The Play That Goes Wrong, WOH 2023 by watervillecreates

WRITTEN

Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer

DIRECTED BY Debra Susi

ASSISTANT DIRECTED BY Juli Brooks

SCENIC DESIGN BY Joseph Kalinowski

LIGHTING DESIGN AND STAGE MANAGEMENT BY Andrea Swiderski

SOUND DESIGN BY Jayson Murray

COSTUME DESIGN BY Jordan Zimba

PROPS DESIGN BY Noel Carlson and Abby LaBrash

SPONSORED BY Opa, Mid-Maine Restoration, and Maine Savings FCU

The Play That Goes Wrong is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd.

The Mischief Production of The Play That Goes Wrong was originally produced on the West End Stage by Kenny Wax & Stage Presence and on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J. J. Abrams, Kenny Wax & Stage Presence.

The Play That Goes Wrong was first presented by Mischief Theatre under the title The Murder Before Christmas on December 4, 2012, at the Old Red Lion Theatre in London.

JULI BROOKS SETTLEMIRE

The Waterville Opera House production of The Play That Goes Wrong is dedicated to Juli Brooks Settlemire: wife, daughter, sister, aunt, colleague, playwright, designer, director, actor, and friend. The Assistant Director for this production, Juli lost her valiant two-year battle with breast cancer on March 4th, 2023. Her creative vision, slapstick bits—and cat screech—live on in this production.

What can you say about an individual who ‘played’ so many ‘life roles’ brilliantly, faithfully, professionally, with love, loyalty, laughter, a wicked sense of humor and simple joy? Juli’s passion and love for theatre—especially community theatre—is best illustrated in one of her favorite quotes:

“I measure life in shows produced and friendships forged under lights.”

Juli wanted everyone who took the brave risk of auditioning and joining community theatre to feel welcome and supported. Every new actor was a new friend; and once you were Juli’s friend, her support for you continued—onstage and off.

Since Juli’s passing, those of us blessed to call Juli “friend” have shared countless “Juli stories” with each other. And like the threads and patterns found in the “Quilt of Life,” Juli continues her community theatre life mission of connecting us all together in the spirit of storytelling. May her memory be a blessing. Always.

Director, Debra C. Susi

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Chris ................................................................................ Matt Stanford

Jonathan ....................................................................... Stephen Webb

Sandra .................................................................................. Hana Valle

Max .................................................................................. Adam Kilgore

Robert ................................................................................. John Logan

Dennis ........................................................................ Nathan Sylvester

Annie ................................................................................... Emily Grotz

Tina ............................................................................. Hannah Weston

Stage Crew .................................................. Johnny Buys, Paul Herard, .............................................................. Sarah Johnson, Linda Neubelt

PRODUCTION STAFF

Technical Director .................................................... Michael Churchill

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

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

Light Board Operator .............................................. Andrea Swiderski

Carpenters ................ Michael Churchill, Wil Currie, Erik Thomas

Scenic Artist ...................................................................... Allison Turlo

Stitchers ............................................ Candace Chase, Jordan Zimba

Spotlight Operator ............................................................ Nick Herard

Backstage Crew ........................... Mark Patterson, Meg Patterson

SPECIAL THANKS

Aqua City Actors Theatre

Cappza’s Pizza Maine Film Center

This production will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

Juli Brooks (Assistant Director) There are simply no words that can express the gratefulness that Juli feels in closing out a 35+ love of the theater here at the Waterville Opera House. Starting way back when Miss Debra cast a 43-year-old actor as the 69-year-old Ethel in On Golden Pond, she was also blessed with working backstage during Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Story, and Annie, along with co-directing The 39-Steps with Miss Debra. Some of her favorite roles have included: Lucienne, A Flea in Her Ear, Sister Maria Walburger, The Divine Sister, Karen, Things My Mother Taught Me, Truvy, Steele Magnolias, Annie, Calendar Girls, Leona, Exit Laughing, Inspector Goring, Holmes for the Holidays, and Gwendolyn, from The Odd Couple. None of this would have been possible without the amazing love and support of the incredible theater family in this community and the amazing support of her beloved husband of 30 years, Todd. So sorry that the housework will still need to wait a bit.

Paul Herard (Stage Crew) is honored to be a cast member of Hamilton! He is a multiple-Tony Award watching actor who has graced the Waterville Opera House in countless productions, such as Tuck Everlasting the Musical (Constable Joe) and Annie (President Roosevelt). Paul would like to thank you for coming to see him in this production. After all, who else would you be here to see? Paul thanks his family for supporting his passion for theater. He dedicates this performance to Miss Juli. An incredibly kind, talented, inspirational and giving human being whose infectious laugh is heartwarming. Miss Juli, you are loved so much.

Sarah Johnson (Stage Crew) has been the lucky participant in a handful of Waterville Opera House productions. Mostly, she’s lucky for the people she’s gotten to do it with, these people who have given her so much love and light. People who you’d be lucky to miss. Sarah wishes to thank and thank and thank them. She doesn’t say it enough. Especially to Miss Juli; she’s the best of us.

John Logan (Robert) is very excited to be making his Waterville Opera House debut. He is originally from Westbrook, Maine. John has performed with Theater at Monmouth, Camden Shakespeare Festival, Studio One Theatre, TheatreLab, and the Portland Players. He has returned to Maine after receiving his Master’s Degree in Acting from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. John also graduated from UMO in 2017. Much love to Gabe, and to all of my friends and family.

Jayson Murray (Sound Designer) is a freelance sound designer and engineer living in Southern Maine with his partner, Nathan, and their pets, Maeby and Felix. He is thrilled to be rejoining the Waterville Opera House for this production, and is happy to help continue the Opera House’s tradition of producing exceptional theatre in central Maine.

Linda Neubelt (Stage Crew) is new to Maine, having moved from Vermont in September 2021 to Farmington. Over the past 30+ years in VT and NH, she worked as a director, production manager, stage manager, lighting and sound designer, and actor. Since arriving in Maine, she directed an evening of David Ives’ shorts for the Vienna Woods Players, donned the stage at the Waterville Opera House as Mrs. Boyles in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and sings with the UMF Community Chorus. She is thrilled to be back onstage as part of the “running crew.”

Matt Stanford (Chris) is excited to be returning to the Waterville Opera House for his second show. He was previously seen in 2022 playing Giles in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. He would like to thank his wife, Phoebe, for offering such amazing support through the process.

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, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Almost, Maine, and Tuck Everlasting the Musical. 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.

Nathan Sylvester (Dennis) This will be Nathan’s hat trick at the Waterville Opera House, having previously performed as Franz the Butler in last year’s The Sound of Music and as Wadsworth the Butler in 2020’s Clue Nathan is ecstatic to add this deeply layered butler to his rostrum and intends to continue to wow audiences with this portrayal of iconic triplets moving forward; maybe next as a trio of kings or perhaps someone incredibly rich with fancy clothes. Nathan would like to thank his radiant wife, Madelyn, for tolerating his choice to explore what he calls “method acting” to better prepare for this role.

Allison Turlo (Scenic Artist) is a recent graduate from Syracuse University, where she earned her BFA in Theater Design and Technology with a focus in set design. She has recently set designed two shows for Stella Adler Studio of Acting and assistant set designed a new Off-Broadway musical in New York City, called The Magnificent Seven. She also frequently set designs for a children’s theater in Rochester, NY. This is her first show at Waterville Opera House and she is excited for everyone to see it! More at allisonturlo.com.

Hana Valle (Sandra) was previously seen on the Waterville Opera House stage as Miss Scarlet in Clue and Eugenie in A Flea in Her Ear. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to be in a bucket list show like The Play The Goes Wrong. She hopes you have as much fun in the audience as she is having on stage!

VOLUNTEER

SUMMER VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

June 8, 5:30pm; Studio 1902, 2nd ﬂoor

Paul J. Schupf Art Center

Interested in joining the Waterville Creates volunteer corps? Learn about all the unique opportunities and special benefits at this orientation event. For more information, visit watervillecreates.org/volunteer

Stephen Webb (Jonathan) is an actor/singer hailing from Hallowell. He was last seen on stage as Camille in A Flea In Her Ear. He is thrilled to be a part of this show and hopes everyone enjoys our little murder mystery!

Hannah Weston (Tina) is returning to the Waterville Opera House after spending eight years in South Carolina. She is excited to be back on the Opera House stage. Hannah made her debut seventeen years ago. Hannah thanks Debra Susi and Juli Brooks Settlemire, two people that have truly taught her about the art of acting and comedy. She’d also like to thank her friends Rune Vaughan, Hanna Cole, Julie Crist, Luna, and Geanie Falls for their constant support and hype. Lastly, Hannah would like to thank her family, especially her parents, for literally supporting her love of theater.

Jordan Zimba (Costume Designer) A Wheaton College (MA) graduate in Theatrical Design, Jordan is pleased to be back designing costumes at the Waterville Opera House after debuting here with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Jordan currently works as a fitter at The Framemakers, nestling artworks into their frames, and is excited to be involved in the arts whenever possible.