Issuu

PLAYBILL

25th Anniversary Season

THE AVETT BROTHERS Oct. 8, 2026 7:30pm

ALI SIDDIQ

Oct. 10, 2026 8:00pm

BÉLA FLECK

Oct. 13, 2026 7:30pm

THE MUSIC MAN Oct. 22, 2026 7:00pm

900 BROADWAY, COLUMBUS GA | 706.256.3612

RIVERCENTER.ORG

@RIVERCENTERGA

PLAYBILL

Oct. 8 - Oct. 22, 2026 Issue No. 111

IN THIS ISSUE

BROTHERS 13 OCTTHE8,AVETT 2026 // 7:30pm

25 ALIOCT 10,SIDDIQ 2026 // 8:00pm

FLECK: MY BLUEGRASS HEART 40 THE MUSIC MAN 32 BÉLA OCT 13, 2026 // 7:30pm OCT 22 2026 // 7:00pm

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Sponsors 6 Marquee Society 8 Donors 64 Volunteers

65 Board of Trustees 65 Administration and Staff 66 Important Information 68 Ticket Information 1

A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR Welcome to Your Stage! Dear Friends, Welcome to RiverCenter! As our 25th Anniversary Season continues, October gives us four wonderful reasons to gather on Columbus’s stage. On October 8, The Avett Brothers bring their stirring blend of folk, bluegrass, and rock, with heartfelt songs and the energy that makes their live performances so memorable. On October 10, comedian Ali Siddiq draws us into his world through sharp humor and deeply personal storytelling. Béla Fleck returns on October 13 with My Bluegrass Heart, bringing extraordinary banjo artistry and fresh imagination to a cherished American musical tradition. Then, on October 22, The Music Man opens our Broadway series with beloved songs, delightful humor, and a story about a town brought together through music. What a fitting celebration for our community’s stage! Bringing artists of this caliber to Columbus takes a substantial investment. I know ticket prices can feel high, and I want you to understand what they make possible. Artist fees are only part of the expense. Behind every performance are skilled stage crews, sound and lighting, security, marketing, and the daily work of caring for this theatre. That is what we mean by The True Cost of Greatness. Ticket sales cover only about 60 cents of every dollar needed to present our performances. The remaining 40 cents must come from memberships, donations, sponsorships, and community partners. Your ticket helps make tonight possible; your additional support helps keep this stage strong throughout the year. RiverCenter was built because this community believed that great art belongs in Columbus. Keeping that promise asks all of us to pull together. To those who already support RiverCenter, thank you. If you have yet to become a member or make a gift, I invite you to join us. Together, we can keep outstanding performances within reach and care for the stage we will pass to the next generation. Thank you for being here and for helping make RiverCenter truly our city’s stage. Enjoy the show! Welcome to RiverCenter. Welcome to Your Stage!

Lee Foster Executive Director & CEO

2026–27 SEASON AT A GLANCE 25th Anniversary Season SYNCOPATED LADIES

MYSTIC PIZZA

JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND:

HOLIDAYS WITH THE WAVE

Sept. 15, 2026 // 7:00pm THE GOOD LIFE: HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TONY BENNETT! Sept. 24, 2026 // 7:30pm

TAKE 6

Oct. 1, 2026 // 7:30pm

JOHN CRIST

Oct. 3, 2026 // 7:00pm

THE AVETT BROTHERS Oct. 8, 2026 // 7:30pm

Nov. 14, 2026 // 7:30pm Dec. 5, 2026 // 9am – 1pm

THE FORT BENNING MCoE BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec. 5, 2026 // 7:30pm

ARTURO SANDOVAL

Jan. 21, 2027 // 7:30pm

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL: A TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON

Jan. 23, 2027 // 7:30pm

ALI SIDDIQ

ROGER WATERS PRESENTS LEGACY

BÉLA FLECK: MY BLUEGRASS HEART

CIRQUE ÉLOIZE: ID–EVOLUTION

THE MUSIC MAN

PEKING ACROBATS

THE UNITED STATES MARINE BAND

SINGALONG WITH THE WAVE AND DEBBIE ANDERSON

Oct. 10, 2026 // 8:00pm Oct. 13, 2026 // 7:30pm

Oct. 22, 2026 // 7:00 pm Oct. 23, 2026 // 7:30pm

HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME WITH THE WAVE

Feb. 15, 2027 // 7:30pm

Feb. 21, 2027 // 4:00pm

Mar. 7, 2027 // 4:00pm Mar. 8, 2027 // 10:30am March 21, 2027 // 5:00pm

Oct. 24, 2026 // 7:30pm

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY

FRAGGLE ROCK: BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE!

DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS

Oct. 25, 2026 // 4:00pm

ACTORS FROM THE LONDON STAGE: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Oct. 30, 2026 // 7:00pm

CURIOUS GEORGE AND THE GOLDEN MEATBALL Nov. 4, 2026 // 10:30am

KRISTIN CHENOWETH Nov. 6, 2026 // 7:30pm

Mar. 18, 2027 // 6:00pm Mar. 23, 2027 // 10:30am

THE AMY WINEHOUSE BAND Mar. 30, 2027 // 7:30pm

HADESTOWN

Apr. 7, 2027 // 7:30 pm

LEGALLY BLONDE

May 3, 2027 // 7:30 pm

25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA May 22, 2027

CORPORATE SPONSORS

hank you to our Corporate Sponsors! As a 501(c)3 organization, RiverCenter depends on the generosity of corporations to help present world-class artists and offer varied educational opportunities. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts offers one-of-a-kind, tailor-made opportunities for businesses and organizations to invest in the arts and arts education, while increasing visibility as a philanthropic leader in the Columbus region. Performances at RiverCenter would not be possible without the goodwill of our sponsors. A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are available, including theatre productions, events, special projects, education and outreach initiatives and can be customized to meet sponsors’ specific interests and needs, beginning at $1,500. Please contact our Development Office at development@rivercenter.org or call 706-256-3653.

SEASON SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSORS

SHOW SPONSORS

MARQUEE LOUNGE SPONSOR

BENEFACTOR SPONSOR

DIAMOND SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT

Thank You to Our Supporters! RiverCenter for the Performing Arts would not be possible without the help and generosity of our wonderful community. We are so thankful for all of the donors and members who have helped us grow and bring amazing talent to our region for over 25 years! We greatly appreciate each gift given in support of RiverCenter and have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing, which was based on donations made as of September 1, 2026. Please notify the Development Office of any inaccuracies or omissions by contacting us at 706-256-3653 or development@rivercenter.org. We regret any errors.

RIVERCENTER MARQUEE SOCIETY The Marquee Society is comprised of donors who invest a minimum of $1,000, each season, to the mission of RiverCenter. Members receive distinct benefits to include an annual dinner, membersonly events, and advance notification before the general public to purchase single tickets to shows added to the season. Marquee Society members, and their guests, have exclusive admission into the Marquee lounge, pre-show and at intermission, for a private bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Valley Hospitality. Every aspect of the Marquee Society emblem has a special meaning. The gears represent our mill history and the collaboration of the Columbus Challenge. The bee in its hive is a powerful symbol of the workers who built the city and RiverCenter. The blue represents our connection to the mighty river and the creative flow of the arts. The gold represents your annual investment and commitment to quality. Each Marquee Society member embodies the spirit and sentiment of this design. To join the Marquee Society, visit rivercenter.org, email development@rivercenter.org, or call 706-256-3653.

MARQUEE SOCIETY MEMBERS

Donations made from June 1, 2025 - January 7, 2026

Producer

Anonymous

Director

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Butler

Curtain Call

Ray M. and Jane R. Wright Foundation

Benefactor

James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand The Sallie T. and John C. Martin Fund Al and Betsy Ramsay Rick and Jan Ussery Mrs. Janice M. Watson, In Memory of Dr. Davis Ronald Watson, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. M. Troy Woods

Diamond

The Otis B. & Eleanor T. Burnham Fund Mr. and Mrs. Roderick C. Hunter Akitoshi and Etsuko Kan Kayron and John Laska Jimmy and Barbara Motos Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Pease, III David and Linell Pringle Stephen M. Sawyer Mr. and Mrs. William P. Scarbrough

Platinum

Fred and Catalina Aranas Family Foundation Maria Luisa Aranas Ms. Betty L. Auten Susan Berry Bernice and Mansfield Bias Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard Ms. Lucy H. Bowers Ann Burr

Creek Stand Partners, LP Mr. and Mrs. Norman S. Easterbrook Mr. and Mrs. Thad Estes Cindy and Spencer Garrard Mrs. Richard Hallock The Hecht Family Fund Laura Helton Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Henson, Jr. Helen J. Hobbs Dr. William P. Kendall Ashok and Mary Kumar Mr. and Mrs. John T. Laney, III Elaine and John Laughbaum Hank and Mary Lewis Mary Ann Marshall Chris and Wendy Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson C. Reed Col. Robert Offer and Dr. Carole Rutland Marnie Salter The Honorable Julia Willcox-Lumpkin Sando and Colonel Donald Mark Sando, U.S. Army, Retired Mr. Claude Scarbrough Frank and Meg Schley Alex and Willette Shalishali Mr. and Mrs. John A. Shinkle Mollie Smith Jay and Cindy Sparks Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Staples Mary Stewart Martha S. Tubb Mr. and Mrs. Brad Turner Dr. Linda L. Walker and Dr. Steven E. Reissman Chris Weaver Mr. and Mrs. David Young

RIVERCENTER DONORS

Gifts made from July 1, 2025 - August 26, 2026

Friend

Anonymous Rod Barham Elizabeth A. Bloodgood Danny and Sandra Dawson Kelly and Martha Dimon Linda and Seth Harp Dr. and Mrs. Steven Henslee Rick and JW Jones Charlyn Kerr Mr. and Mrs. James Kimbrough Sheek, IV Mr. Stephen Stainsby Lois M. Tryon Dr. Thomas A. and Sherry F. Wade Carter and Molly Wallace Ty Webb

Bronze

Colin Martin Dr. and Mrs. Andrew W. Pippas CH (COL) and Mrs. Thomas Waynick, USA, Ret. Dave and Jane Wilson

Gold

Anonymous Mrs. W. Mizell Alexander Renee Beam Jacob and Claire Beil Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard Regina Satlof and Neil Block Bob and Linda Carter Mr. and Mrs. David Hay Jo Ann and Ernie Kirk Mr. and Mrs. Justin Krieg Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D. Link Sunny Pak Sally Rotunno Marnie Salter Murray and Celia Solomon Mat and Mary Lou Swift

Platinum (Marquee)

Anonymous Maria Luisa Aranas Fred and Catalina Aranas Family Foundation Susan Berry Bernice and Mansfield Bias Mr. and Mrs. Walker R. Bickerstaff Ms. Lucy H. Bowers Mr. and Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley Sherida Brannan Frank and Jo Ann Brown Jackson-Burgin Foundation Fund, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Ann Burr Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Cheves Mrs. Doris Black Maj. Gen. (Ret.) & Mrs. Patrick J. Donahoe Mr. and Mrs. Norman S. Easterbrook Mr. and Mrs. Thad Estes Loretta and Tom Flowers Lee Foster and Greg Sudmeier Cindy and Spencer Garrard Gardiner and Nora Garrard Mr. and Mrs. Austin Gibson Mrs. Richard Hallock The Hecht Family Fund, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Laura Helton Mr. Kenneth M. Henson, Jr. Helen J. Hobbs Dr. William P. Kendall Ashok and Mary Kumar Mr. and Mrs. John T. Laney, III Elaine and John Laughbaum Hank and Mary Lewis Jonathan and Lisa Liss Dr. Robert and Jane Marcus Mary Ann Marshall

Ryan and Isa Meeks Chris and Wendy Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson C. Reed Col. Robert Offer and Dr. Carole Rutland The Honorable Julia Willcox-Lumpkin Sando and Colonel Donald Mark Sando, U.S. Army, Retired Frank and Meg Schley Alex and Willette Shalishali Mollie Smith Jay and Cindy Sparks Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Staples Susan Stephenson Mrs. Clifford J. Swift, III Chip and Audrey Tillman Martha S. Tubb Mr. and Mrs. Brad Turner Katherine and Wright Waddell Dr. Linda L. Walker and Dr. Steven E. Reissman Chris Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Joel O. Wooten

Diamond (Marquee)

Ms. Betty L. Auten The Otis B. & Eleanor T. Burnham Fund Dr. Jerry Goldsmith Mr. and Mrs. Roderick C. Hunter Akitoshi and Etsuko Kan Kayron and John Laska Dr. and Mrs. David Levine Jimmy and Barbara Motos Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Pease, III David and Linell Pringle Dr. and Mrs. Richard Robbins Stephen M. Sawyer Mr. and Mrs. William P. Scarbrough Claude and Rosellen Scarbrough Mr. and Mrs. John A. Shinkle James D. and Ruth B. Yancey Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Butler

Benefactor (Marquee)

James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand The Sallie T. and John C. Martin Fund, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Al and Betsy Ramsay Rick and Jan Ussery Wade and Adrianne Wallace Mrs. Janice M. Watson Mr. and Mrs. M. Troy Woods

Curtain Call (Marquee)

Ray M. and Jane R. Wright Foundation

Director (Marquee)

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Butler

Virginia Norman Classical Music Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley Helen J. Hobbs Mrs. Clifford J. Swift, III

In Memory/Honor Of

In Memory of Dr. Davis Ronald Watson, Sr. Mrs. Janice M. Watson In Honor of Dale Goldsmith Dr. Jerry Goldsmith In Memory of Lyle Meeks Ryan and Isa Meeks

The WAVE Programming Fund

Gifts from July 1, 2025 – August 26, 2026

Anonymous Mr. Jeffrey Mandel Jimmy and Barbara Motos Mr. Stephen Stainsby

BECOME A RIVERCENTER MEMBER Ticket sales meet only a fraction of RiverCenter’s operating expenses. The balance is covered by members, donations, and sponsorships. The generosity of many individuals and corporations enables RiverCenter to bring nationally touring Broadway shows and world class artists to the Columbus region. For a full list of benefits, visit rivercenter.org.

Members’ Value to RiverCenter

• Increases the exceptional programming offered • Maintains modern facilities that are home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Ballet, Schwob School of Music and community events like the annual Miss Georgia Competition, the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band’s holiday concert, the Georgia Thespian Conference and many more • Impacts and inspires diverse communities by providing access to the arts

Highlights of Member Benefits

• Complimentary donors-only events • Complimentary beverage coupons • Distinguished in Applause Program • Exclusive access to box office liaison • Courtesy backstage tour of theatre with the Executive Director (by appointment only) •E arly notice of new season announcement • Access to presales for single tickets or season subscriptions • Ticket exchange privileges (within the same Broadway show)

Benefits vary based on level of membership.

iverCenter’s Capstone Society, founded by the late Wendell Lewis, is our planned giving program. For over 20 years, families have enjoyed programs and productions at RiverCenter. Through a planned gift, members of the Capstone Society are creating a lasting legacy for future generations so they can enjoy the same magical experience of the theatre. When you include RiverCenter in your estate plans, you will be included into our Capstone Society of donors, and we are pleased to recognize your generosity. If you would like to let us know about your planned gift, or to learn how your planned gift can help RiverCenter in its artistic and educational mission, please contact development@rivercenter.org.

Creating happy places, amazing experiences, and memorable moments.

W.C. Bradley Co. is a proud sponsor of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

wcbradley.com

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

THE AVETT BROTHERS October 8, 2026 // 7:30pm

A night of authentic sound and renewed energy.7:00pm 7:00pm

Four-time GRAMMY Award nominees The Avett Brothers achieved mainstream success with their critically acclaimed 2009 major-label debut, I and Love and You. In 2012, The Carpenter reached #4 on the Billboard 200, followed by Magpie and the Dandelion in 2013, which debuted at #5.

he 2017 documentary May It Last: A Portrait of The Avett Brothers — co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio — chronicles the process of writing 2016’s True Sadness, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart, #1 on Rock Albums, #3 on the Billboard 200, and scored two GRAMMY nominations. The film was released theatrically and on HBO to widespread acclaim and is available on DVD, BluRay, and VOD.

In 2019, the band released their tenth studio album Closer Than Together featuring the single “High Steppin’” which reached #1 on the Americana Radio Singles chart. The Third Gleam followed during the COVID-19 pandemic, debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/ Folk Albums, Rock Albums, and

Vinyl Albums charts, while the single “Victory” also hit #1 on the Americana Radio Singles chart. 2024 brought the release of The Avett Brothers, an album that is as much untitled as it is self-titled: a collection of songs that revealed themselves naturally over time. That same year, Swept Away — a musical inspired by & featuring the music of The Avett Brothers — debuted on Broadway to rave reviews. The Avett Brothers have been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and have received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. They are currently on tour throughout the United States.

A Brief History by Seth Avett

THE EARLY YEARS

Scott and Seth Avett were born in Cheyenne, WY and Charlotte, N.C. (respectively) and raised in Concord, North Carolina. They began with dreams of rock/pop stardom (Scott) and astronaut adventures (Seth). Eventually, they abandoned those dreams for the more attainable goals of folk and old-time stardom, and ultimately, abandoned these dreams for the even less likely dream of making a living playing original songs for people. These dreams were made exponentially more lofty by the sheer bad-ness of their earliest compositions. As fate and ignorance would have it, the brothers were not aware of the vast room for improvement their early songs provided, and so felt the need to proudly share them with anyone who would listen, or anyone who would not listen. They grew up on a small hobby farm, grumbling often over the fact that they had never seen the likes of Hall & Oates, David Lee Roth, or El DeBarge anywhere near a pasture or a chicken house. They received piano lessons from a woman named Karen, guitar from a man named Nelson, and banjo from a man named Ned (all of the talented Concord, NC-based Mullis family). They recorded song ideas on cassette tapes and thought a lot about themselves and the world they lived in (in that order). They discovered pop music, rock music, American roots music. In high school, they played soccer and performed in the yearly talent show, believing both to be the world stage. Each studied visual arts in college, while still thinking a lot about themselves and the world they lived in. They eventually found themselves in a band

together, Nemo, and went about the task of global rock-and-roll domination. Alas, the world was not ready to be rock-and-roll dominated (by them anyway), and while the band was destined to disband, the takeaway was substantial, with valuable results including a bold 5-song EP, experience on the stage, and lessons in commitment and communication aplenty.

A FRIEND AND AN ODYSSEY

Around the turn of the millennium, the brothers finally wrote their first few halfway decent guitar/banjo-based songs, and celebrated this victory by imposing their muppet-like energy upon unsuspecting coffee shop and bar-room patrons across the state (mainly just in Concord and Charlotte though, really). Around this time, Bob Crawford came out of the woodwork. He was a man full of vim and vigor, natural ingenuity, humor, and good will. He was also a natural born hustler, though slightly weary of the everyday hustle. It had, up to that point, included (but absolutely was not limited to) selling shoes, fronting various bands, working 20-hour shifts on movie sets, taking girls on dates in a 1972 4-door Chevy Impala, and selling grilled cheese sandwiches in the parking lot of Grateful Dead shows. Throughout his life, music had called, enthralled, and entranced him. It would ultimately lead him to

Crawford felt, bizarrely to the brothers, that in order to pursue a life in music, a person had to actually go out and play music. They took his word for it, albeit with a good deal of suspicion. 15

taking countless road trips, a second college degree, and independent study in the thousands of hours. Crawford had migrated south from New Jersey in search of new beginnings, truthful folk music, a job on a film crew, and possibly, a decent cup of coffee. He eventually found each, though not without some struggles. One of the first would be in convincing Scott and Seth that a viable career in music would not magically show up at the front door, merely because they had wished for it and written multiple drafts of their eventual Grammy Award acceptance speeches. Crawford felt, bizarrely to the brothers, that in order to pursue a life in music, a person had to actually go out and play music. They took his word for it, albeit with a good deal of suspicion. They then recorded Country Was in two days in their dad’s workshop/garage, surrounded by sawdust-covered fishing rods and tackle boxes, stacks of 1980s country LPs, a drill press, and various tools bought at the flea market. The now trio went to work booking their first tour, using landline telephones, the U.S. Postal Service, and the still somewhat novel medium of electronic mail to pester ‘music venue’ owners into either booking The Avett Brothers or telling The Avett Brothers to leave them the hell alone (the latter response took less pestering than the former). The result was a run of shows throughout the southeast and east coast regions — 14 shows over 21 days. Coming from the limited performing experience of basically playing Charlotte over and over again since they were teenagers, for the brothers, this tour might as well have been Homer’s ‘Odyssey,’ complete with rhyming, celebrations, frustrations, earth-shattering realizations, challenges overcome, and sirens. Unlike the ‘Odyssey,’ there were (fortunately) no cycloptic villains, slaying of suitors, six-headed monsters, or

verses written in dactylic hexameter. It may bear mentioning that later, like Odysseus, they would be very happy to reach Ithaca (New York, not the Greek island). Everything was changed after that first tour — it set wheels in motion that are still turning. Each new place made a lasting impression, and in doing so, ensured their imminent return and hopeful building of a relationship with that town. Time passed. Songs happened. An unlimited variety of settings found their way into the performing history of The Avett Brothers. They played in most of the fifty states, at parks and in parking lots, bluegrass festivals and middle schools, 5-in-the-morning

local TV news shows, corporate events in big white tents, weddings and memorial services, Mexican restaurants, rock clubs, open mics, house concerts, a Super Bowl party at a bar-b-cue restaurant (”we’ll still pay ya’ll but can you stop playing so we can hear the game?”...”uh, sure”).

A TOUCH OF SOPHISTICATION

Around 2007, Crawford dragged Joe Kwon into the mix — a Korean-born cellist and guacamole expert who had recently volunteered to leave a lucrative position and bright future with a massively successful computer company for the bleak and uncertain future of a musician. As a talented cellist, he immediately got work bussing tables and serving food at multiple restaurants. In the limited time he had

away from work, he booked his days and nights solid, performing with the band ‘Bus,’ honing his skills as a chef in his own tiny kitchen, and yelling, full volume, at the TV during Carolina Tar-heel basketball games. As a youth, growing up in High Point, NC, he spent much of his time ignoring pop music to drive himself mad studying Bach, consequently leading to all kinds of odd and questionable behavior later in life, including purposefully quitting a perfectly good computer job, yelling at televisions, and eventually jumping out of a perfectly-functioning airplane nearly 300 times. After Joe’s cameo on the album Emotionalism, The Avett Brothers felt it made sense to hire a cellist full time. Since they didn’t know any other cellists, the open try-out process

was brief. Kwon joined, committing fully to playing music which was, technically and culturally, primitive in comparison to his lifelong training. He thereby took one step closer to a career in the performing arts, while adding yet another job to his schedule that barely paid. On the bright side, through Kwon’s skillful playing and classical background, the band at long last achieved a vague semblance of sophistication.

ITALIAN JOY

However, this newfound fanciness was to be short-lived, as any sophistication would soon be obliterated (though at times also somehow heightened) by the inevitable addition of pianist/bassist Paul Defiglia. A singular case of Winston-Salem raising meets / New York City / swagger meets Old World Italian joy. Defiglia grew up listening to jazz, punk rock, bluegrass, classic rock, and anything else he could get his hands on. Starting on the bass at age 14, he got the fundamentals from his professionally bass-playing father, learned quickly, and eventually went on to study bass at the North Carolina School of the Arts, then at NYU. He performed in various projects in New York City and beyond, eventually playing the only upright-bass solo in the 35 year history of the nationally-televised Late Show with David Letterman. He made the acquaintance of the brothers around 2005, while playing bass with Langhorne Slim (an unusually prepossessing songwriter from, well, Langhorne, Pennsylvania). With Slim for many years, he blazed a trail through the U.S. and Europe, regularly performing in a hot-pink tank top. A late bloomer on the piano, he crammed about 5 years worth of study in his first 2 months on the instrument, regularly practicing for 8 to 10 hours at a time, breaking

...He performed in various projects in New York City and beyond, eventually playing the only upright-bass solo in the 35 year history of the nationally-televised Late Show... through the formidable challenges on a diet consisting primarily of cheap cigarettes and much, much more coffee than any man should ever drink. Musically, he rose to the occasion without delay. It became clear to The Avett Brothers early on, that for this man, contributing to the songs would not be a challenge. However, it does remain to be seen if Paul will survive the endless frustrations provided by cellphone-entranced pedestrians, intoxicated neighbors in hotel rooms, selfie sticks, overpriced records, overcooked pasta, Chicago Cubs losses, and people crowding the gate at the airport whose zones have not been called yet.

SOUNDS OF RHYTHM

In the mid 1970s, a child was born in Miami, Florida. 13 years later, that child started playing drums. 22 years after that, the boy turned man — Mike Marsh — walked into a studio by the ocean in California and for the first time in the history of the band, The Avett Brothers had rhythm. Initially confused and angered by the concept of tempo, the brothers eventually relented, begrudgingly agreeing that having a reliable beat in a song wasn’t altogether terrible, as long as they could continue to not tune their instruments. Bob, in his patience,

of drummers as they tried out new gear. He played in multiple punk and rock bands, eventually making a name for himself as the rhythmic force behind Dashboard Confessional. His career in drumming was briefly threatened by a ruinous-thoughpromising dedication to skateboarding, but by sheer practicality, hitting things with sticks eventually triumphed over hitting concrete surfaces with his body. The Avett Brothers hired Marsh full-time at the end of 2012, and while they are generally beyond delighted with his playing, they have occasionally considered hiring his 10-year-old daughter as his replacement.

LA FEMME

spared them the obvious ‘I tried to tell you guys,’ and yet another record appeared, ushering in the postEmotionalism chapter. However, long before I and Love and You, there was Rush’s Moving Pictures, Ghost in the Machine by The Police, and Led Zeppelin I — albums that captivated the adolescent Marsh and called to his volcanic energy. Appropriating a ‘drum kit’ his brother fished out of a local garbage heap (complete with ripped heads on each drum), little Mikey, without cymbals at his disposal, would use a rotary-style pencil sharpener in their stead, quickly reducing the little machine to pancake status. With the discovery of this newfound passion, there would be no looking back. Drumming would inform and direct his life from then on. Receiving no formal training, he would pick up different techniques by ear and by working in a drum shop, watching and absorbing a culturally and stylistically wide variety

By late 2013, it had become clear that the band — 6 dudes on stage and 6 or 7 dudes on the crew – were decidedly lacking in feminine sensibility. Though perhaps as in touch with their feminine side as a group of 12 or 13 dudes can be, as made evident by their collective intuition, inexplicable wisdom, sensitivity-themed songs, and appreciation for artists such as Prince, Bette Midler, Meryl Streep, and Brad Pitt… something was missing. Although the band made a fairly decent showing of some womanlike qualities, no member had actually achieved any real level of womanhood. Enter Tania Elizabeth — a genuine, real-life woman. Born in Australia and raised in Canada, Tania first picked up the fiddle at age 3, but felt it didn’t make sense to start performing seriously until she grew up. So when she finally turned 9, she began to get serious about music, performing and collaborating extensively, starting her own label at 15, releasing her first recordings at 16, and touring internationally by 17. Her life experiences, including her education, friendships, and adventures, would largely be

directed and driven by and through her love and commitment to music. Her playing would mirror, as it often does in great players, her personality – intuitive, harmonious, powerful, friendly, playful. Eventually, she joined with a whole group of exceptionally-skilled musicians/vocalists called The Duhks. At some point during her near decade-stint with the group, she crossed paths at a music festival in Indiana with a whole group of not-so exceptionally skilled musicians/vocalists from rural North Carolina. She was blown away by them, and so without even a moments hesitation, she joined The Avett Brothers…8 years later. In one fell

swoop, Tania not only rounded out the lineup musically with her dynamic fiddling, she also took the entire organization to a level of femininity which had been previously hoped for but fundamentally impossible.

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Ultimately, The Avett Brothers joined together to present songs about experiences that they as humans have known to humans who know what they mean. Subject matters are tragic, joyful and inexhaustible. They sing and play often, as long as they are not too busy walking around the mall, changing kid’s diapers, buying coffee,

making coffee, washing dishes, going to the mountains, going to the beach, taking a run, moving into a different house or apartment, visiting St. Jude, producing a record, talking before thinking, nursing thought-induced headaches, getting married, getting divorced, falling in love, falling out of the top bunk, building cardboard spaceships, complaining about whatever there is to complain about, painting, planting a doomed garden, befriending a rabbit in the backyard, getting the truck inspected, watching Doc Watson on YouTube, paying a small fortune for an old book about how to play the banjo, counting

blessings, forgetting blessings, going to the Fischl exhibition, going to the Estes exhibition, building a dining room table, making a podcast, teaching children how to fiddle, petitioning a governor, practicing an instrument that they’re already supposed to be good at, making a print, making a mess, taking kids to church, taking kids to school, taking kids to soccer practice, cleaning up after kids, laughing in the kitchen, sending flowers, pacing in the waiting room, thinking it over, talking it out, watching it go, or leaving it be.

citymillscolumbus.com

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT ALI SIDDIQ

October 10 // 8:00pm

Comedian Ali Siddiq announces the extension of his international standup tour Ali Siddiq: Custom Fit with over 30 additional markets in September through January 2027.

resh off his sold out first arena shows in Baltimore in May, Siddiq will continue his move into the massive performance spaces with a stops at State Farm Arena in Atlanta in October and Wintrust Arena in Chicago in November. Tickets for Wintrust Arena just went on sale to the general public. Tickets for the rest of the tour extension will go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 26th at 10:00am Local Time with an Artist Pre-Sale on Wednesday, June 24th at 10:00am Local Time (Passcode: HUSTLE) and are available at www.AliSiddiq.com.

Ali’s highly anticipated new standup special My Father, the latest hour in a string of viral award-winning specials, premiered on his YouTube Channel on Father’s Day, June 21st. The special caps off the first half of what has already been a banner year for the prolific comic. In February, Ali won the 2026 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety (Series or Special) for his comedy special Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons. This marks the first time an independently produced and released YouTube special has been nominated and/or won a major award. In April, Ali won three 2026 Webby Awards (Best Video & Film Comedy, Best Video & Film Individual Performance, and People’s Voice Winner) for his standup special Ali Siddiq: Rugged. Crowned by Vulture as “stand-up comedy’s most prolific storyteller,” Ali Siddiq has built a dedicated massive fanbase clamoring to attend his live shows and watch his masterful specials.His catalogue of beloved specials includes his first hour special in 2018 It’s Bigger Than These Bars (5M+ views) which was taped inside a Texas jail.

He premiered his four-part stand-up series The Domino Effect 1-4 in 2022-2024 which has amassed over 51 million views. The storytelling saga cemented Ali’s reputation as a master craftsman of narrative comedy. Each chapter became a cultural event, landing Ali among the top-viewed comedians on YouTube year after year. Also during that time, Ali released the special Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover (2023) which has amassed 7.5 million views. Deadline included Ali in their list of “Comics Who Won 2025” following the release of 3 more hour standup specials in that year alone, My Two Sons (15M+ views), Rugged (10M+ views) and Mondays (6M+ views). An emerging comedy mogul, Ali also Executive Produces and distributes specials for multiple other comedians including Malik S., Ryan Davis, and Marcus D. Wiley. In May 2026, he released Ali Siddiq Presents: The Jive Turkeys, a taping of the popular, annual Houston stand-up comedy showcase that for two decades has taken place on the night before Thanksgiving, featuring a curated lineup of comedians and spoken-word artists.

For more information and links to purchase tickets visit www.AliSiddiq.com Follow Ali on social media: YouTube: @AliSiddiqComedy Facebook: @ali.siddiq.92 Instagram: @AliSiddiq TikTok: @TheAliSiddiq X: @Ali_Speaks

About Ali Siddiq

Vulture calls Ali Siddiq “stand-up comedy’s most prolific storyteller,” but audiences simply call him one of the best to ever do it.

of narrative comedy. Each chapter became a cultural event, landing Ali among the top-viewed comedians on YouTube year after year.

From Houston, Texas, Ali developed his unmistakable voice in one of the most unlikely places — behind the walls of incarceration, where storytelling was survival, currency, and community.

His momentum has only accelerated. In 2025 alone, Ali released two hit specials and executive-produced a third:

Today, that same voice has made him one of the most watched, respected, and consistently viral comedians in the world.

MY TWO SONS (10M+ views)

Ali is the first comedian in history to release a four-part stand-up series — THE DOMINO EFFECT 1–4 — a storytelling saga that has amassed over 45 million views and cemented his reputation as a master craftsman

Marcus D. Wiley: Marriage is Major Surgery (4M+ views) RUGGED (6M+ views) His 2022 breakout, THE DOMINO EFFECT, remains one of the top 5 most-watched comedy specials of the year with more than 17 million views. The sequels — LOSS, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, and PINS & NEEDLES — quickly followed, each reaching millions within weeks and proving Ali’s

status as the internet’s most unstoppable comedian-storyteller. Fans first met Ali on DEF COMEDY JAM, Live From Gotham, and Comedy Central’s #1 Comic to Watch list. His legendary story “Mexicans Got On Boots” on This Is Not Happening (16M+ views) remains one of the most iconic comedy stories ever told. Comedy Central later sent him back inside a Texas jail to film It’s Bigger Than These Bars, now over 4M views.

of other top shows and podcasts, making him one of the most recognized and requested voices in comedy today. With unmatched authenticity, unforgettable stories, and a style rooted in truth, resilience, and humor, Ali Siddiq has become the greatest storyteller of his generation — and one of the most influential comedians in the world.

Ali’s reach extends far beyond the stage — he has been featured on The Joe Rogan Experience, Club Shay Shay, 85 South, The Breakfast Club, Kill Tony, VladTV, Your Mom’s House, Good Morning America, and dozens

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT BÉLA FLECK

MY BLUEGRASS HEART October 13 // 7:30 pm

Featuring Michael Cleveland, Dominick Leslie, Jeff Partin, Mark Schatz, & Jake Stargel 32

he Grammy award-winning album, My Bluegrass Heart is the third chapter of a trilogy which began with the 1988 album, Drive, and continued in 1991 with The Bluegrass Sessions. Fleck’s band spotlights a multi-generational gamut of the best of bluegrass players, all sporting a myriad of Grammy Awards and nominations, as well as gigantic piles of IBMA awards for their instruments: fiddler Michael Cleveland, mandolinist Dominick Leslie, Jeff Partin on dobro, bassist/multiinstrumentalist Mark Schatz, and Jake Stargel on guitar.

Béla Fleck

Over the last four decades, Béla Fleck has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before, a musical journey that has earned him 19 Grammys in nine different fields, including Country, Pop, Jazz, Instrumental, Classical and World Music. But his roots are in bluegrass, and that’s where he returns with his celebrated bluegrass project, My Bluegrass Heart.

Just in case you aren’t familiar with Béla Fleck, there are many who say he’s the premiere banjo player in the world. Others claim that Fleck has virtually reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo through a remarkable performing and recording career that has taken him all over the musical map and on a range of solo projects and collaborations. If you are familiar with Fleck, you know that he just loves to play the banjo, and put it into unique settings. A nineteen-time Grammy Awardwinner, Fleck has the virtuosic, jazzto-classical ingenuity of an iconic instrumentalist and composer with bluegrass roots. For over 30 years, he has led Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, the groundbreaking quartet inspired by jazz, funk, bluegrass and beyond. From writing three banjo concertos for full symphony orchestra to exploring the banjo’s African roots with the award-winning 2009 documentary Throw Down Your Heart, many tout that Béla Fleck is the world’s premier

banjo player. As Jon Pareles wrote for The New York Times, “That’s a lot of territory for five strings.” Fleck has collaborated with Indian musical royalty Zakir Hussain and Rakesh Churasia with Edgar Meyer, and his latin jazz-infused BEATrio with harpist Edmar Castañeda and drummer Antonio Sánchez, and performed as a folk duo with wife Abigail Washburn, and a jazz duo with legendary pianist Chick Corea. Most recently, Fleck produced and performed with Renée Fleming on their collaborative album, The Fiddle and the Drum, a celebration of Appalachian folk music. The project is touring in select markets throughout 2026, supported by none other than Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart band.

Michael Cleveland

Michael Cleveland, widely regarded as the defining bluegrass fiddler of his generation, began performing professionally after high school with Dale Ann Bradley and Rhonda Vincent before forming his own band, Flamekeeper, in 2006—now a seven-time recipient of the IBMA’s Instrumental Group of the Year award. A twelve-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and 2018 National Fiddlers Hall of Fame inductee, Cleveland has toured and recorded with legendary artists including Béla Fleck, Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, and Vince Gill. He is a four-time GRAMMY nominee, including a nomination this year for Best Bluegrass Album with Jason Carter for their collaboration Carter

& Cleveland, which also won IBMA’s Album of the Year and Song of the Year (“Outrun the Rain”) at this year’s awards. Cleveland previously won a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album in 2019 for Tall Fiddler, the same year his inspiring journey was chronicled in the documentary Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story. A recipient of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship, he continues to expand his artistic reach—his masterful fiddle playing can even be heard in the newest season of King of the Hill.

Dominick Leslie

Colorado native and 2x GREMMYwinner Dominick Leslie has been around live music all his life, having attended his first bluegrass festival when he was just five months old.

Growing up, he was surrounded by music, listening to and jamming with his dad’s bluegrass band. At the age of four, Leslie acquired a ukulele tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar, igniting a deep passion for music that still burns brightly. Leslie’s abilities progressed rapidly on guitar, fiddle and mandolin, but eventually the mandolin became his obsession and demanded his total focus, leading to a two year study at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Leslie has been involved with many outstanding projects over the years including The Deadly Gentlemen, The Grant Gordy Quartet, Missy Raines and the New Hip, The Bee Eaters, Noam Pikelny & Friends, Hawktail, Sam Reider and the Human Hands, Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Sam Grisman Project and The Kyle Tuttle Band.

Jeff Partin

Multi-instrumentalist and celebrated dobro player, Jeff Partin has been performing professionally in the bluegrass world since he was a teen. Partin launched his career with his band Ella Jay, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry as a teenager before joining Volume Five as guitarist at age 19. He went on to tour with Mountain Heart on bass and dobro, and in 2019 was announced as the new dobro player for Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, who he continued to tour and record with for several years. Partin has appeared on numerous bluegrass and country releases.

Mark Schatz

With his summer 2021 release of GRIT & POLISH Mark Schatz once again proves he’s true a ‘renaissance man’ of the acoustic music world. A two-time winner of the IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award, Schatz is best known for his contributions on some of the most iconic recordings in bluegrass by artists such as Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, Claire Lynch, Tim O’Brien, Sara Jarosz, and Nickel Creek. But Schatz is also a master of the clawhammer banjo and is featured playing his own compositions on two solo projects on Rounder Records, BRAND NEW OLD TYME WAY and STEPPIN’ IN THE BOILER HOUSE. Schatz is always ready to cut loose with some Southern Appalachian clogging and hambone, and his stagecraft was honed through a long association with the acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, for whom he still serves as Musical Director. Schatz’s

solo show: Mark Schatz — The Solo Concert, brings all of his skills to bear, performing on banjo, bass and guitar, presenting songs, stories, and tunes, tapping on a board, dancing, and reciting poetry, offering a vaudevillian feast for the eyes and ears.

Jake Stargel

Jake Stargel, a 35-year-old native Georgian bluegrass flat-picking guitarist, was named Georgia Flat-picking Champion as a young teen. Seemingly born with a guitar in hand, he began performing in bands at 15, touring until his early 30s with acts like The Lovell Sisters (later Larkin Poe), Grammy-nominated The Greencards, Bearfoot, Mountain Heart, and Sierra Hull & Highway 111. A career highlight was sharing the stage with legend Tony Rice during his 2010-2012 stint with Mountain Heart, where Stargel replaced Clay Jones and impressed with his intensity and musicianship. Stargel earned the 2014 IBMA Momentum Award for Instrumentalist of the Year (guitar). Transitioning to Nashville, he focused on session work, recording and playing on various records for artists like Rhonda Vincent, John Mailander, The Wooks, and East Nash Grass, plus freelancing with bands such as Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Dailey and Vincent, and local acts. Recently, he featured on Bryan Sutton’s 2026 album “From Roots to Branches,” delivering a jaw-dropping rendition of “Crazy Creek.”

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BROADWAY SERIES

THE MUSIC MAN October 22, 2026 // 7:00pm

There’s trouble in RiverCenter…and it’s delightful.

There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man follows fasttalking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize — this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fal. Featuring songs such as "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Trouble," "'Til There Was You," "Pickalittle" and “Gary, Indiana," The Music Man is a familyfriendly story to be shared with every generation.

Con man Harold Hill brings “Trouble” to River City when Big League Productions’ National Tour of Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN hits the road. The show is helmed by veteran director Matt Lenz. Emmy Award winning and TONY Award® nominated choreographer Joshua Bergasse brings the story’s celebrated production numbers spectacularly to life on stage.

lliott Andrews leads the cast as Professor Harold Hill, with Elizabeth D’Aiuto starring as Marian Paroo. The production will feature Paul Urriola as Marcellus Washburn, Savannah Stevenson as Mrs. Paroo, Patrick Blashill as Mayor Shinn, and Emmanuelle Zeesman as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. The tour also features Dylan Patterson as Winthrop Paroo, Addie Jaymes as Amaryllis, Michael Santora as Charlie Cowell, Charles Antenen as Tommy Djilas, and Madison Sheward as Zaneeta Shinn. Rounding out the cast are Christian Andrews, Bryce Bayer, Anna Chin, Danny Cruz, Kalista Curbelo, Whitney Daniels, Erin Diehl, Brian Doolittle González, Craig First, Sophie Goron, Alexi Ishida, Cameron Janson, Hannah Kidwell, Kevin Kuska, Rose Messenger, Joshua Pierre Moore, Kylie Noelle

Patterson, Brandon Ranalli, Aidan Rawlinson, Shae Reynolds, Brayden Schilling, Marielle Utayde and Matthew Wautier-Rodriguez. Meredith Willson’s timeless, five-time Tony Award® winning musical comedy, THE MUSIC MAN follows a notorious, fast-talking traveling salesman as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian Paroo, the local librarian. A true musical theater gem, the story’s relevance transcends generations with unforgettable songs including “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” ‘Till There Was You,” “Pickalittle,” and “Gary, Indiana”.

“ Grand and Glorious!” “…totally enchanting abso-tootin’-lutely smashing revival. It will give you new life.” – VARIETY

Meredith Willson’s iconic humor, wordplay, and optimism will glimmer through designs from an acclaimed creative team, with scenery design by Ann Beyersdorfer, costumes direct from the recent Broadway revival by TONY Award® winner Santo Loquasto, lighting design by TONY Award® winner Ken Billington, video design by Lisa Renkel, wig design by Roxanne De Luna, and sound design by TONY Award® nominee, Walter Trarbach. This new flagship tour is cast by

Casting by ARC and executive produced by Big League Productions, Inc. led by Daniel Sher. In 1957, THE MUSIC MAN, a work of true originality, took Broadway by storm, winning five TONY Awards®, including the Best New Musical. While it is undoubtably a heartfelt love letter to Midwest America and small towns everywhere, its enduring message continues to move audiences across generations and demographics even

today. Big League Productions, Inc. is thrilled to bring the joy of Meredith Willson’s ingenuity to theaters across the country. For full tour dates and more information, visit www.TheMusicManTour.com. Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN is produced and general managed by Big League Productions, Inc. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating

its 35th season of producing, general managing, and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit www.bigleague.org.

“ A joyous, blissful Broadway event!” – THE TELEGRAPH 45

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PRESENTS

Book, Music & Lyrics by

Meredith Willson Story by

Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey STARRING

Elliott Andrews Elizabeth D’Aiuto Charles Antenen Patrick Blashill Addie Jaymes Mikael Mattsson Dylan Patterson Madison Sheward Savannah Stevenson Paul Urriola Emmanuelle Zeesman WITH

Christian Andrews Jacob Beaver Kalista Curbelo Whitney Daniels Erin Diehl Craig First Garren Garcia Brian Doolittle González Sophie Goron Alexi Ishida Alyssa Jacqueline Cameron Janson Hannah Rose Kidwell Kevin Kuska Rose Messenger Joshua Pierre Moore Kylie Noelle Patterson Aidan Rawlinson Shae Reynolds Brayden Schilling Aaron Torres Marielle Utayde Matthew Wautier-Rodriguez Scenic Design by

ANN BEYERSDORFER Video & Projection Design by

LISA RENKEL

Music Supervision

KRISTIN STOWELL Costume Coordinator

ROBIN L. McGEE

Production Stage Manager

MESA WINDER

Technical Supervisor

D. WADE JOLLY

Broadway and Tour Costume Design by

KEN BILLINGTON

Sound Design by

Hair & Makeup Design by

SANTO LOQUASTO WALTER TRARBACH Music Direction

THOMAS FOSNOCHT Tour Press & Marketing

Lighting Design by

ROXANNE DE LUNA Casting

CASTING BY ARC General Management

TRUE MARKETING WENDY J. CONNOR

BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS ZACH KROHN

Associate Producer

Company Manager

Associate Director

Associate Choreographer

SOPHIE WHITFIELD ROQUE BERLANGA

DAVID HERSH

NAOMI KAKUK

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

DANIEL SHER

CHOREOGRAPHY BY

JOSHUA BERGASSE DIRECTION BY

MATT LENZ TOUR BOOKING BY TRACEY MCFARLAND, BROADWAY & BEYOND THEATRICALS ”Meredith Willson’s The Music Man” is produced by special arrangement with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, New York, NY. www.mtishows.com

CAST

(in order of appearance) Conductor.................................................................................................. CHRISTIAN ANDREWS Charlie Cowell .............................................................................................. MIKAEL MATTSSON Traveling Salesmen........................................CRAIG FIRST, BRIAN DOOLITTLE GONZÁLEZ, CAMERON JANSON, JOSHUA PIERRE MOORE, BRAYDEN SCHILLING, AARON TORRES, MATTHEW WAUTIER-RODRIGUEZ Harold Hill .....................................................................................................ELLIOTT ANDREWS Olin Britt ................................................................................................JOSHUA PIERRE MOORE Amaryllis................................................................................................................ ADDIE JAYMES Maud Dunlop ................................................................................................... ROSE MESSENGER Ewart Dunlop ............................................................................ BRIAN DOOLITTLE GONZÁLEZ Mayor Shinn...................................................................................................PATRICK BLASHILL Alma Hix........................................................................................................ WHITNEY DANIELS Ethel Toffelmier ........................................................................................................ALEXI ISHIDA Oliver Hix ...........................................................................MATTHEW WAUTIER-RODRIGUEZ Jacey Squires...............................................................................................................CRAIG FIRST Marcellus Washburn ..............................................................................................PAUL URRIOLA Tommy Djilas ............................................................................................... CHARLES ANTENEN Marian Paroo............................................................................................... ELIZABETH D’AIUTO Mrs. Paroo ............................................................................................ SAVANNAH STEVENSON Winthrop Paroo ............................................................................................. DYLAN PATTERSON Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn .................................................................. EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN Zaneeta Shinn...............................................................................................MADISON SHEWARD Gracie Shinn....................................................................................................... SHAE REYNOLDS Mrs. Squires ........................................................................................ HANNAH ROSE KIDWELL Constable Locke........................................................................................ CHRISTIAN ANDREWS Residents of River City ......CHRISTIAN ANDREWS, JACOB BEAVER, KALISTA CURBELO, WHITNEY DANIELS, ERIN DIEHL, CRAIG FIRST, BRIAN DOOLITTLEGONZÁLEZ, ALEXI ISHIDA, CAMERON JANSON, HANNAH ROSE KIDWELL, ROSE MESSENGER, JOSHUA PIERRE MOORE, KYLIE NOELLE PATTERSON, AIDAN RAWLINSON, SHAE REYNOLDS, BRAYDEN SCHILLING, AARON TORRES, MATTHEW WAUTIER-RODRIGUEZ UNDERSTUDIES Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance. For Harold Hill —BRIAN DOOLITTLE GONZÁLEZ, BRAYDEN SCHILLING; for Marian Paroo — WHITNEY DANIELS, ALEXI ISHIDA; for Marcellus Washburn—CRAIG FIRST, KEVIN KUSKA; for Mayor Shinn—KEVIN KUSKA, JOSHUA PIERRE MOORE; for Winthrop Paroo & Amaryllis—KYLIE NOELLE PATTERSON; for Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn— HANNAH ROSE KIDWELL, ROSE MESSENGER; for Mrs. Paroo— HANNAH ROSE KIDWELL, ROSE MESSENGER; for Charlie Cowell— BRIAN DOOLITTLE GONZÁLEZ, CRAIG FIRST, MATTHEW WAUTIER-RODRIGUEZ; for Tommy Djilas—AIDAN RAWLINSON, AARON TORRES; for Zaneeta Shinn— KALISTA CURBELO, MARIELLE UTAYDE; for Gracie Shinn — MARIELLE UTAYDE; for Olin Britt — CHRISTIAN ANDREWS; for Ewart Dunlop, Oliver Hix, Jacey Squires — KEVIN KUSKA, BRAYDEN SCHILLING; for Maud Dunlop, Alma Hix, Mrs. Squires, Ethel Toffelmeir —SOPHIE GORON SWINGS GARREN GARCIA, SOPHIE GORON, KEVIN KUSKA, MARIELLE UTAYDE, ALYSSA JACQUELINE Co-Dance Captain: ERIN DIEHL; Co-Dance Captain: SHAE REYNOLDS

Elizabeth D’Aiuto

Elliott Andrews

Charles Antenen

Patrick Blashill

Addie Jaymes

Dylan Patterson

Mikael Mattsson

Madison Sheward

Savannah Stevenson

Paul Urriola

Emmanuelle Zeesman

Christian Andrews

Jacob Beaver

Kalista Curbelo

Whitney Daniels

Erin Diehl

Craig First

Garren Garcia

Brian Doolittle González

Sophie Goron

Alexi Ishida

Alyssa Jacqueline

Cameron Janson

Hannah Rose Kidwell

Kevin Kuska

Rose Messenger

Joshua Pierre Moore

Kylie Noelle Patterson

Aidan Rawlinson

Shae Reynolds

Brayden Schilling

Aaron Torres

Marielle Utayde

Matthew Wautier-Rodriguez

ACT ONE Scene One: A Railway Coach, morning, July 3, 1912 “Rock Island” .....................................................Charlie Cowell & Traveling Salesmen Scene Two: Train Depot, River City, Iowa Scene Three: The Center of Town “Iowa Stubborn” ................................................................ Townspeople of River City “Trouble” .................................................................................... Harold, Townspeople Scene Four: A Street Scene Five: The Paroos’ House “Piano Lesson”...............................................................Marian, Mrs. Paroo, Amaryllis “Goodnight, My Someone” .................................................................................Marian Scene Six: Madison Gymnasium, July 4th “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean”........................................................................... Eulalie “Seventy Six Trombones”............................................................. Harold, Townspeople Scene Seven: Madison Gymnasium “Sincere” ............................................................................... Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey Scene Eight: A Street “The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl” ............................................................ Harold, Marcellus “Pickalittle” ...................................................Alma, Ethel, Eulalie, Maud, Mrs. Squires “Goodnight Ladies” .............................................................. Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey Scene Nine: Madison Library “Marian The Librarian” ................................................................Harold, Boys & Girls Scene Ten: A Street, the following Saturday, late afternoon Scene Eleven: The Paroos’ Porch, immediately following “Gary, Indiana” ................................................................................ Harold, Mrs. Paroo “My White Knight”..............................................................................................Marian Scene Twelve: The Edge of Town, noon, the following Saturday “The Wells Fargo Wagon”....................................................... Winthrop, Townspeople THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION ACT TWO Scene One: Madison Gymnasium, the following Tuesday evening “It’s You” .........................................Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey, Harold & Townspeople “Pickalittle” (Reprise) ................... Eulalie, Maude, Ethel, Alma, Mrs. Squires & Ladies Scene Two: The Front of the Hotel, the following Wednesday evening “Lida Rose”............................................................................. Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey “Will I Ever Tell You?” .........................................................................................Marian Scene Three: The Paroos’ Porch, immediately following “Gary, Indiana” (Reprise) ............................................... Winthrop, Mrs. Paroo, Marian Scene Four: Madison Park “Shipoopi”................................................................... Marcellus, Harold, Townspeople Scene Five: The Footbridge “Till There Was You” ...........................................................................................Marian “Seventy Six Trombones” & “Goodnight, My Someone” .................. Harold & Marian “Till There Was You” (Reprise) ........................................................................... Harold Scene Six: The Center of Town, immediately following “Finale” ..................................................................................................... The Company WARNING: The photographing or sound recording of any performance is strictly prohibited.

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ORCHESTRA

Music Director, Keys 1 —THOMAS FOSNOCHT Assistant Music Director, Keys 2 —Sarah Chen Reed 1 — Skye Stone Reed 2 — Alyssa Jester Trumpet 1 — Talitha Duckworth Trumpet 2 — Gumaro Gomez Trombone 1— Brandon Berube Trombone 2 — Thomas Woytko Bass — Hans Hibbard Drums — Stephen Guerra ELLIOTT ANDREWS (Harold Hill) is (Off-Broadway). Dylan would like to thank thrilled and humbled to be on this stage tonight! his incredible coaches for their guidance. EndFavorite Credits: Berkeley Rep, Walnut Street, less gratitude to Kim Pedell, Zoom Talent and Opera North, Gainesville Orchestra, AMT, McKenna Murdock, DDO. Dylan sends love to Westchester Broadway, The Argyle, Arrow Rock his amazing family & friends for their encourLyceum, Mason Street Warehouse. Love and agement and inspiration @dylantheon.official gratitude to the entire Music Man team, ARC, . Mikey at The Collective, my family, Becca, and PATRICK BLASHILL (Mayor Shinn) Richie. Thank you for supporting live theatre! has been working in Chicago for the last 35 @elliottrandrews years and has performed at Steppenwolf, The ELIZABETH D’AIUTO (Marian Paroo) Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens and many National tour debut! Previous credits, The Sound others. Some notable productions include Lord of Music Int’l tour, Camelot (Guenevere), Man of of The Rings, Cat’s Cradle, Midnight CowLa Mancha (Aldonza), West Side Story (‘Some- boy, Much Ado About Nothing, Long Days J where’ Soloist), Vanities (Joanne) and Rumors ourney into Night and The Harvest. Film: (Cassie). Graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Visiting Friends, The Dancing Monkey. Television: Immense gratitude to Matt, Casting by ARC, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Empire. Patrick is & Brian Herrick at HKA. For Mom and Dad. represented by the Gray Talent Group.

EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn) recently toured in Hairspray PAUL URRIOLA (Marcellus Washburn) National tour debut! Previous: Barfee in Spelling which performed in 165 cities! Other National Bee (GEVA Theatre), Horton in Seussical (Cape Tours/ Off-Broadway: DuMaurier - Finding Fear Regional Theatre), Celebrity Guest Stars Neverland, Aunt-Em u/s Wicked Witchin The Rochester Golden Girls’ Drag Parody The Wizard of Oz, Fosca-Passion, MarmeeMusical Series (OFC Creations). So much Little Women, Mrs. Johnstone-Blood Brothers love to family and friends and many thanks to (CCC Best Actress Award). Thanks to Matt Big League Productions! This one’s for Ted. Lenz, Big League, ARC and the whole Music Man team! Love to Huzzah, friends and family! @mrwhiskerface @emmanuellezeesman SAVANNAH STEVENSON (Mrs. Paroo) is delighted to be part of her first national tour. ADDIE JAYMES (Amaryllis) is beyond After receiving a BFA from Carnegie Mellon excited to play Amaryllis on The Music Man University, Savannah became a practicing lawyer tour! Recent credits: Annie (Broadway Palm), for 18 years before returning to theater. Recent A Christmas Story (Goodspeed), Annie Nacredits include Grace Farrell in Annie, Angie in tional Tour ’23, Annie Warbucks (Surflight), The Prom, and Widow Corney in Oliver!, each Gypsy (Wick). Endless thanks to her family, at the beloved Sharon Playhouse. Huge thanks to Danii, Ginna Claire, and the creative team for the creatives, cast, crew, and producers. Kisses to believing in her and making this dream a reality! @addie_jaymes J, C & S. DYLAN PATTERSON (Winthrop Paroo) MIKAEL MATTSSON (Charlie Cowell) is thrilled to be making his National Tour- Mikael is excited for his national tour debut debut! Credits include Drag: The Musical alongside this wonderful cast. Training: USC www.elizabethdaiuto.com @elizabethdaiuto

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST SDA (BA), Guildford School of Acting (MFA). Theatre: As You Like It, Charlotte’s Web, The 39 Steps. TV/Film: Seal Team, Guillotine. Thank you Jimmy, Amy, Tal, and Kristie for her constant love and support.

CHARLES ANTENEN (Tommy Djilas) Originally from Atlanta, GA, Charles is a proud graduate of Florida State’s MT program - Go Noles! National Tours: Peter Pan (Tootles, Peter Pan u/s), Regional: Cats, Kinky Boots, Jersey Boys (MTWichita), The Little Mermaid, Wizard Of Oz, Newsies (Tuacahn). He would like to thank ARC and his family for all their support.

MADISON SHEWARD (Zaneeta Shinn) Credits: A Chorus Line (Drury Lane), Gypsy, Damn Yankees (The Marriott Theatre), American Psycho (Kokandy Productions), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (CFRT), The Wolves, Concord Floral (Young Company), Junie B. Jones. (YPTC). Film/Tv: Chasing The Party, Surfacing. Madison is grateful to her family for their endless love and support.

graduate. Recent regional credits: 42nd Street; A Chorus Line (Kristine); No, No, Nanette; Top Hat; West Side Story. Endless thanks to the Music Man team, her amazing family and friends. @kalistacurbelo

WHITNEY DANIELS (Alma Hix, Ensemble, u/s Marian Paroo) is pleased to make her National Tour Debut! Previous credits include Titanic (North Shore Music Theatre), A Little Night Music (Ogunquit Playhouse), Beautiful (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), and performing at Shanghai Disneyland Resort and for Disney Cruise Line. Sending love and thanks to her family, friends and ATB Talent! @whitnafaye

ERIN DIEHL (Dance Ensemble, Co-Dance Captain) is thrilled to make her musical debut with The Music Man National Tour! Originally from Maryland, Diehl trained in classical ballet earning her BFA from The University of Utah in 2022. Previous credits include dancing with The Nashville Ballet, Ballet Rhode Island, and the first national tour of Christmas In the Air.

CHRISTIAN ANDREWS (Conductor, Constable Locke, Ensemble, u/s Olin Britt) National Tour Debut! Regional: Frozen (Kristoff, Midwest Regional Premiere), Come From Away (Bob & Others), Twelfth Night, Last Stop on Market Street. BFA in Acting ’23 from Millikin University. Represented by Gray Talent Group. Big hugs to family & friends! @chris.andrewss

CRAIG FIRST (Jacey Squires, Ensemble, u/s Marcellus Washburn, Charlie Cowell) is delighted to be harmonizing in River City. Tours: Hairspray (Brad/ Dance Captain), Cocomelon (Blippi). He thanks Matt, Josh, Arc Casting and the rest of the team for their vision. Special thanks to Jim at Movement Talent Agency. Craig is forever grateful for Mom, Caroline, Danna, and his friends. @CraigFirst

KALISTA CURBELO (Dance Ensemble, u/s Zaneeta Shinn) is thrilled to make her national tour debut with The Music Man! A South Florida native and proud Point Park

BRIAN DOOLITTLE GONZÁLEZ (Ewart Dunlop, Ensemble, u/s Harold Hill, Charlie Cowell) is thrilled to be making their National Tour debut in The Music Man! Past credits: Dmitry (Anastasia), Sir Robin (Spamalot), Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), George (Sunday In The Park with George). For his family, everyone who helped foster his love for music, and PMA for their support! For

JACOB BEAVER (Dance Ensemble) This is Jacob’s first national tour! His previous credits include music videos with Twenty One Pilots, Finneas, and Ashe, dancing at LA Opera and Walt Disney World, and roles in Newsies, The Little Mermaid, and The Wizard of Oz at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. Jacob has worked as a choreographer for pop artists Gianni and Iphis Well, Mr. Gay USofA, and Knotts Berry Farm. Most recently, he has founded his own content creation company, Dance the Neighborhood, whose focus is community building.

GARREN GARCIA (Dance Ensemble Swing) is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and is elated to make his debut in The Music Man National tour! Growing up, he trained at Candance Studio and Master Ballet Academy. I am so beyond thankful for my parents, family, and friends for always loving and supporting me!

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Nicole, for showing up and always believing. as an assistant. Cameron is excited to be making his professional debut and to be part of such an @briandoolittlegonzalez amazing company. Thank you to my loving and SOPHIE GORON (Swing) National Tour supportive family! Here we go... Debut! Maryland Native, Coastal Carolina University MT ‘19. Previously: Disney on HANNAH ROSE KIDWELL (Mrs. Squires, Classic (Japan Tour), Seabourn Cruise Line, Ensemble, u/s Mrs. Paroo, Eulalie Mackecknie Carousel with JWM Theatricals (Julie Jordan), Shinn) is thrilled to be a part of this new producand Studio Tenn Theatre Co’s The Sound of tion of The Music Man National Tour! Regional: Music (Elsa Schraeder). Immense gratitude Emma Goldman in Ragtime, Puccini’s Suor to friends, family, Brian Herrick and the HKA Angelica, Nettie in Carousel. International: Swing and Mother Abbess U/S in Jack O’Brien’s team, and her cat Bagel. xoxo @iamsolfi The Sound of Music. She would like to thank ALEXI ISHIDA (Ethel Toffelmeir, Ensemble, God, her family, and you! 1 Samuel 2:1-2 u/s Marian Paroo) (she/her) is thrilled to be touring with The Music Man! Regional: Sacra- KEVIN KUSKA (Swing, u/s Marcellus mento Music Circus, Phoenix Theatre Compa- Washburn, Mayor Shinn) National Tour Debut! ny, Gretna Theatre, Shenandoah Music Theatre, Kevin is a music director, educator, and owner North Shore Music Theatre, and Disney Cruise of an online voice studio - Kuska Studios. Lines. Special thanks to Brian Herrick/HKA, the Regional Credits: Broadway in Chicacast and crew, and endless love to my family and go, Paramount, Drury Lane, Marriott, and Chicago Shakespeare. BFA Millikin University, friends! @lexipepsi7 Masters of Vocal Pedagogy - Rider University. ALYSSA JACQUELINE (Universal Dance Thank you to all of my family and students! Ensemble Swing) is a dancer, singer and actress from New York! At a young age, she began ROSE MESSENGER (Maud Dunlop, training with The American Ballet Theater, The Ensemble, u/s Mrs. Paroo, Eulalie MackeckJoffrey Ballet, and The French Academy of Bal- nie Shinn) is thrilled to be making her national let, and has been acknowledged and rewarded tour debut! Originally from New Brunswick, numerous times for her performance quality and Canada, Rose is a recent graduate of CCM precision. She went on to graduate from The and most recently performed in the original University of Arizona School of Dance, earn- Canadian company of TITANIQUE. Rose is grateing her B.F.A in Dance, with an additional B.A. ful to her family, friends, and team at Avalon Artin Communication. While attending school, she ists Group for their ongoing support. For Mabel. began performing in musical theatre produc- @rose_messenger tions, discovering her love for singing and sto- JOSHUA PIERRE MOORE (Olin Britt, rytelling. She embraced many roles, some of her Ensemble, u/s Mayor Shinn) is ecstatic to be favorites being Diana Morales in A Chorus Line making his tour debut with The Music Man! A and Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia. She con- native of San Antonio, TX, JP earned a B.M. tinued to follow her passion of performing after from Texas State University and a M.M. from graduating, making her Broadway National Tour ASU. JP thanks his family, friends, and the team debut in Hairspray as Shelley and understudy- at Bloc NYC for their endless support. ing the role of Penny Pingleton! Most recently, she joined the touring cast of The Addams Fam- KYLIE NOELLE PATTERSON (Ensemble, ily as Dance Captain and understudying the role s/b Winthrop Paroo, Amaryllis) is thrilled to of Wednesday Addams, and she will now be join the Music Man National Tour! Credits injoining the touring cast of Meredith Willson’s clude the Annie National Tour. Represented by Kim Pedell, Zoom Talent & McKenna The Music Man! Murdock, DDO Kids. She is deeply grateful CAMERON JANSON (Dance Ensemble) to her coaches & mentors for their continued trained at Creative Conservatory in Michigan. guidance. Kylie thanks her family and He traveled with Tremaine Dance and NYCDA friends for their unwavering love & support.

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST @kylie.noelle.official

AIDAN RAWLINSON (Dance Ensemble, u/s Tommy Djillas) is overjoyed to make his National Tour debut. Born in Pasadena, CA, he found his love for performing arts through ballet and his grandfather’s Rodgers and Hammerstein DVDs. A proud NYU Tisch graduate (New Studio on Broadway). Regional: Cabaret (Emcee); Rent (Mark). Endless love and thanks to family and friends.

SHAE REYNOLDS (Gracie Shinn, Dance Ensemble, Co-Dance Captain) is thrilled to be a part of The Music Man tour! She currently resides in NYC, where she studied dance theatre after training competitively in MA. Recent credits include An American in Paris and A Christmas Carol. Shae thanks her loved ones for their support! @shae_reynolds

BRAYDEN SCHILLING (Traveling Salesperson, Ensemble, u/s Harold Hill) from Columbia City, Indiana, is a BFA graduate of Ball State University. Recent credits include West Side Story (Tony), Disney on Classic Japan (Prince Eric), The Music Man (Harold Hill), and RWS Global on HAL’s Zuiderdam. He’s thrilled to make his National Tour debut!

AARON TORRES (Dance Ensemble, u/s Tommy Djilas) is thrilled to be making his National Tour debut! Past credits include Indio in West Side Story (Maine State Music Theatre), Paul San Marco in A Chorus Line (Norwalk Conservatory). Para los chicos como yo, nunca abandonen sus sueños. Instagram: @itisaaronatorres. He extends heartfelt thanks to his family and teachers for their constant support.

MATTHEW WAUTIER-RODRIGUEZ (Oliver Hix, Ensemble, u/s Charlie Cowell) is grateful to be making his National Tour debut. Theatre Credits: Waitress, Come From Away, South Pacific, Oklahoma! TV Credits: FBI, Law and Order. A special thanks to LohneGraham Management, ARC Casting, and Big League Productions for this wonderful opportunity. Endless love to his family and friends. IG: @matthewwautierrodriguez

MEREDITH WILLSON (Book, Music & Lyrics) Meredith Willson was born in 1902 in Mason City, Iowa. He learned to play the flute as a child and began playing semi-professionally while still in high school. After high school he left Iowa to study at the Damrosch Institute of Musical Art (later the Julliard School), receiving flute instruction from Georges Barrere, the world-renown flutist. While still attending the Institute, he was hired as principle flutist and piccolo player for the John Philip Sousa Band. He later joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra where he was 1st flutist. He became musical director for various radio programs throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, including Tallulah Bankhead’s program, The Big Show,” for which he wrote the hit song “May The Lord Bless and Keep You.” He composed the scores for the movies The Great Dictator and The Little Foxes, as well as symphonic, band, and choral works, including The Jervis Bay: Symphonic Variations on an American Theme and Anthem of the Atomic Age. Willson wrote three Broadway musicals: The Music Man, his first and most successful; The Unsinkable Molly Brown (music and lyrics), and Here’s Love (book, music and lyrics). As an author he has published two autobiographical works (And There I Stood with My Piccolo and Eggs I Have Laid), one novel (Who Did What to Fedalia) and a memoir about the making of The Music Man (But He Doesn’t Know the Territory).

MARIELLE UTAYDE (Dance Ensemble Onstage Swing, u/s Zaneeta Shinn, Gracie Shinn) A recent grad from NYU Tisch Drama at the New Studio on Broadway. Originally from Northern Indiana and a proud Filipina artist. Recent credits include Hair (Vanguard Theater), A Chorus Line (NYU Tisch), Carrie (NYU Tisch). Thank you to ARC, her friends and MATT LENZ (Director) BROADWAY: family for their endless love/support! Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Velocity of @marielle.utayde Autumn (Associate Director on original productions), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Resident Director). OFF-BROADWAY:

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Pageant: The Musical, The Irish Curse, Idaho! The Comedy Musical, The Great Daisy Theory, Fingers and Toes, and Alan Ball’s Tense Guy. US NATIONAL TOURS include: Hairspray, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story: The Musical, Cheers: Live Onstage, Catch Me If You Can and The Who’s Tommy. INTERNATIONAL: The Sound of Music & Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Global tours) and productions of Hairspray in Australia, South Africa, the UK, Toronto, and Germany. REGIONAL: Recent; High Society: The Cole Porter Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, the World Premiere of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical and Buyer and Cellar (Broadway World Award) - plus many plays and musicals at Paper Mill Playhouse, the Ahmanson, the MUNY, Ogunquit Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theater, La Mirada, Zach Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse, Casa Manana, Gateway Playhouse, Short North Stage and the Forestburgh Playhouse. Matt is a member of the SDC and the Founding Artistic Director of the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival of new plays and musicals in upstate New York. www.mattlenzdirector.com, @magicmattlenz

JOSHUA BERGASSE (Choreographer) Broadway: Smash (Tony nomination); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; On the Town (Tony nomination; Astaire Award); Gigi. Off-Broadway: Joy; Sweet Charity (Chita Rivera Award); Cagney; Bomb-itty of Errors; Captain Louie; Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Encores!: I Married an Angel; Little Me; ...It’s Superman!; Annie Get Your Gun; The Golden Apple. Josh has done over a dozen productions of West Side Story (recreating the original Jerome Robbins choreography). TV: Smash (Emmy Award); Multiple episodes of So You Think You Can Dance; A Capitol Fourth; Jessica Jones; Sinatra: Voice for a Century; Hawkeye; Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert. @joshuabergasse ANN BEYERSDORFER (Set Designer) is a New York City based set designer. Broadway Associate Design: Company, Tammy Faye, How

to Dance in Ohio, Ink, Jitney, The Children, and Anastasia (national tour and international productions). Select Regional Design: Goodspeed (A Chorus Line, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), The Muny (Bring it On, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, and Camelot), Stages St. Louis (Murder for Two, Newsies), Southwark Playhouse in London (Afterglow), Maltz Jupiter Theatre (Beautiful), Syracuse Stage (Primary Trust, Yoga Play, What the Constitution Means to Me), Lincoln Center (Carmen), The Alliance Theatre (Knead). TV Design: Saturday Night Live (Production Designer on the Film Unit, NBC), Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas (production designer, Showtime), Vir Das: Landing (productiondesigner, Netflix). Ann is a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award Winner, and is a LiveDesign/LDI 30 Under 30 recipient (2018). www.annbeyersdorfer.com

SANTO LOQUASTO (Broadway and Tour Costume Designer) is an international designer for theatre, film, dance, and opera. He has received four Tony Awards and has been nominated 24 times. In film, he has received three Academy Award nominations and has won a BAFTA for his work with Woody Allen with whom he has collaborated on more than 30 films. Other films include Desperately Seeking Susan and Penny Marshal’s Big. Among his 80 Broadway productions designing sets and/or costumes, most notable are: The Cherry Orchard at Lincoln Center, American Buffalo, Cafe Crown, Grand Hotel, Lost in Yonkers, Movin’ Out, Ragtime, Fences, The Assembled Parties, Hello, Dolly! with Bette Midler, The Iceman Cometh, The Music Man with Hugh Jackman, as well as eight Shakespearean plays at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and numerous Off-Broadway productions at Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theater, Classic Stage Company and the New York Public Theater. He is currently represented on Broadway with sets for the George C. Wolfe production of Gypsy, with Audra McDonald. For the Metropolitan Opera he has designed both sets and costumes for Luisa Miller, Faust, Salome and A View From the Bridge. Most recently The Marriage of Figaro at The Théâtre

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and Gianni Schicchi at La Scala. He has worked with most major international dance companies and has collaborated with Mark Morris, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, John Cranko, Helgi Tomasson, Kenneth MacMillan, James Kudelka, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Twyla Tharp, and Paul Taylor. Santo received the Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration in 2002, was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2004, received the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2006, the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007, The Gaudium Award in 2013, and USITT Distinguished Achievement Award in Scenic Design and Technology in 2017.

KEN BILLINGTON (Lighting Designer) creates lighting for theatre, television, and architecture. 104 Broadway shows icluding last seaon’s Smash and this seaon’s Beaches, the original production of Sweeney Todd and the current Chicago, the longest-running American musical in history. Hundred of US and worldwide tours including Dreamgirls, Waitress, White Christmas, also Chicago in over 25 countries. Other projects include Fantasmic! Disneyland, for 27 years the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and the architectural lighting for New York’s Tavern on the Green. Numerous awards include the Tony, Lumen (architecture), Ace (television), Inducted into The Theatre Hall of Fame in 2015.

LISA RENKEL (Video & Projection Designer) an Emmy Award-winning producer and multidepartmental designer based in New York City, who thrives on collaborative design. Her diverse portfolio spans from Broadway productions to music world tours and architectural installations, showcasing her passion for innovative storytelling through visuals. Her theatrical designs include: New York: N/A – A New Play (Lincoln Center), AfterRite (Met Opera), Emojiland The Musical (The Duke) (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Awards), Soundcake (Lincoln Center), Queens Girl in the World (Theatre Row), The Revolving Cycles… (The Duke), She Persisted (Sheen Center), Broadway Bares (BC/EFA). Regional: Frozen and Beautiful (Maltz Jupiter) Espejos: Clean

(Hartford Stage), Dom Juan (Bard Summerscape), Justice (Arizona Theatre Company), Eureka Day and Yoga Play (Syracuse Stage), Reefer Madness (New 42), Indecent and Merrily We… (Cape Rep). In addition, Lisa has served as an associate and animator on Broadway productions such as Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Here Lies Love, and Junk. Her creative and producer credits include: Music: The Eagles (Las Vegas Sphere), Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2 (World Tour), Lady Gaga – Chromatica (World Tour) and Enigma Residency (Park MGM), Esports World Cup ft. Post Malone (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), League of Legends Worlds Opening Ceremony ft. Lil Nas X (Emmy-award), Ariana Grande – Sweetener (World Tour & Coachella Headline) and Don’t Look Up (Film), Childish Gambino (Coachella Headline), Louis The Game Mobile Game (Louis Vuitton). A graduate of UNC School of the Arts and an active member of USA829, Lisa’s dedication to her craft shines through in her ability to blend compelling narratives with advanced technology. Explore more of her work at voidprisma.com. ROXANNE DE LUNA (Hair & Makeup Designer) Ogunquit Playhouse: Wig Designer 2018 to present, Papermill Playhouse: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical (2024). Cleveland Playhouse: Amadeus, Light It UP! (World Premiere). Two River Theater The Scarlet Letter (WorldPremiere). Big League Productions: The Cher Show 1st National Tour, Tuacahn & North Carolina Theater: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical (2023) Kinky Boots (2020). Playmakers Repertory Company LORT-D: My Fair Lady, Intimate Apparel (2017). Born and raised in El Paso, TX. Graduate with her Master of Arts from University of Cincinnati- Conservatory of Music in Wig & Makeup Design, 2015.

ROBIN L. McGEE (Costume Coordinator) is thrilled to be a part of this production! An award-winning costume designer, Robin’s work has been seen on Broadway (As Long As We Both Shall Laugh) and at renowned regional theaters, including The MUNY, Goodspeed, The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The Fulton Theatre, Musical Theatre West, Gulfshore Playhouse, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and Ogunquit Playhouse,

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST among others. Her diverse portfolio spans opera, plays, dance, film, parades, and even circus clowns! Robin is passionate about her craft and looks forward to continuing her design journey while pursuing her goal of visiting all 50 states and all seven continents. Proud member of USA 829.

KRISTIN STOWELL (Music Supervisor) is a music director, pianist, composer, arranger, copyist, and educator based in Washington, D.C. She has previously worked for Big League Productions as the music supervisor for the national tour of The Cher Show and is thrilled to be part of The Music Man team! Other recent credits include serving as music director for Mystic Pizza (Paper Mill Playhouse, Riverside Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse (world premiere)). Her original award-winning musical Endometriosis: The Musical premiered in 2025, and she has been a music supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Lines for the past decade. Kristin currently serves on the faculty of American University, where she teaches courses in theatre and music.

They Come, The Elf on the Shelf, Queen of the Mist, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Madagascar Live!, Nickelodeon Storytime Live! He is married to photographer Kimberly Witham.

MESA WINDER (Production Stage Manager) is grateful to make her national tour debut with The Music Man! Originally from Pierre, SD, Mesa received her BFA in Stage Management from the University of Arizona. Recent SM credits include Fort Peck Summer Theater and Arizona Repertory Theater. Endless thanks to this wonderful team! www.mesawinder.com

WENDY J. CONNOR/DONNA FIEGEL (Tour Press & Marketing) TRUE Marketing is a full-service entertainment marketing firm based in Orlando, Florida that boasts a full Marketing and Public Relations Consulting Team, Graphic Design Department, and Social Marketing Strategy Team. Team TRUE has worked on national tours of A Christmas Story – The Musical, An American In Paris, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening, The Producers, 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, and THOMAS FOSNOCHT (Music Director/ The Wizard of Oz. www.TeamTRUE.com Orchestrator) Thrilled to be back with Big MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL League for The Music Man! Recently music (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical supervisor/conductor for the 2025 national licensing agencies, granting theatres from tour of TheAddams Family and 2024 national tour of around the world the rights to perform the Little Women. He cocreated a new musical greatest selection of musicals from Broadway Little Things with David Smith Playhouse 46 and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer in NYC and an upcoming production at the Frank Loesser, and orchestrator Don Walker, Philadelphia Theatre Company. Favorite shows MTI is a driving force in advancing musical include: Company (Justin Guarini) Mame theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI (Andrea McCardle) and Clue (Sally Struthers) at works directly with the composers, lyricists Bucks County Playhouse, Annie (Wanda Sykes) and book writers of these musicals to provide at Media Theatre, and The Story of My Life official scripts, musical materials and dynamic (Rob McClure) at Delaware Theatre Company. theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, Tom has served as Vocal Director for Royal community and school theatres in the US and Caribbean Cruise Line, highlights include: The in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI maintains Effectors. Instagram : @_tom_ashton_ its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and WALTER TRARBACH (Sound Design) Melbourne (MTI Australasia). Broadway: Water For Elephants (Drama Desk Award), Spongebob Squarepants (Tony ARC (Casting) 150+ productions across the Nomination), The Farnsworth Invention, globe & 13 Artios Awards for Casting. BroadCymbeline Co-Sound Designs: Ain’t Too Proud way/NY Past & credits include: Othello, Real (Tony Nomination), The Radio City Christmas Women Have Curves, A Wonderful World, Life Spectacular, Doctor Zhivago. Other Credits: of Pi, Chicago the Musical, Disney’s The Lion Damn Yankees, Take The Lead, The Harder King & Beauty and the Beast, Hadestown, Lost

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST in Yonkers, Great Comet of 1812, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, 39 Steps, Pippin, La Cage aux Folles. TV/Film: Netflix, 20th Century Fox, NBC, Lionsgate, Disney Channel. West End/U.K.: Hadestown, Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. Tours: 1776, Hairspray, Waitress, Urinetown, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You. Regional: A.R.T., Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, Bay Street, Berkeley Rep, Alley, Goodspeed, Hollywood Bowl, McCarter, Signature. ARC, Part of RWS Global. www.castingbyarc.com IG: castingbyarc

BROADWAY & BEYOND THEATRICALS (Tour Booking) Led by founders and industry veterans Tracey McFarland and Ryan Bogner, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals (BBT) is a full service theatrical booking agency and Tony nominated production company. BBT’s Booking division provides tour direction services for theatricals from Broadway to family shows, holiday fare, dance and comedy across North America. The Producing division creates quality theatrical content in New York and for the road while offering Executive Producing and consulting services to commercial producers and IP stakeholders. On Broadway as Producer: The Cottage, The Kite Runner. Broadway tours as agent: A Christmas Story, The Cher Show, The Kite Runner, The Addams Family Musical, An American In Paris, Legally Blonde, The Music Man & more.

DEBORAH DENENBERG (Producer) Deborah began her career at the Upstairs Dinner Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. The Upstairs’ turnaround became the subject of a Harvard Business School case study, Lyric, Inc taught in business curriculums nationwide. Deborah next joined the Broadway producers Dodger Productions. There she co-created Big League Productions, and produced national tours such as: Guys and Dolls, The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, Driving Miss Daisy and The Who’s Tommy. Now also producing Theater for Young Audience musicals, Deborah recently opened Just Ask! based on the children’s book by Sonia Sotomayor. Deborah also teaches business executives through her company Hark Communications.

BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS/DANIEL SHER (Executive Producer and General Management) is celebrating its 35th season of producing and general managing Broadway tours of shows and attractions throughout the world. Early highlights were collaborations with Disney on Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida (US Tours, Taiwan, and China) and with Cameron Mackintosh on a new production of Miss Saigon. Also, the Tony®-Award-winning Broadway revival of 42nd Street and Susan Stroman’s Broadway production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Others: Footloose (Las Vegas, US Tour), Titanic, 1776, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Rip Taylor, Blast!, The Who’s Tommy (US Tour, South America, Europe, and Japan), Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Ruben Studdard, and the First National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – flying car and all. More shows: The Producers (Susan Stroman’s original work), Hello, Dolly! with Sally Struthers, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady (US Tour and China premiere), original hip-hop dance show Groovaloo (Off-Broadway), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (10 US Tours, Grand Ole Opry, and Madison Square Garden), Dreamgirls (US Tour, China premiere, Japan), Hair (US Tour and Japan), Bring it On (US Tour and Japan), and Legally Blonde (US Tours, China premiere, Singapore). More recently, A Chorus Line toured the US, Japan, and was seen in China for the first time. Post-pandemic included An American in Paris, a new production of South Pacific, Little Women, a brand new production of The Cher Show (1st and 2nd National Tours), and The Addams Family. Current work includes our continued touring flagship production, A Christmas Story The Musical, and a new production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Future seasons include Bright Star and Legally Blonde.

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST STAFF FOR THE MUSIC MAN 2026 NATIONAL TOUR

PRODUCER AND GENERAL MANAGER Big League Productions, Inc.

President................................................... Daniel Sher General Manager ......................................Zach Krohn Associate Producer...........................Sophie Whitfield Technical Director ............................. Anthony Lopez Travel & Contracts Coordinator ............Gina Willens Executive Assistant .................................. Riley Glick Accounting ....Neuschatz, Neuschatz, Herman & Hanke, LLP Insurance ..........Edgewood Partners Insurance Center Banking ................................. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Payroll ............................. Checks & Balances Payroll Lodging ........................................ Road Rebel Global Education................................On Location Education COMPANY MANAGER DAVID HERSH PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER MESA WINDER

TOUR BOOKING Broadway & Beyond Theatricals

Tracey McFarland Ryan Bogner Jaymi Gilmour Megan Savage Kelsey Young Zachary Hedner

TOUR PRESS & MARKETING TRUE Marketing

WENDY J. CONNOR

DONNA FIEGEL

Marketing Intern - Zane Miller

BROADCAST ADVERTISING & MEDIA PRODUCTION FRANK BASILE FRESH PRODUCE PRODUCTIONS MEREDITH WILLSON’S THE MUSIC MAN WAS REHEARSED AT GIBNEY CENTER

www.themusicmantour.com

CREDITS TECHNICAL & CREATIVE STAFF Assistant Stage Manager .......................Olivia Spreen SCENERY PROVIDED BY: EMPIRE TECHNICAL FABRICATION, TTS STUDIOS, ROSE BRAND, GOOD LUCK GRIPS Scenic Design Assistants..................Gabriella Nuñez, Hayden Bingham, Claire Kramer, PROPS PROVIDED BY: IMPACT DESIGN OF CHARLESTON, SCENE WORKS INC., GOOD LUCK GRIPS, GRUMPY’S PROPS Luke Blumencranz Assistant Lighting Designer................Aidan McLeod DROPS PROVIDED BY: IWEISS, COBALT STUDIOS, BIG IMAGE SYSTEMS Lighting Programmer................................David Arch LIGHTING PROVIDED BY: INTELLIGENT LIGHTING SERVICES LTD Associate Video Designer......................Blake Manns SOUND PROVIDED BY: BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS, INC. Video Programmer.....................................Andres Fiz TRUCKING PROVIDED BY JANCO Additional Costume Design..............Robin L. McGee BUSING PROVIDED BY: PEAK TOURING AND LAMOILLE VALLEY Costume Package Coordinator.................... Liv Kurtz Costume Design Assistants..................Val Cuevas & Somie Pak Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Props Supervisor.............................Brendan McCann Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.). Associate Hair & Makeup Design..........Teagan Rose Lighting Supervisor ..................................Paul Gould Production Sound .............................. Shaughn Bryant Production Electrician..........................Dimitri Taylor Production Video.........................................Jim Book Keyboard Programmer ................................. Jim Harp Reduced Orchestrations..................Thomas Fosnocht Head Carpenter ..............................Darniece Brandon United Scenic Artists • Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents Assistant Carpenter/Flyman.................Michael Green the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre Head Electrician ................................. Ryan Anderson Assistant Electrician/Spot Op ............. Alex Worthley Head Sound ................................................Jess Glynn THE USE OF ANY RECORDING DEVICE, Assistant Sound......................................Joseph Roma EITHER AUDIO OR VIDEO, Assistant Sound.................................Clifford General AND THE TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS, Head Props .................................................Emily Bial EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT FLASH, IS Head Wardrobe .........................Donna MacNaughton STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Star Dresser............................... .... Sarah Illingsworth Head Hair/Makeup .................................Lilly Bennett Child Tutor/Wrangler.................................Kate Riley

Moving Finance

Forward Federally Insure by NCUA

Serving M e

c rs Sin e 1956 be m

Visit KineticCU.com to join and explore our scholarship opportunities.

Tony Reese Jason Dennis Barbara Gauthier Derek Kinkade

Proud Supporter

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts 63

VOLUNTEERS Made up of devoted, conscientious supporters of the arts, RiverCenter volunteers work tirelessly in support of the many programs, projects, and activities that RiverCenter produces or hosts. A major portion of the volunteers’ efforts involves ushering at events and assuring that all patrons have an enjoyable experience each time they visit RiverCenter. To receive information about RiverCenter Volunteers, email Latisha Wells at LWells@rivercenter.org. Adams, Donald Adams, Jacqulyne Adams, Sharon Adams, Theresa Anderson, Shelley Baird, Eliza (YOUTH) Barker, Sandra Barron, Belinda Blackwell, Pamela Brettelle, Jenny Broadnax, Karla Brooks, Carl Brooks, Marie Brower, Fran Buckner, Ann Marie Buckner, Eleanor Bugh, Linda Bush, Ethel Cain, Lois Canino, Edna Carter, Bobbie Carwile, Laurie Cave, Linda Chambers, Ricky Chambers, Vivian Chappelle, Eva Chappelle, John Chester, Barbara Colosimo, Alfred Colosimo, Mary Cosnahan, Lisa Cosnahan, Mary Ann Cox, Janelle Daniel-Turner, Alice Dempsey, Ginger Edwards, Eileen Elder, Ruby Etheridge, Terry Fairchild, Claire Faison, Debbie Farley, Mary Fleming, Glenn Garza, Dorothy

Gaskins- Strickland, Ange George, Twakia Golden, Laverne Gooden, Sheila Grainger, JoAnn Gray, Patsy Gudz, Stephanie Guerra Watson, Geraldine Haden, Patricia Hallman, Belinda Harvey, Linda Hawthorne, Sandra Hedges, Elizabeth Hedges, London Hickson, Brian Hickson, Denise Hightower, Mary Hilliard, Colette Holyfield, Tandra Howard, Creola Hughes, Shelia Jackson, Patrice Jamieson, Janet Jamison, Cheryl Jankowski, Lynette Johnson, Pauline I. Jones, Carolyn Jones, Natasha Kasych, Lorrie Kelly, Faith King, Deborah Lambert, Marilynn Landreau, Susan Lee, Carol Lee, Jr., William Lee, Nona Levison, Debbie Lewis, James Lewis, Rachel Lindsey, Shawonna Martin, Brenda Maynard, Suzanne

McCarty, Barbara McCorkle, Elizabeth McCray, Towanda McShurley, Dennis Minnifield, Deborah Pagan-Seda, Marilyn Parham, Judy Parham, Rufus Parker, Cynthia Parks, Verdis Porter Small, Darlene Porter-Boyce, Valerie Presley-Benson, Doretha Rameau, Paulette Reed-Dorsett, Ruth Riley, Beverly Rissler, Joseph Roane, Kirk Roane, Sandra Rumold, Linda Rutledge, Wanda Samuels, Charmaine Sanford, Faye Scott, Sandra Seda, Felix Shine, Sabrina Shipman, Nancy Simmons, Louise Smith, Belinda Soltau, John Soltau, Tessie Stafford, John Steplight, Clarissa Story, Nancy Tamlin, Verlyn Thomas, Edith Thomas, Edweena Thomas, Leslie Thompson, Corey Thompson, Karin Thompson, Rita Thompson, Silvia Thornton, Melode

Tigner, Carolyn Tigner, Willie Turner, Mike Turner, Samuel Voyles, Sandi Waddell, James Wade, Claudette Walker, Richard Walters, Meredith Watson, Howard Wells, Tee White, Matilda Wiley, Stephanie Williams, Carol Williams, Juanita Wilson, Jane Wilson, Yulane

Volunteers with 20+ Years of Service Carlisle, Ann Chandler, Laura Dennis, Sharon Etemadi, Pat Gunn, Cenneta Harris, Shirley Johnson, Gloria Knowles, Jan Lenig, Audrey Lin, Patty Nerness, Linda Richburg, Joyce Robinson, Dianne Sanchez, Dolores Schlitzkus, Beverly Short, Miriam Singleton, Barbara Sledge, Sylvia Spengler, Alice Stafford, Gail

2026–27 BOARD & ADMINISTRATION 2026-27 RIVERCENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lee Foster

Executive Director Austin Gibson

Chair

Ty Webb

Vice Chair

Dr. William Kendalll

Secretary

2026-27 RIVERCENTER, INC. ADMINISTRATION & STAFF Executive Group

Lee Foster, Executive Director, CEO Jim Rutland, Associate Executive Director John (J.D.) Davis, Director of Production Amanda Donaldson, Director of Development Robin Peacock, Director of Facility and Event Operations Latisha Wells, Director of Patron and Customer Services Shannon Preston, Director of Finance and Administration

Accounting Office

David Young

Shannon Preston, Director of Finance and Administration Karen Ingersoll, Accounting Specialist

Cassie Myers

Box Office

Treasurer

Member at Large

Alpna Arora Ann Burr Joanne Cogle Patrick Donahoe Alayne Gamache Kayron Laska Dannell Mastrean Marks Colin Martin Sallie Martin Laura Seavers Dr. Kaizad Shroff Cindy Sparks Travis Wade Allen Whitley

Rachel Elliot, Box Office Manger Jasper Howell, Assistant Box Office Manager Gina Bedir, Box Office Ticketing Associate Diontae Black, Box Office Ticketing Associate

Development

Amanda Donaldson, Director of Development Cheryl Roberts, Development Assistant

Marketing

Lauren Jenkins, Marketing Manager

Operations

Robin Peacock, Director of Facility and Event Operations Latisha Wells, Director of Patron and Customer Services Ishmun Holcomb, Events and Facilities Coordinator Sable McCulley, Security Lead Jay Adams, ArtsReach Coordinator

Production

John (J.D.) Davis, Director of Production Lance Fraker, Technical Director Dan Gray, Audio Coordinator Kyle Gray, Head Flyman John Land, Stage Manager/Steward Kyle Patton, Lighting Coordinator

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Covid & Flu Protocols

The safety and well-being of our patrons, staff and artists remains RiverCenter’s top priority. RiverCenter uses enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols and encourages healthy practices such as handwashing and masks for those not feeling well.

Box Office & Parking

BOX OFFICE The box office at RiverCenter, located at the corner of Broadway and Tenth Street, is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m – 3 p.m., and two hours before each performance and remains open through intermission. The box office is not open on federal holidays unless there is an event that day. FREE PARKING Parking is available in the parking garage directly in front of RiverCenter, 900 Broadway. Parking for those with disabilities is available in front of our main entrance. The garage is managed by the City of Columbus, not RiverCenter.

House Rules

NO BABIES IN ARMS Everyone attending a ticketed event, including all children regardless of age, must have a ticket. BACKSTAGE AREAS RESTRICTED For safety and security and out of respect for performers’ privacy, patrons are not given access to backstage areas before or after performances.

HOUSE OPENING AND LATE ARRIVALS RiverCenter’s Grand Lobby opens two hours prior to events and seating begins 30 minutes to one hour before curtain. At the discretion of house management and in compliance with artists’ contractual agreements, latecomers will be seated at appropriate intervals during events. Latecomers may be seated near the entry doors out of courtesy to performers and other patrons. PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT Please be courteous and silence cell phones. Photography and recording is prohibited in the theatres. SMOKE-FREE POLICY RiverCenter is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is permitted in outdoor areas only. Thank you for your cooperation.

Special Services

ELEVATOR A patron elevator is located between the entrances to Bill Heard Theatre and Studio Theatre. WHEELCHAIRS Wheelchairs are available for patrons needing help getting to or from seating. Ushers will provide assistance. AUDIO AIDS RiverCenter patrons can now take advantage of our new and improved assistive listening system available for all performance halls. The new system utilizes FM radio waves and Wi-Fi signals to provide a superior audio experience. Please visit Guest Services to request a device to ensure your ultimate listening experience.

LOST AND FOUND Found items should be given to an usher for storing with RiverCenter Security. These items are retained by security for 30 days and then donated. Owners may claim lost items by calling 706.256.3630 during regular business hours. BAR SERVICE Please visit concessions and order from the many beverage and snack options that we have available. Cups with lids, and twist top plastic bottled items purchased from the bar are permitted inside of the theatre. Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the theatre.

In Case of Emergency

FIRE NOTICE Exits are indicated by red “exit” signs. In case of fire or other emergency, please do not run, but walk to the exit nearest to your seat. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS The RiverCenter emergency phone number is 706.256.3630 and is accessible during event hours. Please provide this number and your seat location to your personal contacts or child care providers. If an emergency should happen during an event please locate the nearest usher or security team member.

Rent a Venue

BILL HEARD THEATRE, STUDIO THEATRE, AND/OR LEGACY HALL Call 706.256.3607 regarding availability of specific dates on the RiverCenter master calendar. PATRONS ROOM The Patrons Room on the mezzanine level may be reserved for private functions by RiverCenter Members and Partners. For information call Jim Rutland at 706.256.3607 . ILLGES PLAZA Event and green space on 10th St. on North Side of Center may be reserved for special events. Call 706.256.3607.

Important Numbers Box Office/Event Information 706.256.3612 Season Ticket Purchases 706.256.3622 Group Sales 706.256.3612 Rentals 706.256.3607 Volunteer Office 706.256.3652 Marketing / Ad Sale 706.256.3605 Development 706.256.3653 ArtsReach 706.256.3607

TICKET INFORMATION Gift Certificates

Available year-round in any dollar amount at the RiverCenter Box Office and online at www.rivercenter.org. Gift certificates may only be redeemed for RiverCenter programs.

Single Tickets

Single tickets to individual RiverCenter events may be purchased without a service charge at the box office at the corner of Broadway and Tenth Street. For a service charge, tickets also may be purchased online at www.rivercenter.org.

Tickets at the Door

Tickets to events may be purchased at the box office beginning two hours before the start of the event.

Group Discounts

Most RiverCenter events offer discounts on individual tickets sold to groups of 10 or more. For information call 706.256.3612.

Special Discounts

Patrons must come to the box office to take advantage of most special promotions and discounts with presentation of appropriate ID. Military, Public Service, Educator and Senior discounts are available on single ticket purchases to most events. Student Rush prices are available all day on the day-of-show at most events. Patrons using vouchers or gift certificates should note deadlines and restrictions that apply. No refunds are given for ticket price variances or special offers.

Applause, the program guide for RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, is published periodically by RiverCenter, Inc. and distributed to patrons of season shows. Each issue includes program and performer information for a group of contemporaneous performances and general information about RiverCenter programming, facilities, donor members, sponsors and staff.

25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA May 22, 2027

n 2002, RiverCenter opened its doors with a bold promise – that the arts belong in Columbus, Georgia. Built as the centerpiece of the unprecedented Columbus Challenge, an extraordinary public-private fundraising effort that raised more than $100 million, For 25 years, RiverCenter has welcomed world-class performances, nurtured local talent, and created shared experiences that inspire, connect, and enrich. It is a place where stories are told, memories are made, and the arts thrive. On May 22, 2027, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate this remarkable milestone. Together, we will honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to an exciting new chapter of artistic excellence and community impact.

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE THIS WINTER AT RIVERCENTER.ORG

To learn more about attending or supporting this once-in-a-generation celebration, please contact our Development Office at 706-256-3653 or development@rivercenter.org

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

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