JULIUS CAESAR - Fall 2019

Cleveland’s Classic Company at the Hanna Theatre presents

Oct. 4 – Nov. 3, 2019

Tri-C Creative Arts Dance Academy

SETTING THE STAGE

for success

We believe that all Cleveland youth should have access to high-quality arts education. Through the generosity of our donors, we have invested more than $5 million since 2016 to scale up neighborhood-based programs that now serve 3,000 youth year-round in music, dance, theater, photography, literary arts and curatorial mastery. That’s setting the stage for success. Find your passion, and partner with the Cleveland Foundation to make your greatest charitable impact.

(877) 554-5054 clevelandfoundation.org/success

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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GreatLakesTheater.org

Welcome..................................................................................................................... 4 About Great Lakes Theater............................................................................................ 5 News & Notes.............................................................................................................. 6 Julius Caesar............................................................................................................... 9 Cast of Characters...................................................................................................... 10 Spotlight on Julius Caesar........................................................................................... 11 The Artistic Company................................................................................................. 22 Donors....................................................................................................................... 30 Trustees..................................................................................................................... 35 Staff.......................................................................................................................... 36 Guest Services at Playhouse Square............................................................................ 38 October/November at Playhouse Square....................................................................... 39

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WELCOME Dear Friends,

at Playhouse Square

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n behalf of our artists, staff and Board of Trustees, welcome to Great Lakes Theater’s 58th season! Our mission — “to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience” — guides our mainstage productions as well as our educational programming, in the belief that theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions and provide our student audiences a glimpse of a broader world and the wellspring of learning made possible through the arts. We open this season with the six-time, Tony Award-winning musical, The Music Man. Following in the footsteps of GLT’s recent productions of Mamma Mia! and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, director Victoria Bussert’s staging highlights the intimacy of the Hanna Theatre, enabling the story-telling magic of Harold and Marian’s unlikely romance to take center stage. Playing in rotating repertory with The Music Man, Sara Bruner’s razor-sharp direction of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar brings a world of political dissonance and tragedy to our Parker Hannifin Stage. We hope you will enjoy witnessing, as we do, our experienced and talented company of artists move seamlessly from a large-scale musical to a Shakespearean classic. As the curtain rises on our 58th season, we offer special thanks to the Kulas Foundation, which has sponsored our musical productions for the last several years as part of the Kulas Musical Theater Series at Great Lakes Theater. This fall, we are also deeply grateful to John and Barbara Schubert for their generous support of our production of Julius Caesar. And when you read through your program, you will see the names of many friends, partners, corporations and foundations whose generous support makes all of this possible. We encourage you to join these donors by becoming a Member of the Great Lakes Theater family with your gift. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors and Annual Fund donor/members, with continued appreciation to our partners of more than 35 years at Playhouse Square, and the tireless efforts of our Board of Trustees, dedicated administrative staff, gifted artists and the tremendous generosity of this community. We hope to see you in our audience again soon.

Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director

Bob Taylor Executive Director

“ Good night, sweet prince...” — Hamlet (Act V, Scene ii) WILLIAM W. JACOBS (1951–2019) Chair, Great Lakes Theater Board of Trustees Tireless Advocate | Generous Supporter | Eternal Friend

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Great Lakes Theater proudly celebrates the memory and legacy of this extraordinary member of our family.

ABOUT GREAT LAKES THEATER

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he mission of Great Lakes Theater (GLT), through its mainstage productions and its education programs, is to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience. Since the company’s inception in 1962, programming has been rooted in Shakespeare, but GLT’s commitment to great plays spans the breadth of all cultures, forms of theater and time periods –– including the 20th century –– and provides for the occasional mounting of new works that complement the classical repertoire. Classic theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, revel in eloquent language, and preserve the traditions of diverse cultures and generate communal spirit. On its mainstage and through its education programs, GLT seeks to create visceral, immediate experiences for participants, asserting theater’s historic role as a vehicle for advancing the common good and helping people make the joyful and meaningful connections between classic plays and their own lives.

The company’s commitment to classic theater is magnified in the educational programming that surround its productions. Since its inception, GLT has had a strong presence in area schools, bringing students to the theater for matinee performances and sending specially trained actor-teachers to the schools for weeklong residencies developed to explore classic drama from a theatrical point of view. GLT is equally dedicated to enhancing the theater experience for adult audiences. To this end, GLT regularly serves as the catalyst for community events and programs in the arts and humanities that illuminate the plays on its stage. Great Lakes Theater is one of only a handful of American theaters that have stayed the course as a classic theater. As GLT celebrates over a decade in its permanent home at the Hanna Theatre, the company reaffirms its belief in the power of partnership, its determination to make this community a better place in which to live, and its commitment to ensure the legacy of classic theater in Cleveland.

1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115 P: (216) 241-5490 | F: (216) 241-6315 | W: GreatLakesTheater.org

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Great Lakes Theater’s spring 2018 production of Beehive – The ’60s Musical (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

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NEWS & NOTES Amazing Accolades

at Playhouse Square

Join us in applauding Victoria Bussert, longtime Great Lakes Theater Resident Director for over three decades, and Director of Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University, for being awarded an esteemed 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize! The 59-year-old nonprofit Arts Prize recognizes emerging artists, midcareer artists and lifetime achievers with ties to northeast Ohio. Great Lakes Theater is no stranger to the Cleveland Arts Prize. GLT Producing Artistic Director Charles Fee was honored with the Arts Prize’s Martha Joseph Prize for Distinguished Service to the Arts in 2009, and presented Victoria with her award on September 25th. Brava/Bravo!

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Holiday Choir Cheer

Staff Spotlight

Classics on Tour

From elementary school singers to seasoned community choruses, Great Lakes Theater will welcome approximately 20 choirs from across northeast Ohio to sing before the curtain rises at each performance of our annual production of A Christmas Carol in the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Join us 30 minutes prior to curtain and enjoy the sounds of the season as we celebrate 10 years of our pre-show community choirs program. Are you involved in a choir that might like to perform? Contact Jeremy Lewis at (216) 453-4457 or jlewis@ greatlakestheater.org to learn more.

We are pleased to welcome a new member to the Great Lakes Theater production department. Shaun O’Neill assumed the role of Assistant Production Manager this summer after four seasons as an actor-teacher in our School Residency Program. Shaun will assist GLT Production Manager Jeff Herrmann with all production-related activities, including budgeting, contracting, staff coordination and facilities management. We are thrilled to welcome Shaun to Team Shakespeare!

We’re bringing an iconic detective to elementary and middle schools in early 2020 with Sherlock Holmes Meets the Bully of Baker Street, our Classics on Tour production. Join the world’s greatest sleuth as he utilizes his remarkable skills to confront his most sensational mystery! An intrepid band of actors will use humor, logic and song to perform this original tale inspired by characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle, and provide important lessons in anti-bullying, problem-solving and empathy. Visit greatlakes theater.org/education to learn about how to bring this production to a school near you.

Photo: Roger Mastroianni

Great Lakes Theater

Cleveland’s Classic Company AT THE HANNA THEATRE

presents...

2019/20 season SUBSCRIBE & SAVE BIG!

The Tony-Winning Broadway Musical Classic Meredith Willson’s

THE MUSIC MAN

September 27 - November 10, 2019 / Hanna Theatre Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson Story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey Directed by Victoria Bussert

Shakespeare’s Epic Political Tragedy

JULIUS CAESAR

October 4 - November 3, 2019 / Hanna Theatre By William Shakespeare Directed by Sara Bruner

Northeast Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Tradition

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

November 29 - December 22, 2019 / Mimi Ohio Theatre By Charles Dickens / Adapted and originally directed by Gerald Freedman

The Ultimate Whodunit Thriller

SLEUTH

February 14 - March 8, 2020 / Hanna Theatre By Anthony Shaffer Directed by Charles Fee

Shakespeare’s Sublime Battle of Wits and Wills

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING March 27 - April 11, 2020 / Hanna Theatre By William Shakespeare Directed by Charles Fee

A Sassy Musical Celebration of Fats Waller

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ May 1 - 24, 2020 / Hanna Theatre

Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz / Created and Originally Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. Original Choreography and Musical Staging by Arthur Faria Musical Adaptations, Orchestrations & Arrangements by Luther Henderson Vocal & Musical Concepts by Jeffrey Gutcheon / Musical Arrangements by Jeffrey Gutcheon & William Ellio Directed by Gerry McIntyre

216.640.8869 / GreatLakesTheater.org

Hanna Theatre | October 4 – November 3, 2019

Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director

With generous support from:

John & Barbara Schubert Presents

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY

SARA BRUNER Company

Laura Welsh Berg* Lynn Robert Berg* Aled Davies* Elijah Dawson Jodi Dominick* Shelby Griswold*

Carole Healey* Jahir Hipps Jillian Kates* Marcus Martin* Jessie Cope Miller* Julian Remulla*

Assistant Director Jaclyn Miller Scenic Designer Russell Metheny

Costume Designer Leah Piehl

Production Stage Manager Nicki Cathro*

Mack Shirilla* David Anthony Smith * Nick Steen* Alex Syiek* M.A. Taylor* Boe Wank*

GreatLakesTheater.org

BY

Fight Choreographer Ken Merckx Lighting Designer Rick Martin

Composer & Sound Designer Matthew Webb Assistant Stage Manager Kelsey James*

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest presents Shakespeare in American Communities. Great Lakes Theater is one of 40 professional theater companies selected to participate in bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to middle- and high-school students in communities across the United States. Support for Great Lakes Theater education programs is generously provided by EY. (www.ey.com) There will be one fifteen-minute intermission. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

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at Playhouse Square

CAST OF CHARACTERS Julius Caesar............................................................................................Carole Healey* Brutus................................................................................................ Lynn Robert Berg* Cassius............................................................................................... Laura Welsh Berg* Mark Antony..............................................................................................Nick Steen* † Portia/Poet..................................................................................................Jillian Kates* Casca/Messala...............................................................................................Alex Syiek* Calphurnius/Strato........................................................................................ M.A. Taylor* Decius Brutus/Pindarus..................................................................David Anthony Smith* Metellus Cimber/Lucilius........................................................................... Mack Shirilla* Cicero/Lepidus.............................................................................................Aled Davies* Cinna the Conspirator/Titinius....................................................................Marcus Martin* Trebonius........................................................................................... Jessie Cope Miller* Octavius Caesar......................................................................................Julian Remulla* Lucius...........................................................................................................Jahir Hipps Cinna the Poet/Cato....................................................................................Elijah Dawson Soothsayer............................................................................................... Jodi Dominick* Citizens and Soldiers........................ Laura Welsh Berg*, Lynn Robert Berg*, Aled Davies*, Elijah Dawson, Jodi Dominick*, Shelby Griswold*, Carole Healey*, Jillian Kates*, Jahir Hipps, Marcus Martin*, Jessie Cope Miller*, Julian Remulla*, Mack Shirilla*, David Anthony Smith*, Nick Steen*†, Alex Syiek*, M.A. Taylor*, Boe Wank*

Scene: Rome † Fight Captain *M embers of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

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From the Director Sara Bruner

Spotlight on julius caesar

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hakespeare’s work remains relevant because it poses central questions about humanity. What makes us tick? What motivates us? Are we operating on intuition or fear? Can we separate what’s good for us individually, from what’s good for us as a nation? How easily persuaded are we, and why? How much sacrifice is too much? Consider the climate in which this play was first performed: London, 1599. England has a succession problem. There is no heir apparent and, Elizabeth I is getting on in years. This breeds fear in the country because uncertainty, when it comes to leadership, could (and has historically) create civil war. Shakespeare did not have the luxury of writing directly about politics at the time — his stories had to be more coded, more suggestive, and ultimately more poetic. So, to address England’s fear of the impending succession, he adapted the history of Julius Caesar from Plutarch and gave us a tale of an ancient leader’s fall, and the subsequent crumbling of the Roman republic. This retelling of Caesar, no doubt, had resonance for a country that was anxiously anticipating change. The function of Julius Caesar is the same for us today as it was for Shakespeare’s audiences. It gives us perspective on our own social and political situations while offering us a little distance, and space for reflection. In this devastating tale of Rome, and its people, we are able to see glimpses of our selves, our leaders, our history and our potential future. We see that violence begets violence and that sometimes, we can inadvertently destroy something we love in the pursuit of preserving it.

Synopsis ulius Caesar enters Rome on the Feast of Lupercal as a hero beloved by the populace having triumphed first over the Gauls, then over the army of Pompey. When the senators see Mark Antony attempting three times to crown Caesar — some take this as a threat to Rome. Cassius in particular has serious misgivings about Caesar’s ambition. To offset Caesar’s support base, Cassius makes overtures to Brutus, a nobleman known for his integrity and idealism; if Brutus were to support it, a conspiracy would seem more palatable to the citizens of Rome. Brutus is also a close friend of Caesar, which adds to the moral dilemma presented in the play.

As a metaphor for the coming action, a great storm besets Rome. Brutus ponders his course of action, realizing that the conspiracy may well have to contemplate assassination. Eventually, with the prodding of Cassius and others, Brutus comes to rationalize such an act as necessary for a greater good. Brutus dissuades the conspirators from slaying Antony as well. Caesar, warned by a soothsayer, ignores advice to the contrary and pays a visit to the Senate and is stabbed to death by Brutus, Cassius, and the rest of the conspirators. Mark Antony strikes a truce with the conspirators, asking to accompany Caesar’s body

Synopsis (continued) and speak the funeral. Brutus agrees, and at the funeral delivers an oratory that explains the reasoning for the assassination. Antony follows with the well-known “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech, commonly a soliloquy, and through his masterful use of irony stirs the crowd — which to this point had been solidly behind the conspirators — to call for the blood of Cassius, Brutus, and anyone else associated with Caesar’s death. Antony then plots with Octavius (nephew to Julius Caesar) and Lepidus to wrest control of Rome by force. Their ruthlessness extermi-

nates many of the original conspirators, as well as other perceived enemies. Brutus and Cassius meanwhile raise armies against them. In a final battle, Brutus initially has success against the forces of Octavius; Cassius however, chooses to end her life when bested by Antony’s army. Faced with both Antony and Octavius, Brutus’ army is defeated, and Brutus takes his own life rather than be taken captive. Upon discovering the body, Antony laments the tragic fall of Brutus, calling him the noblest of them all. — Shakespeare Resource Center

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magine a crisp autumn afternoon in 1599– September 21, to be exact, at 2 pm. Visiting a thatched-roof theatre that day, south of the River Thames, in London, England, were two Swiss travelers, sons of a classical scholar. One of the visitors, Thomas Platter the Younger, a sometime medical student and diarist, recorded that the brothers “witnessed an excellent performance of the tragedy of the first Emperor Julius Caesar, with a cast of some fifteen people.” And so Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, received its first notice. The play would have been new when Platter saw it. And the theatre house that Platter visited, the Globe, was also new that summer. The playwright, at age 35, was a seasoned London theater hand. In 1599 William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a leading shareholder in the theater company known at the time as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The company enjoyed the patronage and protection of Henry Carey and Carey’s son George, who followed his father’s footsteps as Lord Chamberlain, in charge of entertainment at the court of Queen Elizabeth. Aristocratic patronage was crucial to a London theater company’s survival in Shakespeare’s day, but ticket revenue from a public audience was also necessary. Until 1599 Shakespeare’s company had been performing for the public in a house that was simply called

Thomas Platter the Younger, son of a Swiss humanist, kept a diary while traveling in England and mentioned seeing a production of what was presumably Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the Globe Theatre, on September 21, 1599.

The Theatre. The Theatre was operated by James Burbage, father of Richard and Cuthbert Burbage, who were also actors and shareholders in The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Though Burbage owned The Theatre structure, he did

Spotlight on julius caesar

Playnotes: Julius Caesar

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Spotlight on julius caesar

Playnotes (continued)

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Thomas North published the first edition of Plutarch’s Lives, which he dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, in 1579. The release of subsequent editions in 1595 and 1603, each of which contained new entries, brought the book before the public eye again during Shakespeare’s peak writing years.

not own the land beneath it. When the landlord raised the rent, the company broke the wooden building down, plank by plank, in the middle of the night. They signed a new lease, south of the Thames, in February 1599 and repurposed the used lumber for a new playhouse there. Though Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar may not have been the first production in The Globe Theatre — as some scholars once argued — it was undoubtedly a highlight of the first season. The Swiss traveler, Thomas Platter, observed the intense competition between London theater companies, remarking, “those which play best obtain most spectators.” Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar was one of those plays that “played best.” A rival theater manager, Philip Henslowe, commissioned a competing Julius Caesar for his Admiral’s Men in 1602. Leonard Digges, who oversaw Shakespeare’s will, singled out Julius Caesar in a eulogy of Shakespeare that was memorialized in the First Folio edition of

Robert Devereaux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favorites at court. But he was also ambitious and a potential rival for power. In early 1599, he had been sent to Ireland to accomplish the final subjugation of the Irish people — a task he failed at — and he returned from Ireland in fall 1599 in a contentious frame of mind. He was executed after leading a rebellion against the Queen in 1601.

Shakespeare’s works in 1623: “So have I seen when Caesar would appear, / And on the stage at half-sword parley were/ Brutus and Cassius; O, how the audience/ Were ravished, with what wonder they went thence ...” Keenly aware of what “played best,” Shakespeare fed his audience’s appetite for history stories. In one of his “breakout” plays in 1590 — prosaically titled Henry VI, Part 2 by the First Folio compilers — he had turned for material to the epic dynastic struggles between the Houses of Lancaster and Tudor in the 15th century — material he would continue to mine, with great success, in the ensuing decade. He hadn’t yet thought of scouring the history of ancient England and Scotland as he would for King Lear and Macbeth. But he found another source for a different kind of history. In 1579, Thomas North published his influential English translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, which had been compiled in the 2nd century AD to illustrate the virtues and

failings of famous men. English poets and playwrights read North’s translations avidly, perhaps none to greater effect than Shakespeare. While writing a Roman history play, Shakespeare worked toward a particularly potent hybrid of history, revenge, and tragedy. Shakespeare often borrows North’s word choices and sentence structures but he makes the material his own. Though the life of Caesar was his starting point, he also read the lives of Brutus and Antony and wrote a play where Caesar is killed half way through. Most modern commentators regard Brutus, who led the attack on Caesar, as the play’s protagonist. Shakespeare adapted his source material for dramatic purposes. Events that actually took place over the course of three years are now compressed into five days. Two battles at Philippi are collapsed into one. Shakespeare heightens the idealism of Brutus and sets him apart from his fellow conspirators. And yet he also introduces more ambiguity. In dispatching one tyrant, Brutus unleashes a dangerous round of civil unrest and paves the way for a more complete autocrat, Octavius, who abandons the pretense of democracy for an empire. Questions of succession and power were rife in Shakespeare’s England. There was a queen on the throne who had refused to marry and, in advancing age, silenced talk of succession. There were powerful aristocrats, such as the Earl of

On December 16, 1979, Nelson Mandela marked a passage from Julius Caesar to share with his fellow prisoners — about facing death with courage.

Essex, backed by Shakespeare’s patron, the Earl of Southampton, who were ready to pounce and would launch a short-lived rebellion against Elizabeth in 1601. There was a rising middle class, which Shakespeare, with a glove-maker for a father, was part of, who wanted a place for themselves in the country’s power structure. Such topics couldn’t be addressed directly; fellow playwrights Thomas Nashe and Ben Jonson had been arrested in 1597 because their play The Isle of Dogs was deemed “seditious.” More politick than Nashe and Jonson, Shakespeare doesn’t tackle such developments head on in Julius Caesar but they’re part of the play’s context. Shakespeare himself foresaw the universality of this story, when his Cassius says “How many ages hence / Shall this our lofty scene be acted over / In states unborn and accents yet unknown!” While Nelson Mandela and other leaders of South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid movement were imprisoned on Robben Island, the prisoners shared a smuggled volume of Shakespeare among themselves. Each prisoner put his name next to passages that spoke to him. Julius Caesar was one of the most heavily annotated. Mandela took comfort from Caesar’s fatalism about his coming death: “Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once. / Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. / It seems to me most strange that men should fear; / Seeing that death, a necessary end, / Will come when it will come.” Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is a profound mediation on the meaning of life in the face of death that will continue to speak for generations to come.

Spotlight on julius caesar

While imprisoned on Robben Island for 27 years, Nelson Mandela and other South African apartheid leaders passed among themselves a contraband edition of Shakespeare’s plays. One of the prisoners, Sonny Venkatrathnam, smuggled the volume into prison by covering it with colorful cards made to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

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Julius Caesar Through the Ages

Spotlight on julius caesar

After Shakespeare’s lifetime, questions of power and succession became even more acute in England as a Puritan faction, led by Oliver Cromwell, deposed and executed King Charles I in 1649. In the new Commonwealth, theaters were banned. With the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, theaters reopened. Rights to perform Shakespeare’s plays were split between two London theater companies, managed respectively by William Davenant and Thomas Killigrew. Killigrew was granted the rights to 20 plays by Shakespeare but only produced four. Along with The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1 Henry IV, and Othello, Julius Caesar made the cut.

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After the restoration of the monarchy and the theaters in 1660, theater manager Thomas Killigrew received the rights to, and produced, Julius Caesar.

The three Booth brothers in a 1864 production of Julius Caesar — John Wilkes as Antony, Edwin as Brutus, and Junius as Cassius

Although the title of the play forefronts the character of Julius Caesar, actors, directors, and scholars alike have regarded Brutus as the play’s protagonist. From the 17th through the 19th centuries, all of the great English actors played Brutus, from Thomas Betterton to John Philip Kemble and William Charles Macready.

English actor William Charles Macready (17931873) in the role of Brutus

In America, Edwin Booth emerged from the pack in a theatrical family and found fame playing Shakespeare. In one benefit performance in 1864, he and his two brothers appeared on stage together for the first and only time. Edwin played Brutus, Junius played Cassius, and John Wilkes — the future assassin of Abraham Lincoln — played Marc Antony.

Herbert Beerbohm Tree broke with tradition for leading men in 1898 and cast himself as Antony instead of Brutus. Tree had recently renovated Her Majesty’s Theatre in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and his production of Julius Caesar celebrated empire and its trappings. He hired Dutch-born landscape artist, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, to paint three monumental backdrops and shaped the production to highlight Antony’s stirring rhetoric.

The scenic painting of landscape artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema brought a dimension of epic grandeur to Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s 1898 production of Julius Caesar.

Orson Welles’ 1937 Mercury Theatre production pitted a band of noble idealists, led by himself as Brutus, against a fascist regime.

A star-studded 1953 MGM movie adaptation with Marlon Brando, as Marc Antony, standing above James Mason, John Gielgud, Greer Garson, and Deborah Kerr. In 2012, for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Artistic Director Gregory Doran fielded an African-born cast in a production that likened Caesar to such African dictators as Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe.

The 2012 RSC production fielded an Africanborn cast, including Paterson Joseph as Brutus and Theo Ogundipe as the Soothsayer

John Milligan (Brutus), Keith Mackey (Caesar), Kermit Brown (Casca), Robert Allman (Cassius), and William McLucky (Cimber) in the 1970 production at Great Lakes Theater

Great Lakes Theater has presented Julius Caesar Scott Plate (Metellus Cimber), Richard Klautsch three times. The 1963 production was directed (Marcus Brutus) and Dougfred Miller (Cassius) by Donald Moffat, who would later find success in the 2004 Great Lakes Theater production of in Hollywood as a character actor. Artistic Julius Caesar, directed by Risa Brainin Director Larry Carra depicted the Roman senators as “establishment types” in 1970, and the angry mob as hippies. In 2004, during the early days of the Iraq War, guest director Risa Brainin used contemporary camouflage uniforms to evoke the conflicts of the day.

Spotlight on julius caesar

With the rise of fascism before and during WWII, overtly political interpretations of the play proliferated in the twentieth century. Orson Welles created a riveting adaptation for his inaugural Mercury Theatre production in 1937. Welles cast Caesar as a dictator in the mold of Mussolini and featured himself as a noble idealist in the role of Brutus.

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Spotlight on julius caesar

From page to stage

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As this view of the set model suggests, scenic designer Russell Metheny wanted to evoke a public space akin to the Roman Forum.

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s written and originally performed, Julius Caesar is a very male-centric exploration of power. Commentators have often observed that the play has multiple strong roles for men — Caesar, Cassius, and Antony, in addition to Brutus — and have further noted that the “leading ladies” of the 19th century shunned the play because it lacked roles of similar scope for women. But how to approach it at a time in American life when questions of women and political ambition and power are highly topical — and fraught? Guest director Sara Bruner decided to cast women in the roles of Caesar and Cassius in order to examine what happens when women gain access to power in a male-dominated world. Bruner reframed both roles in order to create an environment where both women and men are questioning a woman’s ambition. In the play, Caesar hides a sickness. Casting a woman in the role of someone who is determined not to show weakness “tunes the issue more poignantly,” says Bruner. In this production, a female Cassius puts into bolder relief the struggle of Shakespeare’s Cassius for attention and respect.

A top down view of the model reveals how the scenic design pushes the actors downstage, in close communication with the audience.

Bruner intended her casting decisions to foreground the play’s relevance, but she did not want to invite one-to-one comparisons between Shakespeare’s play and today’s political environment and players. Just as Shakespeare’s play did not correlate neatly with the events of his own day, “a direct calibration,” she felt, “would minimize both history and the contemporary moment.” Instead she kept the setting in Rome, but a universalized version of Rome that could encompass a contemporary slant. Responding to Bruner’s vision, scenic designer Russell Metheny said he “had in mind an abstraction of a classical space — a forum.” But instead of using marble columns and arches, he relied on steel sheets and scaffolding. The resulting physical space, said Metheny, “forces the action downstage, spilling into the audience as much as possible.” It provides levels for movement and opportunities for bold light-

ing and other atmospheric effects that could assist Bruner in conveying “the fog and confusion of war.” Costume designer Leah Piehl similarly sought to imbue classical Roman styles with a contemporary sensibility. Costuming choices needed to convey class signifiers. While the chief players belong to Rome’s governing elite, a crowd of common citizens insistently reminds those who govern that those who are governed need to be satisfied as well. Hence the senators

Dressed in the rough-hewn fabrics and shawled class-markers of the peasants in this production, the Soothsayer emerges from the mob to warn Caesar, “Beware the Ides of March!”

are draped in togas, while the Roman citizens wear roughly textured shawls, headscarves, and breeches. When the armies of Brutus and Cassius, on the one hand, and Antony and Octavius, on the other, clash in the second half of the play, costuming choices help the audience to track the sides. The forces of Brutus and Cassius wear ornate breastplates, while those of Antony and Octavius present as soldiers in a more contemporary vein. They are the “new men” who will create the empire that Brutus and Cassius worked in vain to thwart.

Breast-plated armor is a marker for the forces who follow Brutus and Cassius.

Spotlight on julius caesar

Renderings for clothing worn by Calphurnius and Portia, sketched by costume designer Leah Piehl, capture the fabric draping that creates a silhouette that’s both “Roman” and contemporary for both the male and female members of the Roman elite.

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Learn More and Explore Experience Enhancement Director’s Night

Enjoy a pre-show discussion with our producing artistic director and the director of the show an hour before curtain.

Salon Thursdays Grab a beverage and enjoy a 30 minute pre-show discussion with a GLT artist an hour before the curtain.

Playnotes Listen in on a pre-show introduction to the content of the show before Saturday matinees at 12:30 p.m.

sights and sounds GreatLakesTheater.org

Visit our website for the latest production related audio and visual content in the Sights and Sounds section of our show page.

Special Thanks

Margaret Lynch, Writer/Researcher Stacy Mallardi-Stajcar, Casual Images Graphic Design

THE ARTISTIC COMPANY

at Playhouse Square

Laura Welsh Berg* Cassius Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Shows with GLT: Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennet), Mamma Mia! (Rosie), Hamlet (Hamlet), And Then There Were None (Vera), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Rosaline), Witness for the Prosecution, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Sweeney Todd, The Tempest, Hay Fever, My Fair Lady, All’s Well That Ends Well, Major Barbara, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, A Funny Thing…Forum and She Stoops to Conquer. At Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night (Viola) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Speed). Chicago credits: The Farnsworth Invention at Timeline Theater, Arms and the Man at Centerstage and Mill Fire at Sheil Park. She holds a BA from Baldwin Wallace University and an MFA from The Theater School at DePaul. L’MLS. Lynn Robert Berg* Brutus ✶ Eighteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater For GLT: Gremio (The Taming of the Shrew), Macbeth (Macbeth), Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), The Ghost and Player King (Hamlet), Malvolio (Twelfth Night), Richard III (Richard III), Frank Ford (The Merry Wives of Windsor), Polixenes (The Winter’s Tale), Doctor Parker (Bat Boy: The Musical), Caliban (The Tempest), Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Other credits: Don Armado (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Dr. Watson (The Hound of the Baskervilles) with Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Hucklebee (The Fantasticks), Bill Walker (Major Barbara), Edmund (King Lear), Hastings (She Stoops to Conquer) with Idaho Shakespeare Festival. MFA from the University of Delaware Professional Theater Training Program. SLL’M | ✶ Karen Nemec

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✶ Thank you to our Character Sponsors for their generous support of the Great Lakes Theater acting company.

Aled Davies* Cicero/Lepidus Nineteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previously for GLT: Sir Wilfrid Robarts, QC in Witness for the Prosecution, Sir William Lucas/Mr. Gardiner in Pride and Prejudice, Seyton the Porter in Macbeth, Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol, Marcellus/The Gravedigger in Hamlet, Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, The Old Actor in The Fantasticks, Scrooge/Samuels in A Christmas Carol, King Lear in King Lear, John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Your Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dorn in The Seagull, Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Prospero in The Tempest, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. A proud and appreciative member of Actors’ Equity since 1984. GO BROWNS! Elijah Dawson Cinna the Poet/Cato Great Lakes Theater debut season Elijah is thrilled to be making his Great Lakes Theater debut this season. Previous credits include Bobby in Memphis (Cain Park), Elisha Whitney in Anything Goes (Baldwin Wallace University), John the Baptist/Judas in Godspell (New London Barn Playhouse), Fred in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Roper Theatre). Elijah is a senior at Baldwin Wallace University and will be receiving a BM in music theater in May 2020. Without the love and support of his brother, his parents and God, he wouldn’t be where he is today. Also, love you BWMT20! Jodi Dominick* Soothsayer Eleven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previous shows include Witness for the Prosecution, Wait Until Dark, Mamma Mia!, Pride and Prejudice, Les Misérables, The Merry Wives

of Windsor, Sweeney Todd, The Mousetrap, Cabaret, Into the Woods, Twelfth Night, An Ideal Husband, The Imaginary Invalid, My Fair Lady, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Richard III. Ten seasons at The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, GLT’s sister company. Other theaters: New World Stages, Hudson Backstage Theater, The Beck Center, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Hayworth Theatre, Dobama Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Jodi is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Shelby Griswold* Citizen 2/Soldier 1 Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater

Carole Healey* Julius Caesar ✶ Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Ms. Healey has acted and directed at most of the major regional theaters in the country, including The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Utah Shakespeare Festival (company member for 14 seasons), The Alabama Shakespeare Festival (company member for 3 years), Southwest Shakespeare, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Denver Theatre Center, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Theatreworks in CA, Portland Stage, Riverside Theatre, Kingshead Theatre in London,

Jahir Hipps Lucius Great Lakes Theater debut season This is Jahir’s first season with GLT and he is so blessed to be on board. He has performed many roles for which he’s proud, but most recently he was a Kit Kat Boy in Cabaret at Baldwin Wallace and Jeremy Heere in Playhouse Square’s production of Be More Chill. Jahir is a junior at Baldwin Wallace University, and would like to thank his mother, grandmother and Randy for their constant support and all of the BW faculty that helped make this opportunity possible. Enjoy the show! Jillian Kates* Portia/Poet Six seasons with Great Lakes Theater Select previous roles include Donna in Mamma Mia!, Jane in Pride and Prejudice, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Lily in The Secret Garden, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Texas/Sally understudy in Cabaret. Jillian also appeared on the road with the Broadway National Tour of Wicked as the Glinda and Nessarose understudy. She is a very proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s Music Theatre Program. So many thanks to Vicky, Charlie, Sara, Matt, Jackie, the entire cast, crew and company that make up this magic filled festival that has become my artistic home. All my love to my parents, sibs, squeebs and Mack! @smallfirevintage

✶ Thank you to our Character Sponsors for their generous support of the Great Lakes Theater acting company.

GreatLakesTheater.org

Shelby is thrilled to be returning to Great Lakes Theater for a second season. She was lucky enough to make her debut last season in Beehive: The 60’s Musical (Laura/Janis Joplin). Previous credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles) at Baldwin Wallace; University Bring it On (Bridget), Once (Baruska) at Beck Center for the Arts; and Newsies (Hannah), Little Mermaid (Ensemble/Ursula understudy) at Forestburgh Playhouse. She is a senior at Baldwin Wallace University and set to graduate with a music theater degree in the spring. Much gratitude to her teachers for the opportunities and support. Thank you to her parents for their endless love and encouragement. @shelby__taylor

Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Olney, The Cape Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public and many others. Previously at Great Lakes Theater: Catherine in Arms and the Man, Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Television and Film: Law and Order, The Guiding Light, The Understudy. MFA – The Professional Theatre Training Program University of Delaware. | ✶ Paul & Heather Blonsky

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Marcus Martin* Cinna the Conspirator/ Titinius Great Lakes Theater debut season As a northeast Ohio native, Marcus is thrilled to be spending his first fall at the Hanna Theatre with you all! Favorite credits include The Wiz (The Lion), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), Carousel (Enoch Snow) and Anything Goes (Moonface Martin). Marcus is a proud rising senior in the Music Theatre Program at Baldwin Wallace University. Much love to this cast, crew, God and of course Mama. Please continue to support the arts! @marcusm_330 Jessie Cope Miller* Trebonius Eight seasons with Great Lakes Theater Jessie is overjoyed to be back once again — it has been just over 10 years since she played the Witch in Into the Woods during GLT’s inaugural season at the Hanna Theatre. She most recently played Widow in The Taming of the Shrew (Great Lakes Theater) and stepped into roles in Macbeth and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival). Other credits include Abuela Claudia (In the Heights), Lady of the Lake (Monty Python’s Spamalot), Irene Molloy (Hello Dolly!), Leading Player (Pippin) and many roles in A Christmas Carol. A graduate of the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music and proud Actors’ Equity member since 2005. Much love to Marlowe, family and friends. For Dougfred, Always. Julian Remulla* Ocatvius Caesar Great Lakes Theater debut season

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Previous shows include: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Theatre for a New Audience; Romeo and Juliet, The Way the Mountain Moved, Julius Caesar, Beauty and the Beast, Shakespeare in Love, Hamlet, The Winter’s Tale, Timon of Athens, Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Appoggiatura, Denver Center Theatre Company.

Mack Shirilla* Metellus Cimber/Lucilius Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater Mack is happy to come back home for his fourth season with Great Lakes Theater! Previous credits include Eddie (Mamma Mia!) Francis (Forever Plaid), Huck Finn (Big River), Mike (Theory of Relativity), Cain/Japeth (Children of Eden), Chad (All Shook Up), Bobby C (Saturday Night Fever) and George (Spring Awakening). While offstage, he puts his eye for design to work building web sites and editing video for local businesses through his creative studio, Big Stache Design (www.bigstachedesign. com). He sends his love to Mom, Dad, Kristin, Jillian, his friends and everyone at Abrams Artists Agency for their never-ending love and support. @mackshirillla David Anthony Smith* Decius Brutus/Pindarus Seventeen seasons with Great Lakes Theater GLT: Prospero (The Tempest), Iago (Othello), Jaques (As You Like It), Duke of Buckingham (Richard III), Viscount Goring (An Ideal Husband), Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Malvolio (Twelfth Night), Macduff (Macbeth), Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing), Sergius (Arms and the Man) and Algernon (The Importance of Being Earnest). David recently completed his nineteenth consecutive season with The Idaho Shakespeare festival. He has performed at the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theater in San Diego, South Coast Repertory, Laguna Playhouse, Sierra Rep, Madison Rep and Shakespeare festivals of Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Garden Grove, Rhode Island, Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Forever and a day — Natalia. Nick Steen* Mark Antony Seven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Nick is deeply honored to return to the Hanna. Previous roles include: Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Sam in Mamma Mia!, MacDuff in

Macbeth, Theseus and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Laertes in Hamlet, Mike Talman in Wait Until Dark, Phillip Lombard in And Then There Were None, Clifford in Deathtrap, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Nick holds an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater. Nick hosts an automotive webseries, Gearhead Garage, that he and his wife Nicki created. Nick has endless gratitude for his family and his wife. <4 you, my gorgeous fish! www.NickSteen.com Alex Syiek* Casca/Messala Five seasons with Great Lakes Theater

M.A. Taylor* Calphurnius/Strato Seventeen seasons with Great Lakes Theater M.A. gladly returns to share his work with the generous citizens of Cuyahoga County. Previous credits include: Tailor/Ensemble (Taming of the Shrew), Carter/Dr. Wyatt (Witness for the Prosecution), Charity Man/Old Joe (A Christmas Carol), Murderer (Macbeth), Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Reynaldo (Hamlet), Feste (Twelfth Night), Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Rogers (And Then There Were None), Nathaniel (Love’s Labor’s Lost). Also performed at PTTP/Rep, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Boise

Boe Wank* Citizen 1/Soldier 2 Great Lakes Theater debut season Previous credits include: the national tour of Kathleen Marshall’s Tony Award-winning revival of Anything Goes!, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (LeFou), A Chorus Line (Mike), Little Women (Laurie) and All Shook Up (Dean Hyde). Other favorites: Singin’ in the Rain, Grease, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma!, Hello Dolly! and 42nd Street. Living in NYC by way of Ohio, Boe is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace’s Musical Theatre Program and a proud member of Actors’ Equity. All love and thanks to Vicky, the cast, crew and company of GLT and — as always — my beautiful family. @boink_90

Understudies Danielle Bresnahan, Elijah Dawson, Danyel Geddie, Adam Graber, Shelby Griswold*, Tessa Hagar, Jahir Hipps, Miles Horne, Mari Michalakas, Andrew Nelin, Boe Wank*, Francesca Yarull

GreatLakesTheater.org

Previous GLT credits: Bill in Mamma Mia!, Fitzwilliam in Pride and Prejudice, Clopin in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Snout/Cobweb in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Factory Foreman/ Claquesous/Grantaire in Les Misérables, Richmond in Richard III. Other favorite credits: Andrew Jackson in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Color and Light Theatre Ensemble), Bob White in White Christmas (Northern Stage), Mr. Franklin in Passing Strange (14th Street Theatre). BM in music theater performance from Baldwin Wallace University and an MFA in musical theater writing from NYU. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. He would love to thank his mother, father and sister for their support. www.alexsyiek.com

Contemporary Theater. He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). Many thanks to his families (genetic & professional). To the memory of his brother, Dougfred Miller. Forever.

Directors Sara Bruner Director Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Directing: Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Daedalus Project Variety Show 2015, The Children’s Monologues (U.S. premiere), Cabaret (staged reading). Great Lakes Theater: The Taming of the Shrew, A Christmas Carol (four seasons). Idaho Shakespeare Fesitval: directed/adapted educational tours of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew. Other Theaters: A Ghost Sonata (Drop Dance Collective), Eurydice (Baldwin Wallace

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University). Acting: Arena Stage; Berkeley Rep: Norma McCorvey in ROE (World Premiere); Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Viola and Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Sue Trinder in Fingersmith (World Premiere), LeFou in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Charles Wallace in A Wrinkle in Time (world premiere); Great Lakes Theater/Idaho Shakespeare (10 and 19 seasons respectively): Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Fr. Kost in Cabaret, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Toinette in The Imaginary Invalid, Ariel in The Tempest, Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Viola in Twelfth Night, Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap, Abigail in The Crucible. Awards: 2018 Princess Grace Award, Directing. Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director Eighteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Directing credits at GLT: Witness for the Prosecution, Misery, Macbeth, Hamlet, And Then There Were None, Dial “M” for Murder, Deathtrap, Blithe Spirit, Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently operated, professional theater companies: Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (since 2002); Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise, Idaho (since 1991) and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Incline Village, Nevada (since 2010). His appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which more than 60 plays have been shared since 2002. In 2009, Charles was honored to receive recognition for his leadership by the Cleveland Arts Prize as a recipient of the Martha Joseph Award. Other awards include The Mayor’s and Governor’s awards for Excellence in the Arts, Idaho. From 1988 to 1992, he held the position of artistic director at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. He has also worked with

The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, the Milwaukee and Missouri repertory theaters, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. In addition to his work with the companies in Ohio, Idaho and Nevada, Charles is active within the community. He has served as a member of the strategic planning committee for the Morrison Center, as producer of the FUNDSY Award Gala (’96, ’98 and 2000), and as producer of the 1996 Idaho Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Charles has served on the board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his BA from the University of the Pacific and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Along with his wife, Lidia and daughter, Alexa, Charles resides in Boise, Cleveland and Lake Tahoe — a feat that is only possible because of the incredible love and support of his family, and the generous communities he serves! Ken Merckx Fight Choreographer Thirteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Ken Merckx has choreographed fights and taught actors theatrical combat for film, television, theater and universities all across the country. Ken is the resident fight choreographer for the Idaho and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare festivals, A Noise Within (Los Angeles) and the Great Lakes Theater (Cleveland). Mr. Merckx received his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois and his BA in theater studies from the University of Washington. Jaclyn Miller Assistant Director Three Seasons with Great Lakes Theater Choreography credit for GLT: Mamma Mia!, The Taming of the Shrew, Pride and Prejudice, Hunchback of Notre Dame. Regional: Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Hairspray, Book of Will, Shakespeare in Love, Twelfth Night, Yeoman of Guard, Fingersmith (world premiere), Much Ado About Nothing, The Cocoanuts, My Fair Lady, The Taming of the Shrew; Guthrie Theatre: The Cocoanuts; Baltimore Center Stage: Fun Home. Additionally, Jaclyn has worked as an

Associate Director and/or Choreographer around the country. Such theaters include: Kirk Douglas Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Parker Playhouse, Colony Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Love and thanks to Vicky, Charlie and SB. Matthew Webb Composer & Sound Designer Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater

Designers Rick Martin Lighting Designer Eighteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Many productions with GLT including The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Opera: Mitridate, Re di Ponto (La Monnaie, Brussels – scenery and lighting), Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chute de la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting), BUTTERFLY – d’après Madama Butterfly de Puccini (Opera de Limoges and Opera de Rouen, France – lighting) and Dialogues des Carmèlites (Opéra de Toulon). Concerts: Harawi (Opèra Comique, Paris – scenery and lighting), Le martyre de Saint Sèbastien (Citè de la Musique, Paris). Coming up: scenery for the Da Ponte Trilogy: Le nozze de Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte at La Monnaie in Brussels and Teatro Massimo in Palermo. Member: United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE.

Cleveland’s Classic Company

GreatLakesTheater.org

Matthew is music director for music theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. As music director for Great Lakes Theater: Mamma Mia!, Beehive, Forever Plaid, The Fantasticks, Sweeney Todd, Sondheim on Sondheim, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Bat Boy: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Into the Woods, A Christmas Carol, Two Gentlemen of Verona and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Elsewhere: LIZZIE (Playhouse Square), Once (Beck Center), Hair (Cain Park and Kent State). Previous sound design at GLT: The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth and

Hamlet. Many thanks to Vicky, Sara, Charlie and his incredible parents, Carol and Jerry.

Northeast Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Tradition By Charles Dickens Adapted and Directed By Gerald Freedman

Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, 2019 Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square TICKETS START AT $28!

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Russell Metheny Scenic Designer Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater

Leah Piehl Costume Designer Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater

For GLT: Twelfth Night, And Then There Were None, Dial “M” for Murder, The Tempest, Deathtrap, As You Like It, Blithe Spirit, The Mousetrap, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Othello, The Seagull, The Comedy of Errors, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Measure For Measure, Arsenic and Old Lace, Julius Caesar and The Merry Wives of Windsor. For ISF, he has designed The 39 Steps, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Woman In Black, A Tuna Christmas, Greater Tuna, King Lear and others. Recent productions include Both Your Houses; Philadelphia, Here I Come!; My Fair Lady; 1776 for Asolo Theatre. Regionally, Russell has designed for Indiana Rep, Asolo Theatre, ACT San Francisco, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre and Goodspeed Musicals among others.

Costume Design: Romeo and Juliette (OSF); Halfway to Dawn (BAM); Krapps Last Tape, Hughie (Geffen Playhouse); Kings, Once, The Light in the Piazza (South Coast Rep); Race, Twist Your Dickens (Kirk Douglas/ CTG); The Steward of Christendom (Mark Taper Forum/CTG); The Most Deserving (Denver Center Theater); Stardust (REDCAT); Intimate Apparel, Pygmalion, The Heiress (Pasadena Playhouse); Arcadia, The Doctor’s Dilemma, The Eccentricities of a Nightingale (A Noise Within); Paradise Lost (Intiman Theatre); Bars and Measures, Futura, The Pain and the Itch, Tartuffe (The Theatre at Boston Court); Hedda Gabbler (Antaeus). She designed the feature films All Stars and Buzzkill. Her work has been featured at MOMA, Art Basel Miami and 2010 Whitney Biennial. Piehl has a BA from UC Berkeley and her MFA in costume design from CalArts. www.leahpiehl.com.com

Cleveland’s Classic Company

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Nicki Cathro* Production Stage Manager Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater

Kelsey James* Assistant Stage Manager Great Lakes Theater debut season

Nicki is thrilled to be returning for her fourth season at the Hanna. Previously, she’s worked as an assistant stage manager for Witness for the Prosecution, Misery, Macbeth and Pride and Prejudice; and as production assistant for A Christmas Carol, Hamlet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Great Lakes Theater and ISF. Nicki earned her BFA in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. She also works in film production and photography, and is incredibly lucky to work with her husband Nick <4. For more information on her media company, visit www.cavernmedia.com.

Other recent credits: The Music Man (assistant stage manager, Idaho Shakespeare Festival), My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Julius Caesar, The Winter’s Tale (production stage manager, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre); La Cage aux Folles, In the Heights (assistant stage manager, Pioneer Theatre Company); Swing! The Musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes (stage manager, Little Theatre of the Rockies). Kelsey received her BA from Idaho State University and is a graduate of the University of Iowa Stage Management MFA program. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love and thanks to Kai and family for your constant support!

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DONORS The trustees, staff and artistic company of Great Lakes Theater express our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of supporters of Cleveland’s Classic Company. The donors listed below and on the following pages made generous gifts to our Annual Fund between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. “I can no other answer make but thanks.” Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene iii

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Make a Contribution Great Lakes Theater served more than 125,000 students and adults last season through its Hanna and Mimi Ohio Theatre mainstage productions and education programs throughout northeast Ohio. This would not have been possible without the annual support of the hundreds of generous donors listed below. Please consider joining the Great Lakes Theater family by making a contribution to support Cleveland’s Classic Company. Visit the “Support Us” section of our website (GreatLakesTheater.org) or call us at (216) 453-4449 to learn more about our Membership and donation opportunities.

Sponsors: $100,000 and above Cuyahoga Arts & Culture*** $50,000 to $99,999 The Cleveland Foundation*** The George Gund Foundation*** The Kulas Foundation*** The John P. Murphy Foundation***

The David & Inez Myers Foundation*** Ohio Arts Council*** The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation***

$25,000 to $49,999 The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation** The Community Foundation of Lorain County*** The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation*** The Reinberger Foundation***

Shakespeare in American Communities: National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest* John & Barbara Schubert***

Season Sponsors:

*3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor ***10 or more consecutive years as a donor

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THE LEGACY SOCIETY

Great Lakes Theater’s Legacy Society honors individuals, families, foundations and other generous donors that make gifts to Great Lakes Theater’s Endowment Fund or have made a provision for Great Lakes Theater through their estate plans. Please consider becoming a member of the growing list of generous Great Lakes Theater Legacy Society supporters and help ensure that classic theater endures for future generations in northeast Ohio by designating Great Lakes Theater a beneficiary in your will, trust or other estate plans.

“Evermore thanks.” Kathleen L. Barber° Marilyn° & Paul° Brentlinger Willard & Donna Carmel Mary° & Leigh Carter Natalie & Morton° Epstein Gerald Freedman GAR Foundation Edward S. Godleski Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson Mary Jane Davis Hartwell°

Richard II, Act II, Scene ii

Samuel S. Hartwell The Hershey Foundation Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Kate Lunsford Thomas° & Margaret Lynch Charitable Trust Mary Anne° & Jack McGrath Donald W. Morrison° Janet & Bob° Neary James A . Nelson° Donald & Anne Palmer

Jean Z.° & John S.° Piety Tim & Lynn Pistell Ron° & Nancy° Pottorff Professor Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben The John Sherwin Family George° & Marjorie° Springer Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Arthur L. Thomas Audrey° & Dick° Watts

°Deceased: The legacy of these generous donors lives on for future generations.

LEAVE A LEGACY!

For more information regarding planned gifts, please contact Todd Krispinsky, Director of Institutional Advancement. (216) 453-4449 | tkrispinsky@greatlakestheater.org

THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY Annual Fund donors of $1,000 and above are members of Great Lakes Theater’s “Shakespeare Society” and are entitled to special, exclusive benefits, including invitations to special events and activities. For more information, contact Todd Krispinsky at (216) 453-4449 or via email at tkrispinsky@greatlakestheater.org.

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Avon Circle ($10,000 to $24,999) The Abington Foundation** The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation*** Eaton Corporation*** FirstEnergy Foundation* The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer*** Susan & John Lebold* Thomas & Margaret Lynch Charitable Trust Janet E. Neary*** The Nord Family Foundation*** Nordson Corporation Foundation*** Don & Anne Palmer*** Tim & Lynn Pistell*** Georgianna T. Roberts*** The Shubert Foundation*** Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford*** The Thomas H. White Foundation***

Stratford Circle ($5,000 to $9,999) Fred & Mary Behm*** Mr. Todd M. Burger & Ms. Kristie Beck** Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill*** Evelyn Dolejs** Natalie Epstein*** Ernst & Young, LLP*** The FORM Group The Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Foundation*** Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell*** Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen** Mary Elizabeth Huber* Diane Kathleen Hupp* Mr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Moeller*** Greg Pribulsky & Donna Heinz Robert C. & Emily C. Williams**

Globe Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)

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Anonymous (2) Chuck & Bonnie Abbey*** Michelle R. Arendt*** Walt & Laura Avdey*** BakerHostetler, LLP

Dalia & Robert Baker*** Gina L. Beebe David & Carolyn Bialosky** Glenn & Jenny Brown*** Bill & Judie Caster** Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. W. Chisholm*** The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation*** Gail Cudak & Thomas Young*** Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press*** Charles, Lidia & Alexa Fee** Dianne V. Foley** Lynn M. Gattozzi Elizabeth Grove & Rich Bedell* Mr. & Mrs. Arthur C. Hall III William W. Jacobs*** Katie Kennedy & Doug White* Faisal Khan & Angela DiCorleto* Donna M. Koler* Mr. & Mrs. John J. Lane** The Laub Foundation*** Victor C. Laughlin, M.D. Memorial Foundation Trust*** The Lubrizol Foundation*** David and Denise Maiorana Mrs. Mary J. Mayer*** Jack McGrath*** Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley*** Donald W. Morrison*** Karen Nemec** Nicholas & Sue Peay*** Dr. Scott & Mrs. Judy Pendergast*** Michael & Barbara Peterman*** Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams** David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse*** Pablo R. Ros Kim Sherwin*** Sally J. Staley*** Christopher & Gail Steward* Geoff & Catherine Tanner Kris & George Tesar Arthur L. Thomas* Ulmer & Berne LLP*** Ms. Rebecca A. Zuti & Mr. Anthony D. DeCello**

Folio Circle ($1,000 to $2,499) Anonymous (1)

Jennifer & Michael Armstrong Kim & Bart Bixenstine** Mitch & Liz Blair H.F. & J.C. Burkhardt*** Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP*** Jack & Janice Campbell*** Donald & Annamarie Chick*** Carolyn & Charles Dickson*** Ms. Leslie C. Dickson** Dr. Howard Epstein* Evans Charitable Foundation* Dale & Linda Gabor* Steve Gariepy & Nancy Sin*** The Giant Eagle Foundation** Gary & Joanna Graeff** Rich & Barbara Gray*** The Gries Family Foundation*** Drs. Thomas & Cynthia Gustaferro* Geoffrey Michael Heller Memorial Fund* Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.*** Joseph James Kenneth Karosy*** James & Rosemary Koehler The Milton A. & Charlotte R. Kramer Charitable Foundation** Eva & Rudolf Linnebach* Mr. & Mrs. John S. Lupo Mr. & Mrs. William E. MacDonald III** Rita & Charles Maimbourg McGrath/Spellman Family Trust Mr. & Mrs. Douglas McGregor Katie McVoy & Justin Cernansky* Pamela G. Noble & E. Macke Bentley IV** Mr. & Mrs. Patrick W. O’Connor*** Mary Perkins Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer M. Piper*** John & Norine Prim*** Rick & Paula Reed Ms. Ana G. Rodriguez* Linda Schlageter*** Brit & Kate Stenson*** A.J. and Nancy Stokes The Alvah Stone & Adele Corning Chisholm Memorial Fund* Diana & Eugene Stromberg*** Jason R. Suslak Karl & Carol Theil** Gerald F. Unger*** Mary C. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV***

Benefactor ($750 to $999) Robyn & David Barrie*** John & Laura Bertsch** Dolan/Hill Oscar Awards Pool Ken & Mary Loparo*** Brian Wynne & Patrick Cozzens**

Sustainers ($500 to $749)

Patrons ($250 to $499) The Thomas & Joann Adler Family Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland*** Joel & Teresa Andreani* Ms. Nancy J. Arndt & Mr. Andrew P. Houghton* Mr. & Mrs. Benham S. Bates*** Laura Bauschard Kathy Berkshire*

Associates ($125 to $249) Anonymous (2) Bridget & Michele Adams Lori Adler** Lynne M. Bajec** Carol Barnak Ms. Pamela Benson** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Berges* Roger Bielefeld*** Tom & Dorothy Bier* Phyliss M. Boggs* John Bolton*** Joanne R. Bratush*** Mike & Carole Brown** V. Elizabeth Brown*** Larry & Andi Carlini*** Joanne Clifford John & Donna Clifford*** Stan & Lisa Corwin* Dr. & Mrs. Dale H. Cowan* David & Gayle Cratty*** Daniel & Joyce Dyer ** Ms. Elizabeth Eckstein Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eikenburg*** Mr. & Mrs. L. William Erb* David V. Foos*** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald R. Frei*** Carla & Jim Gallagher** Mrs. Barbara J. Garris Deborah A. Geier*** Thomas Gilbride Mr. & Mrs. Randall J. Gordon Kathy Grekco Jean E. Gubbins** Ms. Bonnie Ann Hajek Ms. Eleanor W. Helper* Curt & Karen Henkle*** Ms. Robin Herrington-Bowen** Mr. & Mrs. Douglas M. Hicks* Mark & Lynn Hofflund** Kathy & Jamie Hogg*** Marie Ivkanec* Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Janson** Marilyn & Howard Karfeld*** Lauren Kawentel*** William & Marion Kettering** Kerry King Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Kozel*** Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick** Fred & Joann Lafferty*** Leslie Lahr* Jennifer & Robert Larson** Gregory & Vickie Leyes** Brian & Renee Lowery*** Joseph Marinucci Antoinette Miller*** Tom & Mary Neff** Robert & Margery Orth* Mr. John Patton Mr. & Mrs. James M. Petras Ms. Mary L. Pollak* Ms. Bette M. Prendergast James & Susan Prince*

Ms. Betsy R. Quinn* Ms. Lori Riga Robinson Family Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland* Reinhold & Ginny Roedig*** Doris A. Schultz*** Steve & Kathy Schultz** Donna Sheridan*** James Sonday* William E. Spatz*** Susan St. John** Margaret C. Stark Kathlyn & Harry Stenzel*** Katherine Stokes-Shafer* Sean & Tabitha Swick Frank Talerico Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Tatman* Dr. & Mrs. Ken Tomecki*** Mr. & Mrs. James D. Vail** Christine & Daniel Vento** Carol A. Vidoli*** Mr. Kenneth Vinciquerra Ms. Kimberly A. Vivolo* Michael Wagner Gerald R. & Susan Walters Michael Wesel Ms. Suann M. Winczek Thomas M. Wladyka* Jeanne Wojciechowicz* James & Sandra Wood** John & Dianne Young***

Friends ($75 to $124) Anonymous (4) Carol Arbaczewski Thomas & Joan Baker** Carol Barasha Ms. Maurene Barry Thomas D. Basco Brian & Teresa Bester* Linda Bickerstaff Dr. & Mrs. Dieter F. Bloser*** Susan Bobey*** Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Bolton*** Ms. Dorothy F. Borer* William Bost Kathy Caldwell* Patricia Campbell Edward A. Chuhna Samuel Cowling*** Ms. & Mr. M. Judith Crocker* Mr. & Mrs. Ronald A. Danes Judith Darus* Mark Davis Lowell & Carole Davis Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. DeFrank Chris & Mary Ann Deibel*** Mr. Alex Derkaschenko John Doucette* Mary Emerson Dr. & Mrs. Michael Eppig

GreatLakesTheater.org

Anonymous (1) Gary D Benz & Betsy A Karetnick Paul & Heather Blonsky* Barbara J. Burke** Christopher & Nancy Coburn Audrey DeClement*** James Eschmeyer*** Ann & Harry Farmer* Mr. Joseph A. Ferritto* Janet & Patricia Glaeser*** Deb & Gar Kaminski Eileen Kennedy & Greg Cloyd* Ms. Catherine M. Kilbane & Mr. Donald H. Bullock Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kimmel*** Ursula Korneitchouk* Stephen & Carolyn Kuerbitz* James F. Lang Mark & Barbara Mazzone** Helen & Harry Mercer*** The Mersol Family*** Michael Mumford & Neil Vakharia Deborah L. Neale*** Mr. John Rampe Thomas & Helen Rathburn** John Reynolds Mrs. Sharon L. Rogers*** Alan Shubert Dr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Smith*** Albert Stratton Wulf & Moira Utian Raymond & Carolyn Voelker** Mr. & Mrs. James L. Wamsley III Dr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Watts** Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater Festival*** Mr. Lee C. Zeiszler** Patrick M. Zohn*** John & Jane Zuzek***

John & Jeannene Bertosa** Gary & Kay Bluhm** Richard & Mary Ann Brockett* Julia & Ben Brouhard** Tim & Cindy Carr** Patricia Brownell & James Collins Robert & Susan Conrad Rollin & Anne Conway** Dr. & Mrs. Kevin D. Cooper** Bruce & Maryellen Cudney*** Elizabeth W. DeBoer Mary J. Decker Pete & Margaret Dobbins* Barry & Suzanne Doggett*** Gene & Patricia Ewald Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Fairchild Jon & Mary Fancher** Bob & Mia Graf Tom & Kirsten Hagesfeld*** Mr. Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr.* Robert & Linda Jenkins** Bernie & Nancy Karr*** Samuel C. Kennell* Larry & Joy Kent** Bill & Susan Kirchner* Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick*** Ronald G. Kollar*** Chris & Laura Larson*** Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lawler** Gregory Leach* Morton & Lola Litt* Anne R. & Kenneth E. Love** Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McDonald*** Francis & Viola McDowell** Jennifer & Peter Meckes** Steven & Dolly Minter David & Leslee Miraldi*** Steve Z. & Mary Gibbs Mitchell*** Dale Sr., Dale Jr. & Gayle Montgomery Roy & Cindy Moore*** Toni & Linda Moore*** Glenn & Susan Morley Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Patalon* Frank Rausche Dr. Edward J. Rockwood*** Otmar & Rota Sackerlotzky*** Jim & Joan Schaefer Mr. Bahman Y. Sharif Ms. Sunny M. Simon Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Slavin*** Anita Stoll & Pete Clapham* The Edward & Katherine Thomas Family* Jeanette H. Thomas Frank & Vicki Titas** Joanne M. Uniatowski* Carol Lee Vella*** Nancy-Anne Wargo* Chris & Mary Weaver Jean Wingate

33

at Playhouse Square

Janice Evans** Kathryn Eyring Nancy Facchiano Frank L. Field, Jr.*** Dr. J. Robert Fowler Ms. Barbara Fretthold Jeanne Frey Nicholas & Marsha Gallo Katherine A. Ganz** Ms. Pamela S. Goetsch Linda Grau* Lisa Greb* John Greene** Marian Hancy*** Richard & Jo Anne Harris Ron & Christine Hawes Linda A. Heath** Jean Heller** Stephen Hirschfield Frank & Gerry Hoffert** Jessica Holtsberry Ms. Carolyn R. Horn Clyde A. Horn*** Michael Hotz James & Gale Jacobsohn* Tom & Terri Jecker Robert Kasler Mr. Gilbert P. Kenehan** Mr. Kenneth R. Kessler* Mr. & Mrs. Albert Kirby Mary Jo Klements* David R. Knowles Jacob Kronenberg & Barbara Belovich*** David Kruse Al & Cynthia Kuntz George Leggiero James and Tayna Lewan Chuck & Donna Loper* Susan E. Lust Sharon Madger Paul S. Malchesky Mr. & Mrs. J. Adin Mann Anne Martin* Gretchen Mates Connie May* James L. Mayer* Mr. John A. Mazzella Ms. Allison E. McCallum Mr. David McKissock Rev. Edward E. Mehok*** Ms. Patricia A. Monreal

Ms. Cheryl A. Moskwa Mr. John M. Moss & Mrs. Karen J. Moss* Ms. Barbara H. Nahra* Gerald Norton* Joan M. Oravec*** Meribeth Pannitto* Peggy & Michael Partington*** Rudy Perdan Brian Perry & Ka Pi Hoh* Mr. Alan A. Pomiecko Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pongracz** David Porter Mr. James E. Racic Larry & Susan Rakow** Judy & Clifford Reeves*** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Rencehausen Sue Reusser Ms. Jacqueline Y. Rhodes** William & Lisa Schonberg Donna Schuerger*** Randall & Sara Shaner Richard Shirey* Dr. Dave & Faye Sholiton* Naomi G. & Edwin Z. Singer Family Fund, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland*** Mary Slak Mr. & Mrs. John Southworth** Laura L. Sutera Kara Suzelis Kathryn Sweeny Linda Taege* John & Emily Hartwell Taylor Joseph Toner Mrs. Lori Trehan Anne Unverzagt & Richard Goddard*** Edward Vargo Mary S. Velotta Adele Viguera* Natalie Vloedman Thomas Wagner & Malinda Smyth** Ms. Kathleen Waits** Rev. & Mrs. David M. Walker*** Mrs. Carole R. Warren Mrs. Betty S. Weiss** Lance Whitson & Terry Juhn Mr. & Mrs. Harold L. Williams

Endowment Fund Gifts to the Great Lakes Theater Endowment Fund were received from the following donors between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Edward S. Godleski Mary Jane Davis Hartwell° Donald W. Morrison°

Gifts were received in honor of: Jane Lehr Ecker By: Dr. Gary & Leslie Gelesh Janet Neary By: Ms. Emily Holdge Brasfield Mrs. Robert H. Martindale By: David Wildermuth Rebecca Zuti By: Barbara Ackerman

Gifts were received in memory of: Claudine Clinton By: Mary Slowey Donald Mayer By: Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Elsa Pavlik By: Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater Lindsay Morgenthaler By: The Gries Family Foundation

Matching Gift Corporations Eaton Corporation GlaxoSmithKline Foundation IBM Corporation The Lubrizol Foundation Nordson Corporation Foundation PNC Foundation Schneider Electric North America Foundation The Sherwin-Williams Company Many companies, like the ones listed above, match all or a por-

tion of their employees’ charitable giving. Is your employer a matching gift company? Find out by contacting your employer or the Great Lakes Theater Development Office at (216) 453-4442.

The Women’s Committee Formed in 1961, the committee is Great Lakes Theater’s longest standing volunteer support group. Members act as hosts for our actors, provide support in our administrative office and at events, and cheer us on throughout the season. If you would like to become a member, call Joanne Hulec at (216) 252-8717 for more information. Officers Janice Campbell, President Kathy Berkshire, Co-Vice Chair Barb Chernus, Co-Vice Chair Viola McDowell, Recording Secretary Bernice Bolek, Corresponding Secretary Nanci Kirkpatrick, Treasurer *3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor ** 6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor *** 10 or more consecutive years as a donor ° Deceased: The legacy of these generous donors lives on for future generations.

Every effort is made to ensure that our donor records are current and correct. Please contact Great Lakes Theater’s Development Office at (216) 453-4449 or via email at tkrispinsky@ greatlakestheater.org with questions or to report updates and revisions.

Visit the Great Lakes Theater

GIFT SHOP

in the Hanna Theatre Ticket Office.

Pick Up Great Gifts to Wear & Share! Unique Clothing | Inspired Novelties | Books & Scripts

34

Gift Shop is open pre-show & during intermission.

TRUSTEES Chair

William W. Jacobs *

President

William Caster *

Secretary

Elizabeth A. Grove *

Treasurer

Kathleen Kennedy *

Trustees

Joseph H. James John E. Katzenmeyer Denise Horstman Keen Faisal Khan * John W. Lebold * William MacDonald III † Charles Maimbourg David M. Maiorana Ellen Stirn Mavec† Mary J. Mayer John E. McGrath Katie McVoy * Mike Mumford Janet E. Neary Pamela G. Noble Michael J. Peterman Timothy K. Pistell David P. Porter Gregory Pribulsky *

Uma M. Rajeshwar Georgianna T. Roberts Ana G. Rodriguez Pablo R. Ros, MD John D. Schubert † Peter Shimrak † Thomas G. Stafford * Sally J. Staley Diana W. Stromberg Catherine Tanner Kristine M. Tesar * Arthur L. Thomas Nancy Wellener Patrick Zohn

* Executive Committee † Life Trustee

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE In 2002, Great Lakes Theater (Cleveland, Ohio) and Idaho Shakespeare Festival (Boise, Idaho) conceived a unique, strategic producing alliance designed to maximize return on organizational investments, increase production efficiencies, create long term work opportunities for artists and share best practices. In 2010, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (Incline Village, Nevada) joined the collaborative — further contributing to the momentum of the revolutionary producing prototype's success. The long term results have been remarkable. The alliance's three independent, 501c3 regional theaters have shared over 60 jointly-created productions — each featuring long term, multi-city employment opportunities for artistic company members. This revolutionary producing model has realized its vision and exceeded expectations while simultaneously resulting in notable audience growth for each company.

GreatLakesTheater.org

Michelle Arendt Jennifer Dowdell Armstrong* Walter Avdey* Dalia Baker Gina L. Beebe

Gary D. Benz David Bialosky Kim Bixenstine * Todd M. Burger * Gail L. Cudak Carolyn Dickson † Leslie Dickson Barry Doggett † Carol Dolan * Timothy J. Downing * Dr. Howard G. Epstein Natalie Epstein Dianne V. Foley* Stephen H. Gariepy Lynn M. Gattozzi Arthur C. Hall III * Samuel Hartwell * Mary Elizabeth Huber Diane Kathleen Hupp

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STAFF Leadership Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Bob Taylor, Executive Director

Management Team

at Playhouse Square

Director of Educational Services.................Kelly Schaffer Florian Production Manager................................Jeff Herrmann Director of Institutional Advancement.................Todd Krispinsky Director of Educational Programming...... Lisa Ortenzi

Artistic Artistic Associate................................Laura Welsh Berg

Education Education Outreach Associate................David Hansen Education Assistant.................Chennelle Bryant-Harris School Residency Program Actor-Teachers.....................Tyler Collins, Craig Ester, Adam Graber, Klara Hricik, Tim Keo , Adrionna Powell Lawrence, Kimberly Martin, Zyrece Montgomery

Finance & Administration Manager of Finance & Administration...................Stephanie Reed

Institutional Advancement Audience & Community Engagement Coordinator.............................................. Jeremy Lewis Marketing & Communications Manager................................................. Kacey Shapiro Advancement & Annual Fund Administrator...................................Olivia M. Williams

Production Assistant Production Manager................ Shaun O’Neill Company Manager.......................................Amy Essick Technical Director.......................................Mark Cytron Assistant Technical Director.............Richard Haberlen

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Master Carpenter.......................................Lindsay Loar Carpenter/Welder...............................Richard Haberlen Properties Master............................. Bernadine Cockey Costume Director............................Esther M. Haberlen Assistant Shop Manager/Draper....................Leah Loar Wardrobe Supervisor....................... Mackenzie Malone Wardrobe Crew............. Zack Hickle, Christina Spencer Master Electrician.................................... Tammy Taylor Charge Scenic Artist....................................Ruth Lohse Audio Supervisor.....................................Brian Chismar Production Stage Manager....................... Nicki Cathro Assistant Stage Manager..........................Kelsey James Production Assistant....................................Amy Essick Run Crew.....Brian Chismar, Ralph Melari, Gary Zsigrai Hanna Theatre Crew............Thomas Boddy, Chris Guy, Shaun Milligan, Nathan Tulenson

Volunteers

Company Doctor.......Dr. Donald Ford & Cleveland Clinic Trinity High School Costume Interns..........................Joi Bailey, Nya Davis

Special Thanks Great Lakes Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and operates under agreements with LORT, Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the United Scenic Artists, which are unions representing professional actors, stage managers, musicians, stagehands, directors, choreographers, and designers, respectively, in the United States.

LORT

1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300 Cleveland, OH 44115 P: (216) 241-5490 F: (216) 241-6315 W: GreatLakesTheater.org

Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler For advertising information, please contact Matthew Kraniske: 216-377-3681

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE HISTORY Hanna Theatre Trivia Since its opening in 1921, the Hanna Theatre has been the site of two world premieres: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Me and Juliette in 1953 and, in 1974, Odyssey by Michel Legrand starring Yul Brynner. Another first occurred in 1937, when Gilbert and Sullivan’s first Cleveland-staged opera was performed at the Hanna by the D’Oyly Carte Company from London.

A Phoenix from the Ashes

Re-Creating History We call the completed Mimi Ohio Theatre George Gund Foundation Lobby project a “re-creation” rather than a restoration. Why? There was nothing left to restore after a 1964 fire destroyed the space. To reproduce the lobby’s original 1921 splendor, architects, restoration specialists and Playhouse Square staff conducted exhaustive research of the original drawings by architect Thomas Lamb, photo archives and a few remaining bits of ornamental plaster detail to gain a thorough understanding of the space and inform the plans for re-creating the lobby.

Broadway to Buildings Where do the arts and real estate go handin-hand? At Playhouse Square, of course! As the theaters began to be restored in the early 1980s, it was thought that developers would step in to build and open businesses around them. When that didn’t happen, Playhouse Square began to steward development of the

Keeping Up the KeyBank State Theatre First restored more than 30 years ago, the KeyBank State Theatre was repainted from the street to the proscenium in 2015. The new, cohesive color palette showcases the beauty and craftsmanship of the nearly 100-year-old theater. It took 25 painters 12,500 hours and 595 gallons of paint in 15 different colors to complete the project, which also included 6000 sheets of new metal leafing in the auditorium dome and the application of a historically accurate wall-covering design. While the theater was dark, its lighting fixtures and restrooms received major upgrades.

What’s in a Logo? The Playhouse Square logo we use today – a tilted burgundy square with a capital P in its center – was introduced in 2008 to capture the enduring spirit of entertainment and excitement. Each of the logo’s graphic elements has meaning: the exclamation point with a star in the “P” symbolizes excitement and innovation; the swirl in the “P” represents creativity and forward motion; the tilted square symbolizes Playhouse Square as a destination; and the burgundy color gives nod to the color scheme of our historic theaters.

GreatLakesTheater.org

In 1964, the Mimi Ohio Theatre lobby and auditorium were destroyed by fire. When the fledgling Playhouse Square organization restored the spaces in 1982, funding and time constraints made it possible only for the auditorium to be fully restored. Thanks to a gift from the George Gund Foundation, the lobby was re-created in its original splendor in 2016. You can watch a documentary about the project, “Restoring the Legacy,” on Playhouse Square’s YouTube channel.

surrounding neighborhood. In 1999, Playhouse Square became the first performing arts center with a real estate services division, which manages the one million square feet of property owned by the organization and another 1.5 million square feet outside the theater district. Other performing arts centers have since looked to our expertise as a model.

Kennedy’s Cabaret Trivia The bar in Kennedy’s (the lower level cabaret space accessed by way of the Mimi Ohio Theatre lobby), might be familiar to Cleveland oldtimers. The former home of the bar was the Elegant Hog Saloon when the tavern was located on Buckeye Road.

37

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE GUEST SERVICES Guest Assistance For questions or service that may provide a quality, entertaining experience, please see the House Manager on duty. A RedCoat usher can direct you to their office location.

at Playhouse Square

We Love Hearing From Our Guests Your feedback is important. For matters that are not immediate or for additional questions you may have, please access our online comment form at playhousesquare. org/contact-us. We read and share all comments with the staff and meet often to discuss how we can improve upon your experience at Playhouse Square. You may also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/playhousesquare, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/playhousesquare.

Beware of Ticket Scalpers Buy your tickets ONLY from the Playhouse Square Ticket Office, at playhousesquare. org, by phone at 216-241-6000 or your licensed group/travel leader. (We cannot guarantee validity or admittance for tickets purchased elsewhere, nor can we issue replacement tickets if they are lost or stolen). Help us keep ticket prices affordable and fair for everyone.

Accessibility Information Large type programs and hearing assistance devices are available in the House Manager’s office.

Camera Policy Cameras, including cameras on cell phones and other personal handheld devices, audio/ video tape recorders and flash photography are strictly prohibited.

Emergency Phone Number In emergency situations, family members or babysitters may call 216-771-5537 (evening hours) or 216-771-4444 (daytime hours) should they need to get a message to a guest in our theaters.

Cell Phones The experience of a live performance can be ruined by the interruption of ringtones, vibrating phones or conversation. The magic of a darkened theater can be disrupted by the light of someone text messaging as well. Please be considerate to others and remember to turn off your cell phone for the duration of the show.

Thank You

38

Playhouse Square gratefully acknow­ ledges the people of Cuyahoga County for their historical support to theater restoration, upkeep and programming, as well as through their ongoing contributions through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

OCT./NOV. AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE OUTCALT/ HELEN/ MIMI CONNOR KEYBANK US BANK WESTFIELD ALLEN ALLEN ALLEN HANNA KENNEDY’S OHIO PALACE STATE PLAZA STUDIO Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

OCTOBER

Into the Breeches!

Julius Caesar Into the Breeches! Copenhagen

Wednesday

Thursday Into the Breeches!

Into the Breeches!

Friday Julius Caesar Into the Breeches! Copenhagen

Saturday Julius Caesar MasterChef Junior Live! C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters Into the Breeches! Copenhagen Summer Julius Caesar The Music Man GroundWorks CJO: Irving Berlin Copenhagen Pipeline

1 2 3 4 5

Summer

Summer The Music Man

Summer The Music Man Jerry Seinfeld Branford Marsalis

Summer Julius Caesar GroundWorks DanceTheater Jesse Cook Copenhagen Jerry Seinfeld

Summer Julius Caesar Pipeline

Summer The Music Man Carmen Pipeline

Summer The Music Man Carmen David Sedaris Pipeline

Summer Julius Caesar Jungle Book Into The Woods Copenhagen Pipeline

Summer Julius Caesar The Music Man Jungle Book Into The Woods O’Jays/Isley Brothers Copenhagen Pipeline

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Summer Pipeline

Summer Julius Caesar Secrets & Illusions Pipeline Married But Single

Summer Jungle Book Pipeline

Summer The Music Man Jungle Book Into The Woods Trisha Yearwood Pipeline

Pipeline

Julius Caesar Pipeline Into The Woods

The Band’s Visit

Summer Julius Caesar Pipeline

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Summer The Music Man Jungle Book Pipeline

Summer The Music Man Jungle Book Into The Woods Pipeline

The Music Man Pipeline

The Music Man Into The Woods Pipeline

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 NOVEMBER

The Music Man Pipeline Into The Woods

The Music Man Julius Caesar Pipeline Into The Woods Johnny Mathis

27 28 29 30 31 1 2 The Band’s Visit The Music Man National Geographic Live: Point of No Return The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit The Music Man The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit The Music Man Marlee Who? Take 2 Fantasia Presents The Sketchbook Tour The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit The Music Man Marlee Who? Take Two RUBBERBANDance Group The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit Cartography The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit Cartography The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit Cartography The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit Ryan Hamilton The Merchant of Venice

The Band’s Visit

The Band’s Visit

The Band’s Visit Cleveland Mega Blues Festival

The Band’s Visit Every Brilliant Thing Nick Offerman The Uncle Louie Variety Show

GreatLakesTheater.org

Summer The Music Man Copenhagen Pipeline

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The Band’s Visit The Music Man

The Band’s Visit Cartography

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 The Band’s Visit Vicki Barbolak The Simon & Garfunkel Story

The Band’s Visit

The Band’s Visit Every Brilliant Thing

Every Brilliant Thing Every Brilliant Thing Disney Junior Holiday White Christmas Party! White Christmas

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Every Brilliant Thing White Christmas A Christmas Carol A Christmas Story

Every Brilliant Thing White Christmas A Christmas Carol A Christmas Story

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 New shows are announced every week. Sign up for the Playhouse Square newsletter at playhousesquare.org to get advance notices by email!

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Covia is proud to support Playhouse Square. Making Northeast Ohio a great place to live, work – and play.

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