About Starcatcher
Starcatcher Productions is a new Jerusalem‐based theater group, whose purpose is to provide Israeli audiences access to high‐quality productions of progressive live musicals, to expand the audience for this art form, and to develop the talents of those capable of producing this art, both as cast and crew.
We are interested in new, fresh, contemporary productions, and promote a broad range of shows We strive to involve, engage and mentor artists to develop the talents of the next generation of actors, directors, producers and designers We seek to collaborate with theater organizations having similar artistic interests, in order to create a strong, vibrant English‐language theater community in Israel Passionate about musical theater? For more information, to be involved, or to join our email list, contact us at starcatchertheater@gmail.com and visit our Web page: http://www.starcatcher.co.il
Previous Starcatcher Productions: A Chorus Line, March 2014, presented by Starcatcher and Encore! Little Shop of Horrors, November 2013, presented by Starcatcher and JEST The members of the Starcatcher creative team have a wealth of additional production experience, including: Hairspray (March 2013), Encore! youth production The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (November 2012), J‐Town Playhouse West Side Story (March 2012), Encore! youth production Grease (March 2011), Encore! and Mercaz HaMagshimim The Fable of the Goat (March 2011), The Agnon House & Bet Avichai
Book, Music an nd Lyrics Jonathan Laarson Musicaal Arrangement Ste eve Skinner
Original Concep pt &Additional Lyyrics Billy Aronson
Music Supervision Addition nal Arrangementts Tim Weil T
Dramaturg Lynn TThomson
Design Eli Kaplan‐Willdmann
Pho otography IttaArbit
Sound Yuval Am mit
Costumees and Makeup Dena Buckman
BAND Conducctor/Keyboard – Jeeff Rosenschein Be en Katz – Electric gguitar, Shy Oren –– Bass, AkivaMeller – Drums Alon Aviv – Keyboard II/Guitar II
Producer P Elino or Kaufman
Staage Manager Elian nnaRosenchein
Mussical Director Jeff Rosenschein
Chorreographer Yaeli Greenblatt Directo or Eli Kaplan‐Wildmann
Cast In order of appearance Mark Cohen
Coren Feldmen
Roger Davis
Lev Kerzhner
Mrs. Cohen
Amanda Keehn
Tom Collins
Yosef Caldarone
Benjamin Coffin III
Antoine L. Collins
Joanne Jefferson
Gabriella Feingold
Angel DumottSchunard
Hayim Ezra Ani
Mimi Marquez
Rachel Frazin
Mr. Jefferson/Pastor
Richie Mann
Mrs. Jefferson/Alexi Darling
Noa Marom
Paul/Squeegee Man
Stephen Lerner
Jordon/Mimi’s Mother
Tal Schwerd
Homeless Woman/Soloist
Shlomit Leah Kovlaski
Hat Seller
Rebecca Fox
Coat Vendor
Michal Schwartz
The Man
Jonathan Mosheiff
Maureen Johnson
Shayna Tischler
Restaurant Man
David Gellman
Roger’s Mother
Omer Yavin
Hayim Ezra A.
Yosef C.
Antoine C.
Rebecca F.
Rachel F.
David G.
Lev K.
Stephen L.
Richie M.
Tal S.
Michal S.
Gabriella F.
Amanda K.
Shayna T.
Noa M.
Coren F.
Shlomit K.
Jonathan M.
Omer Y.
Musical Numbers ACT I Tune Up/Voicemail #1– Mark, Roger, Mrs. Cohen, Collins, Benny Rent– Company You Okay, Honey? –Angel, Collins One Song Glory — Roger Light My Candle — Mimi, Roger Voice Mail #2 — Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Today 4 U —Angel You'll See — Benny, Mark, Roger, Collins, Angel Tango: Maureen — Joanne, Mark Life Support — Jordon, Paul, Mark, Company* Out Tonight — Mimi Another Day — Mimi, Roger, Company Will I? — Jordon and Company On the Street —Company Santa Fe ‐ Collins, Angel, Mark, Company I'll Cover You— Angel, Collins We're Okay — Joanne Christmas Bells — Company Over the Moon — Maureen La Vie Bohème/I Should Tell You — Company ACT II Seasons of Love — Company Happy New Year/Voicemail #3 — Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Maureen, Joanne,Mrs. Cohen, Alexi Darling, Benny, The Man Take Me or Leave Me— Maureen, Joanne Without You — Roger, Mimi Voice Mail #4 — Alexi Darling Contact— Angel, Company I'll Cover You (Reprise) — Collins, Company Halloween— Mark Goodbye Love — Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Maureen, Joanne, Benny What You Own — Roger, Mark Voice Mail #5 — Roger's Mother, Mimi's Mother, Mr. Jefferson,Mrs. Cohen Your Eyes/Finale — Roger, Company
Director’s Note "Rent" is a worldwide phenomenon. Aside from being a creation that touched many people's lives, it inspired artists to think differently about art and theater. Lin‐Manuel Miranda, an award winning composer and lyricist, says that seeing RENT taught him that he can write about here and now, which led to him writing the musical "In The Heights" and launched his career. Here and now is always hard in theater. Do we need to change a show from 400 years ago to make it relevant? How about a show from 21 years ago? RENT was written as taking place right outside the door of the theater it was performed in. What is taking place outside the door of our theater? In the show there is frequent talk of leaving the city. The dirt down on the street and the luxury high‐rises above , as well as the intolerance and violent police, lead our characters to wish they lived in Santa Fe. But, as one character says to the other, "you'll miss New York before you could unpack". We often feel the same here in Jerusalem. There are so many reasons to move away ‐ to Tel Aviv, to Berlin ‐ but RENT also helps us see the reasons to stay. Jerusalem is full of the good and fun things that this show puts on stage. This city has a thriving contemporary arts scene; a strong religious LGBT community; homey cozy cafes; great drag performers; "baggage, wine and beer!". But mostly, the sense of affirmation and satisfaction of living where it's hardest to live. The show starts by asking "What binds the fabric together/ When the raging, shifting winds of change/ Keep ripping away?", and it seems as though the rest of the show comes to answer that. The people, our communities and the friendships, are what bind us together and make sure that every year here contains seasons of love.
About the Cast & Staff Hayim Ezra Ani (Angel Dumott Schunard)is a student at Shalem College majoring in Philosophy and Jewish Thought. Born and raised in Baltimore, Hayim has been a singer/songwriter since middle school. He is making his musical theater debut as Angel in Starcatcher’s production of Rent; an opportunity that for him has been nothing short of fantabulous! Yosef Caldarone (Tom Collins)is thrilled to be making his Israeli theater debut in RENT after making Aliyah last Spring. Previous credits include: THE WATERCOLOR GIRL at Circle in the Square Theater (Nick), LA BOHEME with The NY Grand Opera (Parpignol), CHICAGO with Diamond Head Theater (Mary Sunshine), BAT BOY with Manoa Valley Theater (Rev. Hightower), as well as MISS SAIGON (The Engineer) and BYE BYE BIRDIE (Conrad Birdie) with Richardson Theater. Thanks to Amir, Carol, Mom &Dad, friends, family and HaShem! Antoine L. Collins (Benjamin Coffin III )is ecstatic to be able to take time from recording his debut album of jazz standards “Somewhere Along The Way” to play the role of Benjamin (Benny) Coffin III. Selected credits include Concert version of RENT, (English On Stage), Tel Aviv based cabaret act Showstoppers, A Chorus Line as Richie Walters (Starcatcher/Encore), Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey II (Starcatcher/JEST), Hairspray as Seaweed J. Stubbs (Encore) and Rent in the ensemble and the understudy for Tom Collins (Orpheus). “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss…” Gabriella Feingold (Joanne Jefferson)is thrilled to make her Jerusalem debut with Starcatcher’s Rent! She recently received a BA in Theatre for Social Change from Brandeis University and is currently working on various community theatre projects in Jerusalem. Her past roles include the Witch (Into the Woods) and Catherine (Pippin), among others. She
wishes to thank her husband, Louis, for his never‐ending support. Coren Feldman (Mark Cohen)has been playing Mark since he saw RENT when he was 15. He’s grateful for the chance to do it in front of an audience instead of a mirror. He has acted in 7 shows in Jerusalem (Including Korczak’s Children, 13and The Winslow Boy) and is a proud member of Heartbeat, an Israeli‐Palestinian program promoting dialogue and acceptance through music. Rebecca Fox (Ensemble)is 17 years old, has homeschooled all her life, and is now studying anthropology and history at the Open University. Rebecca has been dancing ballet since she was 6, along with playing the violin and clarinet. Her previous musical theatre experience includes A Chorus Line last March, and recently Beit Hillel’s Beauty and the Beast. She can’t wait to be a part of this awesome show! Rachel Frazin (Mimi Marquez)Is 22 years old, from California and is studying for her M.A. in Israeli Politics and Society at Hebrew University. She’s been singing and dancing since childhood, most recently in Jerusalem as Katie in Second Star to the Left and Val Clark in A Chorus Line. Viva la vie boheme! David Gellman (Ensemble)joined Jerusalem’s community theatre community in 2011 and has been hooked ever since. He’s participated in 5 shows, including Little Shop of Horrors (Starcatcher and Jest), and most recently, A Chorus Line (Starcatcher and Encore!). Rent was his eye‐opener to the world of musical theatre, and he’s very excited to be a part of it with such a wonderful group of people. Amanda Keehn (Ensemble) is thrilled to be onstage again, this time in a show that she has been in love with since age eleven. It will be something of a challenge to learn the specific musical parts for each song and to quell the
urge to sing all other characters’ parts simultaneously as she has been doing for so long! Shlomit Leah Kovlaski (Ensemble] is a first year student at Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, studying under Bibiana Goldenthal and Sonia Mazar. She is grateful for all the projects she has been a part of this year and hopes to be in many more shows and projects in the future. This past summer she got certified as a makeup artist with Il Makiage and had the privilege of doing makeup for Second Star to the Right and A Little Night Music with JTown. She Wants to thank her RENT family, family and friends for their support! Enjoy the show! Lev Kerzhner (Roger Davis) is a published song writer and singer. He studied Meisner acting in NYC’s legendary Esper studio and has had leading roles in theater, television and cinema. He’s happy to reprise his role as Roger in the Jerusalem production of RENT. Stephen Lerner (Ensemble) CHOREOGRAPHERS WARNING: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEND YOUR BIOGRAPHY IN LATE. Stephen has the most beautiful sapphire blue eye (making Richie Mann a lucky man). When not volunteering with underprivileged children, he can be found peeling potatoes at local food kitchens. He has an MSc from HUJI in Biotechnology and Underwater Basket‐ Weaving. Stephen ran the COMPLETE Jerusalem marathon on behalf of SHALVA on March 12th, explaining his underwhelming high kicks for those seeing RENT subsequent to then. Richie Mann (Ensemble) has recently returned home after four busy months in New York City where he completed an internship in the Spokesperson’s Office at Israel’s Mission to the United Nations, saw many Broadway shows and did very little else. He completed a Master’s degree in political science at Hebrew U and worked in media relations at Yad Vashem. His previous credits include A Chorus Line (Don Kerr), Little Shop of Horrors (additional roles & puppeteer) and Hairspray (Fender).
Noa Marom (Ensemble)is excited to join the Starcatcher family for the first time. Previous stage productions in Israel, the USA and London include: Annie Get Your Gun, Dead Man’s Cellphone, Oliver!, Fame, Guys and Dolls, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz. Noa is finalizing her Law degree and works at the Jewish Agency in the Shlichut department. Jonathan Mosheiff (Ensemble)Born and raised in Jerusalem, Jonathan is a Computer Science doctoral student and teacher at the Hebrew University. He is very excited to participate in RENT, his third show after My Fair Lady and Gondoliers. When not rehearsing, Jonathan coaches the Israeli national team for the International Olympics in Informatics. Tal Schwerd (Ensemble), 17, is working as a teachers assistant in an elementary school for her Sherut Leumi. She has performed in several productions in Jerusalem with Beit Hillel, J‐Town Playhouse and now for the first time, Starcatcher! You might recognize her from Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, Oliver (Hillel) or as Mulan in the very original production, Second Star to the Left. During Chanukah you can see her galavanting around the stage as the “Wardrobe” in Hillel’s Beauty and the Beast. Michal Shwartz (Ensemble)has been acting, dancing and singing ever since she can remember. She majored in Theater in High school and was part of the dance team and the vocal ensemble. She is a graduate with a B.A in Theater from the Hebrew University, a theater teacher in elementary schools in Jerusalem and a coordinator of a community theater program with senior citizens in the city. Shayna Tischler (Maureen Johnson) is enthusiastic about jumping over the moon. Shayna is classically trained and has performed as soloist with several orchestras in Israel and in Europe. She has also participated in Ra’anana musical theatre since the age of 14, in the roles Jo March (Little Women), Sally Brown (You’re a good Man Charlie Brown) and Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). By day, Shayna
is a project manager in a High‐Tech company in Tel Aviv. Omer Yavin (Ensemble) is 24 years old and is a member of the Dror Israel Movement. Over the past few years she has been working in educational and community projects with youth. Omer has been taking dance lessons since she was 12. She has participated in dance performances and in musical theatre groups from a young age. She is thrilled with the opportunity to sing and dance on stage in Rent – her favorite musical.
Staff Dena Buckman (Costume Designer and head of makeup staff) is a certified fashion designer from Kavim Institute, specializing in custom‐ made women's wear. In addition, Dena has created individual unique designs for items ranging from baby bibs to wedding dresses. She has been costume designer for Much Ado About Nothing, Little Shop Of Horrors , A Chorus Line, and the original production of Second Star To The Left; and has done makeup for countless shows. In her spare time she bakes and caters for small events. Dena can be reached at denabuckman@gmail.com. Yaeli Greenblatt (Choreographer)is a performer, dance teacher, and self declared Renthead! She is currently working towards a PHD in English Literature at the Hebrew University.Yaeli was trained at the Vertigo dance company workshop, and has participated in musical theatre programmes with Sadnaot Habama and at Broadway Dance Center NYC. Previous theatre experience includes: A Chorus Line (Director) with Starcatcher, choreographer for Little Shop of Horrors with Jest and Starcatcher, Grease with Center Stage, West Side Story & Hairspray with Encore!, and Jtown Playhouse’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She was
on the choreography team for Ah Jerusalem!, and has worked on several shows for Aspklaria Theatre. Eli Kaplan‐Wildmann (Director)lives in Jerusalem and works both in Israel and New York. Projects stateside include off‐ Broadway’s Tricks the Devil Taught Me, the Liz Swados musical Sosua, and the off‐Broadway run of the Carlebach musical Soul Doctor, in addition to work on designs for NBC, Mtv and the Toy Fair. He designed for the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, taught at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and created AniKinor, an interactive installation in the Jerusalem Light Festival. Favorite credits from Israel include Opera Camera’s Dido and Aeneas, JEST’s Pygmalion and his previous collaborations with this fantastic team – Encore’sHairspray and JEST’s Little Shop of Horrors. Elinor Kaufman (producer)has been an active participant in the community theater world for many years. She most recently performed in Second Star to the Left and Little Shop of Horrors. Directing credits include West Side Storyand The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She is very excited to wear the producer hat for the first time in the amazing show that is RENT. In real life, Elinor lives in Jerusalem with her husband and son and works as an Israel trip coordinator for Ramah Israel. Elianna Rosenschein (Stage Manager) has been involved in theatre for a long time, and after Rent she will be taking a break from her 6 year long spree of shows to go to the army. Among other things, she was part of the productions of 13 the Musical and Grease, and was Stage Manager for A Chorus Line, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Jeff Rosenschein (Music Director)is delighted to be working with this talented cast and crew on “Rent”. This is Jeff’s tenth show as pianist/conductor and/or musical director, prior shows having been the Israeli premieres of “Rent” (in 2009) and “13“, “Grease“, “West Side Story“, “The Last Five Years“, “The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee“, “Hairspray”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, and “A Chorus Line”. He sang for 3 years in the Zamir Chorale of Boston, was “Rosh Musica” for 6 summers at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, and sang in the chorus of 5 “Encore!” Gilbert and Sullivan shows (and “Carousel“) in Jerusalem. Jeff is a Professor of Computer Science at Hebrew University, and has co‐founded two Jerusalem‐based software companies. He is married to Shira, father to Chana, Moshe, Yair, Margalit, and Elianna, and grandfather to Michael.
During Support Group, in Act One, the original cast of Rent assumed the names of people they knew who had fought AIDS and passed away. Tonight in that scene, you will hear names of people who were close to our cast members and succumbed to illness; at other performances, you will hear the names of the four transgendered teenagers who have committed suicide in the past year. May all their memories be a blessing, and may we build a world without such needless loss.
RENT is a show about community, and without a devoted community this show would not have happened. Many cast members pitched in, but we also owe major thanks for the following: Rehearsal space ‐ TheTali School, and Tomer Belity‐Dagan of the Jerusalem High School For The Arts; Collage Guru ‐Rachel Jacobson; Vocal Support ‐ Yael Silver; Sound Effects Buttons Pressers ‐ David Elman and Sam Berman; Cameo of Mr. Grey ‐ Ricky Fleischer; Surtitles Buttons Presser ‐ Yakir Feldman; Makeup ‐ Karen Feldman; Administration ‐ Bar Kayma with Lydia and Noam; Sound Effects ‐ Yona Kaplan; Additional Translation ‐ Faigie Ariel, Allison Teitlebaum; More than a designer of buttons ‐ Aharon Manor Venue ‐ Asaf, Moshe and the Beit Mazya Staff; Many thanks also go to Rafi Poch; El Halev; Michael Berl; Rachel Inbar
Thank You!
No Day Butt Today!!! N Brreak A Leg,, Antoine! Yourr friends at tthe Embassy sy off Canada-T Tel Aviv Ada, Adrien, A Allllen, Bill, Caarl, Jay, Juulie, Nataliee, and Mikke!!! P.S. Caan’t wait to hearr the new album m!!