Download The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

2015 | 2016 SEASON
John J. Cali School of Music
Department of Theatre and Dance
The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas
by Larry L. King, Peter Masterson, and Carol Hall
October 16–24, 2015
Memorial Auditorium
Dr. Susan A. Cole, President
Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts
Jedediah Wheeler, Executive Director, Arts & Cultural Programming
John J. Cali School of Music
Department of Theatre and Dance
The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas
by Larry L. King, Peter Masterson, and Carol Hall
Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Director Joe Joyce
Choreographer Valerie Wright
Music Director Eddie Guttman
Scenic Designer Michael V. Moore
Costume Designer Catherine Loughlin
Lighting Designer David O. Smith
Sound Designer Scott O’Brien
Stage Manager Nicole Mageros
Cast (in order of appearance)
Edsel Mackey......................................................................... Ryan Kiernan
Zachary................................................................................ Dalton Mitchell
Cowboys........................................................ Trey McCoy, Nick Monaldo
Farmer................................................................................... Brendan Maly
Shy Kid............................................................................ McGregor Dalton
Traveling Salesman.......................................................... Adam Magnacca
Slick Dude.............................................................................. Austin Arizpe
Choir............................................... Christopher Frazier, Julie Graham,
Karlie Kohler, Darius Jordan Lee,
Jeremy Lipton, Ethan Lynch, Kristina Walz
Angel................................................................................ Nicolette Burton
Shy................................................................... Annie-Elizabeth Caltrider
Jewel....................................................................................... Kiani Nelson
Mona Stangley........................................................................ Hannah Beck
Linda Lou.................................................................................. Hattie Marks
Dawn....................................................................................... Kristina Walz
Ginger..................................................................................... Victoria Palin
Beatrice...................................................................... Mary Grace Sumner
Taddy Jo........................................................................... Annelise Cepero
Ruby Rae............................................................................. Alexa Racioppi
Eloise....................................................................................... Karlie Kohler
Durla....................................................................................... Julie Graham
The Dogettes............................................. Jeremy Lipton, Ethan Lynch,
Adam Magnacca, Tyler B. Miranda
Melvin P. Thorpe.................................................................... Brendan Maly
Melvin Thorpe Singers...........Wesley Ian Cappiello, Annelise Cepero,
Julie Graham, Darius Jordan Lee,
Rebecca Monk, Mary Grace Sumner
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd................................................................. Ian Laudano
Cameraman............................................................................Nick Monaldo
Soundman....................................................................... McGregor Dalton
Mayor Rufus Poindexter..............................................Christopher Frazier
C. J. Scruggs.................................................................... Chris Newhouse
Doatsey Mae........................................................................Rebecca Monk
Townspeople............................................. Annie Hunt, Raquel Martinez,
Trey McCoy, Adriana Negron
TV Announcers.................................... Austin Arizpe, McGregor Dalton
Chip Brewster..............................................................Christopher Frazier
Imogene Charlene Greene...................................................... Karlie Kohler
Angelettes.................................................. Annie Hunt, Adriana Negron,
Victoria Palin, Alexa Racioppi, Kristina Walz
Senator Wingwoah.......................................................... McGregor Dalton
Aggie #21...............................................................................Nick Monaldo
Aggie #71......................................................................Darius Jordan Lee
Aggie #11.................................................................. Wesley Ian Cappiello
Aggie #1 (Ukranian Placekicker)......................................... Dalton Mitchell
Aggie #17......................................................................... Adam Magnacca
Aggie #7............................................................................... Jeremy Lipton
Aggie #12............................................................................... Austin Arizpe
Aggie #77.................................................................................. Trey McCoy
Equipment Manager.......................................................... Tyler B. Miranda
Reporter #1........................................................................ Raquel Martinez
Reporter #2................................................................................ Trey McCoy
Governor’s Aides.....................................Dalton Mitchell, Nick Monaldo
Governor........................................................................... Chris Newhouse
Reporter #3................................................................................. Annie Hunt
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is produced by special arrangement
with Samuel French.
Special thanks to George Dvorsky, Carol Hall, Clay James, John McKinney,
Jan Prokop, and Tina J. Seaboch.
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
The taking of photographs or videos and the use of recording equipment are not permitted.
No food or drink is permitted in the theater.
Musical Numbers
Act I
Prologue.........................................................The Cali Country Strutters
“20 Fans”............ Edsel, Zachary, The Girls, The Cowboys, Farmer,
Shy Kid, Traveling Salesman, Slick Dude, Choir
“A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place”.................. Mona, Jewel, the Girls
“Girl, You’re a Woman”................................. Mona, Shy, Jewel, the Girls
“Watch Dog Theme”......................................Melvin P. Thorpe, Dogettes
“Texas Has a Whorehouse in It”.................. Melvin P. Thorpe, Dogettes,
Melvin Thorpe Singers
“Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’”........................................... Jewel, The Girls
“Reprise: Watch Dog Theme”..........................................................Dogettes
“Reprise: Texas Has a Whorehouse in It”.... Melvin P. Thorpe, Dogettes,
Melvin Thorpe Singers, Rufus, Scruggs,
Edsel, Doatsey Mae, Townspeople
“Doatsey Mae”......................................................................... Doatsey Mae
“Angelette March”..................... Imogene Charlene and the Angelettes
“The Aggie Song”........................................................................ The Aggies
(Based on the original staging by Tommy Tune and Thommie Walsh)
“The Raid”............................................................................ Edsel, Zachary
~~Intermission~~
Act II
“The Sidestep”.... Governor, Governor’s Aides, Senator Wingwoah,
Melvin P. Thorpe, Dogettes, Melvin Thorpe Singers
“No Lies”................................................................ Mona, Jewel, the Girls
“Good Old Girl”.................................................................Sheriff, Dogettes
“Hard Candy Christmas”....... Angel, Linda Lou, Ginger, Dawn, Eloise,
Durla, Ruby Rae, Taddy Jo, Beatrice
“Reprise: Hard Candy Christmas”.................................................. The Girls
“Bus From Amarillo”............................................................................... Mona
Finale..................................................................................... The Company
Time: Late summer, 1973 Place: Gilbert, Texas
Cali Country Strutters
Violin/Viola Alexandra Dadon
Pedal Steel Guitar Chris Zak
Rhythm Guitar Maxamillian Manziyenko
Bass Kara Delonas
Drums Justin Kemp
Tenor Sax/Piccolo Tessa Dolce (Orchestra mgr.)
Trumpet Rob Lais
Trombone Louis Augis
Student Staff
Assistant Costume Designer Nicole Ferrigno
Assistant Lighting Designers Curtis Shields, Connor Wilson
Assistant Sound Designer Michael Grippa
Assistant Stage Managers Logan Krastev,
Katherine Wainscott
Master Carpenter Keifer Handschuh
Stage Carpenter Dania Felix
Shop Carpenter Emily Frank, Laurie Pavaro
Scenic Artists Christin Donlan, Lauren Carroll, Kaitlyn Janus,
Emily Louka
Props Master Jessica Petino
Props Artisan Danielle Foreman
Props Crew Head Kelsey Gagen
Light Board Operator Cameron Filepas
Sound Board Operator Christina Daly
Sound Technicians Mathew Guarino, Abigail Martin
Wardrobe Head/Second Assistant Costume Designer Amanda Lee
Wardrobe Crew Kidjie Boyer, Derek Colon, Sarah D’Agostino,
Madison Milliner, Brissae Valdes, Emma Wagner
Hair/Makeup Nicole Ferrigno
Master Electrician Keith Meola
Assistant Electrician Nick Hawrylko
Lighting Special Effects Steven Ho
Deck Electrician Michael Arroyo
Spot Operators Daniel Mackle, Constance Mitchell
Run Crew Bradley Carrington, John Kavanaugh, Ivy Meyer,
Michael Palmero, Dominick Paramonte, Joseph Respicio
Program Notes
Thank you for joining us tonight for our production of Carol Hall, Larry L.
King, and Peter Masterson’s musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
The show tells the true story of the closing of a notorious 130-year-old
brothel outside the small town of La Grange, Texas, in 1973. Librettist Larry
L. King said that “the Chicken Ranch was gooder than grass and better than
rain.” Even though prostitution was illegal in Texas, a succession of Fayette
County sheriffs had turned a blind eye to the Ranch beginning in 1844.
Since the beginning of civilization there has always been prostitution,
the business of trading sexual relations for payment. A commercial sex
operation like the Chicken Ranch was just one example in a long history of
humans selling sex to each other. But Best Little Whorehouse isn’t really
about sex. The musical is actually about America’s moral hypocrisy and
the power of the news media left unchecked. Putting life on TV changes
the people and events that the camera records. Television leaves a heavy
footprint on everything it documents.
When KTEX television broadcasts images of allegedly clean-cut 19-yearold college boys frolicking at the Chicken Ranch, it creates morale outrage.
Melvin P. Thorpe’s exposé involving adolescents was an unforgiveable
affront to the citizens of Gilbert.
The events in Whorehouse happened at a unique time in American cultural
history. The sexual liberation movement of the 1960s and ’70s changed
social and moral attitudes toward sex. What came to be known as the
“sexual revolution” was a time of free love and sexual openness. America
had never before explored these sexual freedoms.
The Chicken Ranch was a home, a safe haven where the young Mona
found a surrogate mother in Miss Wulla Jean. Years later, Mona inherited
the business and continued to offer that same refuge for other girls. Melvin
P. Thorpe’s media massacre decimated that shelter for many lost girls who
came searching for a safe place to light.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas designates no heroes and no villains
but encourages the audience to view the circumstances and events clearly
and without sentimentality.
My very special thanks to the cast, production staff, orchestra, crew, and
design teams for their outstanding realization of the world of Miss Mona and
the Chicken Ranch. We hope you enjoy our efforts. Again, thank you for
your patronage.
—Joe Joyce, Director
Production Biographies
Joe Joyce (Director) is an assistant professor in the BFA Musical Theatre
program at MSU, where he directed Merrily We Roll Along, Falsettos, and
Nine. Los Angeles directing credits include Cole Porter’s Red, Hot and
Blue; Sweet Charity; and Bye Bye Birdie. At the Hollywood Bowl, Joyce was
associate director of Sondheim’s 75th: The Concert featuring Carol Burnett,
Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, and Bernadette Peters with the Los
Angeles Philharmonic. He choreographed episodes of Everybody Loves
Raymond (CBS) and Ellen (ABC) and won the LA Dramalogue Award for
Outstanding Choreography. As a performer, Joyce appeared on Broadway
in Swinging on a Star and in national tours of The Mystery of Edwin Drood
and La Cage aux Folles. Off-Broadway credits include Pageant (original
cast), Forbidden Hollywood, and Radio City Music Hall’s Encore! Regional
theater credits include leading roles at Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh
Public Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the
Park.
Valerie Wright (Choreographer) has appeared on Broadway in Elf, Annie
Get Your Gun, Damn Yankees, Steel Pier, Sally Marr and Her Escorts,
Song and Dance, and Cats. Off-Broadway credits include And the World
Goes Round, Showing Off, and Wanda’s World. Regional theater credits
include Noises Off (Dorset Theatre Festival), Peter Pan (St. Louis Muny),
The Pajama Game, Redhead (Goodspeed Opera House), Last Lists of
My Mad Mother (TheaterWorks of Hartford), Sweet Charity (Barrington
Stage Company), On the Town (Arena Stage), and Three (Prince Music
Theater, Ahmanson Theatre). She has been in national tours of Hello,
Dolly! starring Carol Channing, Song and Dance with Melissa Manchester,
The World Goes Round (Jefferson Award, Helen Hayes nomination), and
Damn Yankees opposite Jerry Lewis (Helen Hayes nomination). Film
credits include Sleepless in Seattle, Ordinary Heroes, and Second Glance.
Wright is married to actor Mark Lotito, and they have two sons, Luca and
Giovanni Lotito. This season, Wright will play the role of the mother in Tuck
Everlasting on Broadway.
Eddie Guttman (Music Director), a native New Yorker, earned his MFA
from New York University (NYU) in Music Composition. He has worked
extensively as a musical director, pianist, and composer for numerous
shows Off-Broadway, at Lincoln Center, and throughout New York City.
Most recently, he music directed William Finn’s Elegies, the BEAT Gala
(featuring Eden Espinosa and Tony Award winner Billy Porter), and
conducted the Broadway-aimed production of Sugar Babies (starring Tony
Award winners Michael McGrath and Beth Leavel). As a composer, he has
written several works, including a commissioned solo ballet for New York
City Ballet principal Peter Boal. He has served as a vocal coach at The New
School (Actors Studio), NYU, Marymount Manhattan, and Wagner College.
Privately, he teaches classes in vocal performance and audition technique.
He is among 23 coaches featured in the book Voice Teachers and Vocal
Coaches of New York and is a winner of the Backstage Readers’ Choice
Award for Favorite Accompanist. Currently he is working as musical director
and arranger on the reading of a new musical about the life of Ethel Merman
with Carolee Carmello in the title role.
Michael V. Moore (Scenic Designer) is a New York–based designer
originally hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an adjunct
professor and happy to be working on his first show for the Department of
Theatre and Dance. Credits include Macbeth (Manhattan School of Music),
Atthis and Balter (The Kitchen/Opera Cabal), The Last Word and Psycho
Therapy (Off-Broadway), Life in a Marital Institution (SoHo Playhouse),
West Bank, UK (La MaMa ETC), Cipher (Summer Play Festival),
St. Crispin’s Day (Rattlestick Theater), Phenomenon (Here Arts Center), and
How to Be a Good Italian Daughter (The Cherry Lane). Moore received his
MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Catherine Loughlin (Costume Designer), a junior in MSU’s Theatre
Production/Design program, has been active in theater arts since her
freshman year of high school. Since then she has been the assistant
costume designer for The Threepenny Opera, Winter’s Tale, and
Middletown. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is her design debut for
traditional musical theater.
David O. Smith (Lighting Designer) has designed lighting for productions
including Hair, Works-a-Foot, Dance Collage (MSU Department of
Theatre and Dance); Gianni Schicchi, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Blood
Wedding (MSU School of Music); Imagining Heschel, Three Sisters,
Angels in America: Perestroika, The Gut Girls, Blithe Spirit, The Birds
(Stella Adler Studios); Stonewater Rapture (Binc Productions); The Pinks,
The Subtle Body (Gold No Trade); Pride and Prejudice, Galileo, Hair,
Tommy (Connecticut Repertory Theatre); The American Clock (Oddfellows
Playhouse); A Statement about Being..., Heart, Linked (The Ailey School);
Topdog/Underdog, Intimate Apparel (People Productions); Weekend,
Believe, Bounce (Orem Dance Company); The Diary of Anne Frank, The
Winter’s Tale, and Half Moon Rising—An Original Butoh Piece (University of
Utah).
Scott O’Brien (Sound Designer) has composed, designed, and
engineered theater for a variety of Off-Broadway and regional theaters.
He was the resident composer/sound designer for the Adirondack Theatre
Festival (2013–15) and American Globe Theatre (2000–14) and resident
sound designer and engineer for the Chautauqua Theater Company (2006–
09). He has lectured on sound design and theater at SUNY–Rockland, Pace
University, and now MSU, where he is also the sound supervisor for the
Department of Theatre and Dance.
Nicole Mageros (Stage Manager) is a senior BFA Theatre Production/
Design student. Her credits at MSU include The Winter’s Tale (assistant
lighting designer), Danceworks (assistant master electrician), Wintertime
and Middletown (production stage manager), and Dialogues of the
Carmelites, Equus, and Carousel (assistant stage manager). Mageros
is the 2015 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National
Stage Management Fellowship Award recipient from Region 2 and is also a
Juilliard Artist as Citizen Fellow.
Cast Biographies
Austin Arzipe (Slick Dude/TV Announcer/Aggie #12) is a senior Musical
Theatre major performing in his fifth MSU production. His credits include
Park Playhouse: Spamalot (Sir Boris); MSU: Hair (Berger understudy); The
Klemperers’ New Clothes, 42 Street, Carousel; HITS: Ragtime (Tateh);
Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS): Hairspray (Link Larkin), When You Wish;
ACT@TUTS: Tommy, VOTE! A New Musical; Episcopal High School: The
Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho—Tommy Tune Award nomination), The
Tempest (Sebastian), Pippin, and Dracula (title role).
Hannah Beck (Mona Stangley) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major
from Kansas City. Past MSU credits include Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos, Tribe
member in Hair, Ensemble in 42nd Street, Heidi Von Sturm in Nine, Widow
Lollygag in The Klemperers’ New Clothes, Woman 2 in Dialogues of the
Carmelites, and a dancer in the Miami Industrial.
Nicolette Burton (Angel) is a San Diego native and a senior in the BFA
Musical Theatre program. Past credits at MSU include Dorothy Brock
in 42nd Street, Tribe member/Sheila understudy in Hair, and Venetian
Gondolier/Carla understudy in Nine. In 2012, she was featured on the PBS
3-part documentary series entitled Broadway or Bust. Burton studied abroad
at the Florida State University Theatre Academy London.
Annie-Elizabeth Caltrider (Shy) is a junior Musical Theatre major from
piddly squattin’ Vermont. Favorite credits include The Timbers Summer
Musical Revue (Mt. Gretna, PA) and Daisy Hilton in Side Show (Stagedoor
Manor). She has appeared at MSU in 42nd Street, Merrily We Roll Along,
and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (workshop).
Wesley Ian Cappiello (Melvin Thorpe Singer/Aggie #11) is a sophomore
Musical Theatre major. Previous MSU credits include Merrily We Roll Along
(Ru Wagner) and a dancer for the Miami Industrial.
Annelise Cepero (Taddy Jo/Melvin Thorpe Singer) is a junior at
MSU. Past MSU credits include the “White Boys” trio in Hair, Gladys/
Tap Ensemble in 42nd Street, and Townsperson in The Klemperers’ New
Clothes. Some other favorite credits include Liat in South Pacific at the
Ivoryton Playhouse and Diana Ross in Beehive, the 60s Musical at The
Arundel Barn Playhouse.
McGregor Dalton (Shy Kid/Soundman/TV Announcer/Senator
Wingwoah) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major from Houston, TX,
appearing in his third show at MSU. Last year he was seen as Berger in
Hair and in the ensemble for The Klemperers’ New Clothes. Other favorite
roles include Riff in West Side Story and Schroeder in You’re a Good Man,
Charlie Brown.
Christopher Frazier (Choir/Mayor Rufus/Poindexter/Chip Brewster)
was previously seen at MSU in Hair (Woof) and The Threepenny Opera
(Sawtooth Bob). Regional credits include Seussical the Musical as Horton
(The Growing Stage) and The Blood Banquet (Busch Gardens).
Julie Graham (Choir/Durla/Melvin Thorpe Singer) is a sophomore Musical
Theatre major from Montclair. She first performed at MSU when she was 10
years old in Animal Tales at the Alexander Kasser Theatre.
Annie Hunt (Townsperson/Angelette/Reporter #3) is a freshman Musical
Theatre major performing in her first show at MSU. Some past credits
include Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and Shrek
the Musical (Princess Fiona).
Ryan Kiernan (Edsel Mackey) is appearing in his third musical at MSU.
He was most recently seen playing Margaret Meade as well as other
miscellaneous Tribe members in Hair. He also was a part of the townsfolk
in the staged reading of The Klemperers’ New Clothes. Kiernan is a
sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major.
Karlie Kohler (Choir/Imogene Charlene Greene)is a sophomore Musical
Theatre major. She was most recently seen as Meg Kincaid in MSU’s
Merrily We Roll Along.
Ian Laudano (Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd) is a sophomore BFA Musical
Theatre major at MSU. Previous credits include West Side Story (Riff; New
Jersey Association of Community Theaters Perry Award nomination, Best
Supporting Actor), Merrily We Roll Along (Anchorman, Ensemble), Smokey
Joe’s Cafe, and Mary Poppins (Northbrook, Sweep, Ensemble).
Darius Jordan Lee (Choir/Melvin Thorpe Singer/Aggie #71) is a senior
in the BFA Musical Theatre program at MSU, where his credits at include
Hud in Hair, Macheath in The Threepenny Opera, Andy Lee in 42nd Street,
Woody in Take Flight, and Phil in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party. In 2014,
he played Seaweed in Hairspray at the Mayo Performing Arts Center and
did summer stock at Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH, where he was
featured in the ensembles of 42nd Street, Miss Saigon, and Hello Dolly and
played the Wizard in The Wiz. This summer he worked as a lead singer/
dancer in the production Dance, Dance, Dance: Encore! in the Music Box
Theatre at Hersheypark in Hershey, PA.
Jeremy Lipton (Choir/Dogette/Aggie #7) is a freshman making his debut
at MSU. Previous productions include Rent (Mark), Urinetown (Lockstock),
and the Broadway national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Jeremy Potts).
Ethan Lynch (Choir/Dogette) studied classical voice privately and at
Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute; his musical theater training
includes Paper Mill Playhouse’s Summer Conservatory and Broadway
Show Choir. Lynch has performed with area opera companies and choirs,
most recently in the chorus of Disney Theatrical/Paper Mill Playhouse’s The
Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Adam Magnacca (Traveling Salesman/Dogette/Aggie #17) is a BFA
Musical Theatre major in his third year at MSU. Previous MSU credits
include Franklin Shephard (Merrily We Roll Along), Fonck (Take Flight), and
Ensemble (42nd Street, The Klemperers’ New Clothes). Regional credits
include Ensemble/Cosmo understudy (Singin’ in the Rain).
Brendan Maly (Farmer/Melvin P. Thorpe) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre
major at MSU. Prior MSU roles include Matt the Mint (The Threepenny
Opera), Ray Paige (Take Flight), the Lecturer (Reefer Madness), and
Ensemble (Carousel, 42nd Street).
Hattie Marks (Linda Lou) is a sophomore Musical Theatre major and a
proud Texan! She was last seen as Dionne in Hair and just finished her first
professional summer stock season at the Forestburgh Playhouse.
Raquel Martinez (Townsperson/Reporter #1) participated in the
Broadway Theatre Project this summer and was last seen in the The
Threepenny Opera at the Alexander Kasser Theater.
Trey McCoy (Cowboy/Townsperson/Aggie #77/Reporter #2) is a junior
BFA Musical Theatre major from New Orleans, LA. This past summer he
performed in Damn Yankees, Once Upon a Mattress, and Hello Dolly. Past
MSU credits include Hair, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,
and City of Angels.
Tyler B. Miranda (Dogette/Equipment Manager) is 17 years old and
only started doing theater about three years ago. He has been in a total
of 12 shows since then. Previous credits include Les Misérables, Rent,
The Addams Family, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Pajama Game.
Dalton Mitchell (Zachary/Aggie #1 [Ukranian Placekicker]/Governor’s
Aide) is a sophomore Musical Theatre major from Brandon, MS. He was a
part of his first MSU production last fall in The Threepenny Opera. He was
last seen in MSU’s staged reading of Women on the Verge of a Nervous
Breakdown.
Nick Monaldo (Cowboy/Cameraman/Aggie #21/Governor’s Aide) is a
junior BFA Musical Theatre major at MSU. Other MSU credits include 42nd
Street, The Klemperers’ New Clothes, and Merrily We Roll Along. Monaldo
grew up doing theater in Kansas at Christian Youth Theater, Music Theatre
Kansas City, and The Theatre in the Park.
Rebecca Monk (Melvin Thorpe Singer/Doatsey Mae) is a senior Musical
Theatre major at MSU. She was recently part of a reading of The History
of Light at the HOWL! Festival in New York City and spent the summer in
Alpena, MI, at Thunder Bay Theatre, where she played Trix in The Drowsy
Chaperone, Shulie in Schoolhouse Rock Live, and Little Sally in Urinetown.
She has also been seen on the MSU stage in Women on the Verge of a
Nervous Breakdown as Pepa, 42nd Street, Take Flight, and Nine.
Adriana Negron (Townsperson/Angelette) is a freshman at MSU. She
recently graduated from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the
Arts, where she was a Dance major. Negron has performed in numerous
productions with lead roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and the
Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods.
Kiani Nelson (Jewel) is a junior Musical Theatre major at MSU. You may
have seen her last semester in Hair or Merrily We Roll Along.
Chris Newhouse (C. J. Scruggs/Governor) is a senior Musical Theatre
major at MSU. Regional credits include Willard/Ren cover in Footloose
(Legacy Theatre); Kyle/Dewey in Legally Blonde, Richie in A Chorus Line,
Harry in My Fair Lady (Arundel Barn Playhouse); and Moritz in Spring
Awakening (Studio Playhouse). MSU credits include The Wild Party, 42nd
Street, Take Flight, and The Threepenny Opera.
Victoria Palin (Ginger/Angelette) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at
MSU. Some of her past roles include Mimi Marquez (Rent), Polly Peachum
(The Threepenny Opera), Mallory Kingsley (City of Angels), and Cordelia
(Falsettos).
Alexa Racioppi (Ruby Rae/Angelette) is a BFA Dance and BFA Musical
Theatre major. This is her second musical with MSU. Some of her favorite
credits include 42nd Street (Ensemble), Chicago (Velma), Thoroughly
Modern Millie (Millie), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
(Rona Lisa Peretti).
Mary Grace Sumner (Beatrice/Melvin Thorpe Singer/Angelette) is a
sophomore Acting major originally from San Diego, CA, and has been doing
theater since age 5. Favorite roles include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
and Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She
is a past and current member of the Dirty 9 late night comedy show.
Kristina Walz (Choir/Dawn/Angelette) is a junior Musical Theatre
major. She just spent her summer working as a singer/dancer for RWS &
Associates. She has appeared at MSU in The Threepenny Opera and 42nd
Street.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Enrico Gianncola for the loan of football equipment to this
production.
Special thanks to City Theatrical for the loan of lighting equipment for this
production.
Staff
Office of Arts & Cultural Programming
Executive Director Jedediah Wheeler
Executive Producer Jill Dombrowski
Business Manager Stephanie Haggerstone
Production/Facility Manager J. Ryan Graves
Cultural Engagement Director Carrie Urbanic
Media and Marketing Specialist Amy Estes
Director of Audience Services Robert Hermida
Technical Director Colin Van Horn
Audio Visual Engineer Erik Trester
Cultural Engagement Assistant Hannah Rolfes
Film Project Coordinator Omonike Akinyemi
Box Office Manager Pierson Van Raalte
House Manager Maureen Grimaldi
Production Assistant Rebecca Campbell
Marketing/PR Assistant Rosemarie Salvatore
Graphics Patrick Flood/pfloodesign.com
Press Manny Igrejas PR
Program Editor Susan R. Case
College of the Arts
Dean Daniel Gurskis
Associate Dean Ronald L. Sharps
Assistant Dean Linda D. Davidson
Director of Administration Marie Sparks
College Administrator Zacrah S. Battle
Art and Design Aissa Deebi
John J. Cali School of Music Jon Robert Cart
School of Communication and Media Merrill Brown
Theatre and Dance Randy Mugleston
Broadcast and Digital Media Facilities Nick Tzanis
University Art Galleries Teresa Rodriguez
Production Staff
Coordinator of Musical Theatre Clay James
Music Supervisor Gregory J. Dlugos
Production Manager Peter J. Davis
Production Associate Cyndi Kumor
Scenic Supervisor Erhard Rom
Costume Supervisor Debra Otte
Lighting Supervisor Jorge Arroyo
Sound Supervisor Scott O’Brien
Technical Director Ben Merrick
Costume Shop Supervisor Judith Evans
Assistant Technical Directors Daniel Graham, Jacqueline Deniz Young
Props Supervisor Alison Merrick
Stage Management Supervisor Mysti Stay
Drapers Lisa Krizner-George, Genevieve V. Beller, Jeanette Aultz
First Hand EB McTigue
Master Electrician David O. Smith, Elaine Wong
Programs in this season are made possible in part by funds from:
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State,
a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Alison and James T. Cirenza
Holly and Robert Gregory
I. Michael Kasser
The Honorable Mary Mochary
To view our complete season and for more information,
visit peakperfs.org.
@peakperfs