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JAMES MURTHA & WILLIAM WEIR
present
FAME
THE MUSICAL
Conceived and Developed by
DAVID De SILVA
Book by
Lyrics by
Music by
JOSE
FERNANDEZ
JACQUES
LEVY
STEPHEN
MARGOSHES
Title Song “FAME” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore
Courtesy of EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
Originally produced at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Arnold Mittleman, Producing Artistic Director
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
MICHAEL ANANIA
LEE VILIESIS
JOSE SANTIAGO
Sound Design
Company Manager
Production Stage Manager
DON HANNA
PD SELTZER
MELISSA BONDAR
Casting Director
Associate Choreographer
BOB CLINE
KELLI GAUTREAU
Musical Direction by
JAMES OLMSTEAD
Choreography by
ANTOINETTE DiPIETROPOLO
Directed & Staged by
DOM RUGGIERO
The Director and Choreographer are members of
Scenery built and painted by CENTER LINE STUDIOS, Inc., New Windsor, New York
Lighting Package provided by ALTMAN RENTALS, Inc. Yonkers, New York
Sound Package provided by SOUND ASSOCIATES, Yonkers, New York
“FAME: The Musical” is presented through special arrangement with
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, New York, NY www.mtishows.com
CAST OF CHARACTERS
The Actors
Serena Katz…,,,,,,,………………………………...Marie Eife
Nick Piazza…………………………………...Hunter Brown
Joe (Jose) Vegas……………………...…Eric Brandon Mota
The Dancers
Carmen Diaz……,,,,…………………...……….Kris Roberts
Tyrone Jackson……………………………….…J’royce Jata
Iris Kelly………………………….…………Kelly Loughran
Mabel Washington………………………...…Gillian Hassert
The Musicians
Schlomo Metzenbaum……………………..….Joe Conceison
Grace Lamb (Lambchops)………………….Kelsey Schergen
Goodman King (Goody)……………Carson Parker Stewart
The Teachers
Miss Esther Sherman (English)…………….Galyana Castillo
Ms. Greta Bell (Dance)……………………....Emily Esposito
Mr. Myers (Acting)………….…………………Martin Glyer
Mr. Sheinkopf (Music)………...…………Luther Chakurian
Students
Kayla Brock, Reuben E. Hoyle IV, Caylie Rose Newcom,
Matias Polar, Jonathan Ragsdale, Anjuli Regnier,
Meghan Robertson, Sean Ryan, Lindsey Weissinger, Robert Wilday
Dance Captain – Eric Brandon Mota
Swing Ensemble: Anjuli Regnier, Meghan Robertson, Robert Wilday
Understudies
For Miss Sherman – Emily Esposito ; For Miss Bell and Iris – Lindsey Weissinger
For Nick – Sean Ryan ; For Schlomo and Joe – Matias Polar
For Carmen – Kelsey Schergen ; For Serena – Caylie Rose Newcom
For Mr. Meyers and Goody – Jonathan Ragsdale ; For Lamchops – Kayla Brock
For Tyrone – Reuben E. Hoyle IV ; For Mabel – Meghan Robertson
For Mr. Sheinkopf – Robert Wilday
Understudies never go on unless there is an announcement or notice posted prior to a performance.
The FAME Band
Conductor, Keyboards - Kelly Thomas
Drums/Percussion………..Brett Beiersdorfer
Guitar……………….…..……..Ray Sabatello
Bass…………..…….………….Ross Kratter
Trumpet……..………………Anthony Sisson
TOUR BOOKING: Gurtman And Murtha Associates One Penn Plaza, 36th Floor NY, NY 10119
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
“Hard Work”……………………………………………………….Company
“I Want to Make Magic”……………………………………………….Nick
“Can’t Keep It Down”………………………………………Joe & Students
“Tyrone’s Rap”…………………………….………………………..Tyrone
“There She Goes / Fame”……………………………Carmen & Students
“Let’s Play a Love Scene”…………………….………………..….Serena
“Bring On Tomorrow”…………………….………Schlomo and Carmen
“The Teachers’ Argument”…………….……Miss Sherman & Ms. Bell
“Hard Work” (reprise)…………………………………………..Students
ACT II
“Junior Festival”…………………….……………………………….Nick
“Think of Meryl Streep”……………….…………………………..Serena
“Mabel’s Prayer”………………..……………………….Mabel & Girls
“Dancin’ on the Sidewalk”…….………..…………Tyrone & Students
“These Are My Children”………………..………………Miss Sherman
“In L.A.”…………………………………..………………………..Carmen
“Let’s Play a Love Scene” (reprise)….………………..Nick & Serena
“Bring On Tomorrow” (reprise)…………….………………..Company
BOWS – “Fame”…………………………………..……………Company
PLACE:
The High School of Performing Arts
New York City
TIME:
1980-84
FAME NATIONAL TOUR, LLC - Staff
Producers: James Murtha, William Weir
General Manager: William Weir Productions, LLC
Company Manager: PD Seltzer
Production Stage Manager: Melissa Bondar
Assistant Stage Manager: Hayley Hunt
Associate Choreographer: Kelli Gautreau
Production Head Carpenter: Ben LoPreto
Sound Engineer: Adam Zorn
Master Electrician: Aaron Willings
Props/Deck Carpenter: Tory Sheppard
Wardrobe Supervisor: Jane V. Lynch
Ass’t. Electrician / Follow Spot: Shayne L. Henkel
Deck Sound: Robert McGarrity
Advance Technical Coordinator – Jose Santiago
Accounting Firm: 1-800 Accountants
Bus Transportation: Mayo Tours, Inc. 318-325-4581 Scott Holmes
Trucking provided by : Stage Call – 480-813-2288 Chris Gramazio
CAST
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hunter Brown (Nick Piazza) is excited to be making his touring debut! Favorite
credits include Joe Hardy (Damn Yankees- Forestburgh), Usnavi (In The HeightsElon), Dan (Next to Normal- Elon). BFA- Elon University. Huge thank you to my
family, friends, teachers, and cat. @brunterhown
Galyana Castillo (Miss Esther Sherman) is pleased to be on her first national tour!
Credits include Billy Holiday at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and
Spring Awakening. BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Love to my
Mother Dearest and NYC family for the joy and support. Special thanks to the “Boys
at Hoff” and Bob Cline.
Luther Chakurian (Mr. Sheinkopf) is happy to be a part of the 2016-17 national tour
of Fame The Musical. He is an actor who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Some
of his favorite roles include” “George” in Sunday in the Park with George; Don
Quixote in Man of La Mancha; Lawrence Jameson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; and the
title role in Sweeney Todd for which he was awarded Best Actor in Houston 2007 by
the Houston Press.
Marie Eife (Serena Katz) is proud to join the national tour of FAME! Favorite credits
include: My Fair Lady - Itn’l Tour; DJ Tanner in Full House! The Musical!; Mary
Poppins on Disney Cruise Line & Susan Pevensie in The Lion, The Witch & The
Wardrobe. Personal interests and passions include: caring for her beagle, baking
cupcakes for her mom, and dressing up for Halloween all year long! marieeife.com
Emily Esposito (Ms. Greta Bell / Understudy Miss Sherman) is thrilled to be
performing across the country in one of her favorite musicals. Other favorite credits
include, Evita, West Side Story, Les Miz, Grease, and her recently self- produced
musical “I Hate New York: A love story.” Special thanks to Bob, Antoinette, and
James for their never ending support. She would not be where she is without you.
Thank you to the rest of the Fame family and Dom for their “hard work.” Love to
Mom, Dad, Nana, and Mark for being her rocks! www.EmilyEsposito.com
Martin Glyer (Mr. Meyers) So happy to be a part of this show and seeing the country
again! Fave credits include: Monty Python's SPAMALOT – Nat'l Tour (Sir Robin),
Noises Off (Gary), Cabaret (Emcee), Legally Blonde (Warner), A Chorus Line (Mark),
Shrek (Lord Farquaad). Love to family and friends, and, as always, the owl.
Gillian Hassert (Mabel Washington) earned her B.F.A. in Vocal Performance from
Carnegie Mellon University. Collaborating with new composers has become almost an
obsession and she has performed in cabarets, workshops and readings at the Players
Club,
Studio 54 and the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Recently you may have seen her at
Mac-Haydn Theatre and The Palace Theater.
Joe Conceison (Schlomo Metzenbaum) is excited to make his national tour debut!
Credits: Beatsville (Walter), The Drowsy Chaperone (Drowsy), Assassins (Charles
Guiteau), Man of La Mancha (Barber), Grease (Doody), Putting It Together,
Urinetown. BM in Music Theatre from NYU Steinhardt. Thanks to CTG, the Fame
team and my family. www.joeconceison.com.
Kelly Loughran (Iris Kelly) National Tour debut! After sharing the stage with SF
Ballet & CT Ballet, Kelly discovered a passion for musical theater. All love & thanks
to her outrageously supportive family. Endless gratitude to mentors, the entire creative
team & Bob Cline Casting. To God be the glory! @keloughran http://kellyloughran.com/
Eric Brandon Mota (Joe “Jose” Vegas / Dance Captain) is SO excited to tour the
U.S. with FAME The Musical, he “can’t keep it down”! Tours: Wizard of Oz
(NETworks) and Grinch (Big League Productions); Regional: Grand Ole Opry, Alley
Theatre, TUTS, Theatre By The Sea, Arizona Broadway Theatre, and New Bedford
Festival Theatre. Training: SHSU, NESA, and BTP. “Love to my sweet, supportive
husband Matt”! www.ericbmota.com
Kris Roberts (Carmen Diaz) is beyond excited to make her National Tour debut in a
dream role! Regional Credits: Once On This Island (Ti Moune), Sister Act
(Tina/Deloris u/s), Once On This Island (Andrea), Dreamgirls (Michelle), Ain't
Misbehavin' (Charlayne) and Lead Singer/Vocal Captain for Royal Caribbean. BFA:
NYU/Tisch. Thanks to Bob Cline, Dave and Jeremy at Daniel Hoff Agency and, as
always, Mom. Jer 29:11. www.krisroberts.net
Kelsey Schergen (Grace Lamb “Lambchops”; Carmen u/s) is happy to break out her
drumsticks and join the Fame National Tour! She graduated from NYU with a BFA
in drama and education. Favorite credits: Crazy for You (Irene), Once On This Island
(Ti Moune), RENT (Mimi). Thanks to her friends and family for their endless support!
Carson Parker Stewart (Goodman King “Goody”) is excited to be making his
professional debut. He will be attending Northwestern University in the fall of 2017 as
a theatre major. He would like to thank his Mom and Dad, Baylor, Riley, Wren,
Maisie, Celeste, Dev, Katie, Katy, Lily, Theatre 308, and Gatsby/Vegas.
J’royce Jata (Tyrone Jackson) is grateful to be a part of this production. Selected
credits include National Tour: Memphis (Swing/ Black DJ u/s). New York City: Boxed
With The Enemy (The Producers Club), The Southern Artist (National Black Theatre),
Suecy & Boto… (La MaMa), A Beautiful Color (Roy Arias Theatre), The Murder of Venus
Xtravganza: 1988 (Live In Theater). TV/Film: Royal Pains (Season 6) Babylon Fields
(Pilot), Bar Songs, City of My Dreams (Official Music Video, Mary Komasa). Regional:
The Wiz (Scarecrow u/s), Passing Strange (Rev. Jones/Terry/Christophe/Hugo), Footloose
(Garvin/Lyle/Dance Captain), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (King Triton u/s) Many thanks
to the entire cast, crew, and creative team, Bob Cline Casting, Gregg Baker Management,
About Artists Agency, and you for supporting live theatre. Ashé! @jroycejah
jroycejata.com
Kayla Brock (Student; Lambchops u/s) is ecstatic to be working with the cast of
Fame the Musical. Kayla is 18 years old and was previously a student at Cab
Calloway School of the Arts and a Jazz/Contemporary Trainee at Joffrey Ballet
School. Her credits include Hairspray (Lil Inez) and Annie (Duffy) at the Media
Theatre. She has also been dance captain with Delaware All State Theatre. Kayla
would like to thank her Mom for the endless support she has given over the years.
Reuben E. Hoyle IV (Student; Tyrone u/s) Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Raised in
Kansas City, Missouri; Reuben couldn’t be more excited to be on tour with FAME. He
is a Musical Theatre Graduate from The American Musical & Dramatic Academy
(AMDA) Past Roles: Dumar (Know Thy Law - Off Broadway,) Bernardo (West Side
Story), Chad Danforth (High School Musical), Javert (Les Miserable) Herman (Hello
Herman), & Jack (A Cautionary Tail). To keep on his journey follow him on Twitter:
@ReubenHoyle and Like on FaceBook: Reuben E. Hoyle IV. Enjoy the show!
Caylie Rose Newcom (Student; Serena u/s) is thrilled to be a part of Fame The
Musical! First National tour! Favorite regional credits include Singin’ in the Rain
(The Palace Theatre), Oklahoma! (Dream Laurey), Nice Work If You Can Get It
(Eileen Understudy), and Cabaret (Rosie). Much love to my family and my
Squirrel!
Matias Polar (Student; Joe and Schlomo u/s) is overjoyed to be part of this incredible
production! He studied dance at the Joffrey Ballet School and then pursued Musical
Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, both in New York City.
Shortly after graduating, he made his New York debut in Speakeasy: John and Jane
Allison in The Wonderland as the title role at the Theatre For The New City in the East
Village. Also led the The Book Of Love as Adam at Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. Other
credits include: Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, The King and I and High School
Musical 1 and 2. I love you, mom. Thank you for letting me perform inside the house
for 18 years!
Jonathan Ragsdale (Student; Goody and Mr. Meyers u/s) National Tours:
Memphis, Elf (Ensemble) Regional: Cats w/Pentangle Arts (Skimble) Pippin
w/Santa Fe Rep (Ensemble) The Nutcracker w/ Festival Ballet The House On
Pooh Corner w/PLAY Conservatory (Tigger) TV: Breaking Bad (Barry) In Plain
Sight (Trevor) BA in Theatre & Dance from UNM. Instructor at The Growing
Stage and Broadway Connection. Follow @JRags
Anjuli Regnier (Student/Swing Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her National Tour
debut with FAME. BFA in Dance, University of Arizona. Credits: Royal Caribbean
Productions, New York TheatreDance Ensemble, ALMANYC, and international
teacher/choreographer. Anjuli would like to thank her family for their love and
support throughout her career thus far.
Meghan Robertson (Student/Swing Ensemble; Mabel u/s) is elated to be joining the
National tour of Fame the Musical! Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin,
BA. Recently featured overseas on a top rated dance show in China. Favorite credits
include: MTV, GMA, and NYE Times Square. Special thanks to her friends and
family as well as a very special thank you to her fiancé. www.meghanrob.com
Sean Ryan (Student; Nick u/s) National Tour Debut! B.F.A. Music Theatre ’16,
University At Buffalo. Regional: Peter Pan (Twin #1), Mary Poppins (Valentine),
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Ensemble). University: Spring Awakening (Moritz), Into
The Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Legally Blonde: The Musical (Aaron Schultz/Dance
Captain). For Mom and Dad. Follow my adventures: @seanzyryan
Lindsey Weissinger (Student; Ms. Bell and Iris u/s) is very excited to be making her
National Tour debut in Fame! She is a recent graduate of Pace University’s BFA
Commercial Dance Program. Special Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Ry for your endless
love and support! www.lindseyweissinger.com
Robert Wilday (Student/Swing Ensemble; Mr. Sheinkopf u/s) is privileged to be a
part of the National Tour of Fame. Robert holds a BFA in Dance from University of
the Arts. Robert was previously seen performing in Young Frankenstein (Theatre by
the Sea) Hello Dolly (The Wick) Swing! (Ocean City Theater Company) A Chorus
Line as Bobby (Fuse Productions), and Spamalot (Heritage Theater Festival) Robert
would like to thank his family and friends for all their support and love.
@Robbybobby31
PRODUCTION TEAM / STAFF
Dom Ruggiero (Director) Credits include the world-renowned version of the
Yeston/Kopit “Phantom” throughout the U.S. ,and “La Traviata” at New York
City Opera. Audiences throughout Italy viewed his production of “West Side
Story”. Most Recently his work has been seen in the national tours of “The Scarlet
Pimpernel”, “Titanic”, “George M!”, “My One and Only”, “Mame” and
“Louisiana Purchase”, sponsored by Louisiana State University for their
Bicentennial program of celebrations.
Off-Broadway debut at Playhouse 91 with a production of “The Secret Annex”; a
new musical based on the story of Anne Frank. Other Off-Broadway credits: The
New York City debut of Stephen Sondheim’s “The Frogs”, and “SCANDAL!” an
original musical based on Sheridan’s “School for Scandal”. He has also directed
the Australian, Asian, and South American tours of “Ain't Misbehavin”, the Asian
tour of “Anything Goes”, a European tour of “Phantom of the Opera” in
Copenhagen and Geneva. For the U.S., Dom has directed the national companies
of “Song & Dance”, “Shenandoah”, “Funny Girl” and “How To Succeed In
Business Without Really Trying” As a Resident Director at The Gateway
Playhouse he directed over 35 musical and comedy productions. “Rumors”, “Lend
Me A Tenor”, “Into the Woods”, “Once On This Island”, “The Secret Garden”,
”Beehive”, “Cabaret”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Big River”, ”Carousel”
,“Tommy” and “Sweeney Todd” are among his favorites. Regional credits include
productions of “Romance, Romance”, “I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking
It Out on the Road”, “Pump Boys & Dinettes”, “Little Shop of Horrors”,
Working”, “Company”, “South Pacific” and “Grease” “The Full Monty” and
“Man of La Mancha”. Dom received The Connecticut Critics Circle Award for
“Phantom” and Best Director and Best Musical awards for "Tommy". Also Best
Director awards for “Into the Woods”, “Big River” and “Little Shop of Horrors”.
Dom is the co-creator and director of his original revue, “The Magic of Musicals”,
which played an extended run in Athens and Thessaloniki Greece.
Antoinette Di Pietropolo (Choreographer) Director/Choreographer for the
National Tour of Veggietales; Choreographer/Associate Director Big Apple
Circus; Re-staging Director/Choreographer for the International Tour of Scooby
Doo Live; Choreographer Off Broadway show With Glee; Associate
Director/Restaging Choreographer for the National Tour of How The Grinch Stole
Christmas;
Director/Choreographer
at
Flatrock
Playhouse
Nunsense; Director/Choreographer Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie at
Fort Salem Theatre; Choreographer Annie at the Muny in St. Louis;
Director/Choreographer Ragtime at Lyric stage nominated in 14 categories for the
Theatre League Awards; Ragtime at North Carolina Theatre she won best
Choreographer at the Triangle Theatre Awards; Director/Choreographer
for Nunesense & Mama Mia Choreographer Memphis, Miracle on 34th Street,
Producers, A Christmas Story, Music Man, Evita, South Pacific, Hairspray and I
Love You You’re Perfect Now Change at the John W. Engeman
Theater; Choreographer Candide starring George Hearn & Rita Moreno;
Co-Creator/Choreographer Powerhouse Joyce SoHo.
www.AntoinetteDiPietropolo.com follow me @antoinettedip
James Olmstead (Musical Director) is a music director, composer, and arranger
based in New York City. Most recently awarded by BWW Long Island for music
direction in West Side Story at the John W. Engeman Theater; where he previously
MD’d The Producers, A Chorus Line, Evita, The Music Man, White Christmas,
Sweet Charity and South Pacific; he has also been the assistant music director for
NYU Steinhardt (Marriage of Figaro, Most Happy Fella), North Shore Music
Theatre (Footloose), Cape Playhouse (Legally Blonde), PCPA (Ragtime), and the
Arkansas Rep (Hello Dolly!). In addition, he music directs and arranges for
several cabarets around the city including 54 Below/Feinstein’s (Broadway
Swinger), Birdland (BAA 10th Anniversary Concert), and the Laurie Beechman
(Perfectly Complicated). He has served as keyboard programmer for the OffBroadway production of Fun Home, keyboardist for Radio City's New York Spring
Spectacular and assistant copyist for Gloria Estefan's On Your Feet! With his
writing partner Omri Schein, he is the composer of the musicals Mambo
Italiano, Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (NYMF 2013), Bed Fellas (SUNY
Oneonta) and The Humbug Holiday Spectacular (North Coast Repertory
Theatre). www.jamesolmstead.com.
Michael Anania (Scene Design) Broadway: Laughing Room Only starring Jackie Mason, A Change in the Heir,
Run for Your Wife, Canterbury Tales, The View From Here, The Gathering starring Hal Linden. New York City
Opera: H.M.S. Pinafore, The Merry Widow, La Boheme, A Llittle Night Music. The Desert Song (all 'Live from
Lincoln Center'), Wonderful Town, 110 in the Shade, The Most Happy FeIIa, Pajama Game, The New Moon
(National tours: Applause, Heartstrings and The Wizard of Oz (starring Mickey Rooney). Nominated for Australia's
Tony Award, the 2002 Helpmann Award for Singin in the Rain and Dallas Theater League's Leon Rabin Award for
My Fair Lady.
Jose Santiago (Lighting Design) Past designs include: Buddy Holly: The Buddy Holly Story, West Side Story,
Wizard of Oz, Sister Act (Theatre By The Sea); Anything Goes, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Sister Act
The Musical, Young Frankenstein, White Christmas (Gateway); Of Mice and Men (Bay Street Theatre); Man of La
Mancha, La Cage Aux Folles, Mame (The Wick Theatre); The Drowsy Chaperone, Waiting for Godot, The
Miser and many dance pieces at Florida State University where he received his Master of Fine Arts in Lighting
Design. (www.jsantiagodesign.com)
Lee Viliesis (Costume Design) Regional credits include: Home of the Brave (Associate Designer), Tinker to Evers to
Chance, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, This Verse Business (Staring Gordon Clapp), and Stella and Lou
at Merrimack Repertory Theatre; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Dorset Theatre Festival), The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare: Abridged and Godly Creatures (The Hub Theatre Company of Boston), Our Town (Riverside
Theatre Works), Forbidden Broadway, Shout! The Mod Musical, Annie, The Producers, and Nunset Boulevard (The
Arundel Barn Playhouse) Hansel and Gretel’s Grim Tale and Romeo and Juliet (Virginia Stage Company
Educational Tour). Education: BFA Theater Design, Rutgers University. Mason Grass School of the Arts. Lee is
Costume Shop Manager for Merrimack Repertory Theater, and has worked in other costume shops including: Dorset
Theatre Festival, Theatre by The Sea, Virginia Stage Company and Opera Theater of St. Louis.
www.aleeviliesis.com
Don Hanna (Sound Design) is very happy to be a part of this touring production of Fame. Touring Credits include:
The Million Dollar Quartet National Tour (Head Audio), Smokey Joes Cafe 20th Anniversary Tour (Head Audio).
Other Notable Regional Credits Include: Priscilla Queen of the Desert Regional Premier (Sound Designer, Gateway
Playhouse/Ogunquit Playhouse), The Million Dollar Quartet (Sound Designer, Gateway Playhouse), Saturday Night
Fever Regional Premiere (Sound Designer, Gateway Playhouse), Billy Elliot (Sound Designer, Gateway Playhouse
and North Shore Music Theatre), Rock of Ages Regional Premier (Sound Designer), Young Frankenstein Regional
Premier (Sound Designer, Gateway Playhouse/Ogunquit Playhouse). Don is a freelance Sound Designer and
Engineer in the NY Tristate area. Other freelance production includes Frontier Show Productions, The Engeman
Theatre, Shades of Buble: A Three Man Tribute to Michael Buble, among others. A special thank you to my friends
and family for their continual love and support.
Kelli Gautreau (Associate Choreographer) is more than excited to be on the creative team for the National Tour of
FAME. Favorite Choreography/Director credits: Mama Mia!- Assistant Choreographer/Assistant Director (Engeman
Theater), “(See Me) I’m in Here!”- award winning short film- Choreographer/Director, Greenwood- Associate
Choreographer (NYMF). Favorite performing credits include: How the Grinch Stole Christmas- Who Kid (Madison
Square Gardens), Hairspray- u/s Penny/Dance Captain (Engeman Theater), Peter Pan- Tiger Lily/Dance Captain
(Arts Canada), High School Musical- Cheerleader (NSMT), Featured dancer in Cyndi Lauper’s music video, “Into
The Night Life”, Featured dancer for Tony Bennett/Chaka Khan (bergenPAC). A big thank you to Antoinette, Dom
and Bob Blume! Love to my family and Anthony. www.kelligautreau.com
Bob Cline (Casting Director) is the founder of Bob Cline Casting in New York City. He has cast film, TV,
commercials, over 70 National Tours, and hundreds of regional theatre productions across the country. He was
recently named one of Broadway's 10 Best. Most recently his casting credits include: The National Tours of Beauty
and the Beast, Elf, Bye, Bye Birdie; Hairspray, Rent, Oklahoma, Annie, Seusical the Musical, Little Women, The
Wedding Singer, Memphis and numerous others. He is also the Casting Director for Maine State Music Theatre,
Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The Pioneer Theatre Company, and the Fulton Theatre. Bob is the Artistic Director of the
Montclair Operetta Company, and an award winning director. He has been a proud faculty member of Pace
University's Musical Theatre program. He loves teaching master classes across the country and is currently the
Director of Creative Development for Broadway Artists Alliance of NYC.
William Weir (Producer/General Manager) Bill’s other producing credits include National tours of Anything
Goes starring Gloria Loring; The Sunshine Boys co-starring Frank Gorshin and Dick Van Patten, Same Time, Next
Year co-starring Mackenzie Phillips and Adrian Zmed, the 25th Anniversary production of Nunsense starring Sally
Struthers and Smokey Joe’s Cafe featuring The Coasters. Prior to establishing William Weir Productions, LLC, Bill
began his career as a theatrical booking agent and remains active in the field. He graduated with honors from New
York City College of Technology, majoring in Entertainment Technology and also completed the Commercial
Theatre Institute’s training program on Theatrical Producing. He thanks everyone on the Fame team for doing
‘Hard Work’ --- Carol Edelson of Music Theatre International for entrusting us with producing this tour --- and
David De Silva, creator of Fame, for his friendship and kind support.
James Murtha (Producer) Jim’s career in the performing arts industry spans over fifty years. He began as a 16year old office boy for the legendary impresario, Sol Hurok. He spent 14 years at S. Hurok Presents working his
way up the ranks to eventually obtain his ATPAM card. As one of New York's leading press agents, Murtha worked
on many of Hurok's Broadway presentations and National Tours. In 1970, together with Bernard Gurtman, he
founded Gurtman And Murtha Associates, a public relations firm that later expanded into artist management and
advertising. Some of the firm's initial clients were as diverse as the Bolshoi Ballet, Carnegie Hall, the Miss Universe
contest, the Latin Quarter, Placido Domingo, and the Broadway National tour of Sophisticated Ladies. Murtha's
Broadway producing credits include two separate runs of Victor Borge On Broadway. The success of these
Broadway runs led to Gurtman And Murtha producing many television specials for Borge, as well as Judy Collins,
Patti Page and the Live At Wolf Trap Series. In 1997, William Weir joined Gurtman And Murtha and a new
theatrical division was formed with initial attractions that included an International Tour of Porgy and Bess, the
New Shanghai Circus, and an Italian production of Rigoletto. Shortly thereafter, Murtha and Weir began producing
National tours on their own.
PD Seltzer (Company Manager) produced over 35 shows in South Florida including The Music Man with Jane
Kean; Sweeney Todd with Bill Hayes; H.M.S. Pinafore with Peggy Cass and Stephen Sondheim’s, Assassins.
Seltzer has company managed national tours of Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, Cats, Movin’ Out, Chicago,
Elton John’s Aida, Blast!, 1776, American Idiot, Miss Saigon, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, Smokey Joe’s
Café (featuring The Coasters), Footloose, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (with Rip Taylor),
Mamma Mia!, Cinderella, The St. Petersburg (Russia) State Ice Ballet, Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Florida
engagement) and the national and international tours of The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond. Seltzer founded
the acclaimed Fort Lauderdale Players, producing its first ten seasons and has staged productions of Bad Seed,
Mame and performed in/directed numerous Gilbert & Sullivan operas. For “Lally”.
Melissa Bondar (Production Stage Manager) is so excited to join Fame! Some favorite previous work experiences
include The Marriage of Figaro (On Site Opera), Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic (Speakeasy Dollhouse), Dinosaur
Train Live (Mills Entertainment), and Built to Amaze! (Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus).
Hayley Hunt (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be touring with this production of Fame: The Musical. Tours:
The Lion (launched at MRT). Regional: Cincinnati Opera, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, The Children’s Theatre of
Cincinnati, Houston Shakespeare Festival. B.F.A. University of Cincinnati- College Conservatory of Music.
David De Silva (Original Conceiver) David De Silva conceived and produced Fame-The Movie and Fame -The
Musical and the new mystical musical play Talent Springs Eternal - Fame Forever (Amazon Audiobook). The
mission of his Father Fame Foundation is to interactively promote the value of theatre arts in education and in life.
www.famenetwork.com
Synopsis of Plot
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Act I
A group of vibrant, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, energetic young people gather to audition to study at New York
City's High School of Performing Arts. Miss Sherman, the homeroom teacher, warns the freshman class that it
takes a lot more than dreams to succeed at "P.A." The students acknowledge that it takes ("Hard Work"). Before
Algebra class, Serena meets Nick Piazza, he explains his passion for the performing arts and tells her he wants
his acting to move people emotionally ("I Want to Make Magic"). Mr. Myers, the drama teacher, asks them to
think about how a physical sensation can trigger an emotional response. Joe discusses the physical reactions that
happen whenever he thinks of a beautiful girl (Carmen) in dance class ("Can't Keep it Down" or the alternative
lyrics, "Can't Keep It Cool"). Tyrone, feeling that Joe is childish confronts him and they start to build a
friendship. Tyrone talks to Joe about how they live in a not so different world. They compare and contrast their
lives in a duet ("What About Me"). Meanwhile, in dance class Tyrone can't get to grips with Ballet and states
that he can do better, resulting in the whole class doing a hip hop dance. This makes Miss Bell see Tyrone's
potential as a choreographer, so she partners him with Iris, a ballerina. Iris mocks Tyrone's lack of classical
dance experience. Enraged at her comments, he begins a rap expressing his anger ("Tyrone's Rap"). Iris
apologizes and confesses that she is not really rich, but scared and they share a kiss.
At lunch, Carmen, a self-assured, cocky Latina spitfire, asks Mr. Myers if she can skip class on Friday to
audition for West Side Story. He tells her that it would just be another role for her to hide behind. Carmen,
enraged, dreams of seeing her name in lights and people gasping as she walks down the street ("There She
Goes/Fame"). The other students join in her fantasy and begin an exciting, electrifying dance. Joe leaning up
against a wall, coke in hand, grabs a little kid and asks him who she is. He thinks he will get her.
Serena and Nick are rehearsing another scene and Serena confesses that she wants to try something romantic
and passionate. Serena is in love with Nick, but Nick is mainly focused on acting. Serena laments her unrequited
love ("Let's Play a Love Scene"). Afterwards, Carmen interrupts Schlomo while he practices his violin, giving
him lyrics that she wrote for the melody he always plays. Schlomo tries them out, and changes some of the
lyrics with Carmen, which results in Carmen joining the band. Carmen kisses Schlomo and leaves. Goody (also
in the band, along with Lambchops) makes fun of Schlomo afterwards. Joe is watching and talks to Carmen. At
first she thinks he is annoying and mean, but charms her. She compares him to Marlon Brando ("Think of
Brando"). At lunch, Carmen and the other students daydream of seeing their names in lights. Schlomo sings a
song he wrote which excites the entire student body ("Bring on tomorrow"). In the hallway, Miss Sherman talks
to Tyrone about his care-free attitude towards education. She threatens to keep him out of the Fall Festival if his
grades don't improve. Miss Bell overhears and argues that Tyrone's artistic endeavors are more important than
his academic performance ("The Teachers' Argument"). Tyrone threatens to drop out of school. Joe sees Tyrone
and tries to cheer him up. They hug and Tyrone bumps Joe's arm and Joe yelp's in pain. Tyrone lifts his sweater
sleeve and sees a big gash on his arm. Tyrone asks him what that is and Joe gets defensive and leaves.
Act II
The students begin their junior year with the P.A. Fall Festival ("I Want to Make Magic").
At a dance rehearsal, Mabel, an overweight dancer, complains about retaining water, and other problems she
faces with the size of her body. She confesses that, although she tries many weight-loss schemes and diets, she
always goes back to the "Seafood Diet: I see food, and then I eat it!" She prays aloud for God's help in keeping
her from becoming "the world's fattest dancer" ("Mabel's Prayer"), eventually having an epiphany and deciding
to switch her major to acting. Later, Nick congratulates Serena for getting the lead female role of Juliet in their
junior show, Romeo and Juliet. Serena gets excited and assumes that Nick got the role of Romeo. However, she
is surprised to learn that Joe Vegas has the role of Romeo and Nick got the part of Mercutio. Joe runs up and
starts yelling. He sits down on the floor and starts to light a cigarette. She sees him and yells at him for being
unprofessional. He gets up and sings a song about her being mad about not being with Nick ("Poor wittle'
Serena"). Serena says that he is jealous that he doesn't have Carmen. Furious he punches a locker and breaks his
hand. Lambchops suggests that Nick is gay, and when Serena confronts him about it, Nick angrily replies that he
is straight. Serena is so angry she decides to channel it into her acting ("Think of Meryl Streep"). Carmen tells
Schlomo of her plan to leave school and go to Los Angeles. She has met aHollywood agent named Elliot
Greene, who is sending her a plane ticket. Schlomo begs her not to go. He had seen her getting into Elliot’s
limousine and accuses her of using cocaine with him. Schlomo tells Carmen he loves her, but is left alone with
his violin/flute/keyboard (depending on what the actor can actually play). Joe smoking a cigarette outside says
hi to Carmen. Angry tells him he's a loser and to back off. Joe, unable to show his feelings grabs her and slaps
her. She hits him, he grabs her, and kisses her. After a while of kissing she decides she can't be with him either.
She pushes him, slaps him again, and leaves. He takes out another cigarette, light a match off his boot, lights the
cigarette, and puts his hand over the match.
In English class, Tyrone is reading a Superman comic book. Miss Sherman catches him, and forces him to stand
up in front of the class and read from the comic book. He accuses her of trying to make him look stupid. He then
accuses her of racism. Miss Sherman slaps him in the face and, shocked by what she has done, runs off. Tyrone
says to his classmates he doesn’t need her help, or the ability to read or write - he is a dancer, and that's all he
needs (“Dancin’ on the Sidewalk.”). Confronting his pain and frustration, Tyrone goes to the blackboard, writes
“I WILL READ,” and runs off. Miss Sherman enters, sees what he has written, and is deeply touched. (“These
Are My Children.”)
The students rehearse Romeo and Juliet. Joe, insecure playing Romeo, has been ad-libbing. Joe starts to make
fun of what he is saying, although is scared he'll mess up. Serena pleads with him to be serious in the part. Nick
offers to show him how to play Romeo and winds up kissing Serena in their first romantic moment. Joe furious
at Nick yells at him and throws classroom items. Mr. Myers takes Joe out to the hallway. They have a heart to
heart moment about trying your best and not caring what other people think. Joe begins to sob and hugs Mr.
Myers. Tyrone asks Iris why she has been avoiding him all year. She says she doesn’t want to be tied to a loser.
To show her that he is serious, he tells her he is repeating his senior year and reads a passage of Leaves of
Grass to her. They dance a pas de deux and walk off together, hand in hand.
A few of the teachers confront Miss Bell about influencing a summer school teacher to pass Tyrone. They insist
he must repeat the year. The "Dance Theater of Harlem" is ready to take him, but he must repeat the year. Miss
Bell finally admits she may be losing her perspective and decides to take a break. Carmen is standing in front of
the school looking physically wasted and disoriented. She spots Schlomo and tells him the truth about her
experiences in Hollywood ("In L.A."). Carmen promises him that she will quit the drugs and get her GED. He
gives her a couple of dollars and sadly departs.
At the farewell party, everyone is dressed up and the celebration is loud and festive. Nick confesses his feelings
to Serena and they decided to try to date although they are heading to different colleges ("Let's Play a Love
Scene" (Reprise)). On the day of the graduation ceremony, Schlomo takes Joe to the locker rooms and breaks it
to him that Carmen has overdosed. Joe finds out that Schlomo let her go to LA and they begin to fight. Then Joe
admits that, in fact, he was in love with her. Schlomo, shocked, cheers him up and they sing a duet, ("Bring On
Tomorrow") in her memory.
After the bows, Carmen comes back dancing and sings "Fame" with Schlomo and Joe for the Finale. The
students are now all heading off in their respective directions, excited about the future.
“Fame (musical).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 24 September 2016. Web.
24 September 2016.