Our highly anticipated 2023-24 season continues with the variety and quality of programming for which RiverCenter is known. Our season includes everything from a graphic novel on film to classical ballet, Renée Fleming, Amy Grant, Foreigner, and more! Broadway titles include the heartwarming, and what some call transformational Come From Away, and the exuberant, no holds barred On Your Feet! An old favorite— Mannheim Steamroller Christmas—returns, followed by a newly discovered, talented Irish Tenor—Emmet Cahill. We have added two silent pictures to our series featuring THE WAVE, making three in all—Phantom of the Opera (1925), Metropolis (1927), and Wings (1927). And what would the holidays in Columbus be like without the RiverCenter Gingerbread Village?
RiverCenter has been serving the Columbus region for more than twenty years and we are rapidly approaching our 25th anniversary. RiverCenter has been steadfast in supporting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, in presenting varied programs with many free opportunities for the community to experience the finest concerts and touring entertainment, and in providing affordable topquality services to the performing arts. As a key factor in the economic development of our region, RiverCenter contributes millions of dollars to the local economy supporting jobs, household incomes, and other ancillary enterprises and services—all procured from local businesses.
As we approach our twenty-fifth year, we hope that you will look forward to more great seasons of entertainment. We also hope you will explore ways to help us upgrade and maintain aging mechanical systems to refresh this magnificent facility for generations to come. We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. Thank you for your continuing support of RiverCenter and thank you for helping Columbus be the best that it can be through your support of the arts community!
Here’s to warming hearts and lifting spirits!
Norman S. Easterbrook, Executive Director
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse in Concert
August 26
Forbidden Broadway
September 22
The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare—The Next Generation
October 1 & 2
STOMP
October 22 & 23
The Phantom of the Opera
Silent Film with THE WAVE
October 28
The Four Phantoms in Concert
November 4
Foreigner: The Historic Farewell Tour
November 8
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
November 12
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
November 25
2023 Gingerbread Village
November 29December 19
Christmas with THE WAVE
December 2
The Life and Music of George Michael
January 13
Giraffes Can't Dance
February 13
One Week Silent Film with THE WAVE
February 15
Metropolis Silent Film with THE WAVE
February 17
Celebrate THE WAVE
February 18
Drum Tao
February 22
Come From Away
February 29
Emmet Cahill: Songs of Ireland March 1
Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience March 2
360 ALLSTARS March 22
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan March 29
Renée Fleming April 5 & 6
Disney Princess: The Concert April 11
Amy Grant April 16
Voctave: The Corner of Broadway & Main Street
April 25
Wings Silent Film with THE WAVE May 4
Pretty Woman May 15
Thank you to our Curtain Raisers! 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.
We would love to hear from you and discuss becoming a partner with RiverCenter. Please contact our Development Office at development@rivercenter.org or call 706-256-3653.
Our sponsors help us impact and transform thousands of lives through the arts and education. Based on donations as of March 10, 2024:
SEASON SPONSOR
BROADWAY ON BROADWAY SPONSOR
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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 20 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 March 10, 2024. 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.
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, members-only 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 created 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.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Butler Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Henson, Jr.
Ray M. and Jane R. Wright Foundation
Bernard and Sylvia Witt Foundation
James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Martin, II
Al and Betsy Ramsay
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Goldsmith
Mr. and Mrs. Roderick C. Hunter
Akitoshi and Etsuko Kan
Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Pease, III
David and Linell Pringle
Mrs. Clifford J. Swift, III
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Robbins
Wade and Adrianne Wallace
Mrs. Janice M. Watson
Anonymous
Fred and Catalina Aranas Family Foundation
Maria Luisa Aranas
Ms. Betty L. Auten
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Barlow
Susan Berry
Bernice and Mansfield Bias
Mr. and Mrs. Walker R. Bickerstaff
Mrs. Doris Black
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Blanchard
Ms. Lucy H. Bowers
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley
Kay Broda
Mrs. Forrest L. Champion, Jr.
Creek Stand Partners, LP
Danny and Sandra Dawson
Mr. and Mrs. Norman S. Easterbrook
Mr. and Mrs. Thad Estes
Loretta and Tom Flowers
Gardiner and Nora Garrard
Cindy and Spencer Garrard
Stephen M. Sawyer
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Scarbrough
Judy W. Thomas
Rick and Jan Ussery
Mr. and Mrs. M. Troy Woods
GB & Charlotte A. Saunders Foundation Inc
Mrs. Richard Hallock
The Hecht Family Fund, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley
Mr. and Mrs. M. Scott Hill
Helen J. Hobbs
The June and Bruce Howard Family Charitable Gift Fund
Dr. William P. Kendall
Ashok and Mary Kumar
Mr. and Mrs. John T. Laney, III
Elaine and John Laughbaum
Dr. and Mrs. David Levine
Hank and Mary Lewis
Dr. Robert and Jane Marcus
Ben and Annelle McCosh
Chris and Wendy Miller
Jimmy and Barbara Motos
John and Sam Newton
Edwin and Pam Page
Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson C. Reed
The Honorable and Mrs. William C. Rumer
Dr. Carole Rutland and Col. (Ret) Robert D. Offer
Marnie Salter
The Honorable Julia Willcox-Lumpkin
Sando and Colonel Donald Mark
Sando, U.S. Army, Retired
Mr. Claude Scarbrough
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sears
Len and Glenda Sexton
Alex and Willette Shalishali
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Shinkle
Mollie Smith
Jay and Cindy Sparks
Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Staples
Susan Stephenson
Patty Kimbrough Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Taylor
Chip and Audrey Tillman
Tom and Jackie Titus
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tomlinson
Martha S. Tubb
Mr. and Mrs. Brad Turner
Dr. Joan and Lt. Col. (R) Darryl Verrett
Dr. Linda L. Walker and Dr. Steven E. Reissman
Chris Weaver
Mr. and Mrs. Joel O. Wooten
Anonymous
Regina Satlof and Neil Block
Bob and Linda Carter
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gates
Ed and Lana Helton
Pam and Charlie Johnson
Charlyn Kerr
Anonymous
Dr. Ronald and Judy H. King
Mr. and Mrs. Justin Krieg
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony D. Link
Gene and Meg Perkins
Edith H. Satterwhite
Dr. Angela Sims and John Sims
Murray and Celia Solomon
Joyce and Henry Schwob
Mike and Kathy Burns
Don and Bobbie Dakin
Mr. and Mrs. David Hay
Jo Ann and Ernie Kirk
CH (COL) and Mrs. Thomas Waynick, USA, Ret.
Jim and Ann White
Anonymous
Renee Beam
Jacob and Claire Beil
Janice P. Biggers
Elizabeth A. Bloodgood
Sherida Brannan
Marie Anita Brooks
Frank and Jo Ann Brown
Bill and Janie Lee Bullock
Ann Burr
Butch and Eva Chappelle
Kelly and Martha Dimon
Henry Farmer
Ken Hamill
Linda and Seth Harp
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Henslee
Rem and Leila Houser
Mike and Patty Kelley
Kevin and Donna Kelly
LTC Patricia A. Krause USA Ret.
Marv and Vicki Lieberman
Dr. Barbara and Leon Minsky
Wayne and Harriet Moultrie
Louise and Judson Patten
Martha Paull
Sally Rotunno
Mr. and Mrs. James Kimbrough Sheek, IV
Guy Ashton and Marianne Smith
Lois M. Tryon
Dr. Thomas A. and Sherry F. Wade
Dave and Jane Wilson
In memory of Dr. Davis Ronald Watson, Sr.
Mrs. Janice M. Watson
In honor of Michael and Susan Silverstein
Mike Burns
In honor of Jacquie Rawls
Mike Burns
In honor of Marjorie and Jerry Newman
Mike Burns
(Gifts January 1, 2023 to March 10, 2024)
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Barlow
Ms. Lucy H. Bowers
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley
Ann Burr
Dr. Bonnie Ellis and William Ellis
Gardiner and Nora Garrard
Cindy and Spencer Garrard
Robert and Susan Hiers
Mr. Michael and Dr. Betty Hipps
Helen J. Hobbs
Mrs. Stephen C. Hunter
Jean Kent
Mary Dana Knight
Jimmy and Barbara Motos
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Robbins
Dr. and Mrs. Hugh I. Rodgers
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schley
Ms. Christina Stavitski
Mrs. Clifford J. Swift, III
Mrs. Janice M. Watson
(Purchases and donations since March 2023)
Ms. Renee Beam
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Benson
Ms. Sherida Brannan
Dr. and Mrs. William J. Bullock
Mr. Paul Cluverius
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Daniels
Ms. Jane Del Gobbo
Ms. Jennifer Dunlap
Ms. Lisa Gainey
Ms. Adelita Greeson
Mrs. Nancy Hallman
Mr. Aric Jackson
Mr. Rick Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kirk, II
Mr. Joel Moore
Ms. Marcia Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Moultrie
Mr. William Myers
Mr. Noah Parker
Ms. Irene Alexich Pate
Mr. Judson W. Patten
Ms. Regina Ridgley
Ms. Camilla Sheppard
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Shinkle
Ms. Kyera Thompson
Ms. Martha Tubb
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ussery
Dr. Linda Walker and Dr. Steven E. Reissman
Mr. Mark Weitzel
Ms. Latisha Wells
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.
» 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
» Complimentary donors-only events
» Complimentary beverage coupons
» Recognition on RiverCenter website
» Distinguished in Applause Program
» Exclusive access to box office liaison
» Courtesy backstage tour of theatre with the Executive Director (by appointment only)
» Ticket insurance for lost or stolen tickets
» Early 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 *benefits subject to availability or deadline, restrictions may apply
RiverCenter’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.
Amy Grant’s career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, philanthropist and has become, as some have dubbed her, ‘The Queen of Christmas’ with her millions of Christmas albums sold over the years. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million and over 1 billion global streams. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the GRAMMY® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past four decades is assured.
Amy has established herself as an iconic ‘Christmas’ artist as well with not only millions of Christmas albums sold, but also her annual Christmas Tours with the likes of Michael W. Smith, Marc Martel, Jordan Sparks and many others. Additionally, for the past 19 years, Amy and her husband Vince Gill, perform an annual two-week residency at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with their ‘Christmas At The Ryman’ shows.
In 2022, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included Grant as one of their five distinguished Honorees to receive the 45th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. In 2020, the T.J. Martell Foundation – the music industry’s leading nonprofit to fund innovative medical research focused on treatments and cures for cancer – honored Grant with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award at their annual Honors Gala. In 2023, Grant will be on the road performing in 70 cities across the country and recently released her first new music in a decade, starting with the single “Trees We’ll Never See,” (March) and most recently in April “What You Heard.” Grant released her latest project, “Lead Me On Live 1989” on 10/6/23 which is a full-concert documentation from the 1988-1989 Lead Me On Tour. Grant will finish the year with two Christmas Tours including dates with Michael W. Smith as well as the annual ‘Christmas At The Ryman’ residency with Vince Gill.
A cappella sensation Voctave has had over 160 million social media views of their videos, and their albums frequently debut in the top 10 on the Billboard and iTunes charts. In the 2022-2023 season Voctave released an album of lullabies entitled Goodnight, My Someone and toured their popular shows The Corner of Broadway & Main Street and The Spirit of the Season. This season sees the release of a brand-new holiday album It Feels Like Christmas, and the subsequent North American holiday tour. Formed in 2015 by producer and arranger Jamey Ray, the voices that bring their arrangements to life represent a wealth of diverse backgrounds and musical experiences. Hailing from Central Florida, the eleven members of Voctave have performed across the globe and appear on countless recordings. The group has performed with GRAMMY, Dove and American Music Award recipients including Sandi Patty, Pentatonix’s Kirstin Maldonado, Mark Lowry, David Phelps, and Jody McBrayer. Voctave’s ten albums are digitally available on all platforms.
E.J. Cardona
Chrystal Johnson
Aaron Stratton
Ashley Espinoza
Drew Ochoa
Sarah Whittemore
Tiffany Coburn
Kate Lott
Kurt Von Schmittou
Karl Hudson
Ron Carter is a sought-after theatre organ concert and silent film accompanist playing in theaters throughout the southeast. He is the theatre organ consultant for Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta, and the House Organist for the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta, Ga. He has been a member of the Strand Theatre Board of Trustees since its inception in 2003 and served as Board Secretary for 13 of those years. He is past Chairman of the Board for Marietta’s Pops Orchestra, Symphony on the Square. Ron is also the former President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and a recipient of its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Theatre Organ Society’s 2009 Honorary Member award, and was recognized by the Cobb County Ga. Cultural Arts Board as Cobb’s 2010 Outstanding Instrumentalist.
Recently Ron was honored by the Mayor of Marietta as he proclaimed February 12, 2023 as Ron Carter Day in the City of Marietta for his contributions to the Strand Theatre and the Marietta community. Ron has served five churches in a part time capacity as organist/Choir Director for over 50 years and is currently part of a team of organists who play for worship services at Marietta First Baptist Church.
He is a retired Commander of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after serving 38 years in public law enforcement. Ron and his lovely wife of 55 years, Donna, live in Marietta, Ga. and have one son, John, daughter-in-law Julie and two precious grandchildren, Abby and Jake!
An Essay by Thomas Gladysz
There had been other great war films before Wings. With the popular success of two of them, The Big Parade (MGM, 1925) and What Price Glory? (Fox, 1926), Paramount set out to make a war film of its own. Each of those earlier movies had focused on foot soldiers and their experience on the battlefield. Paramount, hoping to do something different, set its sights on a flying story. Wings was suggested by screenwriter and former wartime pilot John Monk Saunders.
To direct, Paramount selected an otherwise little known 29-year-old by the name of William A. Wellman. He was chosen not because his work, which mostly consisted of a string of low-budget westerns, had shown much promise, but because he was the only director in Hollywood with aerial combat experience.
Paramount’s hopes were high, so much so that in an era when very few films cost more than a million dollars Wings was budgeted at two million. Saunders was sent to Washington to solicit government cooperation, and, with the help of producer Lucien Hubbard, they secured an additional $16 million in the form of military equipment and manpower.
As director, Wellman involved himself in nearly every facet of Wings, including casting, camerawork, and certain aspects of the story that echoed his own experiences as a decorated combat pilot in World War I. In his 1974 autobiography A Short Time for Insanity, Wellman recounts: “We had been rehearsing with 3,500 army personnel and 65-odd pilots for ten days. … It was a gigantic undertaking, and the only element we couldn’t control was the weather. All morning long, we waited, everything in readiness. The barrage to gouge its creeping devastation and noise, the troops to plow through
God knows what, and the cameras to record the countless number of rehearsed bits of battle business. The planes on the runway ready to take off and circle to my right of the battlefield, to swoop down on their strafing assignments, and the camera planes at different altitudes to photograph the air view of the maze of confusion of a battle.”
Wings was the first significant motion picture to deal with the role of the airplane in war. As William Wellman Jr. explains in The Man and His Wings, his detailed study of his father’s work, “Before 1926, there had been some aerial warfare work in films; however, flying footage was gathered from independent sources, government financed films, and with the use of miniatures. Actors were not seen in actual flight.” Up to that time, in fact, many aerial scenes had been shot in stationary planes on the ground. Wellman set out to achieve what no one else had attempted, and, under his direction, cinematographer Harry Perry and a large number of cameramen shot close-ups of flyers from the rear cockpits of planes while following dogfights from a near squadronworth of camera planes. Wellman and his team of cameramen also devised daring new techniques, and, at times, even had the film’s stars pilot their own planes while controlling mounted, motor-driven cameras that faced them.
Wings was largely shot at an airfield near San Antonio, Texas, where devastated battlefields and a wrecked French village had been re-created. The film was in production between September 7, 1926, and April 7, 1927. Shooting dragged on from month to month (at the time, most films were made in four weeks) as the headstrong Wellman waited for ideal conditions. Once, the Wings company waited 18 straight days for the right clouds in the San Antonio sky.
Wellman wrote, “Say you can’t shoot a dogfight without clouds to a guy who doesn’t know anything about flying and he thinks you’re nuts. He’ll say, ‘Why can’t you?’ It’s unattractive. Number two, you get no sense of speed, because there’s nothing there that’s parallel. You need something solid behind the planes. The clouds give you that, but against a blue sky, it’s like a lot of goddamn flies! And photographically, it’s terrible.”
Besides Wellman’s love of flying, Wings embodied several themes close to the director’s heart: male friendship; the deeply felt comradeship of groups of men engaged in a shared and usually dangerous endeavor; and the romantic triangle, often settled by the setting aside of one of the three’s interests. The story follows the wartime fortunes of young fighter pilots played by Richard Arlen and Charles “Buddy” Rogers. Rivals for the love of the same woman, they become friends after a fist fight. Clara Bow, the studio’s biggest box-office draw at the time, was cast as the film’s heroine because Wellman picks Arlen and Rogers were unknowns. Bow drew out sensitive passages and added just the right amount of pulchritude to what is essentially a man’s story.
Wellman’s determination to get it right paid off. When Wings premiered at the Criterion Theater in New York in August 1927, everyone agreed that nothing like it had been seen before. Quinn Martin of the New York World wrote, “there has been no movie … which has surpassed it in impressing upon an audience a feeling of personal participation.”
“Amazing,” “impressive,” “thrilling,” and “startling” were some of the words used by critics to describe the film, which turned out to be a huge hit. With a top ticket price of two dollars (in an era of 25- and 50-cent admissions), Wings played to large crowds at the Criterion for a remarkable 63 weeks before moving across town to the Rialto and concluding an unprecedented two-year run in New York City.
Wings came to Georgia as a road show attraction in the Fall of 1928. It debuted in Atlanta in October, and proved as popular in Georgia as it had elsewhere. In a review titled
“Wings is Intense Drama of Sensational Scenes,” one Atlanta paper described the film as “spectacular” and “hair-raising” while noting It girl Clara Bow (recently namedchecked in a song by contemporary It girl, Taylor Swift) was not as “hoydenish” as usual. Apparently, this critic didn’t notice Bow’s fleeting topless scene.
In Atlanta, Wings was held over due to popular demand. The film also played big in Macon, where a local aviator flew his airplane over the city and dropped free tickets. In Columbus, Wings was shown in Magnascope at the Springer Opera House. The local Enquirer-Sun noted the film’s many innovations, while ads promised “Thundering Propellers, Rocketing Planes, American Youth, Stark Courage, and Radiant Love”. Wings has aptly been compared to Star Wars for its broad appeal and for its influence on Hollywood filmmaking. Both broke new ground, and each inspired a legion of imitators and even their own genre. At the first Academy Awards in 1929, Wings was named the first ever Best Picture for the years 1927–1928. Until 2012, it stood as the last silent film to have been awarded an Oscar. Neither time nor the arrival of sound, however, has diminished its singular achievement.
Thomas Gladysz is a Sacramento, California arts journalist. He has authored articles and essays on early film, as well as four books on the films of Louise Brooks. Among them is a book on another William Wellman silent, Beggars of Life
Jack Powell and David Armstrong are rivals in the same small American town, both vying for the attentions of pretty Sylvia Lewis. Jack fails to realize that “the girl next door”, Mary Preston, is desperately in love with him. The two young men both enlist to become combat pilots in the Army Air Service. When they leave for training camp, Jack mistakenly believes Sylvia prefers him, but she actually prefers David and lets him know about her feelings, but is too kindhearted to turn down Jack’s affection.
The two men endure a rigorous training period, where they are enemies. But during a bloody boxing match, they realize each other’s courage and become best friends. Upon graduating, they are sent to France to fight against Imperial Germany.
Jack and David are billeted together. Their tent mate is Cadet White, but their acquaintance is all too brief; White is killed in an air crash the same day.
Mary joins the war effort by becoming an ambulance driver. She later learns of Jack’s reputation as the ace known as “The Shooting Star” and encounters him while on leave in Paris. She finds him, but he is too drunk to recognize her. She takes him back to his room and puts him to bed, but when two military police barge-in while she is innocently changing from a borrowed dress back into her uniform in the same room, she is forced to resign and return to the United States.
The climax of the story comes with the epic Battle of Saint-Mihiel. David is shot down and presumed dead. However, he survives the crash landing, steals a German biplane, and heads for the Allied lines. By a tragic stroke of bad luck, Jack spots the enemy aircraft and, bent on avenging his friend, begins an attack. He is successful in downing the aircraft and lands to retrieve a souvenir of his victory. The owner of the land where David’s aircraft crashed urges Jack to come to the dying man’s side. He agrees and becomes distraught when he realizes what he has done. David consoles him, and before he dies, forgives his comrade.
At the war’s end, Jack returns home to a hero’s welcome. He visits David’s grieving parents to return his friend’s effects. During the visit, he begs their forgiveness for causing David’s death. Mrs. Armstrong says it is not Jack who is responsible for her son’s death, but the war. Then, Jack is reunited with Mary and realizes he loves her.
Clara Bow as Mary Preston
Charles “Buddy” Rogers as Jack Powell
Richard Arlen as David Armstrong
Jobyna Ralston as Sylvia Lewis
El Brendel as Herman Schwimpf
Richard Tucker as Air Commander
Gary Cooper as Cadet White
Gunboat Smith as Sergeant
Henry B. Walthall as Mr. Armstrong
Roscoe Karns as Lieutenant Cameron
Julia Swayne Gordon as Mrs. Armstrong
Arlette Marchal as Celeste
BOOK BY
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
Based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture written by J. F. Lawton
STARRING Ellie Baker AND Chase Wolfe WITH
Rae Davenport Adam Du Plessis Mikey Marmann
Matthew Blum Brianna Clark Kerry D’Jovanni Lauren Esser
Charlie Fusari Steven Gagliano Justin Glass Matt Henningsen Christian Maxwell Henry
Connor Kabat Alexandra Kinsley Bethany McDonald Robert Miller Blaise Rossmann
Taylor M. Sheppard Devyn Trondson Elana Valastro Sarah Wang Channing Weir
ORIGINAL SCENIC DESIGN
David Rockwell TOUR SCENIC DESIGN
Christine Peters
HAIR DESIGN
Josh Marquette
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jayna Neagle
DESIGN John Shivers Crossroads Live presents MUSIC DIRECTOR
MAKEUP DESIGN
Fiona Mifsud
DESIGN Gregg Barnes
Kenneth Posner & Philip S. Rosenberg
CASTING Pearson Casting
CSA CDG CDA
GENERAL MANAGER Andrew Terlizzi
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Molly Goodwin
COMPANY MANAGER Rachael Ffrench
MUSIC COORDINATOR Talitha Fehr
PRODUCTION MANAGER Gregg Damanti
TOUR MANAGEMENT
Shane Ffrench TOUR MARKETING AND PRESS Allied Global Marketing EXCLUSIVE TOUR DIRECTION The Booking Group SOCIAL MEDIA Think Tank Marketing CO-PRODUCER Ankit Agrawal
MUSIC SUPERVISION, ARRANGEMENTS AND ORCHESTRATIONS BY Will Van Dyke
CHOREOGRAPHY RECREATED BY Rusty Mowery DIRECTION RECREATED BY DB Bonds
Crossroads Live North America
Vivian Ward .......................................................................................................................... ELLIE BAKER
Edward Lewis CHASE WOLFE
Kit De Luca ..................................................................................................................... RAE DAVENPORT
Happy Man ADAM DU PLESSIS
Philip Stuckey .............................................................................................................. MIKEY MARMANN
Landlord CHARLIE FUSARI
Susan ..................................................................................................................... BETHANY McDONALD
Rachel DEVYN TRONDSON
Giulio ............................................................................................................................... CONNOR KABAT
Hotel Staff STEVEN GAGLIANO, MATT HENNINGSEN, CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY, BLAISE ROSSMANN
Amanda BETHANY McDONALD
Erica TAYLOR M. SHEPPARD
David Morse KERRY D’JOVANNI
Scarlett TAYLOR M. SHEPPARD
Fred STEVEN GAGLIANO
Senator Adams BLAISE ROSSMANN
Alfredo .......................................................................................................................STEVEN GAGLIANO
Violetta SARAH WANG
Ensemble ................................................ MATTHEW BLUM, BRIANNA CLARK, KERRY D’JOVANNI, LAUREN ESSER, CHARLIE FUSARI, STEVEN GAGLIANO, MATT HENNINGSEN, CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY, CONNOR KABAT, ALEXANDRA KINSLEY, BETHANY McDONALD, BLAISE ROSSMANN, TAYLOR M. SHEPPARD, DEVYN TRONDSON, SARAH WANG
SWINGS
JUSTIN GLASS, ROBERT MILLER, ELANA VALASTRO, CHANNING WEIR
Understudies never substitute for the listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance. Understudies are listed alphabetically.
For Vivian Ward—BETHANY McDONALD, CHANNING WEIR; for Edward Lewis—CHARLIE FUSARI, MIKEY MARMANN; for Happy Man—MATTHEW BLUM, JUSTIN GLASS; for Kit De Luca—LAUREN ESSER, CHANNING WEIR; for Philip Stuckey—JUSTIN GLASS, MATT HENNINGSEN; for Giulio—STEVEN GAGLIANO, ROBERT MILLER; for David Morse—CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY, BLAISE ROSSMANN; for Alfredo—JUSTIN GLASS, CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY; for Violetta—BETHANY McDONALD, CHANNING WEIR
DANCE CAPTAIN
ELANA VALASTRO
ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN
ROBERT MILLER
ELLIE BAKER
CHASE WOLFE
RAE DAVENPORT
ADAM DU PLESSIS
MIKEY MARMANN
MATTHEW BLUM
BRIANNA CLARK
KERRY D’JOVANNI
LAUREN ESSER
CHARLIE FUSARI
STEVEN GAGLIANO
JUSTIN GLASS
MATT HENNINGSEN
CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY
CONNOR KABAT
DEVYN TRONDSON
ELANA VALASTRO
SARAH WANG
CHANNING WEIR
ALEXANDRA KINSLEY
BETHANY McDONALD
ROBERT MILLER
BLAISE ROSSMANN
“Welcome to Hollywood” ................................................................................... Happy Man, Kit, Company
“Anywhere but Here” Vivian
“Something About Her” (preamble) .................................................................................................. Edward
“Welcome to Hollywood” (reprise) Happy Man
“Something About Her” ..................................................................................................................... Edward
“I Could Get Used to This” Vivian
“Luckiest Girl in the World” ............................................................................................. Vivian, Kit, Giulio
“Rodeo Drive” Kit, Company
“Anywhere but Here” (reprise) ............................................................................................................ Vivian
“On a Night Like Tonight” Happy Man, Company
“Don’t Forget to Dance” Happy Man, Scarlett, Company
“Freedom” Edward
“You’re Beautiful” Edward, Vivian, Company
“Entr’acte/Opening Act II” Happy Man
“This Is My Life” ................................................................................................................................. Vivian
“Never Give Up on a Dream” Happy Man, Kit, Company
“You and I” ......................................................................................... Edward, Alfredo, Violetta, Company
“I Can’t Go Back” Vivian
“Freedom” (reprise) Edward
“Long Way Home” Vivian, Edward
“Together Forever” Edward, Vivian, Happy Man, Kit, Company
SETTING: Hollywood—Once Upon a Time in the 1980s
THERE WILL BE ONE 20-MINUTE INTERMISSION.
ORCHESTRA
Conductor/Keyboard 1 SHANE FFRENCH
Associate
Conductor/Keyboard 2 MARY GRACE ELLERBEE
Guitar 1—BEN WEISE
Guitar 2—MICHAEL KARCHER
Bass—EVAN ZEGIEL
Drums—JOEL ANDERSON
Music Coordinator—TALITHA FEHR
Ableton/SPD Programmer—SAMMY MERENDINO
V-drum Programmer—KEVIN McNAUGHTON
Keyboard Programmer—RANDY COHEN, RANDY COHEN KEYBOARDS
Associate Keyboard Programmers—SAM STAROBIN, NICK SCHENKEL, TIM CROOK
“OH, PRETTY WOMAN” Written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees.
Published by Roys Boys LLC (BMI) and Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers and watches.
ELLIE BAKER (Vivian Ward). Theater: Bring It On (Campbell), Parade, Les Misérables (Fantine). TV: “Bull” (“Better Angels”), Neleah, CBS. She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a degree in musical theater. Thank you to About Artists Agency, her amazing parents and her wonderful family for always supporting her. “SO much love to Conner, Will, Joe and Ana—my home!” @theelliebaker.
CHASE WOLFE ( Edward Lewis ) is excited to be a part of the Pretty Woman team! OffBroadway: Xena: Warrior Musical (Kako). Other: Norwegian Cruiseline 1.0 Footloose (Cowboy Bob and Ren/Chuck u/s), Allerlierauh the Musical and Time Stops. More atchasethewolfe.com. IG: @chasethewolfe.
RAE DAVENPORT ( Kit De Luca ). Born and raised in Detroit, Mich., Rae was most recently seen as Aragon in Six (NCL). Pretty Woman marks her first national tour. Endless thanks goes to her loving family, and the village that brought her to this stage. @wanna_be_rach.
ADAM DU PLESSIS (Happy Man) is originally from South Africa. Pretty Woman is Adam’s fourth U.S. national tour. Career highlights include The Bridges of Madison County, The Last Five Years, Cats, Tootsie and the international tours of The Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You and Kinky Boots. For Kleintjie. @adamduples.
MIKEY MARMANN (Philip Stuckey). National tour debut! Credits include Tangled (Flynn Rider) and Frozen (Kristoff) with Disney Cruise Line, Escape to Margaritaville, West Side Story (Tony). B.F.A.: Molloy University/CAP21. Thanks to About Artists Agency, and to Mom and Dad for their endless support! MikeyMarmann.com. @MikeyMarmann.
MATTHEW BLUM (Ensemble). Born and raised in Marietta, Ga., Matthew has been in NYC for the past seven years. Tours: The Wizard of Oz . Regional: The Wedding Singer, Rock of Ages, A Christmas Story, An American in Paris. Thanks to his parents for being incredibly supportive and to Brian at HKA for being great! @matthewsblum!
BRIANNA CLARK ( Ensemble ). National tour debut! Favorite credits include T a les from Margaritaville, The Producers , Eve in Children of Eden. Graduated from CSUF with a B.F.A. in musical theater. She sends love to her family and friends. “Hi Mom and Dad!” @breeehapppy.
KERRY D’JOVANNI (Ensemble/David Morse) [he/him/Beyonce] is excited to be touring with Pretty Woman. “Thanks to my mom, family and
my chosen family for the love and support. Coming up, the premiere of my original play The H Word.” Credits: Kinky Boots; Celebrity, MSC and Holland America Cruise lines; Dreamgirls; Smokey Joe’s Cafe
LAUREN ESSER (Ensemble). First national tour! Philly native and Temple University B.F.A. musical theater alum. Select regional: Cinderella at The Walnut Street Theatre (Ella u/s), Bristol Riverside Theatre and Media Theatre. Thank you, family, friends, PW team and Stacy at YOU. laurenesser.com.
CHARLIE FUSARI ( Ensemble). National tour debut! Credits: Jersey Boys (Dodgers Theatricals), Kinky Boots (Engeman Theater). “Thanks to the FabFive, Shaun, Henley, Brody, RSO+AT, CJ, JW+AP, Holes, Ally Taylor, Michael Rodriguez and everyone else that has supported me along the way.” @charliefusari.
STEVEN GAGLIANO ( Ensemble/Alfredo ). National tour debut! NY credits include Funny Face . Regional: Fulton Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Gateway Playhouse, John W. Engeman Theater, Argyle Theatre and Surflight Theatre. TV/ film: “American Horror Story.” Many thanks Brian at HKA, James Pearson, family and friends for their love and support. @stevengagliano.
JUSTIN GLASS (Swing) is excited to be partying it up in Hollywood! National tours: Waitress, Elf the Musical. Other credits: Rock of Ages, Newsies, Grease, The Fantasticks, Spamalot. Proud Boston Conservatory alum. Thanks to the PW team. Love to friends, family and Mom! @justin_glass.
MATT HENNINGSEN ( Ensemble ) is making his tour debut! Matt holds a B.A. from SUNY Cortland. Regional: Newsies (Jack), Rent (Roger), Rock of Ages (Drew), Saturday Night Fever (Tony). Thanks to his friends and family for endless love and support. “For my two shining stars!” @_hennhenn_.
CHRISTIAN MAXWELL HENRY (Ensemble) [he/they]. National tour debut! Credits: Zodiac in The Interrobangers (Roundabout Theatre Company), Franz in Rock of Ages (Engeman Theater). “Thank you to my family; y’all are why I do what I do. Black Queer Lives Matter.” IG: @Christianhenry100.
CONNOR KABAT (Ensemble/Giulio). National tour debut! Binghamton native and a recent graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory’s B.F.A. musical theater program. Many thanks to Brian at HKA, as well as Connor’s professors, loved ones and the PW team. Shine your light! @connorkabat. connorkabat.com.
ALEXANDRA KINSLEY (Ensemble). Big! Huge! National tour debut! Alexandra is a recent graduate of Point Park University MT ’23 with a minor in dance. She’s especially thankful for her amazing family, friends, mentors and the Pretty Woman team for making this possible! @alexkinsleyy.
BETHANY McDONALD (Ensemble). National tour debut! Bethany is a British performer who moved to NYC to originate the lead role in Mike & Mindy’s Wild Weekend Jam (Off-Broadway).
Credits: Brilliance (Frances Farmer/originated role Off-Broadway), Six The Musical (NCL). Thanks to God, family, Bobbie and the Pretty Woman team! @bethanymcdonaldactor.
ROBERT MILLER ( Swing/Assistant Dance Captain ). Touring credentials: Tootsie (Swing, Asst. Dance Capt.). “Thank you, friends and family, for your undying support. Love yinz! Check out more on my website: robertbpmiller.com.”
BLAISE ROSSMANN ( Ensemble ) [he/they]. National tour debut! Blaise is a senior musical theater major at Syracuse University. Regional credits include MT Wichita, Theatre By The Sea and Syracuse Stage. “Love to Mom, Dad and everyone who has supported me along the way!” LINK Class 6. Instagram: @blaiserossmann.
TAYLOR M. SHEPPARD (Ensemble/Scarlett) is excited to be making her tour debut in a show that is based on her mom’s favorite movie. Regional: 42nd Street, Footloose, The Sound of Music. B.F.A Shenandoah Conservatory Class of ’23. Thanks to her parents, family and friends for their loving support. @taylor.m.sheppard. taylormsheppard.com.
DEVYN TRONDSON (Ensemble/Rachel). Kansas City native (go Chiefs!) and recent graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory ’23. Devyn is so excited to be making her national tour debut! All the love to her family and friends, she is endlessly thankful for your support. Enjoy! @devyntrondson.
ELANA VALASTRO ( Swing/Dance Captain ). Thrilled to be touring with Pretty Woman! National tour: Cats. Select regional credits: New London Barn Playhouse, Northern Stage, Saint Michael’s Playhouse. Oceania Marina Cruise. Cornell University. “Endless thanks to Mom, Dad, Laura, friends and my Vermont home.” @elanavalastro, elanavalastro.com.
SARAH WANG (Ensemble/Violetta) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut! She recently graduated from Boston University and is also a proud Texan girl. Endless thanks to the whole team, Pearson Casting and her loved ones for making this dream possible! IG: @_sarahwangg.
CHANNING WEIR ( Swing ) is honored to be making her national tour debut as a member of Swing Nation! Recent credits: Six (NCL Breakaway Alternate Boleyn, Cleves, Howard, Dance Captain), Footloose (The Rev). “Love and gratitude to my family, friends, and PMA Team.” Instagram: @channingweir.
BRYAN ADAMS ( Music & Lyrics ) has been recording and touring the world as a musician for four decades. The Grammy Award-winning singer/ songwriter has recorded 14 studio albums and his latest album, Shine A Light, was released in 2019. Pretty Woman is the first musical he has written, alongside Jim Vallance. Over the years, his music has achieved number one status in over forty countries. He has three Academy Awards and five Golden Globe nominations, not to mention he is also a Companion of the Order of Canada. Adams performs over one hundred concerts a year playing to audiences on six continents.
JIM VALLANCE ( Music & Lyrics ) has been active in the music industry since 1970. He initially worked as a studio musician, producer and arranger before turning his attention to songwriting. He has collaborated with a wide variety of artists, including Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Heart, Rick Springfield, Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner and Michael Bublé, to name a few. He’s been awarded numerous ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN awards for international radio airplay and dozens of Gold and Platinum album awards. He’s a recipient of the Order of Canada, that country’s highest civilian honor.
GARRY MARSHALL (Book) producer, director and writer of film, television and theater, made audiences laugh for five decades. Pretty Woman was the most successful of the 18 films he directed. It was his passion to make it a Broadway musical because he loved live theater. He was thrilled to work with J.F. Lawton again on this title. Before Garry passed away in 2016 he knew the wonderful creative team in place would make Pretty Woman the Musical a joyous reality. He dedicates this show to Barbara Sue Wells, his wife of 53 years. Garry’s family keeps his legacy alive at the theater he built in Burbank, Calif. @garrymarshalltheatre. garrymarshalltheatre.org.
J. F. LAWTON ( Book) has written screenplays for every major Hollywood studio in genres from comedy and romance to action and drama. His feature credits include Pretty Woman, Under Siege, Blankman, The Hunted, Chain Reaction and DOA: Dead or Alive. For Broadway, Lawton co-wrote the book for Pretty Woman: The Musical. His published works include the sci-fi novel Cosmic Ray’s Celestial Revival and his latest work is The Last
Writer. J. F. would like to thank his amazing wife and business partner, Paola Gambino Lawton, for rescuing him.
JERRY MITCHELL (Director/Choreographer). Tony Awards for Best Choreography: La Cage aux Folles (revival) and Kinky Boots (also nominated as Director). In addition to directing On Your Feet!, other Broadway choreography: Pretty Woman (Director/Choreographer); You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Full Monty (Tony nomination); The Rocky Horror Show; Hairspray (Tony nomination, West End and NBC telecast); Gypsy; Never Gonna Dance (Tony nomination); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony and West End Olivier nominations); La Cage aux Folles; Legally Blonde (Tony nomination and West End), which he also directed; and Catch Me If You Can. Thirty years ago, Jerry created and now continues to Executive Produce Broadway Bares, a yearly charitable global fundraiser benefit which has raised over $25,000,000 to date and for which accomplishment he received his third Tony earlier this year. Jerry’s next Broadway show will be Boop, opening its pre-Broadway run in Chicago later this year.
DB BONDS (Direction Recreation) is the worldwide associate director for Pretty Woman The Musical having been involved with the show on Broadway, Hamburg and the West End. He also holds the same position with Kinky Boots having been Jerry Mitchell’s associate for the past decade.
RUSTY MOWERY (Choreography Recreation). Thrilled to be working for Jerry Mitchell again! Associate Choreographer: Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. tour, London, Toronto, Seoul, Tokyo, Australia, Germany), Pretty Woman (London). Production Dance Supervisor: Hairspray Broadway/national tour, Toronto; Legally Blonde (London). Dancer on Broadway: Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Seussical, Ragtime and Cats. SDC member.
WILL VAN DYKE (Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations) is a Grammy-nominated music producer, songwriter, music supervisor, orchestrator and arranger working in theater, television and film. Will served as the Executive Music Producer for the film Theater Camp. Will is the Music Supervisor/Orchestrator/Arranger for the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors as well as Fly and Pretty Woman. Other: Kinky Boots, Rent, The Addams Family, Grease and Wicked. Will is also an accomplished composer. For more info and music: willvandyke.com or @wvdmusic.
DAVID ROCKWELL (Original Scenic Design).
Broadway: A Beautiful Noise, Into the Woods,
Pretty Woman, She Loves Me (Tony, Drama Desk and OCC awards), On the Twentieth Century (Tony nom.), You Can’t Take It With You (Tony nom.), Kinky Boots (Tony nom.), Lucky Guy (Tony nom.) and Hairspray (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC noms.). CHRISTINE PETERS ( Tour Scenic Design ). Credits: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tour, Tootsie tour, Elf tour, First Date, Mickey & Minnie’s Doorway to Magic. Broadway (associate designer): Bad Cinderella, King Kong Alive on Broadway, Miss Saigon, 1984, Paramour, Les Misérables, Testament of Mary, Jekyll & Hyde, The Book of Mormon, Newsies The Musical, The Addams Family, Elf, Bonnie & Clyde, The House of Blue Leaves, Elling, Enron, Mary Stuart, Cyrano de Bergerac, Chita Rivera.
GREGG BARNES (Costume Design). Broadway: Pretty Woman, Mean Girls (Tony nom.), Tuck Everlasting (Tony nom.), Something Rotten! (Tony nom.), Aladdin, Kinky Boots (Tony nom., Olivier Award), Follies (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Elf, Legally Blonde (Tony nom.), The Drowsy Chaperone (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Award, Olivier nom.), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Flower Drum Song (Tony nom.), Side Show. Other: Dreamgirls West End (Olivier nom.), Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Pageant (Olivier nom.), The Kathy and Mo Show . TDF Young Master Award.
KENNETH POSNER (Lighting Design) designs extensively Off-Broadway and for resident theaters and touring productions throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. Selected Broadway credits: One More Time, Mr. Saturday Night, Beetlejuice, Pretty Woman, War Paint, Tuck Everlasting, On Your Feet!, If/Then, Kinky Boots, Pippin, Cinderella, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde, The Coast of Utopia: Shipwrecked, Other Desert Cities, The Merchant of Venice, Side Man, Wicked . Recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle, Lucille Lortel and Obie awards.
PHILIP ROSENBERG ( Lighting Designer ). Broadway and West End: Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, The Elephant Man, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and It’s Only a Play. Regional: Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, The Guthrie, The Old Globe, Hartford Stage, Alliance, Huntington, The Alley, Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre, Goodspeed Opera and others.
JOHN SHIVERS (Sound Design). Shucked (Tony nominee), Beauty And The Beast, Pretty Woman, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, Kinky Boots (Tony Award), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Leap of Faith, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, Cat on
a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, In My Life, Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays. Other: Wicked, Tarzan, The Lion King, The Muny, Trading Places, The Wanderer, Becoming Nancy, Rock of Ages, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Harmony, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma
JOSH MARQUETTE (Hair Design). Some Like It Hot, The Prom, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Present Laughter, Dreamgirls, Paramour, Tuck Everlasting, School of Rock, Something Rotten!, Aladdin, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Trip of Love, First Date, Elf, Dogfight, The Best Man, Vanities, Look Back in Anger, The Drowsy Chaperone, Pig Farm, The...Trailer Park Musical, Altar Boyz, Show Boat, Mamma Mia! @josh_marquette.
FIONA MIFSUD (Makeup Design). Guild award nominee, NYC-based. Theater works include the Metropolitan Opera, associate designer for Broadway’s Paramour and The King and I. TV/ Film: “The Plot Against America,” “Prodigal Son,” Clerks III
PEARSON CASTING CSA CDG CDA (Casting). Six The Musical (Vaudeville Theatre, West End, London and U.K. national tour); Operation Mincemeat (Fortune Theatre, West End, London); Pretty Woman (U.S. national tour); Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World (U.K. national tour); Bluey’s Big Play (Southbank Centre, London and U.K. national tour); Lizzie The Musical (Hope Mill Theatre and U.K. national tour); Gypsy (The Mill at Sonning); Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountains Christmas Carol (Queen Elizabeth Hall); Cherry Jezebel (Liverpool Everyman Theatre); Rent (Hope Mill Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Shakespeare North Playhouse).
RANDY COHEN (Keyboard Programmer). Cohen Keyboards has programmed or provided keyboard tech services for over 100 Broadway shows, including Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Dear Evan Hansen, In the Heights and Kinky Boots. TV: “Sesame Street,” “Electric Company.” Thanks to Sam, Tim and Nick.
SHANE FFRENCH ( Music Director ). Born in Wexford, Ireland, studied at the Cork School of Music. In Ireland was the music director at Cork opera house and worked in TV (“The Voice”, “The Late Late Show”). Since coming to the U.S., Shane has worked on a number of touring shows: Cats, The Color Purple, Kinky Boots. Instagram @ffrenchshane.
MOLLY GOODWIN ( Production Stage Manager). Welcome to Hollywood! Inter/national tours: Tootsie, West Side Story (Stage Around Tokyo and US), Sister Act (Asia and US), The
Wizard of Oz, Ghost, Blast, Legally Blonde Entertainment Mgmt. for Holland America Line. Fave cred: Celine Dion’s A New Day: Live in Las Vegas. B.A. and M.F.A. To Kith and Kin, love and gratitude for roots and wings.
NATE COFFEY ( Assistant Stage Manager ). Excited to spend a year in Hollywood! Previous credits: Tootsie (national tour), Walnut Street Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. B.F.A. in stage management from Syracuse University. Thank you to Molly and everyone at Crossroads Live!
RACHAEL FFRENCH ( Company Manager ) is thrilled to be working on Pretty Woman. This is her fourth season with Crossroads Live. Past shows include The Color Purple and Cats. Rachael is also a professional photographer, and you can follow her touring photo journey on Instagram. @rdesign_photography_.
JOANNE HOLDEMAN ( Assistant Company Manager ). Previous national tours include My Fair Lady (Crossroads Live North America). Regional company management work includes the Utah Shakespeare Festival and San Diego Dance Theater. She holds a B.S. in arts management from Oklahoma City University. BYMB and DFTBA.
ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING ( Tour Marketing & Press ) is an integrated marketing agency working with the world’s largest entertainment, sports, consumer, and lifestyle brands, including 80+ Broadway shows over 25 years. Current tours: Ain’t Too Proud, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Funny Girl, Hadestown, The Kite Runner, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, Mrs. Doubtfire, Wheel of Fortune LIVE! Upcoming tours: Back to the Future, Elf, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Some Like It Hot.
THE BOOKING GROUP (Tour Booking Agency) has represented 28 Tony Award-winning Best Musicals and Plays. Current tours include The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Funny Girl, Hadestown, Hairspray, Hamilton, Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls, MJ The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, Six, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, To Kill A Mockingbird, Waitress and The Wiz. Future tours include A Wonderful World, How to Dance in Ohio, The Karate Kid, Parade, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Some Like It Hot and Sweeney Todd
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theaters from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952
by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theater as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theaters in the U.S. and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theater and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).
CROSSROADS LIVE (Producer) brings together some of the world’s top producers of live entertainment, now all under one banner. With offices in London, New York, Washington, D.C., Sydney and Melbourne, its global platform ensures the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End can be embraced by audiences around the world. Crossroads Live North America, under the leadership of Angela Rowles, is an innovative, fullservice theatrical production company delivering the Broadway experience to audiences in North America and beyond. The 2023–2024 season: Annie, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman, The Phantom of the Opera (China).
ANKIT AGRAWAL ( Producer ) of Chicago is a dedicated philanthropist, passionate supporter of the arts and a distinguished pharmaceutical executive. His Broadway portfolio boasts the Tony Award-winning production of Tootsie, marking his second triumphant touring debut. Ankit also serves on the board of Open Heart Magic.
JAYNA NEAGLE ( Executive Producer ). For Cirque du Soleil: ’Twas the Night Before, Paramour (Broadway, Hamburg); “The Wiz” (NBC production). For BASE Entertainment: Arrabal (Buenos Aires, Toronto), Jersey Boys (Johannesburg, Asian tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (São Paulo), The Lion King (Singapore), Jerry Mitchell’s Peepshow (Las Vegas), Wayne Brady: Making Sh%@ Up (Las Vegas).
ANDREW TERLIZZI (General Manager) comes to Crossroads Live after a 17-year touring career, 10 of which with TROIKA Entertainment. GM credits: My Fair Lady, Annie, Tootsie. CM credits: Tootsie, Escape to Margaritaville, Kinky Boots,
Bodyguard the Musical, Cheers Live on Stage, The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act the Musical, Ghost: The Musical, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, West Side Story. He holds a B.F.A. from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
GREGG DAMANTI ( Production Manager ). A 23-year theater veteran, Gregg started as a Production Stage Manager for Busch Gardens, and later became the Production Manager for Blue Man Group in NYC. Since joining Crossroads Live, national tour credits include the first national of On Your Feet!, Cats, the first national of Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady and now Pretty Woman
“Thanks to Jen and Ripley who I miss when on the road, and love coming home to them both.”
PRETTY WOMAN TOUR STAFF
For Crossroads Live North America
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jayna Neagle GENERAL MANAGER
Andrew Terlizzi
Associate General Manager Emily Miu
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Gregg Damanti
Assistant Production Manager ............ Drew Neitzey COMPANY MANAGER
Rachael Ffrench
Assistant Company Manager Joanne Holdeman
TOUR MARKETING & PRESS
ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING
Andrew Damer
Jennifer Gallagher Scott Praefke
Jessica Cary Davis Adina Hsu Amenkha Sembenu
Jessica Steans-Gail Emily Toppen Anne Waisanen alliedglobalmarketing.com
TOUR BOOKING AGENCY THE BOOKING GROUP
Meredith Blair
Rich Rundle Brian Brooks
Jonathan Pearson Maryruth Grabez thebookinggroup.com
CASTING PEARSON CASTING CSA CDG CDA
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER .....................
MOLLY GOODWIN
Assistant Stage Manager........................... Nate Coffey
Assistant Choreographer Em Hadick
Dance Captain ................................ Elana Valastro
Assistant Dance Captain Robbie Miller
Associate Tour Scene Design........ Frank McCullough
Production Carpenter D. Wade Jolly Fabricator........................................ Gary Chapman
Associate Lighting Designer
Kirk Fitzgerald
Assistant Lighting Designer ............ Isaac Anderson
Moving Light Programmer
Harrison Freni
Production Electrician ..................... Robert Virzera
Associate Sound Designer
Kevin Kennedy
Production Audio .................................. Matt Davis
Costume Coordinator Tess Weaver
Production Stitchers ........ Alix Phelan, Ryan Masline
Hair & Make Up Coordinator Deb Parr
Wig Prep Assistance ............................... Liz Printz
Keyboard Programmer
Randy Cohen
Assistant Keyboard Programmers..... Sam Starobin, Nick Schenkel, Tim Crook
V-Drum Programmer ................. Kevin McNaughton
Rehearsal Piano
Patrick Sulken
Production Assistant ............................ Molly Fryda
Technical Production Intern Mardelle Singleton
TOURING CREW
HEAD CARPENTER ........ LOGAN VANDERPOOL
Flyman
Jamie Campanelli
Head Props.............................. Jeremiah Spangler
Assistant Props Ani Inman
Head Electrician ......................
Brandon Hawkinson
Assistant Electrician Sam Owings
Head Audio ....................................
Assistant Audio
Wardrobe Supervisor .....................
Phillip Doumas
Joy Cheever
Jonathan Colon
Assistant Wardrobe .........................
Sydni Furtado
Head Hair & Makeup ..................Danielle Singletary
Physical Therapy NEUROTOUR Physical Therapy
Payroll Services ...................................... Paychex
Insurance
The Arts Insurance Program, LLC
Housing/Travel .... Road Rebel Entertainment Global
Merchandise Provider
Merchandise Manager
Creative Goods
Merchandise LLC
Robert Taylor
Social Media ....................... Think Tank Marketing/ Randy Blevins, Courtney Hayden
Production Photography .. Matt Murphy, Murphy Made
Backstage Photography
Richard Bowditch
For Crossroads Live North America
Chief Executive Officer ....................
Executive Producer
Angela Rowles
Jayna Neagle
Executive Producer ................................Kori Prior
Vice President of Finance
Vice President of People Operations ..................
Engagement Manager
Barrett Newman
Associate General Manager .....................Emily Miu
Assistant General Manager
Assistant Production Manager
Melanie Cahill
Suzayn MacKenzie-Roy
Assistant Production Manager ........... Drew Neitzey Warehouse Manager Coree Howard
Production Accounting Manager ......... Sheila Lewis
Production Accountant Travis Huebel
Staff Accountant ............................ Electra Walker
Executive Assistant to the CEO Alissa Klusky
Learn more about the Crossroads Live North America and our team: xroadslive.com/team/na
Scenery by TTS STUDIOS. Drops painted by SCENIC ARTS STUDIOS. Lighting equipment from PRG. Sound equipment by MASQUE. Rigging by CHRISTIE LITES. Rehearsal Studio: REDHOUSE ARTS CENTER in Syracuse, NY. Trucking by JANCO.
Pretty Woman rehearsed at Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, NY. Technical Rehearsals and Previews held at The Stanley Theatre in Utica, NY. Kenny Snyder and team at Express Signs, Frederick, MD.
To learn more about the production please visit prettywomanthemusical.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @PrettyWoman
Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).
The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.
United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.
Brian Jacob
Charisse Fontes
Vice President of Marketing Michael Yuen-Killick
Senior General Manager .................
Andrew Terlizzi
Director of Production Heather Chockley
Director of Booking and Engagements
Technical Director................................
Production Manager
General Manager .....................
Tyler Soltis
Dave Burch
Gregg Damanti
Deana Marie Kirsch
Made up of devoted, conscientious supporters of the arts, the members of 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.
Sharon Adams
Charlene Alford
Shelley Anderson
Sandra Barker
Belinda Barron
Susan Benson
Pamela Blackwell
Jenny Brettelle
Marie Brooks
Fran Brower
Ann Marie Buckner
Eleanor Buckner
Linda Bugh
Ethel Bush
Cynthia Cain
Lois Cain
Bobbie Carter
Laurie Carwile
Linda Cave
Ricky Chambers
Vivian Chambers
Eva Chappelle
John Chappelle
Theresa Clark
Janelle Cox
Amber Davis
Sharon Dennis
Eileen Edwards
Ruby Elder
Claire Fairchild
Debbie Faison
Mary Farley
Teri Lynn Ferentz
Glenn Fleming
Kathleen Foor
Dorothy Garza
Twakia George
Karla Gibbs
Laverne Golden
Stephanie Gudz
Cenneta Gunn
Patricia Haden
Linda Harvey
Sandra Hawthorne
Elizabeth Hedges
London Hedges
Brian Hickson
Denise Hickson
Mary Hightower
Claren Hill
Colette Hilliard
Creola Howard
Janet Jamieson
Lynette Jankowski
Gloria Johnson
Pauline I. Johnson
Carolyn Jones
Lorrie Kasych
Deborah King
Marilynn Lambert
Karen Lawburgh
Carol Lee
Audrey Lenig
James Lewis
Ann Carlisle
Laura Chandler
Pat Etemadi
Shirley Harris
Rachel Lewis
Suzanne Maynard
Barbara McCarty
Robert McCarty
Towanda McCray
Dennis McShurley
Judy Parham
Rufus Parham
Cynthia Parker
Verdis Parks
Valerie Porter-Boyce
Doretha PresleyBenson
Paulette Rameau
Ruth Reed-Dorsett
Beverly Riley
Kirk Roane
Sandra Roane
Martha Jane Roark
Dianne Robinson
Linda Rumold
Wanda Rutledge
Charmaine Samuels
Faye Sanford
Beverly Schlitzkus
Sandra Scott
Sabrina Shine
Nancy Shipman
Miriam Short
Nancy Sills
Louise Simmons
Mary Simonton
Jan Knowles
Patty Lin
Linda Nerness
Barbara Singleton
Sylvia Sledge
John Soltau
Tessie Soltau
Alice Spengler
Gail Stafford
John Stafford
Nancy Story
Verlyn Tamlin
Edweena Thomas
Corey Thompson
Karin Thompson
Rita Thompson
Silvia Thompson
Carolyn Tigner
Willie Tigner
Mike Turner
Sandi Voyles
Claudette Wade
Katherine Walker
Richard Walker
Meredith Walters
Geraldine Watson
Howard Watson
Matilda White
Stephanie Wiley
Carol Williams
Jane Wilson
Yulane Wilson
Patricia Young
Dolores Sanchez
Norman S. Easterbrook executive director
Stephanie Hunter president
Tom Titus past president
William Kendall ex officio
Brad Clements treasurer
Mollie Smith executive committee member at large
Joseph Brannan
Mike Burns
Adrian J. Chester
Joanne Cogle
Austin Gibson
Jeri Hawthorne
M. Scott Hill
Kayron Laska
John Laughbaum
Richard Sears
Glenda Sexton
John T. Sims
Cindy Sparks
Ty Webb
Steve White
Norman S. Easterbrook, Executive Director, CEO
Carrie Corbett, Director of Marketing
John (J.D.) Davis, Director of Production
Stefan Hagedorn, Director of Finance and Administration
Robin Peacock, Director of Facility and Event Operations
Jim Rutland, Director of Programming
Latisha Wells, Director of Patron and Customer Services
Stefan Hagedorn, Director of Finance and Administration
Shannon Preston, Finance Manager
Stephanie Conklin, Accounting Specialist
Berkley Beach, Executive Assistant
Rachel Elliott, Box Office Manager
Isabelle King, Box Office Assistant Manager
Kaitlin Hartley, Box Office Ticketing Associate
Sarah Osorio, Box Office Ticketing Associate
Cheryl Roberts, Development Assistant
Carrie Corbett, Director of Marketing
Lauren Bonaker, Marketing Manager
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
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
Jim Rutland, Director of Programming
Kayla Forgrave, ArtsReach Coordinator
The safety and well-being of our patrons, staff and artists remains RiverCenter’s top priority. We continue to monitor CDC Covid guidelines and area Covid cases and make updates as needed. RiverCenter continues its enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols and, at the current time, masks are welcomed, but not required for patrons or staff. Hand sanitizers are located throughout the lobby.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN THE PAST 15 DAYS: FEVER, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR OTHER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.
BOX OFFICE: The box office at RiverCenter, located at the corner of Broadway and Tenth Street, is open Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and exterior ticket window is open Saturdays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. It opens 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.
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
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 turn off devices such as cell phones and pagers. 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.
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.
DIGITAL PROGRAMS: Digital versions of programs for performances found in the printed Applause book are now available to view on your mobile phone. Use the QR code, or visit rivercenter.org and click “Digital Programs” on the home page menu, or click the “More Info” button on the event and click the link in the show description.
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.
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.
BILL HEARD THEATRE, STUDIO
THEATRE, AND/OR LEGACY HALL: Call 706.256.3607 regarding availability of specific dates on the RiverCenter master calendar. Complete rental fees and policies can be found on rivercenter.org.
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.
The RiverCenter box office has tickets available for these series and events: Broadway on Broadway, Center Stage, RiverCenter ArtsReach, ArtsReach Matinees, The Wave Theatre Organ Series and the Family Series. Tickets also are available for programs presented by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, CSU Schwob School of Music, and various third-party presenters. The box office accepts cash, and all major credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets may be purchased at the box office, by telephone 706.256.3612 or with order forms in RiverCenter publications and mailings. Season subscriptions can be purchased with savings up to 30% off single seat prices.
MY SERIES PACKAGE: Tickets to RiverCenter events may be purchased at a 20% savings as a My Series Package. A My Series Package consists of at least one ticket to at least five events per patron.
GIFT CERTIFICATES: Available yearround in any dollar amount at the RiverCenter box office.
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 rivercenter.org
TICKETS AT THE DOOR: Tickets to events that are not sold-out 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.