Head Over Heels, WOH 2024 by watervillecreates

CONCEIVED AND ORIGINAL BOOK BY Jeff Whitty

DIRECTOR Debra Susi

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Shannon M. Chase

SCENIC DESIGN Allison Turlo

COSTUME DESIGN + DRAMATURGE Travis M. Grant

LIGHTING DESIGN Yasmin Yacoby

SOUND DESIGN Elise DeSeifer

CHOREOGRAPHY Ariel Grenier

PROPS DESIGN Nathan Sylvester

STAGE MANAGER Noel Carson

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Erik Hyatt

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Basilius ..................................................................................... Jak Peters

Gynecia ..................................................................................... Bee Tyler

Pamela ........................................................................ Isabelle Grignon

Philoclea ..................................................................... Jordan Clatchey

Dametas ............................................................................... Paul Herard

Mopsa .......................................................................... Hannah Weston

Musidorus ................................................................. Cameron Wright

Pythio ................................................................................ Wee Kiat Chia

ENSEMBLE

Gary Cummings

Samantha Delorie

Ariel Grenier

Jessica Haviland

Jonas Maines

Ethan Sargent

Bryce Smith

Rachael Stetson

Jacob Sutherland – Musidorus US

Emily West

PIT SINGERS + UNDERSTUDIES

Julia Badaraco – Mopsa US

Bluee Brewster

Mykayla Conerly – Gynecia US

Meg Dearborn – Universal Swing

Jessica Georges – Philoclea US

Caleb Streadwick

PRODUCTION TEAM

Technical Director ................................................ Juniper Purinton

Production Manager ......................................................... Bryant Cyr

Production Assistant .......................................... Nathan Sylvester

Light Board Operator ................................................. Noel Carson

Sound Board Operator ............................................. Elise DeSeifer

Master Carpenter ............................................................... Wil Currie

Scenic Charge/Rigging Operator ............................. Allison Turlo

Dance Captains .......................... Samantha Delorie, Emily West

Fight Choreographer ....................................................... John Logan

Backstage Crew ... Suellen DeVito, Ryan Eagles, Krystal Guckin

Spotlight Operators .............. Linda Neubelt, Andrea Swiderski

ORCHESTRA PIT MUSICIANS

Mary Ellms .............................................................................. Keyboard

Jeremy Turner ............................................................................. Drums

Neil James .................................................................................... Guitar 1

Steven Barter ............................................................................ Guitar 2

Dan Gilbert .................................................................................. Bass A

Andy Buckland ........................................................................... Bass B

SPECIAL THANKS

Ann Durost

Hannah Davis

This production is presented with one 15-minute intermission. The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.

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DRAMATURG NOTE

Theatre is, at its very core, an exploration and reﬂection of ourselves: who we are, what we want, how we hope to live our lives. A ﬂying, English nanny teaches us to find the magical in the mundane while providing lessons on hope and kindness. A smelly, green ogre and a talking donkey explore themes of friendship and social injustice. A group of lions and other savannah animals teach us about identity, family, and responsibility. We play out these stories that are seemingly fantastical and inconceivable, but ultimately are grounded in reality and truth; they tell the story of us.

Like many other great pieces of theatre, Head Over Heels reﬂects the wondrous diversity of the human community while giving the microphone to those who have not often (if ever) had a platform to tell their stories: queer men and women, trans and nonbinary folx, and genderqueer individuals. Stories like the one told in Head over Heels have the potential to shine a light on the broader complexities of gender and identity and explore themes of unconditional love and acceptance of ourselves and everyone we know, no matter their gender expression or sexual identity. Head Over Heels is a show of unbridled joy and passion with an open, generous, inclusive heart in seemingly heartless times.

The stories you see and hear in Head Over Heels are not the stories of royalty and mystics or shepherds and princesses; these are our stories, each and every one of us. Though at times fantastical and far-fetched, magical and madcap, this show holds a fundamental truth at its core and teaches an essential lesson that we hope you will carry with you as you leave here tonight: love is love is love.

Travis M. Grant, Production Dramaturg

“Automatic Rainy Day” written by Regina Schock, Steve Plunkett, and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Plunksongs (BMI), Schock It to Me Music c/o PEN Music Group Inc. (ASCAP) and Wiedwacker Music (ASCAP).

“Beautiful” by Charlotte Caffey and Regina Schock. Used by permission of Schock It to Me Music c/o PEN Music Group Inc. (ASCAP) and Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Cool Jerk” by Donald Storboll. Used by permission of T/Q Music Inc. c/o BMG Bumblebee (BMI).

“Get Up and Go” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Good Girl” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal MusicMGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Head Over Heels” by Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Spirit Services (ASCAP).

“Heaven is a Place on Earth” by Richard Nowels, Jr. and Ellen Shipley. Used by permission of BMG Bumblebee (BMI) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Spirit Services Holdings, S.a.r.l (ASCAP).

“Here You Are” by James Vallance, Charlotte Caffey, and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Wiedwacker Music (ASCAP), Chargo Music (ASCAP), and Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“How Much More” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Lust to Love” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal MusicMGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Mad About You” by Paula Jean Brown, James Francis Whelan and Mitchel Young Evans. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Len Freedman Music, Inc. on behalf of Lilac Drive Music (ASCAP).

“Our Lips are Sealed” by Jane Wiedlin and Terence Edward Hall. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) on behalf of itself and Plangent Visions Music Ltd. (ASCAP).

“Skidmarks on My Heart” by Belinda Carlisle and Charlotte Caffey. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Punishment Tunes c/o BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP).

“This Old Feeling” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Turn to You” by Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal MusicMGB Songs (ASCAP).

“Vacation” by Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP) and Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Some Other Music (ASCAP).

“Vision of Nowness” by Kathy Valentine and Craig Ross. Used by permission of Spirit Two Music Inc. o/b/o Some Other Music and Wigged Music (BMI).

“We Got the Beat” by Charlotte Caffey. Used by permission of Universal Music- MGB Songs (ASCAP).

Act I

We Got the Beat ................................................................................

Company

Beautiful .................................................................................. Pamela, Ensemble

A Vision of Nowness ................................................................................. Pythio

Get Up and Go ................ Basilius, Gynecia, Pamela, Philoclea, Ensemble

Skidmarks ................................................................................. Pamela, Ensemble

Mad About You ........................................... Musidorus, Basilius, Ensemble

Good Girl ................................................................. Philoclea, Pamela, Mopsa

Skidmarks On My Heart ............................................. Musidorus, Ensemble

Vision of Nowness Reprise ......................... Pythio, Musidorus, Ensemble

Automatic Rainy Day ................................................................ Pamela, Mopsa Cool Jerk ........................ Gynecia, Pamela, Musidorus, Philoclea, Basilius

Vacation .................................................................................... Mopsa, Ensemble

How Much More ....................................................................................... Pamela

Our Lips Are Sealed ........................................ Musidorus, Philoclea, Pamela, ........................................................................................ Mopsa, Pythio, Ensemble

Act II

Head Over Heels ............................................. Musidorus, Phioclea, Pamela, ..................................................................... Mopsa, Gunecia, Basilius, Ensemble

This Old Feeling ........................................................................ Gynecia, Basilius

Turn to You ............................................................... Mopsa, Pamela, Ensemble

Heaven is a Place on Earth .............. Pythio, Gynecia, Basilius, Ensemble

Lust to Love ............................................................................ Basilius, Ensemble

Here You Are ........................................................... Philoclea, Pamela, Mopsa, .................................................................................... Gynecia, Basilius, Ensemble

Mad About You Reprise ........................... Philoclea, Musidorus, Pamela, .....................................................................Mopsa, Dametas, Pythio, Ensemble

Skidmarks On My Heart ................................................................. Company

Finale .......................................................................................................... Company

BIOGRAPHIES

Julia Badaraco (Pit Singer/Mopsa US) is grateful to return to Waterville Opera House where she has been previously seen as Jovie in Elf and Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages. She has also recently performed in Spring Awakening as Wendla at the Community Little Theatre in Auburn. When not on stage, she enjoys rock climbing and cuddling with her cat, Minnie. Head Over Heels means a great deal to her as a queer story, and she hopes it will positively impact people’s lives as it has hers.

Shannon M. Chase (Music Director) is thrilled to join Waterville Opera House for the first time as MD for Head Over Heels. A seasoned vocalist, pianist, music director, and conductor, holding three degrees in music and conducting, Chase has been an active artist-performer, educator, conductor, and director for thirty years. Her professional experience spans K-12 education, college and university, choral and church music, musical theater, opera, and chamber music. Shannon would like to thank the executive and creative teams as well as the entire cast and crew of Head Over Heelss for welcoming her to the community for this exciting, ground-breaking production!

Wee Kiat Chia (Pythio) Praised for his “rich and deep countertenor voice” with a “dramatic edge,” countertenor Dr. Wee Kiat Chia was the soloist for the West coast premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s The Orphic Moment at the Music Academy of the West, as well as the Florida premiere with enSRQ. He participated in the première of the Beth Morrison Projects’ Ouroboros Trilogy in Boston, covering the roles of Xiao Qing. He was a 2017 finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions New England Region A Music Associate at Colby College Music Department, Dr. Chia achieved his Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University. weekiatchia.com

Jordan Clatchey (Philoclea) is overjoyed to be returning to the WOH stage for the eighth time! Recently, you may have seen her as the Macy’s Manager in Elf, Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express, or Constance Sack in Rock of Ages. Jordan would like to thank her mother, Randi Clatchey, for her unwavering support and love, her aunt and uncle for always being the loudest supporters in every crowd, and Jenn McCowan, Shannon Thurston, and Joelle Morris for their support and guidance throughout her journey as a performer. She would also like to thank this show’s cast and creative team.

Mykayla Conerly (Pit Singer/Gynecia US) is thrilled to join this incredible cast in her very first Waterville Opera House production! Mykayla works locally at Waterville Public Schools as a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and absolutely adores this community. She wants to thank her husband, family, and friends for all their support as she dips her toes back into the magic of musical theater.

Gary Cummings (Ensemble) is an Army veteran. Originally from Louisville, KY, he moved to Maine in 2023. He acted in a few different plays while in the Army. This is his third show with WOH. He was Joey Primo in Rock of Ages, and Samuel Ratchet in Murder on the Orient Express. He was Father Karras in The Exorcist for Some Theater Company in Bangor.

Samantha Delorie (Ensemble) You last saw Samantha as the Strip Club DJ in WOH’s recent production of Rock of Ages. Samantha has had the pleasure of performing in the ensemble of many previous WOH productions, among her favorites are Rocky Horror Show, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers. When Samantha is not indulging in her theatre passion, she works as the clinical director for Waterville Public Schools. But by far, her biggest passion is raising her two boys, Liam and Sully with her partner, Shane. A huge thank you to Liam, Sully, and Shane for supporting her through this and many other adventures.

Elise DeSeifer (Sound Designer), originally from Wilmington, NC, is excited for her first show with the Waterville Opera House! Previously, Elise worked for Opera House Theater Company (OHTC) in Wilmington where she designed sound most recently for the Wilmington Theater award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Since 2019, Elise also worked with OHTC for Prom, Kinky Boots, Newsies, Ragtime, and Little Mermaid. She graduated from UNC-G with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition. In her free time, Elise enjoys gardening, house projects, and knitting.

Travis M. Grant (Costume Designer) Previously at WOH: Tuck Everlasting, Hello Dolly!, Annie, Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, The Rocky Horror Show, Into the Woods, Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, Spamalot. Elsewhere: Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, The Rocky Horror Show, The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Million Dollar Quartet, Grease, Tommy (Maine State Music Theatre); The Nutcracker (Bossov Ballet); Inook and the Sun (U.S. Premiere), Last Easter (New England Premiere, KCACTF/Barbizon Region I National Design Award) (University of Southern Maine), and many more! Travis is a frequent collaborator with RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, JuJubee (Huluween Dragstravaganza, PetSmart National Commercial/Instagram). Winner of five regional Broadway World Awards for Best Costume Design, including Best Costume Design of the Decade (2010 – 2020). www.travismgrant.com

Ariel Grenier (Choreographer/Ensemble) is the owner and artistic director at Between Friends Arts Center – Home of Next Generation in Brewer, ME and on Faculty for Studio One for Dancers. She received her Bachelors in Psychology and Early Development with a minor in Dance from the University of Maine. She is a Board Member for Maine Dance Teachers Club and has been a dance and theatre educator for over a decade locally, as well as in the UK and Ireland. Ariel’s performance credits include the US Premier of Fame Forever, Joseph ATD, Rocky Horror, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and Hello Dolly. Her choreography credits include Elf and Wizard of Oz at WOH as well as countless productions at local theatres and studios. She is excited to be able to join the cast on stage for this amazing show!

Isabelle Grignon (Pamela) first made her Waterville Opera House debut as Oliver Twist in Oliver!, and is so excited to be returning to this beautiful space. Favorite past roles include Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Schoolhouse Arts Center), Fiona in Shrek the Musical (Lyric Music Theatre), and Turn Back, O Man in Godspell (Hackmatack Playhouse). Isabelle is currently studying secondary education/English at the University of Southern Maine and is part of the acting company at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine. She would like to thank her mother and her beautiful girlfriend, Sutton, for always supporting her. thetrevorproject.org

Jessica Haviland (Ensemble) is “head over heels” to be part of this production! She was last seen on the Opera House stage as Emily Hobbs in Elf Some other credits include: Elsa in The Sound of Music, Betsy Foster in Tuck Everlasting, Katherine Plummer in Newsies, Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly!, Rose in Enchanted April; a Musical, Woman 1 in Songs for a New World, Rachel in Two by Two, and Gangster 2 in Kiss me Kate Thanks to the WOH production team, fellow cast members, and crew for a wonderful show! Sit back and enjoy!!

Paul Herard (Dametas) is honored to play Dametas in Head Over Heels! He has been a part of WOH in over fifteen productions, such as: Tuck Everlasting the Musical (Constable Joe) and Rock of Ages (Dennis Dupree). In real life, Paul is a Realtor with the Pine Tree Group powered by EXP realty. He would like to thank his family and friends from supporting him in his passion for acting and theater production, and he urges everyone to donate to the Waterville Opera House!

Erik Hyatt (Assistant Stage Manager) Deep within the shadows of the backstage, where stage left is audience right, Erik will help manage the magic to bring the show to life. While he looks forward to once again being under the lights, he adores being able to help WOH bring the best theater it can to the stage, and being dressed all in black is slimming (added plus). Wouldn’t and couldn’t do it without the support of his beloved Violet. Enjoy the show!

Jonas Maines (Ensemble) is delighted to expand his horizons in his first musical with the Opera House. Jonas received his BA in Theatre from the University of Maine at Farmington and has worked professionally in Austin and Chicago. He has appeared most recently at WOH in Murder on the Orient Express (Col. Arbuthnot), with notable past credits including Hamlet (Hamlet), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Christopher), and more. Jonas thanks his radiant partner, Sarah, for putting up with all his late nights coming home, as well as the entire cast and crew for all their excellence.

Jak Peters (Basilius) rides again at the Opera House after last playing Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, where his toxicity knew no borders. Past roles include Fagin in Oliver!, the Emcee in Cabaret, madmen near-dead to very alive in SPAMalot, and Frank in The Rocky Horror Show. Elsewhere Hedwig in ...the Angry Inch, and Roger in RENT. Jak is lucky to work with new and longtime friends, and thanks them, the directors, his mother Rita, aunt Anne, brother Shane, and Bryce— the brilliant, brightest glimmering gremlin atop the crown of his heart, with whom he is so grateful to work again.

Ethan Sargent (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of Head Over Heels alongside so many talented individuals. This is his second ever musical and performance onstage with the Waterville Opera House, having debuted in last year’s production of Elf: The Musical Having been out of theater since Shakespeare in high school with the All Purpose Theater Company, Elf was a fantastic introduction back to the stage in adulthood. He is overjoyed to be working with friends made from his first show and getting to know everyone else along the way to tell this colorful, whimsical story.

Bryce Smith (Ensemble) From starry-eyed-fan-cowgirl to medieval Go-Go’s dancer, Bryce is beyond thrilled to make her WOH debut alongside incredibly talented and wonderful, dear friends. She was first seen as Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE. She’d like to thank the amazing cast and crew for being the steady beat of this experience that she will cherish forever. To Mr. Jakolicious, what a gift it is to witness your talent, and what an honor it is to make art with you. Cheers to our second show together, and the more hotpat-tooties to come *gag*.

Rachael Stetson (Ensemble) is excited to return to the Waterville Opera House after a long time away. Some past shows include Oklahoma!, Chicago, and Fame Forever. She has a BA in Dance from SUNY Buffalo, performing in a number of dance productions. She taught ballet and contemporary dance in Saco and was a Red Claws dancer in Portland, ME until moving back to the Augusta area. She would like to thank the WOH team for putting on such an inclusive show and her fiancé, Autumn, for her support, especially with rehearsals during busy wedding planning.

Caleb Streadwick (Pit Singer) Originally from Montana, Caleb is ecstatic to debut with Waterville Opera House! He studied at the University of Southern Maine in theater/ dance. Some favorite projects include Alice in Wonderland as March Hare (Maine State Ballet), Shrek Jr. as Papa Ogre/Little Pig (Maine State Music Theater) and A Year With Frog and Toad as Snail/Ensemble (Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine). Elsewhere, he is an actor with Dirigo Talent Agency, a character artist with Maine State Ballet, and a dino handler with Jurassic Jo’s Dinos! He hopes you enjoy the show, and the costumes designed by his talented partner, Travis M. Grant!

Debra Susi (Director) is a 39-year theatre educator and costume designer whose directing credits include U.S. premiere of Fame Forever—Reunion and Rebirth, sequel to the musical Fame, as well as Shrek, Spamalot, Cabaret, Camelot, The Full Monty, The Producers, Clue, The Mousetrap, Almost, Maine, and Tuck Everlasting. Costume Design credits at The Public include Morning After Grace, Women in Jeopardy, and Screwball Comedy. In the sunset of her teaching career, Debra would like to thank her husband, family, and friends for their continued patience, love, and support of her artistic work. Missing you, Miss Juli.

Jacob Sutherland (Ensemble/Musidorus US) is incredibly excited to return to the stage in the ensemble of Head Over Heels! Jacob was most recently seen on the Opera House stage as Miles Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, Carmen Ghia in The Producers, and Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein. Other credits include Jimmy Livingston in Bubble Boy (Cast Aside Productions), ensemble in Bye Bye Birdie, and ensemble The Who’s Tommy (MSMT). Jacob would like to thank his parents for their non-stop support, Emma for always being in the audience, and the entire Head Over Heels team for bringing this incredible show to life on stage!

Bee Tyler (Gynecia) In 3.5 decades on stage, Bee has been a rockstar, matchmaker, teacher, nun, vampire, French maid, sharpshooter, immigrant, proam golfer, laboratory assistant, tap-dancing Nazi, and the country’s greatest female jazz trumpet player. She was a five-time princess, a four-time showgirl, thrice a ghost, twice each a cook, murderer, and mermaid, and once each a Greek goddess and Swedish Countess (her favorite). Orphaned nearly six times, Bee has had twenty-one siblings, three mothers, one father, nine children, eight boyfriends, one fiancé, and thirteen husbands (no divorces). She is also one degree from Kevin Bacon. Tonight, she adds Queen to her repertoire, not to mention a fourteenth husband.

Hannah Weston (Mopsa) is back on the Opera House stage! You may remember Hannah from Drinking Habits earlier this season and last season in The Play That Goes Wrong, Rock of Ages, and Murder on the Orient Express. Hannah started acting at the Waterville Opera House eighteen years ago and is happy to be back after spending eight years away. Hannah would like to thank Debra Susi and Shannon Chase for giving her the opportunity to sink her teeth into such an important role. Hannah also thanks her cast and the LGBTQIA+ community for embracing her. Love is love.

Emily West (Ensemble) is excited to be returning to the Waterville Opera House Stage for her fourth show! You may have previously seen her in Tuck Everlasting, The Sound of Music, and Elf the Musical. During the summers, you will likely catch her out at Lakewood Theater performing and choreographing. You may have seen her there in Catch Me if You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The Drowsy Chaperone. Emily has been dancing all her life and is excited to be continuing that here for you today. Emily wants to thank her friends and family for all their support!

Cameron Wright (Musidorus) is thrilled to be making his WOH debut! He’s an experienced theatre artist who has appeared in productions across the state over the last decade. Highlights include Guys and Dolls, Shrek, Tommy (Maine State Music Theatre), Matilda, Rent, and Fun Home (Penobscot Theatre Company). He is also an accomplished stitcher whose costumes have been seen across the country. He hopes you have a blast!