Performances Magazine | San Diego Symphony, March 2022

MARCH 2022

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MAGAZINE

contents P1 Program Cast, performances, who’s who, director’s notes, donors and more.

4 In the Wings A dance musical at La Jolla Playhouse; Monet to Matisse at San Diego Museum of Art; and San Diego Opera’s Roméo et Juliette.

10 Local

Music Spotlight Bach Collegium San Diego presents a very special, world-premiere concert series: Handel’s Messiah, translated in Spanish.

13 Dining Your dining guide for the spring season, including Wormwood uptown, Rare Society in Solana Beach and Urbana in Del Mar.

FROM TOP: WORMWOOD SCALLOPS BY ARLENE IBARRA; BACH COLLEGIUM BY GARY PAYNE

24 Parting Shot Founded in 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra, the landmark Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is especially lovely during springtime.

13 10

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 1

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IN T H E W IN GS

Roméo et Juliette opens March 26 at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

OPERA

IT’S THE MOST TRAGIC love story of all time, retold by French composer Charles Gounod in sweeping operatic fashion. San Diego Opera brings us Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Roméo et Juliette (sung in French with English translations above the stage)—March 26 and 29; and April 1 and 3. We know the story: Two young, starcrossed lovers in Verona secretly marry and seal their fate, brought to fruition by their feuding, rival families, the Capulets and Montagues. Making their company debuts, powerful tenor Pene Pati stars as Roméo, with soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan as Juliette. The cast also includes Adrian Kramer as Tybalt, Yunpeng Wang as Mercutio, Colin Ramsey as Count Capulet, Simon Lim as Friar Laurent and Sarah Coit as Stéphano. Yves Abel conducts, with dazzling stage direction by Matthew Ozawa. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, sdopera.org

4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

DAN NORMAN

THUS, WITH A KISS . . .

“Harold Pinter’s masterpiece is first-rate.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES CRITIC’S PICK

MARCH 2 – 27

Directed by David Ellenstein

Often regarded as Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter’s most enduring play, this masterwork of family warfare is set in an all-male household that relies on fantasy and one-upmanship for its very existence. This toxic, but familiar pattern is disrupted when a long-absent son returns with his new wife. Her presence ignites an explosive situation, one that is vicious, funny, and unsettling. Tony Award-winner for Best Play.

Suitable for mature audiences only.

“Startling...highly entertaining.”

— THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

MARCH 31 – APRIL 10 Limited run.

858-481-1055 | NORTHCOASTREP.ORG

ART

Henri Matisse, View of Antibes, 1925, oil on canvas, Bemberg Foundation

EUROPEAN ARRIVAL EXPLORE MORE THAN 60 masterful works—created between the 1870s and 1930s by some of the most significant European artists in history—in Monet to Matisse: Impressionist Masterpieces from the Bemberg Foundation, March 19-Aug. 7. San Diego Museum of Art presents the Bemberg Foundation’s exquisite collection—marking the first time it has traveled to California from its permanent home in

6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

France. (It’s also one of only two showcases in the U.S.) The exhibit showcases paintings

by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Pablo Picasso, Alfred Sisley, Henri Matisse, Raoul Dufy and Pierre Bonnard. The pieces were collected by Argentine-French writer and musician Georges Bemberg (1915-2011)—one of the finest art collections in Europe. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931, sdmart.org

Pierre Bonnard, Nude in a Tub, 1903, oil on canvas, Bemberg Foundation

FROM TOP: © 2022 SUCCESSION H. MATISSE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK; © 2022 ARS, NEW YORK

IN T H E W IN GS

WATER BY THE SPOONFUL WATER BY THE SPOONFUL WATER BY THE SPOONFUL WATER BY THE Tickets: 619.337.1525 www.cygnetthreatre.org

IN T H E W IN GS

Playhouse Premiere

8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

PREPARE TO FALL in love with bhangra —a traditional folk dance that originated in the Majha area of Punjab, India—with La Jolla Playhouse’s world premiere of Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical, March 8-April 17. Based on the book by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza—with music by Sam Willmott—the musical takes us to Michigan, where we meet college senior Mary Darshini Clarke. A dancer on the school’s esteemed bhangra team (who has long struggled to “fit in”), she appoints herself captain of a new team of amateur dancers. As a national competition looms, the pressure rises. Stafford Arima directs. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

FROM TOP: TRUDIE LEE, COURTESY LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

MUSICAL

Bhangin’ It director Stafford Arima; the world-premiere dance musical’s cast.

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LOC A L MUS I C S P OTLIGHT

Bach Collegium Premieres Handel’s Famous Oratorio, Newly Translated in Spanish

by STEPHANIE THOMPSON OME WORKS OF ART become so beloved that they are ubiquitous. They enter the global public consciousness as something we’ve always known without really thinking about it. Handel’s Messiah is one of those pieces in the canon of classical music that is inescapable. Its “Hallelujah Chorus” is a cultural meme—instantly recognizable, whether indicating spiritual grace or a cartoonish light-bulb moment.

Written in English by a German composer who had made his fame writing Italian operas, Messiah is known by people all over the world but rarely heard sung in their own native tongues. For Spanish speakers on both sides of our border, though, that will change this month as Bach Collegium San Diego (BCSD)—one of the country’s leading early music ensembles—premieres a new translation of Messiah they commissioned.

10 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL MARCH 8 – APRIL 17

Find your beat. Find your team.

Find yourself.

Bach Collegium performing at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

BOOK BY

MIKE LEW AND REHANA LEW MIRZA

MUSIC & LYRICS BY

SAM WILLMOTT

ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY

DEEP SINGH

No one could have predicted Messiah would be such a smash hit when it premiered in Dublin in 1741. The composer, George Frideric Handel, was born in Germany and worked in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he spent the bulk of his career. In 1737, he began composing choral works in English, and after his

MUSICAL STAGING BY

LISA SHRIVER

CHOREOGRAPHY BY

RUJUTA VAIDYA DIRECTED BY

ALL PHOTOS BY GARY PAYNE

beat. eam. elf.

/CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

STAFFORD ARIMA Sponsored by

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LaJollaPlayhouse.org PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 11

The Artistic Director’s Circle

Season Sponsors

Brian & Silvija Devine Theodor S. & Audrey S. Geisel Fund Jeanne Herberger Joan & Irwin Jacobs Sheri L. Jamieson Rebecca Moores Foundation Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Karen & Jeffrey Silberman Steven Strauss & Lise Wilson

Weston Anson - In Loving Memory of Susan Bailey Anson, Denise & Lon Bevers, Gail & Ralph Bryan, The Estate of Pauline Foster, The Fredman Family, Lynn Gorguze & The Honorable Scott Peters, Kay & Bill Gurtin, Debby & Hal Jacobs, Lynelle & William Lynch, Perlmeter Family Foundation, The Rich Family Foundation, Molli Wagner, Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust

MARCH 8 – APRIL 17, 2022

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P1

La Jolla Playhouse’s 2021/2022 subscription season is dedicated to Audrey S. Geisel.

A MESSAGE FROM THE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Dear Friends, So many projects get submitted to us each year for consideration, most of them through traditional means: literary agents, directors, playwrights, producers and colleagues at other theatres. Sometimes, though, there’s a special kind of kismet that brings a project into our world.

When Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza were artists-in-residence at the Playhouse in our 2018/19 season, they spent a lot of time here working on a trilogy of plays we’d commissioned them to write. One day, they happened to mention they were also in the process of working on a new musical with Sam Willmott and Deep Singh, and wondered whether we might be interested in helping support its development.

In August 2018, we hosted a weeklong workshop for Bhangin’ It. It culminated in a final presentation at which all of us at the Playhouse promptly fell in love with the show. The world of intercollegiate bhangra competitions is a fascinating setting for a musical, as it plays directly into our American cultural obsession with competitions. (I’m currently bingeing season two of Cheer as I write this.)

But what elevates Bhangin’ It is that the competition storyline – as delightful as it is – is also a vessel for a sweet, funny, thoughtful and deeply relevant story about intersectional identities, and how thorny and complicated the questions of who we are and where we belong truly are. And yet everything unfolds with an unfettered sense of joy in the rich possibilities inherent in the many strands of our selves.

So much of that is thanks to the fantastically kinetic choreography that dominates the show, courtesy of Ruj, Lisa and Anushka. The show’s layering of dance styles – including Bhangra, Kathak, Bollywood and more – is a perfect illustration of the collision of cultural identities that drives the story.

Shepherding this amazing team with his customary grace, compassion and fierce dramaturgical eye is Stafford Arima. It’s a true pleasure to steal Stafford away from his home as artistic director of Theatre Calgary for a couple of months.

It’s fitting to close our shortened 2021/22 season – our first season back after everything our world has endured – with such an unbridled celebration of the ways musical theatre can move and inspire us. Thank you for joining us today.

CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY THE RICH FAMILY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT La Jolla Playhouse acknowledges the land on which our theatres sit as the unceded territory of the KUMEYAAY NATION. Today, the Kumeyaay people continue to maintain their political sovereignty and cultural traditions as vital members of the San Diego community. Their contributions to our region are tremendous and we thank them for their stewardship.

P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS Christopher Ashley The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse

Debby Buchholz Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse

BOOK BY

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

MIKE LEW AND REHANA LEW MIRZA

SAM WILLMOTT

ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY

DEEP SINGH

MUSICAL STAGING BY

LISA SHRIVER

CHOREOGRAPHY BY

RUJUTA VAIDYA DIRECTED BY

STAFFORD ARIMA A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE HUNTINGTON FEATURING

ARI AFSAR*, ARYAAN ARORA*, BILAAL AVAZ*, JESSE BHAMRAH*, BRANDON CONTRERAS*, LAURA DADAP*, HENRY WALTER GREENBERG‡, JASON HEIL*, TERRANCE JOHNSON*, JAYA JOSHI*, MADISON MCBRIDE*, NIKKI MIRZA*, ANU MYSORE*, AMEY NATU, ALKA NAYYAR*, ZAIN PATEL, DEVI PEOT, VINITHRA RAJ*, RAMITA RAVI*, GERRY TONELLA, LEVIN VALAYIL* MUSIC DIRECTOR BHANGRA SPECIALIST SCENIC DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN SOUND DESIGN PROJECTION DESIGN HAIR AND MAKEUP DESIGN DANCE AND VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS ORCHESTRATIONS DRAMATURG CASTING STAGE MANAGER ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS PRODUCTION MANAGER GENERAL MANAGER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

MADELINE BENSON ANUSHKA PUSHPALA ROBERT BRILL LINDA CHO AMITH CHANDRASHAKER JONATHAN DEANS DAVID BENGALI ALBERTO “ALBEE” ALVARADO DEEP SINGH, SAM WILLMOTT JUSTIN GOLDNER AND DEEP SINGH NATASHA SINHA CALLERI/JENSEN/DAVIS; JACOLE KITCHEN JULIANNE MENASSIAN* ALYSSA SWANN*, ANDREW GUTIERREZ* BECCA DUHAIME RYAN MEISHEID ERIC KEEN-LOUIE

This production of Bhangin’ It was produced with support from Mara Isaacs and Tom Kirdahy Bhangin’ It was developed with the support of Project Springboard: Developing Dance Musicals residency; Rhinebeck Writers Retreat; the Orchard Project, a program of The Exchange (www.exchangenyc.org); the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals; the Mellon Foundation’s National Playwright Residency Program administered in partnership with HowlRound; the Jerome FoundationMAGAZINE and Ma-Yi TheaterP3Company.

PERFORMANCES

THE CAST (in alphabetical order)

Mary.................................................................................................................................................................Ari Afsar* Mohan..................................................................................................................................................... Aryaan Arora* Amit..............................................................................................................................................................Bilaal Avaz* Gobind................................................................................................................................................. Jesse Bhamrah* Billy............................................................................................................................................... Brandon Contreras* Constance.................................................................................................................................................Laura Dadap* Noah.....................................................................................................................................Henry Walter Greenberg‡ Wallace.........................................................................................................................................................Jason Heil* Jake................................................................................................................................................. Terrance Johnson* Sunita........................................................................................................................................................... Jaya Joshi* Lily................................................................................................................................................... Madison McBride* Shetal.........................................................................................................................................................Anu Mysore* Big Bob.........................................................................................................................................................Amey Natu* Rekha........................................................................................................................................................ Alka Nayyar* Varun..............................................................................................................................................................Zain Patel* New Mary...................................................................................................................................................... Devi Peot* Preeti...........................................................................................................................................................Vinithra Raj* Shilpa......................................................................................................................................................... Ramita Ravi* Swings.................................................................................................... Nikki Mirza*, Gerry Tonella, Levin Valayil* Bhangin' It: A Bangin' New Musical will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

UNDERSTUDIES Gobind..........................................................................Aryaan Arora*

Mary/Shetal/Shilpa..............................................................Devi Peot

Preeti/Rehka.................................................................. Anu Mysore* Understudies are never substituted for listed roles unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.

ADDITIONAL STAFF Associate Director..............................................................Jenn Rapp

Costume Assistant (India)........ Krisna Krishnankutty, Pranav Sood

Associate Music Director...........................................Lyndon Pugeda

Costume Design Assistant......................................... Eui-Hyun Song‡

Associate Choreographer/Musical Staging..................Graham Keen

Lighting Design Assistant ............................................... Taylor Olson

Associate Choreographer.....................................Anushka Pushpala

Lighting Design Assistant.............................................. Harry Foster‡

Associate Scenic Designer........................................Justin Humpres

Stage Management Assistant..................................... Emily Searles‡

Associate Costume Designer.......................................Herin Kaputkin

Production Assistant.......................................................... Alex Luong

Associate Lighting Designer...................................... Brandon Rosen

Dance Captains............................................Devi Peot, Ramita Ravi*

Associate Sound Designer................................................ Brian Hsieh

Casting and Cultural Consultants.................................. SRC Partners

Associate Projection Design/Animator................Alessandra Cronin

South Asian PR and Marketing..................... Box Office Guru Media

Assistant Director..............................................................Nikki Mirza

People and Culture Consultants............Cornerstone Consulting HR

Resident Scenic Design Assistant .......................... Jonathan Gilmer

Dialect Coaches............................... Meetu Chilana, Sanjiv Jhaveri

Scenic Design Assistant.........................................Elizabeth Barrett‡ P4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I Bhangin' It....................................................................................................................................... Amit, Mary, Preeti, Company More Than Enough ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Mary, Sunita, Company If This Were a Thing ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Wood Ducks Stamp It Out ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Preeti, TIGRES Ishq Ko Kal Mein Khojiye (The Momtra) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Mary, A Voice, Company More Than Enough (Reprise) ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Sunita, Mary Khaana, Khaana �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Rekha, Delivery Crew Toledo ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Billy, Mary The Balle Balle / Baile Baile Ballet ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Company ACT II Save Our Team �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Wood Ducks, TIGRES Commit...........................................................................................................................................................Mary, Billy, Company Cleaning Up ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Rekha Erase You ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Mary, Company Dhol Jam ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������TIGRES Eat Each Other ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Amit, Sunita The Threeprise ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Company Erase You (Reprise) ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Preeti, Mary Yesterday-Tomorrow ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Company

ORCHESTRA Conductor/Keyboard 1 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Madeline Benson Keyboard 2 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Lyndon Pugeda Bansuri/Flutes �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Anders Bostrom Electric, Acoustic Guitars/Mandolin ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Melanie Medina Electric Bass ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Jamie Townsend Dhol/Tabla/Additional Drums and Percussion ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Deep Singh Orchestra Contractor �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Lorin Getline

MUSICAL STAFF Keyboard Programmer ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Taylor Williams Electronic Music Programmer, Track Production ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Scott Wasserman Guitar Programmer ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Dillon Kondor Copyist ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Joseph Trefler Assistant Copyist ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Charlie Glaudini Music Assistant �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Rebecca Murillo

*

Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association.

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 122.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

La Jolla Playhouse is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for the nonprofit professional theatre.

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE. All musicians are represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 325 San Diego.

‡

UC San Diego M.F.A. Candidates in residence at La Jolla Playhouse.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P5

THE COMPANY ARI AFSAR*, Mary is a singer, songwriter and storyteller. A graduate of Ethnomusicology from UCLA, Afsar recently released her album distributed by Sony Masterworks. She is the composer of the Broadway-bound show We Won’t Sleep, as named

by Playbill. Afsar has opened for Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, Misty Copeland, Michelle Kwan, Ani DiFranco and Bryan Stevenson. Her credits include starring in the Netflix original movie Wedding Season; composing for Sony’s upcoming movie Lyle Lyle Crocodile, starring Javier Bardem and Constance Wu; originating Eliza in Chicago's Hamilton; winning Miss California 2010; placing top 10 at Miss America 2011; winning the Lyricist Award at The O'Neill NMTC; and placing top 36 on American Idol. She is the co-founder of "Until We Do It," which provided a million masks to communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in 2021.

ARYAAN ARORA*, Mohan/Understudy: Gobind is an Indian-American artist and entrepreneur making his theatrical debut in Bhangin’ It. Currently studying at New York University, he is also the Co-Founder & President of The Arora Company. His film and television credits include CBS Studios’ Bull, ABC’s What Would You Do?, 27 Candles, Deli Boy and more. He has also been heavily involved in Brand Partnerships throughout the year with companies such as Mountain Dew, Axe, FIFA and Canoo. Arora is signed with Stewart Talent Agency and is managed by Prestige Management and Serendipity Entertainment.

BILAAL AVAZ*, Amit is a Pakistani-American artist and activist making his theatrical debut in Bhangin' It! Bilaal has been working in the television and film industry since he was 16, having worked with actors like Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Mariska Hargitay and Tina Fey. Bilaal's television credits include Law & Order: SVU, NBC's Girls5Eva, multiple Super Bowl commercials and being a top contestant on ABC's American Idol. Bilaal is presently on full academic scholarship at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts as a part of the Dean's Scholar program.

JESSE BHAMRAH*, Gobind La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Regional: As You Like It (Guthrie Theatre); An Enemy of the People (Goodman Theatre); A Christmas Carol, Disgraced, Jane Eyre (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); Last Stop on Market Street (Chicago Children's Theater); A Christmas Carol (Indiana Repertory Theater). Much love to his family in Virginia and to Erin and Madam! IG: jessebhamrah

P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

BRANDON CONTRERAS*, Billy (They/He) is thrilled to be making their La Jolla Playhouse debut surrounded by these incredible artists.

TV: WeCrashed (Apple TV+); Mr. Robot (USA); Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (Comedy Central). New York/Regional: Almost Famous (PreBroadway); Road Show (City Center Encores!); Jerry Springer: The Opera (The New Group); The Connector (NYTW); Our Lady of 121st Street (Off-Broadway); The Play That Goes Wrong (PTC) and The Hamilton Mixtape (Public Theater).

They were also seen in the 1st national tour of In the Heights and at various regional theaters around the country. Along with performing, Brandon is a director, filmmaker and choreographer for multiple collaborative projects. They are the co-creator, co-writer and executive producer of the Queer Sketch platform The HomoSapien Experience. With over 1.5 million followers across all social media platforms, they have been featured on E! News, Logo TV and have been nominated for a Queerty Award in Digital Entertainment. BrandonContreras.com - @OhHey_ Brandon, @TheHomoSapienExperience on all platforms. This performance is for my biggest fan in the sky, Grandma Carmen.

LAURA DADAP*, Constance Off-Broadway: Oratorio for Living Things (Ars Nova); Voca People. International/National Tour: Voca People and Nickelodeon Presents: Storytime Live!. Regional: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Arkansas Rep); Agent 355 (Chautauqua Theater Company). Laura is dedicated to cultivating activism and the arts in collaboration through music and storytelling. Proud graduate of Emerson College’s B.F.A. Acting program and a founding member of Macabre Americana, a folk fusion band that sheds light on the dark side of American history. In her spare time, Laura and her husband own and operate Djablo Sauce, the first Filipino hot sauce to be manufactured in the United States that packs a mighty punch! www.lauradadap.com HENRY WALTER GREENBERG‡, Noah Regional: The Undeniable Sound of Right Now (Raven Theatre); Buried Child (Writers Theatre), Ideation (Jackalope Theatre; Jeff nomination for Best Ensemble); Masque Macabre (Strawdog Theatre); Cyrano (BoHo Theatre); Wastwater (Steep Theatre); Lord of the Flies, The Spark (WaterTower Theatre); Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (Stage West). UC San Diego: Twelfth Night, End Days (WNPF ‘21), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, HEAP, Ironbound. Directing: Miles for Mary, Dial Q for Quarantine (UCSD). Education: B.F.A. Baylor University, Second City Conservatory (Chicago), M.F.A. Candidate, UC San Diego. Henry also served as the Literary Manager at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago (2016-19).

THE COMPANY JASON HEIL*, Wallace La Jolla Playhouse: Zhivago (Page-to-Stage and world premiere). Off-Broadway: Sea of Souls.

Regional: Twelfth Night, Plaid Tidings (Old Globe); Mother Road, Sweat, Beachtown, Hand to God, Violet, Clybourne Park, A Christmas Carol (SD Rep); Arkansas and Tennessee Repertory Theatres; Capital Stage; A.C.T.; A Noise Within, and nine seasons with the Utah, Lake Tahoe, Marin and Texas Shakespeare Festivals.

Other San Diego: 20+ shows with Lamb’s Players Theatre; Noises Off, Cabaret (Cygnet); Passion, Angels in America (ion theatre company); Art (Intrepid); School for Lies, Dracula (North Coast Rep); Three Days of Rain (Compass); Lion in Winter (Moonlight). www.jasonheil.com TERRANCE JOHNSON*, Jake is so grateful to be a part of the Bhangin' It family!

His performance credits include: Dreamgirls (C.C. White) on national/international tour; Once on This Island (Ti Moune) at FIPAP; Disney Cruise Lines (Simba). Regional: Tick, Tick… Boom, The America Play, A Christmas Carol (Triad Stage); Rent, The Producers, For the Glory (Flat Rock Playhouse). You can also catch Terrance as Joey Indigo in the musical mockumentary Happy Yummy Chicken! on Amazon Prime. He sends much love to his friends, family and husband for their unending support!

JAYA JOSHI*, Sunita (they/any) La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Education: B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory (2019). Thank you Mom, Dad, Pria, Riley, Arjun, Aman, Rachna Chachi and Rohit Chacha.

MADISON MCBRIDE*, Lily is a new graduate of the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Class of 2021 from Atlanta, GA. She couldn’t be more excited to be making her La Jolla Playhouse debut! Credits: Beauty and the Beast (Ann Arbor in Concert) and Godspell (UofM).

She’d like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support! @madison_mcb NIKKI MIRZA*, Swing is delighted to return to the Playhouse. Originally from Southern California, she’s worked with La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, The Barn Stage Company, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Legoland and more. She’s now based in Washington D.C. and has worked with NextStop Theatre Company, 1st Stage, Adventure Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Levine Music and more. She recently directed Every Brilliant Thing at NextStop Theatre Company before making her way to La Jolla for Bhangin’ It! She’s so humbled and blessed to be a part of telling a story that both explores and celebrates her identity and culture.

Proverbs 16:3

ANU MYSORE*, Shetal/Understudy: Preeti/Rekha is thrilled to be making her La Jolla Playhouse debut in the world premiere of Bhangin' It! Anu is an NYC-based actor/singer/dancer/choreographer and a graduate of Pace University's theatre program. As a first-generation Indian American, Anu is especially passionate about creating South Asian fusion art while supporting South Asian artists. In addition to being a performer, Anu is a Bollywood and Classical dance instructor and has had the privilege of nurturing the talent of hundreds of students. Anu is so grateful for the love and support of her castmates, team, family, friends and students, and is proud to be here doing it for the culture. @anumysore_ AMEY NATU, Big Bob is debuting on the professional musical theatre stage in Bhangin’ It. Amey’s artistic background also includes dancing for Da Real Punjabiz, San Diego’s competitive Bhangra team; dancing for Raas Ruckus, UCSD’s competitive Raas-Garba team; and singing for Sitaare, UCSD’s competitive South Asian a cappella team. Aside from his artistic endeavors, Amey works as a Performance Analyst for TuSimple, an AI company developing self-driving semi-trucks for interstate commercial travel. He hopes that those who watch Bhangin’ It not only enjoy its creativity, but also are touched by its message.

ALKA NAYYAR*, Rekha (she/hers) Thrilled to debut with La Jolla Playhouse and the Bhangin’ It team, Alka’s selected theatre work includes: The Jungle Book (Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Central Square Theater, Hanover Theatre); A Disappearing Number (TimeLine Theatre); Merchant on Venice (Silk Road Rising); The Masrayana (Joseph Jefferson-nominated choreography), A Widow of No Importance, A Nice Indian Boy (Rasaka Theatre); Great Expectations (Remy Bumppo/Silk Road); Multitudes, A Passage to India (Vitalist Theatre). TV: NBC’s Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD; Code-Switched. Film: Hala, The Miseducation of Bindu. A University of Chicago alum and a PR consultant, she also promotes South Asian cultural awareness and teaches Indian dance as Co-Artistic Director of Chicago’s Chitrahar Cultural Academy and through the Old Town School of Folk Music. Alka has taught at Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet, and serves as Communications Director for Token Theatre. With gratitude for pops and family. @alka.selza ZAIN PATEL, Varun La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Regional: Mamma Mia (Laguna Playhouse). Tours: Stories: Our American Journey. Voiceover: Apple’s Group Facetime commercial. Favorite performance moment was performing with Pharrell Williams at the 2014 Academy Awards! Education: B.A. Drama from UC Irvine. Thank you to the creative team, fellow cast, parents, sisters, close friends and manager Robert Barnes for the tremendous support.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P7

THE COMPANY DEVI PEOT, New Mary/Understudy: Mary/Shetal/Shilpa (she/her) is an Atlanta native who is honored to join the cast of Bhangin' It. Special thanks to Rehana, Mike, Sam and Deep for writing a story that breaks the mold. OUMT. Immense gratitude to her family, Ben, Take 3 Talent, and the creative and casting team. This is for the community, for Paati. @devipeot VINITHRA RAJ*, Preeti is thrilled to be making her debut with La Jolla Playhouse. She is classically trained in Carnatic singing and Bharatanatyam dance. She is a member of SAG and can be seen on Empire (FOX) as well as in various commercials. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Biomedical Informatics from The University of Chicago. When she is not performing, she works as a software engineer and model. She would like to thank Amma, Appa, Anagha, Chris Misik and Gray Talent.

RAMITA RAVI*, Shilpa is a UPenn alum and performing artist. Signed with Bloc Talent Agency NY/LA, she was the first South Asian to be featured on So You Think You Can Dance (S’14), with credits including the feature film Spinning Gold, John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, NYFW with Hermès, TNT’s I Am the Night, Viceland, NOWThis, ClassPass Live, Aida and Mystic India World Tour. She has choreographed for Miss America 2021, Raveena, KSHMR, DanceOn and Capezio, and tours with various dance conventions. She co-founded Artswrk, the professional network for artists and creatives, and is passionate about creating equitable and innovative creative industries.

GERRY TONELLA, Swing La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Regional credits include: Pablo in Sister Act (SDMT, Moonlight); Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity (Welk Resort); Anselmo/Sancho u.s. in Man of La Mancha (SDMT). Theme Parks: Legoland, Disneyland Resort. TV: Selena: The Series (Netflix). Education: B.A. from the University of San Diego.

LEVIN VALAYIL*, Swing La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Off-Broadway: Bhuvan in Bollywood and Vine (The Lion Theater). Other regional credits include: Lottery in Monsoon Wedding (Berkeley Rep); Sir Lionel/Tom in Camelot (Asolo Rep); Dharun Ravi in Poster Boy (Williamstown Theater Festival); Mowgli in Jungle Book (Canada/US Tour, Pasadena Playhouse, Asolo Rep); Man #1/Monty u/s in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Florida Studio Theater); Bob in The Fabulous Lipitones (Florida Studio Theater, Virginia Rep). Education: M.F.A. from Boston Conservatory, B.M. from Berklee College of Music. www.levinvalayil.com

P8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

MIKE LEW, Co-Librettist is beyond thrilled to return to La Jolla Playhouse, his hometown theatre. Previous collaborations with the Playhouse include serving as the 2018/19 Artist-in-Residence and a commission for The Colonialism Project (both with Rehana Lew Mirza), and the west coast premiere of his play Tiger Style! (also at Olney, Huntington and Alliance). His other plays include Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi at the Public, Donmar Warehouse, Woolly Mammoth, Huntington, Pasadena Playhouse); Bike America (Ma-Yi, Alliance) and microcrisis (Ma-Yi, InterAct). He and Rehana are joint Mellon Foundation Playwrights-in-Residence at Ma-Yi Theater. Mike is a Dramatists Guild Council member, Tony voter and New Dramatists resident. Honors: Guggenheim, Lark Venturous and NYFA fellowships; Kleban, Richard Rodgers, PEN, Lanford Wilson, Helen Merrill, Heideman and Kendeda Awards.

Education: Juilliard, Yale, La Jolla High.

REHANA LEW MIRZA, Co-Librettist Previous collaborations with La Jolla Playhouse include serving as the 2018/19 Artist-in-Residence and a commission for The Colonialism Project (both with Mike Lew). Her plays include: Hatefuck (2019 production at Colt Coeur and WP Theater); A People’s Guide to History in the Time of Here and Now (Primary Stages commission; workshop production: AMDA); Soldier X (productions: Ma-Yi, Brooklyn College; 2015 Kilroys List; NYSCA/ Lark commission); Tomorrow Inshallah (Storyworks/HuffPost commission; production: Living Room Theater, Kansas City); Neighborhood Watch (NNPN/InterAct commission); and Barriers (productions: Desipina, Asian American Theater Company).

Honors include: Kleban Award, NYFA Fellow, Richard Rodgers Award, HBO Access Fellow, Lilly Award (Stacey Mindich “Go Write A Play”) and a TCG/New Georges Fellowship. She and Mike also share a Mellon Foundation National Playwright residency administered in partnership with Howlround at Ma-Yi Theater. M.F.A.: Columbia University; B.F.A.: NYU Tisch.

SAM WILLMOTT, Composer/Lyricist/Co-Arranger Projects include Yo, Vikings! and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre's Wake Up, Daisy! (both with Marcus Stevens); the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary Song of Parkland; Standardized Testing – The Musical!!!! and the mini-musical Scarlet Takes a Tumble. His written work has received the Kleban Prize, the Fred Ebb Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, the ASCAP Foundation’s Cole Porter and Harold Adamson Awards, MAC’s John Wallowitch Award and the Kennedy Center ACTF Musical Theatre Award. He has written over 150 songs for the Korean English-language children’s program, English Egg, and taught at Harvard University and Lincoln Center’s Songwriting in Schools Program. SamWillmott.com

THE COMPANY DEEP SINGH, Additional Music/Co-Orchestrator/Co-Arranger is a Grammy-nominated artist who has been steeped in music all his life. At the age of six Singh became the youngest disciple of the late tabla master, Ustad Allah Rakha. Singh's versatility as a performer, composer and producer has given him a unique place in the music industry, resulting in some very innovative collaborations with leading artists from both the East and West, including: A. R. Rahman/Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bombay Dreams (Broadway and international tour); Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away; Mira Nair’s (with Vishal Bhardwaj) Monsoon Wedding; Sheila Silver’s A Thousand Splendid Suns, premiering at Seattle Opera 2023; performances with the Queens Symphony; composing "Anthem of Us" for India’s Prime Minister, debuting at Madison Square Garden; DEVOSutra (featuring DEVO); and performances with Nile Rodgers. Artists (India/Pakistan): Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali, Ustad Ghulam Ali, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali, Ustad Hussain Bux, Hariharan, Anuradha Paudwal.

STAFFORD ARIMA, Director is the Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary in Alberta, Canada. In 2015, he became the first Asian Canadian to direct a musical on Broadway when Allegiance opened at the Longacre Theatre.

Arima was nominated for an Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of Ragtime. Additional work: Altar Boyz (Off-Broadway), Carrie (MCC Theater), Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Stratford Festival), Saturday Night (York Theatre Co., NYC), Candide (San Francisco Symphony), The Tin Pan Alley Rag (Roundabout Theatre), bare (Off-Broadway 2012), and Mary and Max, A Christmas Carol and Billy Elliot (Theatre Calgary). Arima was the associate director of Seussical and A Class Act on Broadway. He is a graduate of York University (Canada), and former adjunct and Granada Artist in Residence at the University of California, Davis. staffordarima.com RUJUTA VAIDYA, Choreographer is a highly-accredited and globally-recognized Bollywood-style choreographer who has been responsible for some of the biggest Bollywood musical extravaganzas in the entertainment industry. With choreography credits that include the Academy Awards 2009 (John Legend and AR Rahman’s Slumdog Millionaire performance), Britney Spears’ The Circus Tour, Black Eyed Peas’ The End Tour, AR Rahman World Tour, Priyanka Chopra’s “In My City,” Sridevi’s English Vinglish and the Disneyreleased Cheetah Girls 3 – One World, Ruj has emerged as a leading influence in the world of contemporary Bollywood dance.

She has also released a hip-hop/Bollywood dance workout video called BYOU2 (www.byou.com) that has her collaborating with Sabrina Bryan of the Cheetah Girls on a dance instructional video for young girls that blends both styles from the East and the West. Ruj is also Professor of Bollywood Dance at Tisch NYU and International Content Lead for India's digital platform "Dance with Madhuri."

LISA SHRIVER, Musical Staging Broadway credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Farnsworth Invention, The Story of My Life, Ring of Fire. As Associate Choreographer: over 10 Broadway productions, including The Producers, Into the Woods, Oklahoma. Off-Broadway: Into the Woods (Roundabout Theatre – Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography), Fetch Clay Make Man (New York Theatre Workshop).

Selected regional credits: Sideways, The Farnsworth Invention, Jesus Christ Superstar (La Jolla Playhouse); Sister Act, Rock of Ages, Austen's Pride (Seattle 5th Ave); Caesar and Cleopatra, The Tempest – both with Christopher Plummer (Stratford Shakespeare Festival). Film: A Beautiful Mind, A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey, Hysterical Blindness.

As Associate: The Polar Express, Mixed Nuts with Steve Martin, Center Stage. TV: A Very Murray Christmas with Bill Murray (Sofia Coppola, Director), Broad City, The Detour. Other: Phish’s NYE concert at MSG (3 years). Many thanks to Max Grossman, Brian and Viola.

MADELINE BENSON, Music Director La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Music direction credits include We Live in Cairo (ART), Rags Parkland… (Ars Nova), Ragtime on Ellis Island, An Octoroon (TFANA), FUTURITY (Ars Nova/Soho Rep), Skin of Our Teeth (TFANA), 1001 Nights (Atlantic Theater Company), Loch Ness (the Rev), Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat (ATF), Agent 355 (CTC).

In 2016, Madeline made history as the youngest woman ever to conduct on Broadway when she served as conductor for Waitress.

She musically adapted Disney Theatrical’s Frozen Jr., Frozen Kids, and the stage version of Descendants. Education: B.A. Music and Classical Civilizations from Harvard University.

ANUSHKA PUSHPALA, Bhangra Specialist has been dancing, teaching and competing since she was 4 years old.

Her training includes Ballet, Jazz, Bollywood and Bhangra. She began her Bhangra journey at the age of ten, performing with various groups in the community. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree at UC San Diego, she danced all four years with her competitive Bhangra team, Da Real Punjabiz. Post-graduation, she has danced with various teams around the country as well as founded SHER and San Francisco Bhangra Club.

Most recently, she has been working as the Artistic Director of Bhangra Empire curating performances and videos and the Bhangra Instructor for the Elite Naach Academy. She’s excited for this full circle moment to be back at her old stomping grounds where her love for Bhangra culminated and showcase this dance form in a new light!

ROBERT BRILL, Scenic Design Mr. Brill's designs for the Playhouse include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Chasing The Song, His Girl Friday, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Jesus Chris Superstar, The Wiz and many others.

Broadway credits include Ain't Too Proud: The Life And Times of The Temptations (Tony nomination), Thoughts of A Colored Man, Assassins (Tony nomination), the set and club design for the critically acclaimed revival of Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls (Tony nomination), Design for Living, Buried Child and others. His recent credits include Frozen for Disney Creative Entertainment, and numerous worldpremiere operas, including Moby-Dick, Cold Mountain, Everest and The Manchurian Candidate. A graduate of UCSD and a founding member of Sledgehammer Theatre, he is a recipient of the Michael Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration, and a 2011 La Jolla Playhouse Honors Award. Mr. Brill has been a La Jolla Playhouse Artist in Residence, and is Professor of Scenic Design at UC San Diego.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P9

THE COMPANY LINDA CHO, Costume Design made her Playhouse debut with Limelight and most recently designed Twilight at the Signature and Chinese Lady at the New York Public Theater. Broadway: A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony Award), Anastasia (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations), Velocity of Autumn, Great Society, Lifespan of a Fact, Take Me Out, POTUS. Over 200 regional and international design credits in theatre, dance and opera. Recipient of numerous awards including the Irene Sharaff Young Master Award and The Ruth Morley Design Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women. She serves on the Advisory Committee of the American Theater Wing. M.F.A.: Yale School of Drama. www.lindacho.com AMITH CHANDRASHAKER, Lighting Design La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Amith’s work has been seen at The Public Theater, Second Stage, Theatre for a New Audience, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, Signature Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Ars Nova, Soho Rep, Berkeley Rep, The Atlantic, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera Colorado and The Atlanta Opera. New Dance works by Alexander Ekman, Liz Gerring, Benoit Swan-Pouffer, Sidra Bell and Rennie Harris. Recipient of the Drama Desk and Henry Hewes awards. Assistant Professor of Lighting Design at The University of Maryland’s School for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies.

JONATHAN DEANS, Sound Design Recent work: Drawn to Life, Waitress 2021, Anything Goes (Barbican, London), Jagged Little Pill (Tony nomination), PY1Lune Rouge (Montreal), ExtraOrdinary, The Tempest, Waitress (NY, London), Red Velvet, Invisible Thread, Finding Neverland (NY), Pippin (Tony nomination), Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, La Cage aux Folles (Tony and Drama Desk nomination), Young Frankenstein, Pirate Queen, Carrie (Drama Desk nomination), Parade (Drama Desk nomination), Fosse (NY, UK), Ragtime. Visit: designingsound.com. Jonathan has worked on 15 Cirque du Soleil productions including Drawn to Life, MJ ONE, LOVE, KA, O, Mystere, Ovo, Corteo and more. Operas include a residency at the Royal Opera House and the LA Opera.

DAVID BENGALI, Projection Design La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Twilight, Los Angeles: 1992 (Signature); The Visitor (Public Theater); Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical (Seaview; Drama League nom.); Bollywood Kitchen (Geffen Playhouse); Circle Jerk (Fake Friends; Drama League nom.); Einstein’s Dreams (59E59; Drama Desk nom.); We Live in Cairo (A.R.T.); Girls (Yale Rep); The Great Leap (Atlantic Theater Co.); Frankenstein (Dallas Theater Center); The Temple Bombing (Alliance Theatre); Uncommon Sense (Tectonic Theater Project); In the Moment (The Kennedy Center/Ephrat Asherie Dance); Rockin' Road to Dublin (national tour). Proud member: USA-829.

P10 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

ALBERTO "ALBEE" ALVARADO, Hair and Makeup Designer serves as Wig/Makeup Supervisor for La Jolla Playhouse, with credits including The Garden, Fly, Diana the Musical, SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, Kiss My Aztec!, Cambodian Rock Band, The Last Tiger in Haiti and Side Show. He’s currently Wig/Makeup Supervisor for San Diego Opera, has worked for The Old Globe, Cygnet, SD Rep and Junior Theatre, and is now excited to make his design debut with the Playhouse. When he is not busy in the theatre wings, Albee enjoys any outlet that allows creative license and spending time with his husband, pup and "framily."

Representation matters. You matter.

JUSTIN GOLDNER, Co-Orchestrator La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Music producer, orchestrator and session musician Justin Goldner has been privileged to make music with Sting, Ricky Martin, Macy Gray, Donald Glover, Ledisi, Jordin Sparks, Tori Kelly, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Sondheim, Ben Platt, Steve Martin, Jane Monheit, Max Martin, Alan Menken, Jason Robert Brown, Kelli O’Hara, Audra McDonald and a host of others. He’s contributed to Grammy, Tony and Golden Globe Award-winning projects, including Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway, film) and The Greatest Showman, and was somehow allowed on stage at such storied venues as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall (Ben Platt Netflix special), Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden (60th annual Grammy Awards) and Turkmenistan’s Mukamlar Palace.

NATASHA SINHA, Dramaturg (she/her) is a producer and dramaturg, and she is Associate Artistic Director of Playwrights Horizons. Past work includes positions at Signature Theatre (Octet, Cambodian Rock Band); LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater (Preludes, War, queens, Shabash!); Barrington Stage Company. As a freelance dramaturg, she has worked with Dave Harris, Michael R. Jackson, Grace McLean, Shakina Nayfack, Danny Pudi, Heather Raffo, Sam Salmond, Kit Yan & Melissa Li. Natasha is a co-founder of Beehive Dramaturgy Studio.

CALLERI/JENSEN/DAVIS, Casting La Jolla Playhouse: The Garden. Regional theaters include Long Wharf Theater, McCarter Theater, Berkeley Rep and Hartford Stage. Broadway credits include Thoughts of a Colored Man, Fool for Love, Hughie, A Raisin in the Sun, Of Mice and Men, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Living on Love, The Visit and the upcoming For Colored Girls.... TV credits include Chappelle's Show, Army Wives, Lipstick Jungle, Hope & Faith, The Path, Love Life (HBO Max) and Queens (ABC).

JULIANNE MENASSIAN*, Stage Manager La Jolla Playhouse: Freaky Friday, Bhangin’ It (workshops). Tours: Pretty Woman the Musical, Once on This Island, Love Never Dies, Finding Neverland, Cabaret. Select credits: Off-Broadway: Midnight at The Never Get, Unexpected Joy. Regional: Darling Grenadine (Goodspeed Musicals); Freaky Friday, Blackbeard, Girlstar (Signature Theatre); Freaky Friday (Alley Theatre, Cleveland Play House); Bad Jews (Studio Theatre); Legally Blonde (Riverside Theatre); Yentl (Theater J). TV: Halston, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Saturday in the Park, Studio Sessions.

THE COMPANY ALYSSA SWANN*, Assistant Stage Manager La Jolla Playhouse: Miss You Like Hell, Freaky Friday, Hundred Days, Bhangin’ It (New York workshop). Regional: Darling Grenadine (Goodspeed Musicals); As You Like It, Twelfth Night (The Old Globe); Gypsy, On the 20th Century (Cygnet Theatre); Scissorhands (Rockwell, The Fuse Project); Enron, Our Lady of Kibeho, The Revolutionists!, I and You (Moxie Theatre). Live Premieres/Events: A Taste in the Heights (Warner Brothers, Little Cinema), The Real Housewives UTG (Peacock, Little Cinema), Welcome to Earth (Disney+, NatGeo, Little Cinema), SDCC The Expanse (Amazon Prime). @alyssaswann_ ANDREW GUTIERREZ*, Assistant Stage Manager (he/him) La Jolla Playhouse: Debut. Regional (selected): Girlfriend (PSM), The Producers (ASM), All Shook Up (PSM). Dance/Concerts (selected): Las Cuatros Estaciones (PSM), Merge: Irretrievable (PSM), Star Wars in Concert (SM), Police Deranged with Stewart Copeland (SM), Les Noces (PSM). Education: M.F.A. from UC San Diego, B.F.A. from Texas State University. Website: ag-sm.com.

EMILY SEARLES‡, Stage Management Assistant is a recent graduate of UC San Diego where she received an M.F.A. in Stage Management. Originally from the East Coast, Emily holds a B.A. in Theatre and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College. Select Credits: On Your Feet, Beauty and the Beast (Moonlight Stage Productions); Anything Goes, My Fair Lady (Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre); peerless, Prepared, Uncle Vanya, Letters from Cuba, Much Ado About Nothing, Balm in Gilead (UC San Diego); Brigadoon, Ubu Roi, How I Wonder, Salome, Ulysses in Nighttown (Muhlenberg).

THE HUNTINGTON, led by Managing Director Michael Maso and Artistic Director Loretta Greco, is Boston’s leading professional theatre company. Committed to amplifying the wide range of voices in our community, The Huntington provides lifechanging opportunities for students through its robust education programs, is a national leader in the development of playwrights and new plays, acts as the host organization for a residency of The Front Porch Arts Collective, serves the Boston arts community through our operation of the Calderwood Pavilion, and is currently renovating the flagship Huntington Theatre for a reopening in fall 2022. huntingtontheatre.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hansdip Bindra • Sikh Coalition • Sikh Film Festival • Samrat Chakrabarti Chhavi Arya Bhargava • Da Real Punjabiz • Bhangra Empire • Bollyspice • DissDash Amy Anders Corcoran

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: BHANGIN' IT The Green Room

Talkback Tuesdays

Join us before the show on the first Friday of the run to hear directly from writers, directors and designers about their process from the page to opening night.

Participate in a lively discussion with performers and Playhouse staff members immediately following these performances.

Friday, March 11 at 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 22 after the 7:30pm performances

ACCESS Performance

Discovery Sunday

On select performances, La Jolla Playhouse provides American Sign Language interpretation for audience members who are deaf or hard-ofhearing and audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

Join special guest speakers post-performance as they engage audience members in a moderated discussion exploring the themes in the play.

Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 pm

Sunday, April 3 after the 2:00 pm performance PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P11

PLAYHOUSE LEADERSHIP CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY, The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director since 2007. During his tenure, he directed the world premieres of Come From Away, Diana: The Musical, Memphis, Escape to Margaritaville, The Squirrels, A Dram of Drummhicit, Restoration and Chasing the Song, as well as His Girl Friday, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Freaky Friday and Xanadu. He also spearheaded the Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) initiative, the DNA New Work Series and the Resident Theatre program. Mr. Ashley recently directed Come From Away for AppleTV+ and Diana: The Musical for Netflix. Other screen credits include the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS. Mr. Ashley’s Broadway credits include Come From Away (Tony and Outer Critics Circle Awards), Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis (Tony Award nomination), Xanadu, Leap of Faith (Drama Desk Award nomination), All Shook Up and The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). He also helmed productions of Come From Away in London (Olivier Award nomination), Toronto, Australia and on national tour.

Other national tours include Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Seussical: The Musical. Additional New York stage credits include Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla (Lucille Lortel Award nomination), Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died and Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others. Mr. Ashley is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.

DES McANUFF, Director Emeritus served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director from 1983 through 1994, and from 2001 through April 2007. Under his leadership, the Playhouse garnered more than 300 awards, including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. His Playhouse to Broadway credits include: SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical; Doctor Zhivago; Jesus Christ Superstar; Jersey Boys (four Tony Awards); Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays (Tony Award); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (five Tony nominations); director and co-author with Pete Townshend on The Who’s Tommy (Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Director) and Big River (seven Tony Awards), among others. He also directed the premieres of Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, which he co-wrote. Opera credits: Faust (The Met, ENO). Film credits: Cousin Bette (director), Iron Giant (producer, BAFTA Award) and Quills (executive producer). Recipient of the Drama League’s 2006 Julia Hansen Award, Mr. McAnuff served as Artistic Director at Canada’s Stratford Festival from 2007 through 2012. In 2012, he was awarded Canada’s esteemed Governor General’s National Arts Center Award and the Order of Canada.

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DEBBY BUCHHOLZ, Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse joined the Playhouse in 2002, serving first as General Manager before becoming Managing Director. She is a Vice President of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and a member of its Executive Committee.

She is a recipient of a San Diego Women Who Mean Business Award from The San Diego Business Journal. Prior to joining La Jolla Playhouse, she served as Counsel to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. She was a faculty member of the Smithsonian Institution’s program on Legal Problems of Museum Administration. Prior to The Kennedy Center, she served as a corporate attorney in New York City and Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of UC San Diego and Harvard Law School. Ms. Buchholz and her husband, noted author and White House economic policy advisor Todd Buchholz, live in Solana Beach and are the proud parents of Victoria, Katherine and Alexia.

ERIC KEEN-LOUIE, Executive Producer (he/him) joined the Playhouse in 2018 as Producing Director, before becoming Executive Producer in 2021. He previously worked at The Old Globe (Associate Producer and Associate Artistic Director) and The Public Theater (Assistant to the Associate Producer and Director of Special Projects). He assisted Broadway producer Margo Lion on Hairspray and Caroline, or Change. He is a graduate of Columbia University where he received his M.F.A. in Theatre Management & Producing as a Dean’s Fellow and New York University where he earned a B.A. in Dramatic Literature. He serves as Secretary on the National Alliance of Musical Theatre’s Board of Directors. He shares his commute to La Jolla with his husband Anthony Keen-Louie, an administrator in student affairs at UC San Diego. He is a proud third-generation Chinese-American.

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE is a place where artists and audiences come together to create what’s new and next in the American theatre, from Tony Awardwinning productions, to imaginative programs for young audiences, to interactive experiences outside our theatre walls. Founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, the Playhouse is currently led by Christopher Ashley, the Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse, and Managing Director Debby Buchholz. Internationally-renowned for the development of new plays and musicals, the Playhouse has mounted 105 world premieres, commissioned 60 new works, and sent 33 productions to Broadway – including the currently-running musicals Diana and Come From Away – garnering a total of 38 Tony Awards, as well as the 1993 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

Bhangra Auditions in the Gym 9am TODAY Dear Bhangra Enthusiasts, Thank you SO MUCH for auditioning for our new East Lansing University Bhangra team!

Bhangra is an AMAZING Punjabi folk dance that started as a celebratory harvest festival dance. Though its origins are in the fields of the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, the impact of Bhangra has gone international: Bollywood movies, hip hop songs (Shoutout to Panjabi MC!), underground clubs, weddings, and team competitions in India, Canada, the UK, and the US — including right here in Michigan!

The sound of Bhangra is defined by heavy dhol beats (Indian doublesided drum), the rhythm of the tumbi (plucked string instrument), and accompaniment by a solo vocalist singing in Punjabi. And the MOVES are defined by shoulder pops, full arm swoops, big kicks, and cardio cardio CARDIO. But don’t worry if you’ve never done it before! Just keep your shoulders juicy and you’ll be fine.

Love,

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HOW IT ALL INTERSECTS Bhangin’ It’s writers (Mike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza and Sam Willmott) and director (Stafford Arima) sit down for a conversation with Director of Artistic Development Gabriel Greene.

Top right: Mike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza, and Sam Willmott; photo by Shoshana/bwaySHO. Bottom right: Stafford Arima; photo by Trudie Lee.

GG: Like any self-respecting superhero, musicals also have origin stories. What is it for Bhangin’ It? RLM: In my youth, I got really obsessed with intercollegiate bhangra competitions: the team dynamics, what was on stage, what was going on behind the stage...

GG: So this was when you were an undergraduate?

RLM: No, it was shortly after I graduated. I used to trade students writing classes for admission to bhangra competitions, and sometimes housing.

SW: Nothing weird about that!

ML: “Hi, I didn’t go here, but who wants to learn how to write?”

RLM: Hey! [laughter] So then I wrote a screenplay about it, which Mike read when we met at the Ma-Yi Writers’ Lab. Then we

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got married, and then we met Sam when we were randomly paired together with him as a writing team at a 24-Hour Musicals event. We were tasked with writing a 15-minute show between the hours of 11pm and 5am. We got along so well that we said we needed to work together on something for more than 24 hours. We threw around a lot of ideas but then we sent him the screenplay of Bhangin’ It. GG: What drew you to each other as collaborators?

SW: It’s a gift to be with people who have such joie de vivre and a sense of humor. I had such an urge to do a musical comedy, but in a way that felt like a real celebration of the art form and community. The way [Mike and Rehana] write, the way they communicate with each other, the way they make each other laugh – it’s the kind of place you want to be. You want to be able to make each other laugh.

ML: [to Sam] You also talked about how nowadays, choreography is often something that’s tacked on when the script of a musical is already done. And you love classic musicals because of how dance is really woven into their DNA. So marrying that idea to our existing love of bhangra was a big part of it. All three of us have very strong, characterdriven storytelling impulses, but I also think there was a real cultural exchange going on: “you teach us about musical theater and we’ll teach you about insider AsianAmerican politics.” [laughter] RLM: I think we really bonded over structure – that’s such a nerd thing to say – but I remember riding home at 6am [after the 24Hour Musical project] and saying, “Sam really knows his structure.” [laughter] GG: What drew you to the character of Mary as the focus for this piece? Why is she the perfect protagonist for this story?

RLM: One of my missions as a writer is to depict the mixed-race experience more. For a field that’s very imaginative, theatre is very limited in its depiction of what a mixed-race character’s background or hybridity can be.

How do we highlight one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States? That was something that I think was really great about our collaboration.

Because of our discussions, the character of Mary got expanded even further in terms of what hybridity really means. Like, how do these moments – of trying to interact with different facets of yourself, and choosing what you present and don’t present to the world, and choosing who you build a community with – how does that all intersect? And suddenly that became the story we built the show around.

SW: To add to that, I do think the significance of musicalizing this particular story caught up to me later in the process. I've always believed that every human being in the world has the capacity for musical theatre “big-ness” in them, but that can mean one thing on a page and very different, complex things in practice. It was truly during our earlier developmental readings, when we finally got to see this story elevated and joyously celebrated through music and dance by this company of actors, where it hit me in a different way – like, “oh, wait a second, making this story a musical is its own political act; this is a bigger deal than I knew about.” In light of that, it's been both the greatest challenge and the most rewarding facet of this journey to continually reconnect with my teammates and recalibrate the show to reflect our own evolving feelings of authorial obligation to our company and our audience.

GG: Coming into this show with a vast knowledge of “classic” musical theatre history and structure, what was your process of merging that dramaturgy with the highlyspecific cultural styles that are reflected in the show?

SW: It always comes back to story and character and tone, and what we’re hoping to accomplish.

If Mike, Rehana and I are really in sync about what those objectives are, then the dreaming can really start. After that I do a ton of listening – and not just to South Asian music, and certainly not just to musical theatre styles. I want to know what my characters need from the moment they're in, and also what they listen to and how music exists in their own worlds and informs and reflects who they are. I have a "Sonic Vision Board" – which is essentially a glorified spreadsheet – where I keep track of everything that's pinged me as remotely relevent to the world of Bhangin' It. After I do a draft (or ten) of a given song in concert with Rehana and Mike for story, character and structure, I'll mock up an arrangement of the tune and pass that along to the brilliant Deep Singh. Then, Deep and I engage in a second stage of musical collaboration where he infuses the tunes with his own vast knowledge base of culture and tradition and artistry and sense of humor.

a difference in the lives of an audience. The capacity of a musical to enrich an audience’s spirit and transcend the ordinary theatre-going experience is quite alien to those who are content to see the musical merely as a form of entertainment. Bhangin’ It is one of those rare finds: a musical that scrumptiously entertains, with a story that enlightens and a huge heart that engages. The hybridity of the piece was like a tsunami wave that flew off the page and the demo tracks. Like my colleagues, I am deeply fascinated by the multi-disciplined worlds that come together in musical theatre.

Musicals, in general, are a tough art form to crack open in their simplest form, but Bhangin’ It adds to the challenge in other ways: you have the cultural elements, the political elements, the musical elements that range from musical theatre to classical Indian, and you also have an array of dance styles.

RLM: We call Deep “the heartbeat of Bhangin’ It.” He’s known for his percussion work and his instrumental prowess.

GG: Stafford, what drew you to this project as a collaborator and a director?

SA: Theatre is a living language not frightened of its individual voice and its potential to make

Alka Nayyar (left) and Ari Afsar rehearsing Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical; photo by Shoshana/bwaySHO.

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Behind the scenes with the production department as they prepare for Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical.

SA: When you think of all of those ingredients, the challenge is how to make a seven-layered cake that is perfectly balanced.

And that is what excited me about this material. The challenge to collaborate and find the perfect bite. What I love most about this show is it’s truly a love letter to an “old-fashioned musical-comedy.” However, it’s also a contemporary, relevant, thought-provoking piece; it holds a magnifying glass up to the world and asks important questions – without forcing an answer – about culture, appropriation, tradition and belonging.

GG: This show was originally programmed in the 20/21 Season That Wasn’t – RLM: [sad trombone noise] GG: – but you’ve mentioned this show has been coalescing over many years. In light of everything this world has gone through, both epidemiologically and racially, how did that additional time help shape this musical?

ML: The thesis of the show continues to be refined, and

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so we’ve been really fortunate to keep chipping away at the script so that it says exactly what we want it to say. And I think that the pause has allowed us to think through a process that feels inclusive and equitable to the artists, and to bring on collaborators that will augment the vision. It’s actually been a real blessing to have forced time away to think through what this piece is trying to say, and who are the best people to have in the room to say it?

SW: Our initial impulse – to make this big musical comedy – was sometimes out of sync with the reality of what this particular piece is. For us, the previous presidency changed a lot of the significance of doing this show in the first place. But we also swung the show pretty hard in that direction – what was serious about this show.

RLM: I think we swung to the serious partly because it was hard to get people to listen to the nuanced argument, so we felt like we had to stress that a little more. Then, during the pause, it felt like the conversations that the world was having were catching up to the conversations

that the three of us were having.

And those were necessary and hard conversations to have, but in order to move forward on this project from a place of trust and joy, we needed to acknowledge that we are different in our points of view and life experiences.

None of us is exactly right or wrong, it’s just a matter of what we have to work through to tell the story we want to tell.

SW: In many ways, the last two years have brought us back to the miracle of doing a show that celebrates joy, too. I’m really glad we got serious because it helped us mine what we think the show is about, but it’s also celebratory and hopeful and all about community and building something together. In some ways, the grief and trauma of the last two years in particular have only elevated our joint desire to make this a show where people can come together and feel buoyant and walk out feeling a new enthusiasm for the world we’re lucky to have. 

VALUES STATEMENT

MISSION STATEMENT La Jolla Playhouse advances theatre as an art form, telling stories that inspire empathy and create a dialogue toward a more just future. With our intrepid spirit and eclectic, artist-driven approach we will continue to cultivate a local, national and global following with an insatiable appetite for audacious work.

We provide unfettered creative opportunities for a community of artists of all backgrounds and abilities.

We are committed to being a permanent safe harbor for unsafe and surprising work, offering a glimpse of the new and the next in American theatre.

Welcome to La Jolla Playhouse, where we believe that stories enhance the human experience, instill empathy and help us see the world in new ways. We respect all races, ethnicities, cultures, physical/cognitive abilities, ages, genders and identities, and endeavor to be an anti-racist and accessible organization that removes barriers to engagement. As a community of life-long learners who celebrate the spirit of play, we innovate and collaborate to bring theatre to life.

We practice empathy by listening, challenging our assumptions and staying open to all perspectives.

We respect and recognize the complexities of all lived experiences, identities and cultural backgrounds. We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, the original caretakers of the land on which our theaters sit. We will fight against anti-blackness, the many forms of racism directed at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and all types of discrimination and harassment, to be a more inclusive space where everyone feels welcome onstage and off.

We work with our community to identify, understand and address ways to make our theatre more equitable and accessible.

We infuse the spirit of play into everything we do, sparking creativity, fun and life-long learning.

We innovate and take risks to propel theatre as an art form and as a pathway toward fostering belonging and enhancing human connection.

We collaborate by prioritizing inclusive practices from which diverse voices, talents and ideas can strengthen engagement and creative thinking.

We vow to grow and embrace these values. When we falter, we will hold ourselves accountable through transparent communication, measurable outcomes, self-reflection and humility. With great joy and a strong sense of responsibility, we commit to these values in every aspect of our work.

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painter h s i l o P of ed e story u r t nsform a e l r t b a o k h r on A rema e Lempicka w o an ic t e e g d efu ing Tamara niless r n e p nterest i n m a o r f d n e herself ld — a r of on r e o g w n t a r d a of the uty and it all. a e b e th ursuing look at p n a m wo

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HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES JULY 26 – AUGUST 21

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A new play inspired by an album of World War II-era photographs that was sent to the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The En Garde Arts Production of

FANDANGO FOR BUTTERFLIES (AND COYOTES) AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 25

A group of Latin American immigrants gather in a community center in New York City for a fandango – a festive community celebration where stories are brought to life through live performance, music and dance.

MOTHER RUSSIA

SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 16

A world-premiere comedy about the curse of freedom, and having to choose between the Filet-oFish and the Big Mac.

AS YOU LIKE IT

In this reimagined As You Like It, co-directors Christopher Ashley and Will Davis take audiences into the vibrant, wild woods, where our preconceived notions topple in the face of the malleability of identity and limitless potential of the human heart.

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 18

And a soon-to-be announced musical!

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P19

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PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P21

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES RANDALL L. CLARK, Sempra Chair

HONORARY TRUSTEES Peter Cowhey, Ph.D. UC San Diego

Ivan Gayler John Goodman Joel Holliday* Julie Potiker MICHAEL FLASTER Geri Ann Warnke* Second Vice-Chair Gary Wollberg* EDWARD A. DENNIS, PH.D. Robert Wright, Esq. Wright, L’Estrange & Ergastolo Secretary SHERI L. JAMIESON First Vice-Chair

SCOTT M. STANTON, Mintz Treasurer

Top row: Randall L. Clark, Sheri L. Jamieson, Christopher Ashley; Debby Buchholz, Ralph Bryan, Becky Robbins. Bottom row: Susan Tousi and friends; Robin & Larry Rusinko, Denise & Lon Bevers.

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Welcome to La Jolla Playhouse and to this performance of Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical, a joyous new work from a tremendously talented creative team, led by former Artists-in-Residents Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza.

Over the last year, we celebrated the return to live performances with two stunning world-premiere productions: The Garden and to the yellow house.

At the same time, the Playhouse-born shows Come From Away and Diana were seen all over the world on major streaming platforms. We also came together for our delightful Pop-Up Without Walls (WOW) event over the summer, and if you didn’t get a chance to join us then, we’ll be gathering at Liberty Station once again for our 5th WOW Festival April 21 – 24.

You won’t want to miss this spectacular, communitywide – and now annual – event, featuring hundreds of local, national and international artists in more than 20 thrilling immersive and interactive works.

Projects like WOW and Bhangin’ It represent the very heart of the Playhouse’s mission to provide artists with unfettered creative opportunities, offering a glimpse of the new and the next in American Theatre. You help make that mission possible with your unwavering support of the groundbreaking work on our stages and in our community. On behalf of the staff, artists and the entire Board of Trustees, thank you for your continued commitment to the Playhouse.

RANDALL L. CLARK CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES P22 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

TRUSTEES Christopher Ashley** Michael Bartell Denise Bevers David Bialis Andrew Boyd** Ralph Bryan* Debby Buchholz** Robert Caplan Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek

Hope Carlson

Dowling & Yahnke, LLC

Doug Dawson Brian Dovey Susan Dubé Hal Dunning Emily Einhorn Annie Ellis Teri Evons Judy Garrett Hanna Gleiberman Lynn E. Gorguze Luke Gulley, Show Imaging, Inc. Kay Gurtin Clark Guy Bank of America Private Bank

Dwight Hare Osborn Hurston, US Bank Debby Jacobs Joan Jacobs Cynthia James-Price** Jeanne Jones Pradeep K. Khosla, Ph.D. Chancellor, UC San Diego

Lynelle Lynch* Margret McBride* Lorne Polger Karen A. Quiñones Jeffrey Ressler* David I. Reynoso Becky Robbins Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm Tim Scott Shane Shelley, Morrison Foerster Karen Silberman Susan Tousi Delicia Turner Sonnenberg Suzi Sterner, UC San Diego Steven M. Strauss*, Cooley, LLP Andy Thomas, Evans Hotels Mary Walshok, Ph.D. UC San Diego

EMERITUS TRUSTEES Rita Bronowski (1917-2010) David Copley (1952-2012) Ted Cranston (1940-2012) Milton Fredman (1920-2005) Ewart W. Goodwin, Jr.* (1938- 2019) Marian Jones Longstreth (1906-1997) Hughes Potiker (1925-2005) Sheila Potiker (1930-2011) Ellen Revelle (1910-2009) Roger Revelle (1909-1991) Willard P. VanderLaan, M.D.* (1917-2012) Arthur Wagner, Ph.D. (1923-2015) Mandell Weiss (1891-1993) 1947 FOUNDERS Mel Ferrer Dorothy McGuire Gregory Peck *Past Chair of the Board **Ex-Officio List as of October 27. 2021

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THANK YOU, STEVE!

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BHANGIN' IT: A BANGIN' NEW MUSICAL PRODUCTION SPONSORS Mintz is proud to partner with La Jolla Playhouse, and we applaud their commitment to developing new plays and musicals and to serving the community with award-winning learning and engagement programs.

Founded in Boston in 1933, our 500 attorneys span eight offices, including Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Stamford, Washington, D.C., London, U.K. and San Diego. Throughout them all, we are united with the same commitment to the highest quality legal services for clients large and small on their most important matters.

From all of us at Mintz, thanks for supporting La Jolla Playhouse and enjoy the show!

Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors (D&Y) salutes the cast of Bhangin’ It: A Bangin' New Musical and the entire Playhouse team’s commitment to creating the gift of world-class performances. Founded in 1991, D&Y provides comprehensive financial planning and manages over $5 billion for more than 1,300 clients while adhering to an exceptional standard – the fiduciary standard. Together, we celebrate the Playhouse’s dedication to excellence, creativity and culture.

Show Imaging is a proud supporter of La Jolla Playhouse. We have a mutual mission to push the boundaries of storytelling through the power of technology.

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT $100,000 +

$50,000 - $99,999

Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust

$25,000 - $49,999

California Arts Council California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development County of San Diego Edgerton Foundation Las Patronas

$10,000 - $24,999

David C. Copley Foundation Farrell Family Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation Peggy and Robert Matthews Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Price Philanthropies Foundation San Diego Scottish Rite Community Foundation Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999

Betty Scalice Foundation (Coastal Community Foundation) John and Marcia Price Family Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999

The City of Encinitas Community Grant Program The Samuel I. & John Henry Fox Foundation The Arthur and Jeanette Pratt Memorial Fund The Sutherland Foundation

List as of January 21, 2022

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LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE CORPORATE CIRCLE SEASON SPONSORS

$50,000 +

$25,000 +

$15,000 +

$10,000 +

$5,000 +

$2,500 + Professional Maintenance Systems

IN-KIND AND MEDIA CIRCLE

HATCH – San Diego Magazine • The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint CORPORATE MATCHING COMPANIES Amazon Smile • Arch Insurance Group • Bristol Myers Squibb • Caterpillar • Chevron • Elsevier • Intuit • Lincoln Financial Foundation Nordstrom Foundation • Pfizer • Qualcomm Incorporated • Sempra • ServiceNow • U.S. Bank • Wells Fargo Opportunities for corporations to partner with La Jolla Playhouse are numerous and varied, each providing exclusive benefits and recognition.

For information, please contact Samantha Watkins at swatkins@ljp.org.

List as of February 16, 2022

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LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE: ANNUAL SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $100,000 AND ABOVE Anonymous Brian and Silvija Devine Theodor S. and Audrey S. Geisel Fund Jeanne L. Herberger, Ph.D. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Sheri L. Jamieson Rebecca Moores Foundation Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Steven Strauss and Lise Wilson SEASON SPONSORS - $50,000+ Weston Anson, in memory of Susan Bailey Anson Denise and Lon Bevers Gail and Ralph Bryan The Fredman Family Estate of Pauline Foster The Fredman Family Kay and Bill Gurtin Debby and Hal Jacobs Perlmeter Family Foundation Lynn Gorguze and The Honorable Scott Peters The Rich Family Foundation Karen and Jeffrey Silberman Molli Wagner PLAYWRIGHT’S CIRCLE - $25,000+ Christopher Ashley Michael Bartell and Melissa Garfield Bartell Dwight Hare and Stephanie Bergsma The Paula Marie Black Endowment for Women's Voices in the Art of Theatre Lisa and David Casey Michael "Mick" Farrell, The Farrell Family Foundation Michael and Susanna Flaster Dr. Lawrence Friedman* Mark and Hanna Gleiberman Maryanne and Irwin Pfister Julie and Lowell Potiker Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Larry and Robin Rusinko LEADERSHIP CIRCLE - $15,000+ Anonymous David Bialis Randall and Michael Clark Karen and Donald Cohn Doug Dawson Drs. Edward and Martha Dennis Elizabeth and Brian Dovey Susan E. Dubé Hal and Hilary Dunning Emily and Daniel Einhorn, Einhorn Family Foundation of JCF and Leichtag Foundation Bill and Judy Garrett Jeanne Jones Rob and Kathy Jones Lynelle and William Lynch Margret & Nevins McBride Lorne Polger The Querin Family Karen Quiñones, The Quiñones Family Trust Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas Camille and Andy Rasdal Jack and Caroline Raymond Judy and Alan Robbins Becky Lynne Robbins Charitable Fund Don and Stacy Rosenberg, Rosenberg Family Fund Swanna and Alan Saltiel Tim and Emily Scott

Iris and Matthew Strauss Debbie Turner Peggy Ann Wallace Barbara ZoBell DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE - $10,000+ Anonymous Tony and Margaret Acampora Roberta C. Baade and George F. Yee Charitable Fund Judy R. Benson, in memory of Roger S. Benson Joan and Jeremy Berg Stern Leichter Foundation Barbara Bloom Pamela B. Burkholz Joseph and Joyce Cassin Marsha and William Chandler Mr. and Mrs. Adam Z. Cherry, Big Blue Sky Foundation Robin and Leo Eisenberg Family Alan and Marleigh Gleicher Mrs. Ewart (Chip) Goodwin Starr and John Grundy Tammy and Larry Hershfield Jeff A. Jacobs and Annie Lawless Stacy Jacobs Douglas Kimmelman Bill and Amy Koman Jeff and Carolyn Levin Laurie Gore and Julie Osman Darlene and James Milligan, Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Wendy S. Pincus Teresa and Byron Pollitt Brian and Paula Powers Peter and Peggy Preuss Colette and Ivor Royston Mrs. Tina Simner Barbie and Dan Spinazzola Michael and Lonna J. Stolper Mary Lindenstein Walshok, Ph.D. Sheryl and Harvey P. White OPENING NIGHT CIRCLE - $5,000+ Anonymous (2) Lisa and Steven Altman Don Bailey and Leslie Stanford Browar Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Robert and Jaleh Brunst, Leichtag Foundation Debby and Todd Buchholz John and Jackie Bucksbaum Christa Burke, Conrad and Christa Burke Fund at San Diego Foundation Linda Chester and Kenneth Rind Lee Clark and Jerry Pikolysky Una K. Davis Brett Dickinson in honor of Joan and Irwin Jacobs Marty and Shel Diller Amy Corton and Carl Eibl Barbara Enberg Mrs. Valerie Ewell Armstrong and Mr. Sam Armstrong Dr. Benjamin and Sue Frishberg Dr. Joyce M. Gattas Wendy Gillespie Lee and Frank Goldberg David Newman and Samantha Goldstein, The Jasada Foundation Tatiana Zunshine and Miles Grant Dean J. Haas Eileen and Leonard Herman Aaron Herzberg Rosanne & Joel Holliday Susan and Aaron Huniu Conner Jacobs

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Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs Lindsey Jacobs Paul and Geneviève Jacobs Jay Jeffcoat Jendy Dennis Endowment Fund Mike Keefe and Mary Keough Lyman Labowe Family Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Labowe Elizabeth Lasley Veronica and Miguel Leff, Esq. Dr. Richard Leung Sheila and Jeffrey Lipinsky and Family Barbara and Mathew Loonin Dr. Nasrin Mani and Dr. Darush Mohyi Patsy and David Marino Frank Marshall and Kathy Kennedy Dr. Howard and Barbara Milstein Christy and Alan Molasky Marci and Ronnie Morgan Elspeth and Jim Myer Family Fund Bernard Paul and Maria Sardina Robert Caplan and Carol Randolph Rosenthal Family Fund, Commonwealth Charitable Foundation Alex and Laleh Roudi Lynn Schenk Gad and Suzan Shaanan Dr. and Mrs. David Smotrich Elizabeth Taft Karen and Stuart Tanz Greta and Steve Treadgold Tom and Judy Tullie Pamela J. Wagner and Hans Tegebo Cynthia Walk Geri Ann Warnke Dr. Steve and Lynne Wheeler Philip and Margarita Wilkinson David and Sherry Winkler Richard Winkler Jill and Bruno Wolfenzon Debbie S. Zeligson ACTORS’ CIRCLE - $2,500+ Anonymous (5) Dede and Mike Alpert Patricia and Gary Attman Charles Bergan and Lisa Kanetake Lisa and Jay Berlin Barbara L. Borden The Boyd-Rawlings Family Loyce R. Bruce Maureen and Lawrence Cavaiola Leslie H. Coll Julie and Bert Cornelison Corinna Cotsen and Lee Rosenbaum, The Stolaroff Foundation Marguerite Jackson Dill Karen B. Dow Dan and Phyllis Epstein Inge Feinswog Beverly and Dick Fink In Honor of George Gafford Ross and Mary-K Gilbert Jim Gilmore Jim Gilmore Kathryn Goetz Kimberly and Jeffrey Goldman Beverly Goodman Carrie and James Greenstein Julie Hall, Oklahoma City Community Foundation Judith and Chris Hamilton Koji and Angela Fukumura Craig Hightower and Steven Heitmiller Doug and Gail Hutcheson Cameron L. James Jennifer Kagnoff Dr. Warren and Karen Kessler Sherry and Larry Kline, Arnold and

Mabel Beckman Foundation Linda Lenhard and Mark Kritchevsky Helen and Sig Kupka Gary and Lisa Levine Dr. K.B Lim and Linda Lee Lim Foundation Lori and Joe Mahler Dennis A. McConnell Silvana and Alberto Michan Dr. Charles and Ilene Mittman Kelly and Mike Moore Jim and Susan Morris Gregg and Cindy Motsenbocker Arlene and Louis Navias Mark C. Niblack, MD Susan C. Parker Dr. Julie Prazich and Dr. Sara Rosenthal Dawn and Phil Rudolph Patricia and Douglas Sacks, in honor of Sheri Jamieson Jay and Julie Sarno Scarano Family Foundation at The San Diego Foundation Jackie and Don Schoell Dr. and Mrs. Cary Shames Dr. Ed and Evelyn Singer Susan and Gerald Slavet Leo C. Spiegel Spielman Family Foundation Dr. Doris Trauner and Mr. Richard Stanford David and Tina Thomas Stacey and Rick Valencia Emma and Leo Zuckerman INNER CIRCLE - $1,000+ Anonymous (10) Ahern Insurance Brokerage Jason Anderson and Riley Smith Dr. Stephen Baird and Carol Davidson Baird, Ernest and Eva Davidson Robert Baizer and Diane Jacobs Baizer Ginger and Ken Baldwin Dr. Kim E. Barrett Helene Beck Barbara Y. Beebe Mrs. Esther W. Belinsky Joni and Miles Benickes Sondra and Robert Berk Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Mickey Berman Steve L. Black and Kristen RichardsBlack Larry and Cindy Bloch Cindy and Steve Blumkin Michele Braatz Clare Bronowski and Jeff Lee, in memory of Rita Bronowski Helen and Darrell Brookstein, Brookstein Family Philanthropic Fund John and Nancy Jo Cappetta Cheryl and Greg Carlson Daniel and Deborah Carnick Kay Chandler Joan and Lou Chesner Janet and Maarten Chrispeels Carol Clark Liz Nederander Coden and Daniel J. Coden, MD Michael and Ellise Coit Daniel E Collins and Nancy Shimamoto Ambrose and Lucy Conroy Mary Corson Peter Cowhey and Margaret McKeown Stacy Cromidas and Ruth Gilbert Bob Cunningham, Volunteer Usher in Withdrawal Gerral and Anne David Denise and Gary David

The DePodesta Family Dr. Ralph B. Dilley and Brian Danielson Nina and Bob Doede Mary Donnelly Mark and Jenny Dowling Jacqueline and Stanley Drosch W. Byron and Pamela Dunn Dr. Robert and Mrs. Ann Dynes Toby Eisenberg Dr. Margo Emami and Mr. Edward Lizano Jeffrey and Jill Essakow Jennifer and Kurt Eve Karen and Steven Feitelberg Dennis Field Monica Fimbres M. Gregory and Monica Foerster Laurie Forrest Robert and Mona Freels Jan and Helane Fronek Ellen Fujikawa Harold and Pamela Fuson Fund at Schwab Charitable Ira and Cheryl Gaines Dr. Richard and Barbara Gitlin Fred and Lisa Goldberg The Lloyd Gorcey Charitable Foundation, Inc. in memory of Lloyd Gorcey Tom and Sheila Gorey Judy Grant Ms. Marcia Green Bernard and Judith Greenspan Luke Gulley Ajay and Silvia Gupta Kendall Hall, Fred Jones Family Foundation Pat and Rick Harmetz Douglas and Kimberly Harrison Steve and Sue Hart Dr. Carol A. Harter and Mr. William D. Smith Tom and Lynn Hawkins Judith M. Haxo John and Margaret Hendry, in memory of Ewart "Chip" Goodwin Phil and Kathy Henry Jamie Henson and Robert Houskeeper Richard Heyman and Anne Daigle Diana and Michael Hill Dr. Peter and Mrs. Megan Hoagland Gerald and Ingrid Hoffmeister Fund at The San Diego Foundation Bill and Nancy Homeyer Ray and Kate Hong Mark and Frances Huettinger Osborn and Dea Hurston Selwyn and Hilary Isakow Denise Jackson and Trevor King David and Betty Johnson Wendy S. Johnson Anthony* and Joyce Joseph Lewis and Patricia Judd Pradeep Khosla and Thespine Kavoulakis Angela and Matt Kilman Oskar and Judy Kirsten Daniel and Tammie Krammer Ms. Gale M. Krause Samara and Paul Larson Frank and Jessica Lazarus Fund Dixon and Pat Lee Michael and Katharine Lee Mrs. Reinette Levine Arthur and Sandy Levinson Karen and Mark Liebowitz Hamilton Loeb Barbara and Carl Maggio Sally and Luis Maizel Susan and Peter Mallory, in honor of Martha and Ed Dennis

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE: ANNUAL SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS Edna and Daniel Maneval Jasna Markovac and Gary Miller Rob and Holley Martens Jane and James McCarthy Valorie McClelland Professor Marianne McDonald Bill and Mim McKenzie Rob McManus Helga S. Moore Judith Morgan Ann L. Mound Chandra Mukerji Jill and Tom Mullen Laurie Dale Munday Esther R. Nahama Cheryl and Bill Naumann Lyn Nelson Phyllis and Jerrold Olefsky Dr. Walter Olsen and Dr. Zdenka Fronek Christopher and Susan Pantaleoni F. Richard Pappas Drs. Kim Kerr and Paul Pearigen David and Julieta Peterson Patrick and Evelyn Phillips Lori and Kenneth Polin Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Janet and Larry Pollack Stephen R Prest Dr. William and Marisa Rastetter Dr. Paul Abraham Rejto Edward Richard, in memory of Warren P Kendrick-Richard Russ and Marty Ries Laura and RJ Romero Bingo and Gino Roncelli David A. Roth and Toni D. Wolinsky Joy Rottenstein Krista Roybal and Jimmy Moreno Nina Sabban Bill and Dorian Sailer Beverly Sanborn, in memory of Warren Sanborn Herb Schnall, In Memory of Ann Schnall Dr. Morton and Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz The Sheridan and Baumgarten Family Fund Mitchell and Elizabeth Siegler Alan and Esther Siman Beth Sirull Jolene Smith Rod and Dolores Smith Madeline Spencer Mary Ann Rowan Susanne Stanford and Tom Matthews Kathryn Starr Dale and Mark Steele Stephanie and Alan Tarkington Marie Tartar and Steve Eilenberg Place D. Tegland Tom Templeton and Mary Ena Erlenborn Kelly and Elisa Thomson In memory of J. Marie Tuthill Twardowski Family Rebecca and Chris Twomey, in memory of Helen Goosenberg Jim and Kathy Waring Jo and Howard Weiner Graydon and Dorothy Wetzler Leilani Jones Wilmore, in honor of Charlayne Woodard Mr. Wayne Wilson Sherry and Jeff Winslow Paul Winward Dr. Joseph Witztum and Ms. Mary Elinger Witztum Leatrice Wolf in honor of Kay and Bill Gurtin

Elaine Wolfe Howard and Christy Zatkin the Helene and Allan Ziman Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Howard and Judy Ziment CENTER STAGE CLUB - $500+ Anonymous (7) John and Ofelia Alksne Philip Anderson and Verónica Valdés Kelsey Andrew Lynell Antrim Lee Austin Francis and Diane Bardsley Sharon G. Beamer Dr. Jay Berenter and Ms. Caryn Stein Carolyn and Giovanni Bertussi Barbara Bethel Gary and Barbara Blake Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Wendyce H. Brody Anita Busquets and William Ladd Kyle Chan and Cathy Swindlehurst June Chocheles Kristen L. Churchill Betty Clarquist Kathleen and Bruce Clegg Sue Lasbury and John C. Cochran Wayne Saville and Laura Colban Fred and Andrea Collins Robert A Cooper Donna Cross Anna De Angelis Jack and Karen DeLaria Lori and Tony Demaria Don and Julie DeMent Bethany Derrough Wally and Linda Dieckmann Charles and Sara Dispenzieri Beth and Stephen Doyne Bob Duffield Estee Einhorn Max Einhorn Drs. Marianne and Robert Engle Jan and Lynne Erikson Michael Fader Pamela Fair and Glen Sullivan Debroah and J Faulkner Drs. Linda and Gary Firestein Suzy Fitch and Ken Traupmann Drs. Bessie and Ron Floyd Lawrence, Janay and Joel Forman and Diane Bradley Susan Forsburg and Lisa Churchill Pat Freeman Catherine R. Friedman Joan Frost Anne and Mark Smith Brent Garcia Steven Garfin and Cheryl Kendrick Wayne and Martha Gerth Joseph and Barbara Giammona Dr. Irma Gigli Tom and Carolina Gildred Pat and Norm Gillespie Russell H Ginns Drs. Charles and Nancy Girvin Michael and Brenda Goldbaum Debbie and Joe Gonzales Drs. Tom and Cindy Goodman, In Honor of Whitney Goodman Dr. Michael Albo and Mr. Chris Graham Joann and Igor Grant Stephen and Karen Gray Lloyd and Dinia Green Ed Greulich Harry Griswold and Stephanie Webber Terry Gulden and Renée Comeau Dr. Richard and Phyllis Gundry

Blake Harper and Janice Deaton Dana Harrel and Daniel Roemer Thomas Harvey and Bonnie Drolet Marcia Hazan and Mark Cammell Bryan Hill Claudia Baranowski and Tom Horvath Robert and Pat Hughes Nora Jaffe Neil and Vivien Joebchen Ginger Kantor Ellen and Howard Katz David Auchterlonie and Barbara Keller Marian Kenney-Frick Jerry and Martha Krasne Alexis Lasheras Mick and Sherrie Laver James R. Lennox Marshall and Judy Lewis Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Louis & Jocelyn Libby, In Honor of Linda Chester Zita Liebermensch Conyee and Jonathan Lim John Lomac and Jill Schmidt John and Angie Longenecker Kathleen and Ken Lundgren Jain Malkin Inc. Scott Slater Markus Iris Masotti Colleen McNally, M.D. Christa McReynolds Dr. Ken Melville and Dr. Sabina Wallach Josh and Leslie Mereminsky Louis and Judi Mezzullo Ellen Michaels Eric and Laura Michelsen Dr. Nicola Moelter Christy Molasky Sandy and Jesse Morgan Marilyn Moriarty and John Phillips Martha Mutschler Ann Nathan Robert Nelson and Suzanne Foucault Carolyn Nydahl Janet and Clyde Ostler Carol Parker Dr. William and Beth Penny Adam Ith and Caroline Perry Sheila and Ken Poggenburg Marc Poland and Ellie Werner Christian Potter Greg Price, in honor of David Price - FLY Dr. Adele Rabin, in memory of Stephen Cohen Miyo Reff Cecile and Justin Renaudin Doug and Eva Richman Patrick Ritto Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Rockwood Jodyne Roseman Richard Roy and Celsa Spina Oliver Ryder Kristine and Denis Salmon Scott Sandel and James Marich Kari Lorraine Scott John and Patricia Seiber Teresa Shaffer Richard Shapiro and Marsha Janger Debbie and Dr. Darren Sigal Beverly and Howard Silldorf Elizabeth Simmons and Sekhar Chivukula Norman and Judith Solomon Gary and Susan Spoto Bill and Barbara Stevens Lisa Noelle Stone and Matthew A. Lab Mary and Tim Swift John and Gail Tauscher

Doug and Rachel Timmons Antoinette Tishon Kanani Titchen and Louis Seitchik Erin and Nick Trenda Trude Tsujimoto Jennifer and Chris Wahl Peggy Wallace Michael and Beth Wapner Jeannine Kay Watkins Miles Weinberger Susan Chortek Weisman and Eric Weisman Judy White Jeff White Linda Rankin and Rod Whitlow Philip and Claire Wise Noah Wolfenzon Susan and Jock Wright Brendan and Kaye Wynne Barry Zemel OVATION CLUB - $250+ Anonymous (18) Ben and Debra Abate Dismas and Heidi Abelman Heather R. Adams Louise Adler Ladan Daneshmand Dr. Randolph and Leslie Alexander Timothy W. Alexander Rich and Mary Lou Amen Alexander Ardwin and Sherry Santa Cruz Penny and Paul Arenson Barbara and Charles Arledge John Baril Beverly L. Bartlett The BenMichel Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation Martha Berner Gerlinde and Greg Beuerlein Nicholas and Samantha Binkley Peter Boland Helen and Douglas Boyden Sandra Boyles Sheryl and Robert Boze Gregg Brandalise Cherisse Brantz Mary E. Brewer Ms. Juanita Brooks Diane Budinger Ruth Bunn Burger Construction Vickie Burke Samuel and Teresa Buss Roberta M. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Edgar D. Canada Rachel Caparelli Amy and Reid Carr Bill Carrick, Wells Fargo Foundation Cindy Casselman Gary and Lynette Cederquist Rita Ceponiene Bill Chatwell and Christine Oster Elizabeth Chedrick Alexandra Cherwin Kim Chevallier Steven and Adina Chinowsky Lorraine Chuman and Stephen Mikolajczyk Laura Clapper Kristi Clark Barbara and Rick Cohen Sharon L Cohen Bowers Jewelers David and Cecelia Conover Rob and Eliza Contin Patti* and Coop Cooprider

Denis M. Crane, in memory of Rilla Crane Annette Cross Fred Cutler Joanne Dane, in memory of Bruce Dane Marcus and Ann De Barros Ana De Vedia Dwain and Cathy Deets Ted and Deanna DeFrank Linda and Richard Dicker Ronald L Diepenbrock Bob and Chris Dilworth Kim and A.T. Ditty Eric and Kristine Doan Dr. and Mrs. Paul Alan Dores Anne and Chris Duhaime, in honor of Rebecca Duhaime Dan Eberle Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Edelson Diane L. Edge DDS Susan and Stephen Ellis David and Dorothy Engel Kent Foster and Pam Fairley Julia S. Falk Leif Fearn and Nancy Farnan Barbara M. Finn Dieter Fischer's Mercedes Service, Inc. Esther Fischer Paula Fitzgerald and Chris Nielsen Lynsey Fitzpatrick Judy Fogel and George Diehr Gregory Foley Charlotte and Kenneth Fortier Dr. Jim and Mrs. Jenna Foster Linda and Reginald Frank Dr. Charles Freebern Aruna and Sabodh Garg Roy and Mary Garrett Carolyn Geller A.J. and Daniel Genis Lynn Bell George Dr. Nancy Giberson Diana and Murphy Glimm Judi Gottschalk Victoria Gramoy Jennifer Greenberg Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Gross Pat and Pepper Guevara Rick and Tory Gulley Jerome and Anita Gutkin Elsa and Keith Hall Victoria Hamilton and Paul Hobson James Hantske Don M Hardison James and Toni Harker Margo Hebald Kirk and Barbara Henry John and Yvonne Hildebrand Jennifer Hirsch Jerry and Linda Hirshberg Richard and Veronique Ho Hon. Herbert Hoffman Ret. Jonnie Hoffman Doan Hohmeyer George and Maryka Hoover Nikki Hrountas Hughes Family Foundation Beth Hulsart and Stephen L'Heureux Jenny Price and Tony Hunter Randy and Carrol Jackson Dr. Craig M. and Mrs. Beth Jackson Ed and Linda Janon Kyle Jarrow Annika and Dimas Jiminez Sonya Jinich Mark Johnson CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P27

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE: ANNUAL SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS Dario and Dan Jones Robert Kaplan and Marina Baroff Michael and Linda Karin Koji and Sue Kasuyama Roger and Lisa Kenchel Cecil Keener and Cristie McGuire Rick and Beth Kent Linda Kewin Jeff and Joel Harms Bryna Kranzler Mike Krupp Anne M and Richard C Kruse Robert and Elena Kucinski Drs. Janice and Matt Kurth Theresa and Steve Kurtz Ruth Ann and Alan Larson Jeff and Judy Lash Karen Sage and Charles Laughlin Irene Law Albert Lee Allen and Elizabeth Lemberg Dr. and Mrs. Steven Leshaw Pamela Hamilton Lester Rebecca LeVasseur B. Leonard Levy Lucy and Mitch Levy Drs. John and Mary Sanfelippo Lilley Dr. and Mrs. Scott Lippman Gerald and Ann Lipschitz Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Lipton Patrice Lock Mary Long Eric and Lori Longstreet Michelle Longtin Johnny Mah Jeanne Maltese Russell Mangerie Ann Manring Jordana March Andrea and Michael Markopoulos Marianne Marsch-Nakamura Edith Matsushita David and Jeanne Matthews Wallace McCloskey and Lynn Dolby Charlotte McConnell Patricia and Ken McCormack Robert T. McHugh Jim and Cheryl McIlhon Neil and Wendi McKenna Maggi McKerrow, in memory of Judie McDonald David and Patricia Meyers Jeanie Milliken Brian Milum Don and Judy Mizaur Craig and Betsy Monsell Story and Richard Moreno Kathryn and Lee Morgan Helene and Henry Morrison Art Mortensen and Patty Robello Greg and Andrea Moser Susan Motenko Susan Muha Craig and Janet Munson Timothy and Sharon Nagy Insu Nuzzi Maureen O'Brien and Nick Loter Jamie and Amy Ogle

Michael R. Oppenheim Erin O'Rourke Carol Pankiw Tyner Beatrice E. Pardo Drs. Genevieve and Kelly Parsons Ms. Virgina S. Patch John and Paula Peeling Sheila Pickwell Melissa and Daniel Pietenpol Alan Pitcairn Family Fund at the National Philanthropic Trust Janet K. Poutré Dr. Richard and Rosalinda Puetter Ed and Nancy Quinn Kathleen Rae Dr. Kevin Rapeport and Dr. Angeli Hill Steven and Doris Ratoff Karen Reinker Mark Remas Richard and Paula Renkin David and Melissa Rewolinski Drs. Sharon Lee and Christopher A. Rhodes Ph.D. Margaret Riel and Hugh Mehan Joanne and Stuart Roberts Aaron Rubenson, in Honor of Kathie Rubenson George and Karen Sachs Rosalia Salinas Marilyn R. Scheininger Frankie and Howard Schiffman Gay Young and Daniel Schindler Patricia Schmidt Judy Schreiber, La Jolla Playhouse Partner Elizabeth Segil Amy Selich Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Selzer Alyssa Sepinwall and Steve Goldstein Guy and Barbara Shaw Jim and Joy Shaw CPAs Michael Sheehan Drs. Ron and Marilyn Simon Babrara Slater Bradford and Jeannine Smith Clark and Kathryn Smith Edward and Karen Soens John and Lynn Spafford Ray and Lauren Stainback Sylvia Steding and Roger Thieme Charles Stephens and Eric Meijer Roger Stern Nancy and Charles Stewart James and Kathleen Stiven Stone Family Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation Marylou and James Straub Tom and Patricia Stuart Mark and Christine Stuhmer Dr. Michael Sutherland and Linda Greenberg Robyn Swanland Nancy J. Taylor Charles and Brita Tesar James and Martha Thompson Edward L. Threat, In Memory of Karin U. Threat Andrea Migdal and Mike Tierney

Patricia Ann Tisdale, in memory of Chip Goodwin Helga Trachinger Richard and Joy Vaccari Drs. Katharine Sheehan and Frederick Walker Anne Walter Carolyn Crane and staff, in memory of Ewart "Chip" Goodwin Audrey and Byron Warfield-Graham Diane Watson Michael and Barbara Wengler Sharon Weremiuk Eileen Glasser Wesley and Mark Wesley Dr. John and Darice Westwood Jean M Wilkinson Curry Wolfe Peter and Donna Worcester Summer Wynn Yata Family FRIEND - $150+ Anonymous (25) Laura S Adams Gene and Pat Alfaro Sharon and Terry Allen Christine Alvarado Janet Ambrozek Betty Anderson Judith Anderson Karen Anderson and Roman Zajcew Scott Andreiko Cyla Andrus and Darrell Mead Maureen Arrigo Katherine Ashton Mark Ashton Robert and Jill Ayling Kenneth X. Baca Yali Bair Ruiz, PhD in memory of Aaron Bair, MD Gil and Annabelle Balaoing Edward and Susan Ball Judith Bambace and Brian Trotier Dr. and Mrs. David J. Barnette Jr. Laura Barry Kevin Baum Richard and Paula Beck Michael Berg Eugene and Lauren Berkenstadt Arnold Berlin Lynn Bernard Dr. Ronald J. Bills Bingham Family Jana and Michael Birch Lee and Cyndie Birchansky Eleanor Birrell Paul and Julie Bishop Ms. Christine Blantz Alice Bloom Joyce and Bob Blumberg Charles and Marilyn Bohle David and Ginger Boss Jack Boyce and Theresa Breining Susan Boyett Janis Brams Bryan Bratt Arthur Brauner and Brenda Scott Mead Bonnie and Scott Broberg

George* and Johanna Brody Alice W. Brown David Ingram Bruner Keith Bunin Dylan and Kai Bunyak Clark Burnett Suzy and Bill Butler Michael and Wendy Carey David Chang Mark Chapman and Heather Raymon Mr. Neal P. Chazin Victoria Chen Michelle Chereque Warren Cintron and Martha Senturia Arthur and Alice Clawson Ken and Linda Colby Judith Collier Melissa Collins-Porter Harry and Valerie Cooper Martin Cooper and Arlene Harris Eric Corona Laurel Costello Lou Countryman Rosemary Cremo and Jim Smith Lee Curtis Lynn and Richard Cusac Gail Davis Keely and Rick Daximillion Paige DeCino, in honor of Tom DeCino Keith Deconde Eric Demers Drs. Cedric and June Dempsey Edward DeRoche Dwight Detter Leslie DiBona and Steven McGivern Stewart and Yvonne Dier Heather Dietsch Virginia Dobias Capt. Robert and Elaine Donnelly Richard and Carol Doughty John and Mary Ann Driscoll Tina Dyer Diane Edgar Roberta Edwards in memory of Sara Hill Doris and Peter Ellsworth Mr. Russ Emmons Isaac Engel and Ruth Schwartz Steven and Amy Epner Beth Epperson Joseph Faletti Julia Farag Farhad and Fara Fashandi Esther and Robert Feier Jean Feinstein Bob and Cathy Fenstermacher Neil and Judy Finn Dale Fleming Rik and Carol Floyd Brett Flynn and Kim Perszyk Rocio and Michael Flynn Pamela and Michael Foley Gail Forbes Mindi Frankel Barbara Freeman Richard and Karen Freeman Michael Freet and Katie Kallshian Patricia H. Freund Hillary Dion Friedberg

Judith and William Friedel Ronne Froman Al Gaines Briana Gallo Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gans Joan and Arnold Gass Susan Gembrowski and Rex Baker Gwen and Robert Gerrity Ann Lantzy Glazener and Chris Glazener Dale and Donald Goldman Custom Logos Marlene and David Gotz T.C. Meyer and Anna Graham-Meyer Robin and Linda Grensted Robert Gross Paul and Marilynn Gushard Rick and Leslie Hackley Robert and Merrill Haimsohn Dr. Jeffrey Hall and Fern Platt Diane and Dan Halvorson Carl and Jo Anne Hammond Prof Marc & Mr James Harden Mary Hardwick Jan Harrell and Janet Guidry Crane Harris Nancy Hartley Bob and Lisa Hartman Alan Hay Georgia Ann Hayashi Jan and Mike Hegstad Ann H Hein and Dawn M Formo Shea Hermann Maria G. Hernandez Catherine Hestilow Kimberly Hiland-Belding Dianne Hill Laura Hoffman Patricia Hoffman Dr. and Mrs. Michael Holland Joan Huck Gay and Eric Hybertsen James and Lee Ann Iagmin Mitchell International Ms. Frances Irving Mark Jacobs Nancy Jamison Cynthia A. Stuenkel and Brian E. Jaski Peter and Janeen Jensen Emily Jillette Galen Johnson Erik and Sara Jorissen Vesa Junkkarinen Jim and Sharon Justeson David and Susan Kabakoff Elizabeth Pennington Paul R. Keith Jim and Jennifer Kelly Nora Khatib Shirley King and Arthur Olson Tove Lise King Michael Klein and Anna Tarvyd Klein Edward and Glenda Knight Rolf and January Knoke Bill and Linda Kolb William Koman Wendy Kramer Michael Krucky and Gene Lee Tim and Mary LaBrucherie

IN LOVING MEMORY Jordan Ressler, 1981-2004 A Film and Theatre graduate from Cornell University, Jordan was an adventurer with a passion for the arts. Here at La Jolla Playhouse, he served as an assistant to Des McAnuff on Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays and was the script supervisor for Jersey Boys.

The Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation was established by his parents, Vivien and Jeffrey Ressler, to honor their son and his love of theatre and film.

P28 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE: ANNUAL SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS Michelle LaGrandeur Theresa Lai Vic and Mary Landa James and Katherine Laverty G. Lebron Bob Lee Catherine and Stephen Lee Richard Leib and Sharon Rosen Leib Family Fund of Jewish Community Foundation Susy Lerner Bena Leslie Susan and Denis Levy Vicki Lindblade Emily and Charley Litt Kathy Lockridge Robert MacKie Linda Madamba Sue and Peter Madsen The Mandell Family Team Awesome Tom and Ina Masten Michael and Brenda Mathews Marcia A. Mattson Mitzi Mayer Mac and Tort McCarter Lani and Herbert McCoy Kay McElrath and Sue Weir Dr. Elgie and Mary McGrath June Melin Marion Mettler Art and Jan Meyers Bill Michalsky Paul and Melissa Micou Bill Middleton Joseph Miller Norma and Scott Miller

Thomas Hilton Miller Tracie and Daniel Monk Elizabeth Morgante Akiko Charlene Morimoto Sue Morrow Stephen Cary Nagler Ruth Newmark Elijah and Adelle Nicolas Geri Nicolson Theodore Niekras Christopher Nielsen Takuya Ninomiya Kyomi O'Connor Tanya and Thomas O'Donnell Virginia Oliver Max and Fredda Opalsky Eric and Benedicte Otterson Kim Owens-Cree Bonnie Packert Mr. and Mrs. Ben Padilla Greg Park Judith Parzen Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paurazas David Pearlman Richard D. Perlman, MD Rachel and Robert Perlmutter Penelope Perryman Colin and Andrea Phan Glenn and Bea Pierce Tom Pliskina Ruthe Ponturo in honor of Robin and Larry Rusinko Alan Portnoy Cynthia James-Price and Curtis Price Bill and Jamie Pugh Thomas Pugh and Barbara Millar John and Linda Quinn

Michael and Judy Quinton Alexis and Kathleen Quiroz Cynthia and Gilbert Raff Dennis Ragen and Christine Hickman Laura and Mike Ravine Angela M Reyes and Tara Harre Mark and Lia Robinson Brett Robson Mary Rodgers and Elizabeth Palmer Dan Romano and Alice Garfield Stephen and Susan Root Michael S. Rosenberg Steven Rosenstein Sue R. Rosner Nancy Ross Joan Rothenberg The Royer Family Allan Rudick and Dolores Forsythe Ted and Carol Rutter Trabus Technologies James Sallis Bradford and Alice Saunders Paul B. Schaeffer, in memory of my parents Mark and Ruth Schlossberg Sid and Emy Schneider Peter and Jocelyn Schultz Jim Scott Steve and Pat Seaborg Enid and Michael Seiden Neil R. Senturia and Barbara Bry Carolyn Shadle Richard and Eleanor Shorter Jacqueline and Steve Silverman Lynne Simon, in honor of Leslie Simon The Sinclair Family Roy and Rosalie Skaff

Sarah Slaughter Joanie Smith Leslie Smith Marc Smith Nick and Vanessa Smith Peter Smith and Ralph Schneider Annie So Marion So Dr. James Spalenka Dr. John Spicer and Mrs. Joyce L. Spicer Cheryl Standard Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sterman Spence and Sue Stevens Anthony and Ione Stiegler Nancy Stimson Tim Stirens Jill Stone Patti and Robb Street Joan Stroh Robert and Janet Stuelpner Steve Sullivan Ms. Nancy Sutton Michael and Pamela Swartout John and Amy Swazey Ernest and Darlene Tamayo Denis Tarakjian MD Joseph and Ann Tebo Pat Tillson Meredith Toft William Tong and Marilyn Newhoff Cal and Lynda Treger Delicia Turner Sonnenberg Tony and George Turner-Mercado David Valentine, in memory of Patti Valentine John Venekamp and Clifford Schireson

Johanna Vertullo Clarke and Elva Vollbrecht Karin Walin Jeff and Kim Wallace Z.J. Waxenberg Marianne Wedemeyer Jane M. Wetzel, in memory of Chip Goodwin Bill Peters and Bev Willey Joyce H. Williams Sandra Williams Melinda and Sterling Wilson Nancy Winslow Caryl Lees Witte Mr. and Mrs. Keene Wolcott Margaret Wolfe-Johnson Sandy Woodhouse Jan Elizabeth Woolsey Bennett Wright Michael Yablonsky Sandra Young Larry Zeiger Robert and Judith Zeiss Dr. Gabriel Zimmerer and Yunuen Zimmerer Steven and Cindy Zisser Pamela Zuckerman

Reflects giving to annual fund, endowment and Gala underwriting support from 2/1/20 – 02/14/22.

We apologize for any errors or accidental omissions.

Please contact the Individual Giving Office at (858) 5501070 x134 if you would like to change your listing.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P29

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS Lead Supporters: The William Hall Tippett and Ruth Rathell Tippett Foundation | Qualcomm Foundation Community Programs The Playhouse partners with members of local affinity groups to create productions for, by, with and in the communities we serve. In addition, we provide creative opportunities for artistic development and growth for various community groups.

JumpStart Theatre This three-year program provides curriculum and mentorship for a team of middle school teachers to produce musicals in their schools for the first time. After three years, the school receives continued support to maintain a viable theatre program.

In-School Programs The Playhouse partners with school districts across San Diego County to place professional teaching artists in schools for intensive artist residencies aimed at providing young people with meaningful opportunities to learn about theatre. Through the Kennedy Center’s Partner in Education program, the San Diego County Office of Education and LJP team up to provide professional development for educators on how to enhance their existing lessons with theatre strategies.

Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour Each year, the Playhouse commissions a new play that addresses real concerns of today’s youth and brings a professional production to schools and community centers across San Diego County.

Innovation Lab Focusing on how theatre can improve communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in the work place, Playhouse teaching artists lead interactive activities to build effective teams in any industry.

Residencies and Partnerships • UCSD MFA Residencies: 3rd-year UCSD MFA students participate in a residency within the Playhouse’s 6-show season.

• Resident Theatre Company: The Playhouse annually provides an artistic home and resources to a local theatre without a permanent space of their own.

• Good Neighbor Partnerships: The Playhouse offers opportunities to artists, theatre companies and collectives to use our spaces and resources for special projects that may not be possible without outside support.

Spotlight On Playhouse teaching artists lead classes for adults on Improv, Musical Theatre, Acting and Technical Theatre.

Student Matinees Special student matinees of selected mainstage productions are offered throughout the school year. An online engagement guide, pre- or post-show workshops, and a post-show talkback provides a deeper understanding on how a new play is uniquely developed with Playhouse staff.

Young Performers’ Conservatory (YPC) A 5-week intensive that prepares actors for serious college theatre programs; and Tech Theatre, which introduces young people to the various aspects of technical theatre. Supported by the Sidney E. Frank Foundation, the Jordan Ressler Endowment Fund, David C. Copley Foundation and the Roberto Quiñones, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

For more information on La Jolla Playhouse’s Learning and Engagement Programs, please email learningandengagement@ljp.org P30 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE and view our free resources for educators and families on our website.

PATRON SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY

CONCESSIONS AND DINING

PARKING AND SHUTTLES For the latest parking and shuttle information, please go to LaJollaPlayhouse. org/plan-your-visit/parking

Designated wheelchair-accessible seating is available and accessible parking is provided by UC San Diego in the Osler Parking Structure.

Wheelchair seat locations are available for wheelchair users and a companion. Additionally, a golf cart is available to assist patrons with accessibility needs to and from the drop-off location. You may pull into the Passenger/Ride Share Drop-Off area and a greeter will assist you. The Playhouse offers assisted listening devices free of charge at the Patron Information Booth for any patron who would like amplified sound (subject to availability). Please provide a credit card or ID for temporary deposit.

Start your night off right with bar and concessions service from James' Place: serving beer, wine, sodas and individually-wrapped snacks. Additionally, James’ Place Express provides modified casual dining service 90 minutes before showtime.

PATRON SERVICES is located in the lobby or courtyard of each theatre. A volunteer is available to distribute assisted listening devices and answer questions.

COVID-19 SAFETY

PHOTOGRAPHY/RECORDING DEVICES Photography and video or audio recording of performances is strictly prohibited.

Listening Devices Provided in Part by

CHILDREN under the age of 6 are not permitted in the theatre during performances unless otherwise posted. Unaccompanied minors ages 12 and under are not permitted in the theatre.

Out of respect for fellow audience members and the performers, babes in arms are not permitted in the theatre during performances.

The Playhouse continues to follow guidelines and strategies provided by San Diego County, California Department of Public Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all in-person activities.Please go to LaJollaPlayhouse.org/ plan-your-visit/covid-safety for our latest policy updates.

LATE SEATING Should you arrive late for any performance or need to leave your seat during the performance, you may be asked to wait in the lobby until an appropriate moment. To minimize any disturbance to actors or other patrons, you may stand or be seated in the first available location by House Management even if not your assigned location.

Please be advised that some performances may not allow for late seating or return to your assigned seat.

PLEASE SILENCE or turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones and watches, before the performance.

SAFETY IN THE THEATRE DISTRICT La Jolla Playhouse is constantly working with UC San Diego Police Department and Transportation and Parking Services to maintain a safe and secure environment in the parking lots. Patrons are welcome to use the UC San Diego escort service by contacting UC San Diego Community Service Officers (CSOs) at (858) 534-9255 (WALK). Further questions regarding security, please contact UC San Diego Police at (858) 534-4357 (HELP).

Continuing more than two decades of partnership with Native Voices at the Autry, we proud to present their 2022 Short Play Festival and Festival of New Plays at La Jolla Playhouse.

MARCH 2022 | 12th Annual Short Play Festival Trickster: Coyotes, Rabbits, and Ravens, Oh My! Many Native stories involve a Trickster, a cunning, crafty, clever, mischief-making being who often teaches humankind how to be while embodying what not to be. A Trickster is the ultimate disrupter. They can be charming, witty, funny, harsh, critical, but they have a truth to share with us if we only listen. And if we don’t listen? Well, they will find a way whether we like it or not.

JUNE 2022 | 28th Festival of New Plays Selected playwrights will develop their plays over ten days in residence at the Autry. Audience feedback is key in the culmination event, a festival of staged readings with an illustrious cast and creative team who share these theatrical works in progress.

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LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

Christopher Ashley* The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse

STAFF

ARTISTIC Executive Producer Eric Keen-Louie Director of Artistic Development Gabriel Greene* Director of Experiences and Activations Mia Fiorella* Producing Associate Amy Ashton Executive Assistant to Christopher Ashley Rick VanNoy* Director Emeritus Des McAnuff Commissioned Artists Todd Almond, Jeff Augustin, Daniel Beaty, Keith Bunin, Guillermo Calderón, Fernanda Coppel, Kristoffer Diaz, Noah Diaz, Ava Geyer, Idris Goodwin, Joe Iconis, Hansol Jung, Mike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza, Martyna Majok, Mona Mansour, Gregory S. Moss, Lisa Peterson, Theresa Rebeck, Harrison David Rivers, Claudia Shear, Christopher Shinn, Octavio Solis, Benjamin Velez, Keith Wallace, Cheryl L. West, Lauren Yee Artists-in-Residence Kenny Ramos, David Reynoso Theater-in-Residence Blindspot Collective LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT Director of Learning Bridget Cavaiola Stone Director of Arts Engagement and In-House Casting Jacole Kitchen Learning and Engagement Coordinator Hannah Reinert Learning and Engagement Assistant Luis Martinez Teaching Artists Andréa Agostino, Frankie Alicea-Ford, Julie Benitez, Desireé Clarke, Leticia De Anda, Farah Dinga, Kristen Fogle, Donny Gersonde, Melissa Glascow, Kirsten Giard, Samantha Ginn, Cory Hammond, Jeffrey Ingman, Levi Kaplan, Justin Lang, Wilfred Paloma, Lorena Santana, Michael Shantz, Bex Walker, Sofia Zaragoza ASL Interpreters Lynn Ann Garrett, Anelia Glebocki, Billieanne McLellan, Alycen Haynesworth ASL Volunteer Esther Shen Audio Describers Mernie Aste, Brian Berlau, Tina Dyer, Shari Lyon, Deborah Sanborn, Sylvia Southerland, Michele Dixon, Lisa Illiana, Laurielynn Barnett, Leslie Satz, Ann McDonald ADMINISTRATION General Manager Ryan Meisheid Corporate/Legal Counsel Robert C. Wright, Wright & L’Estrange Theatre/Legal Counsel F. Richard Pappas, Esq. COMPANY MANAGEMENT Company Manager Erica Martin Assistant Company Manager Isabel Rodriguez Company Management Assistants Mia Apalategui, Nate Cathey

BHANGIN' IT CREW Stage Carpenter James Fogarty Fly Operator Michael Brodsky Deck Crew Kendell Northrop, Brylan Ranscht, Nicholas Savage, Jeremy Siebert Deck Crew (Swing) Zane Whitmore Head Prop Zlatko Mitev Head Prop (Swing) Melissa Nalbach

LaJollaPlayhouse

P32 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

COMMUNICATIONS Chief Communications Officer Mary Cook* Director of Public Relations Becky Biegelsen* Associate Director of Sales & Marketing Sonia Diaz Communications Manager Grace Madamba Senior Multimedia Designer Nancy Showers Multimedia Designer Phyllis Sa Marketing Specialist Jacey Aldredge Marketing Database Analyst Dani Meister Patron Services Sales Specialist Paul Preston* Sales Concierge William Guiney PATRON SERVICES Associate Director of Ticketing Services Pearl Hang* Senior Patron Services Manager Travis Guss Patron Services Assistant Manager Mike Brown Lead Patron Services Representative Bill Washington Patron Services Representative Rachel Lasker, Devin O’Reilly OPERATIONS Director of Operations Ned Collins* Operations Manager Jen McClenahan* Network Systems Specialist Daryl “Scooter” Davis Office Administrator Katie Wallace FRONT OF HOUSE House Manager John Craft* Assistant House Managers Gabi D’Amico, Lex Bezdeka, Braulio Fernandez-Flores, Hannah Johnson, Sara Lucchini, Amy Marquez* Audience Concierges Ashley Carbonell, Simonne Darbonne, Sara Delgado, Chris Ferreria, Emily Klemmetsen, Mariana Ortega, Ryan Ritterby, Teya Searles, Avery Simonian, Gemina Soriano, Maria Torpey, Mia Van Deloo Janitorial Professional Maintenance Systems: Yajaira Fierro, Faviola Marshburn, Juan Mena, Mayra Ramos, Montserrat Reyes, Tony Villafuerte PHILANTHROPY Director of Philanthropy Julia B. Foster Associate Director of Philanthropy Keely Daximillion Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Institutional Giving Rebecca Pierce Goodman Philanthropy Operations Manager Tony Dixon Special Events Manager Sarah Huddleston Corporate Relations Manager Samantha Watkins Institutional Giving Coordinator India Benedetto Philanthropy Coordinator Melvina Bridges Special Events Coordinator Anna Juarez Philanthropy Assistant Dominque Kersh

Prop Runner Kevyn Fernandez Wardrobe Supervisor Junior Bergman Wig & Make Up Supervisor Alberto “Albee” Alvarado Dressers Kathleen Kenna, Stephanie Kwik, Kim Parker Dresser (Swing) Stephanie Gift Light Board Operator/Head Electrician Kristyn Kennedy* Light Board Operator Jessica Dean Follow Spots Alex Cluff, Sean Murray

@lajollaplayhouse

@LJPlayhouse

Debby Buchholz* Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse FINANCE Chief Financial Officer Laura Killmer Controller Jared Jackson Accounts Payable Manager Sharon Ratelle* Human Resources Manager Jennifer Boaz PRODUCTION Production Manager Benjamin Seibert Associate Production Manager Becca Duhaime Production Office Manager Caren Heintzelman Production Management Assistant Matthew Bantock SCENE SHOP Technical Director William Hartley Associate Technical Director Jonathan Gilmer Assistant Technical Director Michael Strickland Shop Foreman David Weiner* Production Carpenter Zane Whitmore Lead Shop Carpenter Matthew Clark Carpenters Michael Adams, Kyle Ahlquist, Mihai Antonescu, Michael Brodsky, Jacob Bruce, Matthew Clark, Gabriel Easterling, James Fogarty, Kevin Hoffman, Nicholas Jackson, Tibor Lepes, Brylan Ranscht, Ava Roethe, Nicholas Savage, Tim Van Der Linde Charge Artist Melissa Nalbach Scenic Painters Edee Armand, Jennifer Imbler, Caroline Kvaas PROPERTIES SHOP Prop Shop Supervisor Deb Hatch* Lead Artisan Zlatko Mitev Artisan Rai Feltmann, Ryan Lewis, Gabe Serbian COSTUME SHOP Costume Supervisor Jennifer Ables Resident Costume Design Assistant Desiree HatfieldBuckley Draper Alexander Zeek First Hand Rebecca Fabares Stitchers Stephanie Gift, Keira McGee Craft Artisan Tess Mattraw, Junior Bergman ELECTRICS Interim Electrics Supervisor Kristyn Kennedy* Head Electrician Kristyn Kennedy* Electricians Michelle Aguilar, Alex Cluff, Xavier Luevano, Sean Murray, Kevin Orlof, Aiko Whitmore SOUND/VIDEO Sound/Video Supervisor Timothy Riggs Head of Sound Department Daniel Silva Sound Technicians Rachel Eaves, RJ Givens, Mae Le, Tanner Osborne, Nicholas Savage Head of Video Department Stephan Hoyt Video Technician Toby Egan

Production Audio Engineer Brian Walters Deck Sound (A2) RJ Givens A2 (Swing) Mae Le Video Operator Toby Egan Moving Light Programmer Ben Fichthorn Projection Programmer Benjamin Keightley, Stephan Hoyt

LaJollaPlayhouse1947

* Ten years or more with La Jolla Playhouse

DININ G

Absinthe tasting at new French bistro Wormwood

SUPPERTIME

in SPRINGTIME Delicious Dining Awaits Around San Diego this Season / by sarah daoust /

From a classic steakhouse to a vegan sushi hotspot to a new French bistro with a full absinthe menu, San Diego is brimming with diverse and delicious culinary experiences this spring. Following are a few outposts to consider.

ARLENE IBARRA

Marking its first foray into North County, Trust Restaurant Group has opened its second location of Rare Society steakhouse. The sleek outpost evokes a nostalgic-glam, Rat Pack-era vibe—featuring polished-walnut tabletops with gold trim, an exhibition kitchen, outdoor bar and covered patio. Executive chef Brad Wise’s dinner menu offers premium steak cuts, such as Australian wagyu tri-tip; sustainably sourced seafood, including a full raw bar, caviar and Oysters Rockefeller; classic Caesar salad; and specialties such as roasted bone marrow with chimichurri. To drink: a

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 13

From left: The Rare Old Fashioned cocktail; Rare Society's dining room; artichokes and wine at Wormwood.

well-vetted wine collection spotlighting “great American reds” and an elevated cocktail program.

The Rare Old Fashioned is exceptional—made with dry-aged, fat-washed bourbon. Other libations have a local spin, with names like The Coaster, Solana Highlands and 75 & Sunny. Save room for the decadent Bananas Foster Cheesecake and maple crème brûlée for dessert.

330 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.771.0181 Channeling a whimsical, “Old Paris” vibe, Wormwood is San Diego’s first dedicated absinthe bar and restaurant. The 1,700-square-foot space (formerly occupied

by Jaynes Gastropub) features an indoor bar, a romantic, low-lit dining room, and a secretgarden-style courtyard

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offering ample outdoor dining. Absinthe (derived from the wormwood herb) is the star here. The bistro stocks more than 30 selections—sourced mainly from Europe, New York and Louisiana— and served in slow-drip fountains with a sugar cube; along with absinthefocused cocktails. (Be on the lookout for the “green fairy.”) The food menu is a study in modern French cuisine—showcasing refined shareable plates such as roasted bone marrow topped with wagyu tartare, served atop potato foam; sturgeon caviar with sea-urchin custard; and duck confit with Parisian gnocchi, parsnips, peanuts and a surprising banana-vinegar beurre blanc that left us speechless. 4677 30th St., North Park, 619.915.6706

A meld of Mexican gastronomy and mixology, Urbana has opened at the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center. The sister to its original Anaheim location, the stylish eatery—a contemporary indoor/ outdoor space adorned with massive “Day of the Dead” murals—serves creative cocktails and Mexican plates inspired

by Michoacán street food.

Ahi ceviche at Urbana

This means gourmet tacos such as the pork-belly taco with house-pickled cucumber and chili oil on a hand-pressed, blue-corn tortilla; mole enchiladas with shredded Jidori chicken; squid-ink risotto with wild shrimp, cotija and edible flowers; and the signature Urbana burger with wagyu beef. Seafood lovers will adore the selection of fresh ceviches (try the red snapper); and

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY RARE SOCIETY, KIMBERLY MOTOS, ARLENE IBARRA, COURTESY URBANA

be sure to ask about the “chef’s oysters.” Wash it all down with a craft libation such as the Noche en Tulum, made with mezcal and corn liqueur.

12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.925.7236 The minds behind Milan-style pizzeria Ambrogio 15 bring us Semola—a culinary haven devoted to contemporary Italian cuisine and gastronomy. Dine on the patio beneath strung twinkle lights and let seasoned chefs Daniela Martinez and Silvio Salmoiraghi spoil you. The menu of elegant, refined dishes features purple-pesto gnocchi; wagyu carpaccio with cured egg yolk and lemon-pepper caviar; and saffron risotto with herb goat cheese; plus Italian wines and decadent desserts. For an extra splurge,

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El MESíAS HANDEL'S MESSIAH FOR A NEW WORLD

March 18-20, 2022

Featuring a newly commissioned Spanish libretto, which shines a new light on this beloved work, and seeks to explore how our diverse communities access this music.

2021/22 NINETEENTH SEASON

Performances in San Diego & Tijuana Tickets: www.bachcollegiumsd.org

3/12

Tim Bluhm

4/7

Time for Three

Country | Roots | Rock & Roll

Pop | Classical | Americana

4/29

Missy Raines

Bluegrass | Folk | Americana

Discover In-Person & Virtual Concerts at MoMM! www.museumofmakingmusic.org (760) 438-5996

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book the private chef’s table. 7556 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.412.3432 The UC San Diego campus welcomes a new family member. Say hello to Uncle Italian (formerly Soda & Swine) by Consortium Holdings. The new hang serves Detroit-style pizza, pastas, salads, beer and boozy slushes. What exactly defines “Detroit style?” Well, it’s a pizza rectangle (not a pie), with a thick, crispy-yet-chewy crust, and (usually) a healthy smattering of tomato sauce. Uncle Italian offers it in several basic varieties, including cheese (upon which you can add toppings), mortadella and mushroom. 105 Eucalyptus Grove Lane, La Jolla, 619.629.0676 Executive chef Davin Waite (Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub, The Plot, Whet Noodle) has partnered with pro surfer Cheyne Magnusson and fellow surfer Chris Slowey to bring us Shootz Fish + Beer—a “Maui meets Baja” counter-style concept. The latest culinary offering at Oceanside’s Tremont Collective, Shootz (which loosely means “right on” in Magnusson’s native Hawaii) shares patio and interior space with craft beer tasting room Bottlecraft—serving seafood in the form of line-caught poke, off-the-boat tacos, daily market specials and more.

COURTESY IMAGE

Ramen bowls at The Yasai

Bear in mind that Shootz is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 7 p.m., so make it an early dinner (or come for lunch). 602 S. Tremont St., Oceanside, 760.696.3524 Junya Watanabe—the renowned chef and owner behind San Diego’s RakiRaki Ramen eateries— brings a distinctive vegan Japanese experience to Little Italy. Welcome to The Yasai, a casual culinary oasis known to convert even die-hard carnivores. Inside the airy, urban-industrial space, you’ll find Watanabe devotees noshing on beautifully plated vegan sushi (try the spicy notuna roll), hearty vegan ramen bowls and crispy no-chicken karaage; along with specialty creations such as vegan nigiri and nondairy matcha ice cream for a sweet finish.

2254 India St., Little Italy, 858.240.1445 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 17

F EAT U R E CONT’D. FROM PAGE 11

March 26, 29, April 1, April 3m, 2022 San Diego Civic Theatre Darlene Marcos Shiley, Lead Production Sponsor

Roméo et Juliette CHARLES GOUNOD

The grand and sweeping retelling of one of the most tragic love stories of all time FOR TICKETS, VISIT SDOPERA.ORG OR CALL (619) 533-7000 Buy with confidence: SDOPERA.ORG/SAFETY

EXPERIENCE THE EXPRESSIVE POWER OF THE HUMAN VOICE Scan this QR code with the camera app on your smartphone for a sneak preview of Roméo et Juliette.

18 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

success with Messiah, he would never write in Italian again.

Handel performed Messiah continuously, adapting and rearranging the work to suit the strengths of his singers, his evolving orchestral resources and overall intentions. By the time of his death in 1759, there were 10 distinct versions of the work accepted for performance. Messiah has an unbroken performance history, continuously evolving through time according to the needs of a particular age. So it should not be surprising that Bach Collegium San Diego decided the time was right to commission a translation of Messiah in its entirety into Spanish

for the very first time, with the purpose of performing it in one of the vernacular languages of our community, both in the U.S. and in Mexico.

“Messiah is not commonly performed in Spanish, and that’s a real gap in its long and evolving history,” says artistic director Ruben Valenzuela. “Bach Collegium San Diego has done many versions over the years. In 2019, jokingly I said, ‘Well, what should we do next? I know, let’s do it in Spanish.’”

After giving it some more thought, though, Valenzuela realized the joke was actually a brilliant idea, for a variety of reasons. “Our border location—a need to make these works of art living, breathing, organisms instead of dusty museum

pieces. As a kid growing up in a Spanish-speaking church congregation, I first experienced small excerpts of this piece in Spanish. In fact, for a while I thought the piece only existed in Spanish.”

In addition to founding and leading Bach Collegium San Diego, Valenzuela is a respected scholar. He holds a doctorate in musicology from Claremont Graduate University, and has undertaken research at the Centro Nacional de Investigación, Documentación e Información Musical, Carlos Chavez (CENEDIM, Mexico City), and the Archivo del Cabildo of Mexico City Cathedral.

So once the idea took hold, his decision to proceed was not taken lightly.

The Spanish translation of

Ruben Valenzuela (front) and musicians comprising Bach Collegium San Diego

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The San Diego Concert Band presents “Spring Bouquet of Music” April 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The Joan B. Kroc Performing Arts Theatre 6611 University Avenue San Diego, CA .Tickets available March 2022 online –

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www.SanDiegoConcertBand.com.

Bach Collegium’s musicians in action

Messiah was assigned to the experienced Tijuana musical scholar Mario Montenegro, artistic director of the Vocal Ensemble of the Tijuana Cultural Center. After some pandemic-related delays, the day has finally arrived to hear the results.

Performed on historically accurate instruments, El Mesías: Handel’s Messiah for a New World will receive its world premiere on Friday, March 18, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff-bythe-Sea; with additional performances on March 19 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla; and, most significantly, on March 20 at CECUT Centro Cultural in Tijuana.

“When working on the Spanish libretto for Handel’s Messiah, there were three guiding principles that I had to be very respectful about: first, the musicality of the

language, which is very different in both languages; then the meaning of the text, which I needed to be as close to the original English as possible; and last, the spirit of the full work, which is very profound and belongs to the Holy Scripture,” Montenegro says. “I had to make many decisions, as I could not take a literal approach to the Spanish Bible, because it just did not fit into the musical structure, and all the decisions I made were based on those three principles I had since the beginning of the adaptation.

“Another consideration was the importance of the work in every respect, and the seriousness of the commitment that was delegated onto me. Lastly, I always had in mind the gift we were offering to our community with this adaptation. Because we do not have any homologous work in Spanish, Handel’s Messiah demands an PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 21

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22 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE

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adaptation that is worthy of the work itself.”

“Our goal is to offer a complete and dynamic Spanish Messiah that will speak to our immediate community and the Spanish-speaking world at large, and make a significant contribution to the oratorio’s long performance history,” says Valenzuela. “This is the right place and time to do it, and BCSD is the right ensemble to perform it.

Our artists are excited and ready to expand the reach of this great work, and to explore how our communities access them.”

“This will be my first full Messiah as a soloist, and it is doubly special since I will be doing it in my native language and with an ensemble I have admired for years,” says Cecilia Duarte, mezzosoprano soloist. “I am honored to be a part of such an important moment, and I am most

Bach Collegium’s musicians performing

excited about our performance in Tijuana, where Spanish-speaking people will get to hear this masterwork and understand its beautiful message.”

The world premiere of the full oratorio of El Mesías: Handel’s Messiah for a New World takes place at the following locations: Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Friday, March 18, 7 p.m.

3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m.

7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla CECUT Centro Cultural Tijuana Sunday, March 20, 5 p.m.

P.° de los Héroes 9350, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico (free admission)

For more info and tickets, visit bachcollegiumsd.org PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 23

Springtime at the historical Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, founded by Junípero Serra in 1769.

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BRADLEY SCHWEIT

P A RTIN G SH OT

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MCASD in La Jolla reopens Saturday, April 9. mcasd.org

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