choir, play the saxophone in band, and snowboard as much as possible.

This is Cameron's second production at Pentacle Theatre. He played Jason in the 2023 production of Rabbit Hole, directed

by Jo Dodge. He is looking forward to taking part in his second show at Pentacle. When he is not working, Cameron enjoys staying active, traveling, snowboarding, and guitar.

Season 2023 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

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Pentacle Theatre

CAST & CREW Beverly L. Freitas Kate Although Beverly has worked on two past Pentacle Theatre shows, Over the River and Through the Woods (2022) and Rabbit Hole (2023), doing lights and sound, she is very excited to make her acting debut as Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs and be a part of Pentacle Theatre's 70th season and director Jo Dodge’s 50th show.

Beverly is retired. She has been married to her supportive husband for 42 years. She is a proud mom of two boys who live and work in California and Chicago. She is also the proud pet parent to two very spoiled cats. In addition to all things Pentacle Theatre, Beverly loves camping, fishing, reading, writing, crafting, and especially musical theater.

She wishes to thank her family and the entire Pentacle Theatre community, who have given her an amazing new set of life skills and many new, lifelong friends.

Lillian Hare Laurie Lillian is very excited for her Pentacle debut! She has previously been seen in Willamette Youth Theatre’s Into the Woods and is most likely seen playing Stardew Valley, reading or involved in other intellectual activities. She sees so much of Laurie in herself and loves bringing the character to life every night.

She’d like to thank her family for their support and her sister for being sort of bearable to act with.

Proud Supporter Of The Arts!

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Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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CAST & CREW Molly Hare Nora This is Molly’s seventh Pentacle show. She is proud to have grown up on the Pentacle stage. You may have most recently seen her as Teen Fiona in Pentacle’s Shrek the Musical or as the Sour Kangaroo in Enlightened Theatrics’ Seussical. She is a freshman at Western Oregon University pursuing a BS in Aquarium Science with a minor in theater. She is very excited to share the stage with her sister Lillian and sends thanks to everyone who helped her get to rehearsal every day.

UPCOMING AUDITION RIPCORD

Written by David Lindsay-Abaire. Directed by Karen McCarty.

Show Dates: April 19 to May 11 ● Audition: Jan. 27, 2024 Learn more at pentacletheatre.org/auditions/

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Pentacle Theatre

CAST & CREW Joe Martin Jack This is Joe's seventh production at Pentacle Theatre. He was most recently seen as Reverend Peters (and other characters) in 2023's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Before that he portrayed Torvald Helmer in Keizer Homegrown Theatre's 2023 production of A Doll's House, Part 2. His other credits include The Cake, Jest a Second, Fools, Dracula, The Elephant Man, and the short film Broken Pieces.

When not working on acting projects, Joe enjoys exploring voiceover work, reading, films, golfing, fishing, and spending time with family and loved ones.

Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

Tracy Webber Blanche Tracy is excited to be back at Pentacle Theatre! She has done several shows here in the past, such as Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Doctor Dolittle, and Urinetown, but she is most well-known for her role as Velma Kelly in Chicago.

Recently, she played Desiree in A Little Night Music for NW Broadway Productions and the Salem Orchestra on the Elsinore stage, where she was in several previous productions, such as Mother in A Christmas Story and Cinderella in Disenchanted. You may have also seen her as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd on stage at the Grand Theatre for Enlightened Theatrics, or as Evita on the stage of the Majestic in Corvallis. Though she has performed abroad, she is grateful to be back with her local theater family here in Salem.

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LIFETIME MEMBERS Every five years the Pentacle Theatre Governing Board honors as Lifetime Members five people who have been active in Pentacle Theatre for at least 20 years. We also remember fondly those Lifetime Members who are no longer with us.

Lifetime Members Pamela Abernethy Dick Bond Robin Bower Maggie Dayton Jo Dodge Chris Fletcher Lois Hanson

Ken Hermens Robert Herzog Deborah Johansen Cec Koontz Dave Leonard Katie Lindbeck Pauli Long

Nancy Moen Debbie Neel Jeff Sanders Ed Schoaps Susan Schoaps Larry Stevens Kathryn Straton

Faye Trupka Cherie Ulmer Jeffrey D. Witt De Zajic Tony Zandol

IN LOVING MEMORY Wayne Ballantyne Dean Bartell Jack Bellamy Dr. E.B. Bossatti Edith Bossatti Benny Bower Virginia Choate Ken Collins

David Cristobal Bill Cross Phyllis Cross Dave Davis Ron Fox Rose Ann Hansell Mrs. Ray Loter Marian Milligan

Alice Norton Peg Pink Bob Putnam Margaret Ringnalda Murco Ringnalda Larry Roach Dick Schmidt Pat Schmidt

Helen Shepard Meryl (Bill) Smith Barbara Sullivan Tom Ulmer Claytene Vick Madison Vick Stephen Warnock Rollie Zajic

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Pentacle Theatre in Salem is located within the ancestral homelands of the Kalapuya, Yamhill, and Luckiamute people who had lived here since time immemorial.

In the 1850s, these tribes were displaced by colonization and were eventually resettled on reservations. We celebrate and honor the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz members, their resilience, and their present and future right to this land.

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Pentacle Theatre

PRESIDENT'S CORNER Dear friends of Pentacle Theatre,

Reflecting…

It is a great honor to be elected Board President. Pentacle has felt like my second home since I became involved as an actor in 1975, and I have felt the privilege of my involvement for nearly 50 years. It is rather daunting to follow in the immediate footsteps of outgoing President Emma Thurston, who led the Board with an amazing combination of grace, efficiency, expertise, and enthusiasm. Although her presence on the board will be missed, I know she will continue being an active volunteer and valuable resource moving forward.

There is much to be proud of and look forward to. 2023 marked Pentacle’s first full season since the pandemic; by any measure, it was a rousing success. Attendance for virtually all shows exceeded projections, and we are gratified to experience Pentacle as a hot commodity again. Beginning with a significant deficit brought on by the “dark” period of COVID, increased attendance, generous donations, show sponsorships, and a membership drive dramatically brightened our financial outlook. Adding the revenues from the 2022 Terra Nova remount and the wonderfully nostalgic USO Show, we saw considerable progress toward being “in the black” again. We are not there yet, but have the momentum to get there soon.

It is appropriate to thank everyone who played a significant part in Pentacle’s many successes in 2023, but I hesitate for fear of leaving people out. I do want to acknowledge the contributions of Lisa Joyce and Sean Needles. Their efforts to shepherd Pentacle through the period of the pandemic allowed us to survive and experience the recovery we are seeing today. We wish them the best in their new ventures.

Looking forward…

2024 includes a stellar lineup of shows, starting with Neil Simon’s award-winning Brighton Beach Memoirs, and marks a milestone as Pentacle’s 70th Anniversary season!

Save the date, July 13, to join in the celebration party.

I want to share a moment I experienced while attending a significant New Year’s Eve event. The energy level accelerated, with attendees surging onto the dance floor as the band launched into a boisterous rendition of “Footloose,” the title song of a show on this year’s season. I am not necessarily a firm believer in signs or omens, but I couldn’t help but smile. I think this was an excellent harbinger for Pentacle as we look forward to 2024!

Best to all!

Ken Hermens

Governing Board President P.S. I want to thank Sherry Collins and all involved in returning our printed programs, another sign of our “return to normalcy.”

Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Mission Statement

Pentacle Theatre provides community members a collaborative opportunity to create and experience theater in an atmosphere of respect, support and enjoyment.

ADVERTISING Advertise in Pentacle Theatre programs; all proceeds will be directed to bringing back our printed programs! Contact the office for more information. Call 503-485-4300, or email executive_director@pentacletheatre.org for more information.

TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for upcoming productions are available online at pentacletheatre.org, in person at the box office (197 Liberty St. SE, Salem), or by phone (503) 485-4300. Box office hours are (Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm.

CONCESSIONS Concessions are available in the lobby. Wine and beer can be purchased along with an assortment of other beverages and brought with you to enjoy during the show. Food is not permitted in the auditorium. Purchase a souvenir cup and receive $1 off your next drink.

NO LATE SEATING Once the production begins, the theater doors will be closed for further seating. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, you are welcome to view the production on the monitors in the lobby downstairs until you are able to enter the theater at intermission.

If you need to leave the theater during the performance, you can view the production on the monitors in the downstairs lobby and reenter during intermission, or catch up with your party when they exit at the end of the show.

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Pentacle Theatre

GENERAL INFORMATION SMOKING Smoking is allowed only in the designated area outside the lobby.

NO RECORDING DEVICES Cameras (with or without flash) and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Please turn off cell phones during the performance.

HOW TO REACH US Pentacle Theatre office: 503-485-4300.

Box office hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

Online at: www.pentacletheatre.org.

MANY, MANY THANKS… To our ushers. Pentacle Theatre could not be successful without the continued and dedicated help of our community.

PENTACLE THEATRE GOVERNING BOARD Pentacle Theatre is an established not-forprofit theater company, providing a sevenplay season. A nine-member governing board assisted by committee chairpersons and countless other volunteers run the theater.

Membership is open to all.

Brighton Beach Memoirs in rehearsal.

Photos by Vicki Woods.

2024 GOVERNING BOARD AND STAFF President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Hermens Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Lindbeck Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaelyn Kappes Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce Thompson Members-at-Large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mat Genuser, Kelli Jaecks, Toni King-Byous, Fawnia Oblack, Dani Potter Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven Trahan Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Benham Box Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Houser Taylor Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christie L . Smith

Season 2024 | Brighton Beach Memoirs

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THANK YOU! Pentacle Theatre would not be possible without the support of the following grantors:

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Pentacle Theatre

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! Ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of our productions.

Your membership and donations help make this theater possible. Thank you!

This list represents gifts between 1/1/2023 and 12/31/2023.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ($2,000+) American Endowment Foundation Business Oregon, State of Oregon Jo Dodge Lisa & Marty Johnson Oregon Arts Commission Robin Bower Robin & Benny Bower MaryKate Lindbeck Donald & Lizabeth Rogers Schwab Charitable Barbara & Bruce W. Thompson Patricia Jennison Wickum PRODUCER ($1,000+) Pamela Abernethy & Chris Fletcher Allegheny Technologies in Honor of Emma Thurston Sharlen R. Bennett Michael & Beverly Carrick Foundation Sherry Collins Fidelity Charitable Beverly Lynn Freitas Linda & Joe Hillesum Ray & Sally Hollemon Kelli & Ron Jaecks Katie & Laslo Kolta Judith & Greg Linder Jennifer Martinak Rus McCracken

Patrick Moser Beverly A. North Kathy D. Saviers Betsy & Richard Scott Lisa Godwin & Rick Segal DIRECTOR ($500+) Penny Blackwell Alex & Virginia Bourdeau Eden Rose Brown Grover & Cheryl Carter Mike Cechovic Cherie & Craig Cline Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Collada Judy C. Colvin Chris Davidson Oddny Everson Darlene Fletcher Jody & Mark Gordon Lois Hanson Paula Hartwig Sally & Ray Hollemon Shirley Koontz Lynelle Littke Rachel McMillen Pratt Doug and Jennifer Meltzer Judith Morris Vanessa Nordyke Susan & Richard Ray Joan Robinson ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ($250+) Edna & Richard Anderson Paul D. Andrews Steven Barlow Katy & Charles Bayless

Greg & Donna J. Burgess Aaron and Diane Clingerman Linda D. Cress Dennis & Barbara Curtin Miles Jeanne & Bill Dalton Dick Day Cesie Delve Scheuermann Lois & Dale Derouin Dean & Beth Vargas Duncan Joyce & Mark Eklund Bates Family Valorie A. Freeman Jo Rita Gann Franca Hernandez Tom M. Hewitt Jay Howe & Janet Gros Jacques David & Shirley Kavanaugh in Memory of Vivienne Sornson Norma Jean Standlea & Hank Keeton Paul Allen Kyllo Ellen Langsather Jonathan Logan Pauli Long Lpl Financial Betsy McDowell Lorene McMurrin Hinrich Muller Ruthie Murphy Debbie & Mike Neel Liz & Don Oswalt

See the full list of donors at pentacletheatre.org/support/our-donors/

y c a g e L a e v a e L

Make a charitable bequest to Pentacle Theatre in your will.

Learn more at pentacletheatre.org/support/leave-a-legacy/

UP NEXT...

March 1 through 23, 2024 The musical follows four Broadway actors lamenting their days of fame, as they travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to high school prom.

For more information, call 503-485-4300, visit www.pentacletheatre.org or scan the QR code at right.