Download ragamuffins - 59E59 Theaters

 THE CAST LUCY BLUMBERG (Alice), 12,
is delighted to be in her second
Fildwith production; in May 2005
she lit up the stage as Clover in
Interaction on Theatre Row. A
seventh-grade student at Dwight,
where she is currently stage
managing and assisting in writing
a show, Lucy has performed in
numerous school and camp plays
as well as at her sister’s bat mitzvah last year. Her other
favorite roles are Kate in Taming of the Shrew, Athena in
Hercules, and Lampey in Pete’s Dragon. Lucy would like to
thank Erika, Raluca, Ion, Sean and the entire cast and crew for
an amazing experience. [email protected]
Fildwith Ensemble Theatre 2005
presents
Story, Book, Music, Lyrics and Theatrical Direction by ERIKA STADTLANDER
Musical Direction, Arrangement and Accompaniment by ION IONESCU
Choreography by RALUCA GEORGIANA • Stage Management by SEAN M. LITTLEJOHN
Lighting Design by CHRISTY WHERE HUERTAS • Costume Design by ERIKA STADTLANDER
Art Direction by ROBERT P. ERICKSEN, Graphics by JIN LIM Ericksen Advertising & Design
Hair and Make-Up by TERESA GUMLEY, WENDY MEGUID,
KATHLEEN MCGINNIS, PAT ROBINSON-BROOKS
Stage Photography by MICHAELANGELO ROBLES, Archangel Images
Sound Effects by BORIS PEROVIC • Electrician CONOR LOUGHRAN
Tech Assistance by MARTHA HENNEY, TOM BLOOM, MICHAEL FERGOT, LARRY KAHN
CAST OF CHARACTERS Adlai..........................CHRISTIAN ERICKSEN
Alice...................................LUCY BLUMBERG
Arthur...............................PATRICK HENNEY*
Callalily (Lil)..............................TESS SOLTAU
Carlene.....................PATRICE ALYSSA ROTH
Daphne Dill....................TAMARA ROBINSON
Ellsworth.......RAFAEL MARTINEZ-SALGADO
Emmalyn................................HALIA MEGUID
Eva........................................LIZZIE HENNEY
Ezekiel (Zeke).........CHRISTOPHER HENNEY
Lindbergh (Billy).........................DAVID KAHN
Madelaine...............................KATIE HENNEY
Mavis.....ARIANNA CELESTE DEDOMINICIS
Milburn.............................JACKSON HINDEN
Skelly........................................ERIC NELSEN
Smidge (Audrey)....MATILDA MCDONALD BROWN
Whitley.................................RYAN MCGINNIS
The story is set in 1932 during the Great Depression in a small town in upstate New York.
MUSICAL NUMBERS RAGAMUFFIN.......................................................................................................Boys - with Girls
THIS WORLD IS GOING TO TURN FOR YOU (Queen Bee)..................................................Girls
A GIRL NAMED MADELAINE......................................................................Madelaine and Whitley
JUNK........................................................................................................................................Boys
WOULDN’T IT BE WONDERMOUS (Fabuloop and Marvelub)......................................Lil and Kids
BEIN’ A BANANA...............................................................................................Carlene and Skelly
GOSH GOLLY GEE, DOLL (You’re Still Lookin’ Swell)................................Lil and Zeke - with Kids
‘MUFFINS WEDDING SHOWER...........................................................................................Girls
HOBOS’ WEDDING SONG........................................................................Lil and Zeke - with Kids
ONE DAY SOON..........................................................................................................Lil and Girls
BEIN’ A BANANA - Reprise...............................Carlene, Skelly, Smidge, Arthur, Madelaine, Whitley
MONEY WON’T GIVE YOU THE MOON..................................................................................All
I HAVE A PLACE TO GO............................................................................................................All
RAGAMUFFIN - Reprise..............................................................................................................All
*appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA) founded in 1913, represents more
than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of
live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a
wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with
FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence.
MATILDA MCDONALD BROWN
(Smidge), 11, has played leading
roles in two of Erika Stadtlander’s
musicals at the Boquet River
Theatre Festival in the
Adirondacks: In Tune with the
Universe (Neda) and Interaction
(Venetia). In 2003, she played
Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in an
upstate production. She is currently
studying voice at The Vocal Studio of Lisa Franklin and
recently performed a solo in Comedy Tonight. Tilly is fluent
in Russian, studies guitar, and had her drawings published in
the Spring 2005 issue of Archie Comic Book. She is in the
seventh grade at the Robert C. Parker School in Wynanskill,
New York. Tilda would like to thank her family for their love
and encouraging support. www.harvesttalent.com
ARIANNA CELESTE DEDOMINICIS
(Mavis), 11, is in the sixth grade
at Veterans Memorial Middle
School in Brick, New Jersey. This
is Arianna’s first show with The
Fildwith Ensemble Theatre. She
studies dance, singing - and acting
with Lane Napper. Arianna is a
member of the City Lights Dance
Ensemble at the Denise Daniele
Dance Studio. She has performed in many shows with the
Brick Children’s Community Theatre, including: Grease,
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bye Bye Birdie and
Music Man. She would like to thank her mom and dad for
their support and also Erika for this great opportunity. She
wishes the entire cast Good Luck! [email protected]
CHRISTIAN ERICKSEN
(Adlai), 13, returns to reprise his
role of Adlai in Ragamuffins. He
also played Milburn in the first
NYC Ragamuffins and Atlas in
Fildwith’s Interaction on Theatre
Row in May. Christian has
performed at the Professional
Children’s School in You’re a
Good Man, Charlie Brown (Linus)
and the 2005 PCS benefit honoring Broadway composer Stephen
Schwartz. He has played the principal role in several indie
films for The Kid’s Kompany which appear regularly on
Cablevision’s Channel 20 on Long Island including, most
recently, The Real Inspector Hound (2005). Christian is featured
in a national AudioVox print campaign (rep Hampton Models)
and played the role of a "Newsie" (rep CESD) at each of the
Cipriani 2005 Wall Street Concert Series with Beyonce and J.
Lo. This fall he filmed a PSA for the Forward Face
Foundation. He will appear on the cover of the latest Winslow
Series novel by Gilbert Morris The Hesitant Hero due in
February, and is slated to play Owen in This Property is
Condemned for CASTribeca. Thanks to Denize (CAST), Alli
(HM), and to Erika and her wondermous staff for another
fabuloop experience. [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE:
No photography, videotaping or audiotaping allowed
during the performance.
There will be one ten-minute intermission
between the two acts.
Please remember to turn off all cell phones and beepers!
CHRISTOPHER HENNEY
(Ezekiel) has performed in regional
and summer stock productions,
and was a founding member of a
theatrical troupe in Connecticut,
the Oak Tree Table Round, which
presented both staged readings
and full productions of new works
by emerging playwrights. Favorite
roles include Burber in Broken
Chair, Lyle in Pictures of the Floating World, John Henry in
Resonance, and Reverend Woodsley in Man of the Cloth.
Chris has also worked in TV and radio, both commercially and
in on-air play readings. He is very happy to act for the first
time on stage with all three of his children in this memorable
production of Ragamuffins; special thanks and love to their
ever-supportive, patient mother, Martha!
[email protected]
KATIE HENNEY (Madelaine) is
a seventh-grader at Professional
Children’s School. She plays
Elizabeth Cole in Warner Brothers
2005 movie, Felicity, An American
Girl Adventure and officially
introduced the new doll based on
her character. For the past three
years, Katie has performed in the
NYC American Girls Revue in the
roles of Michelle, Felicity/Hallie/Nellie, Katie/Kirsten/Kit, and
Laura. She can be seen on the DVD of Felicity, An American
Girl Adventure in the Colonial Williamsburg Tour segment,
and on the Samantha, An American Girl Holiday DVD, as host
of the Tour of American Girl Place. Kate has performed
Off-Broadway in Fildwith’s Ragamuffins, Kaufman Center’s
Sunshine, and Number the Stars. She’s done a number of
commercials and independent films, including Faith, Broken
Star, The Color Red, If She Yells, Let Her Go, and performed
in the 2004 PCS Benefit to honor Patti Lupone and in Robert
Marks’ Spotlight Night at Danny’s Skylight Cabaret. Katie is
learning guitar, dreams of being NYC’s next big fashion
designer, and is a featured singer on the new CD, Banana Boat
to the Moon. www.harvesttalent.com
LIZZIE HENNEY (Eva) is a
ninth-grader at Professional
Children’s School and is excited to
be performing her third role in
Ragamuffins; formerly she played
Mavis and Emmalyn. Recent
performances include: Delphine
in Fildwith’s Off-Broadway
production of Interaction; Benny
Southstreet in Guys and Dolls at
Actors Conservatory Theater; Susan in the Kaufman Center’s
musical Sunshine; Young Electra in IMUA! Theatre’s OffBroadway epic production of The Greeks; and Maureen in
IDS’ production of Honk!. She was a featured singer at the
2005 PCS Benefit for the composer Stephen Schwartz, and has
performed alongside her siblings, Katie and Patrick, in both
Robert Marks’ Spotlight Night at Danny’s Skylight Cabaret
and on the upcoming CD, Banana Boat to the Moon. Liz has
appeared in two independent films: Querida and Family. She
loves to tap, sing and act, play her guitar, watch old movies,
and entertain every waking hour! [email protected]
PATRICK HENNEY (Arthur), a
member of Actors’ Equity, is a
third-grader at Horace Mann in
Riverdale. He recently played
Chip in the Broadway production
of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast,
an absolutely exhilarating
six-month experience! Patrick is
thrilled to play Arthur a third time
in this production of Ragamuffins
along with his sisters and dad. Other stage credits include:
Les Vegas’ 2004 NYC Fringe Festival production of Rings,
A Space Rock Musical as Poot; the characters Molossos,
Astyanax, and Peilus in IMUA! Theatre’s Off-Broadway epic
production of The Greeks; and David in Manhattan Theatre
Source’s staged musical reading, La Gioconda. He has
appeared in three independent films: Heir, True Schools, and
Celamy. Patrick performs on the new Broadway Carols for
the Cure CD 2005 and on the upcoming CD, Banana Boat to
the Moon. He was a featured singer for Robert Marks’
Spotlight Night at Danny’s Skylight Cabaret and is learning to
play drums and tap. www.harvesttalent.com
JACKSON HINDEN (Milburn),
12, is a seventh grade student at
Salk School of Science in NYC.
This is his third production with
Fildwith Theatre Ensemble; he
appeared as Milburn in 2004’s
Ragamuffins at the Theatre of the
Riverside Church, and as Bing in
Interaction on Theatre Row this
past spring. He has done
commercial work and several short independent films, of
which the latest, Pumpkin Hell, will be premiering at the
Sundance Film Festival next year. Jackson is also a featured
singer in Erika Stadtlander’s soon-to-be-released CD of
original songs from her shows, Banana Boat to the Moon. He
studies voice, dance and acting, and loves to skateboard,
snowboard and play soccer. He would like to thank Erika for
her continued support, as well as Raluca, Ion, Sean,
Ragamuffins cast and crew, Bob Marks, Donnalyn, Kerry Lea
and his family. www.harvesttalent.com
DAVID KAHN (Lindbergh), 12,
is very pleased to be performing
in his first Fildwith production.
Among many camp and school
shows, he starred in Oliver, bringing
down the house singing "Where is
Love", and played John in Peter
Pan. He made his acting debut
before his family when at age five
he recited Othello’s final soliloquy
by heart. Aside from his theatrical interests, David is an avid
reader and writer and operates his own website,
Magazine2005.com. David currently attends the Dwight
School. He gives special thanks to Erika for her incredible
energy and leadership and Sarah Kiessel at his former school
for inspiring him to become an actor. [email protected]
RAFAEL MARTINEZ-SALGADO
(Ellsworth), 12, is a seventh-grade
student at Immaculate Conception
School. This is his second
appearance in Ragamuffins.
Rafael has performed in several
productions and numerous vocal
and dance performances. He
studies singing, dancing, piano,
musical theatre, and enjoys
creative writing. In accomplishing his goals and following his
dreams, Rafael credits the Young People’s Chorus of New
York, City Lights Youth Theatre and the 92nd Street Y. He
is thrilled to once again be part of this production and would
like to thank the entire cast and Erika for the opportunity.
[email protected]
RYAN MCGINNIS (Whitley) is
11 years old and a sixth-grader at
Pennwood Middle School in
Yardley, Pennsylvania. He is
thrilled to be in his first Fildwith
Ensemble Theatre production.
Dance Masters of America awarded
Ryan the National title of "Master
Dance of America 2006". He has
been a student for the past six
years at Knecht Dance Academy in Levittown, studying ballet,
jazz, tap, lyrical. Ryan would like to thank Elise Knecht,
Mary Noel Kilgallon, Fred Knecht and Mrs. Darr for their
support and encouragement. An appreciative nod to wonderful
acting teacher Lane Napper, for always believing in him, and
Mr. Smith, for his time and efforts. Special thanks to Erika,
Ion, Raluca, Sean and the cast for their hard work and dedication
- and to my family and friends at KDA for their unending love
and support. [email protected]
HALIA MEGUID (Emmalyn),
17, is delighted to be returning to
the Fildwith Ensemble after
appearing as Ms. Damaldamedamar
and Delusia in May 2005’s
Interaction. Past theatre productions
include: A Midsummer Night’s
Dream (Helena); Twelfth Night
(Olivia); Antony and Cleopatra
(Octavia; The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn (Huck); and Measure for Measure (Escalus).
Though her greatest passion is acting, Halia is an avid musician,
her specialties being voice, guitar and piano. She has also
penned two screenplays and three stage plays. Many thanks to
her family, Erika, Raluca, Ion, Sean, and the most
wondermous cast in the world. Enjoy the show!
[email protected]
ERIC NELSEN (Skelly) is 14
years old and loves New York
City, having relocated from
Florida a year-and-a-half ago to
pursue his passion for the stage.
He attends the Professional
Performing Arts School of
Manhattan. Eric throughly
entertained audiences with his
hysterical portrayal of Cicero in
Fildwith’s May 2005 production of Interaction on Theatre
Row. Prior to that, he appeared Off-Broadway in Dear
Maudie. Although he loves singing and acting, Eric’s greatest
interest is dance; he won a National Championship in tap
dancing and was named "Junior Male Dancer of the Year" by
Access Broadway. He is also a terrific skateboarder, enjoys
basketball and unicycling - and appears on the upcoming CD,
Banana Boat to the Moon. Eric gives special thanks to Erika,
Nancy, Barbara, Badiene, Marc, Lane, Trapper, his wonderful
family, and all his Fildwith friends! [email protected]
TAMARA ROBINSON (Daphne
Dill), 6, is tremendously happy
and proud to be a part of this
wonderful production. The
youngest cast member, Tamara is a
second-grader at the Jubilee
Academy. Ragamuffins is her
theatrical debut, although she has
been acting professionally since
the age of three, having done
several national on-camera and radio commercials, including a
Save the Children public service announcement for aid to the
tsunami victims, several Sesame Street episodes, print
campaigns and booked the television pilot Whoopi, playing
Whoopi Goldberg’s three-year-old niece. A big thank-you to
Erika, the cast and the crew for a never-to-be-forgotten
experience. [email protected]
PATRICE ALYSSA ROTH
(Carlene), 13, most recently
performed Off-Broadway as Fleur
in Fildwith’s Interaction at The
Acorn on Theatre Row. In past
Ragamuffins, Patrice has played
Madelaine (May 2004) and
Carlene (December 2004) at The
Theatre of the Riverside Church.
Other credits include: Audrey in
Little Shop of Horrors and Little Sugarplum in Nutcracker
Now! at Irvington Town Hall Theatre; Blackout! Children’s
Opera at Tarrytown Music Hall. Patrice performs with
Dancewave Kids Company and danced Canonic Studies,
choreographed by Mark Morris, and Ordinary Festivals,
choreographed by Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig, at
University Settlement in NYC. She has studied musical
theatre at Interlochen and has toured Italy with the Sleepy
Hollow Performing Artists Company. Patrice is prominently
featured on the soon-to-be-released CD, Banana Boat to the
Moon. Thanks to Erika, Raluca, Ion, Sean and cast and crew
for this production. [email protected]
TESS SOLTAU (Callalily) is
thrilled to be involved in
Ragamuffins. Regional credits
include: Funny Girl (Fanny); Our
Town (Emily); Les Miserables
(Eponine); "M"; Ruthless; Meet
Me in St. Louis and Sound of
Music. Television includes:
Guiding Light. Tess is an
entertainment headliner for many
national and Canadian musical events and has performed
widely throughout the state of Florida. She is a special guest
artist on the new CD, Banana Boat to the Moon, and is
featured on Lane Napper’s instructional dance video, Dancin’
Feet. Tess wishes to thank Erika for giving her this opportunity;
she also thanks Don, Badiene, Lane, Marc, Trapper and her
family for all their love and support. [email protected]
CREATIVE RALUCA GEORGIANA (Choreographer) has been working professionally as an actress, dancer and choreographer for
the past five years. She received her MFA from Columbia University and has had intensive training in ballet, jazz, modern,
ballroom, hip-hop and adagio. She received her most important award, "2002 World Hustle Champion", with first place
in the Theatre Arts division. Since 2001, she has been working at the Dwight School as a Dance Director and a choreographer.
Some of her choreographic credits include: The Three Penny Opera; Jacques Brel; The Boyfriend; The Fantasticks; and
Ragamuffins and Interaction for the Fildwith. In February, she appeared at Merkin Hall dancing an adagio piece during
Ion Ionescu’s "New Age" concert, and in a leading role in May in Fildwith’s production of Luceafarul, the Legend of the
Evening Star, which she also choreographed. Raluca is very proud to be working with such a talented cast and crew.
[email protected]
CHRISTY WHERE HUERTAS (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be a part of Ragamuffins. She’s a native of
Washington, DC and a graduate of Syracuse University. She’s toured the country with the dance company Urban Bush
Women and has worked all over town, including assisting on the recent Atlantic Theatre show, The Intelligent Design of
Jenny Chow, and the summer’s most interesting satirical show, Fatal Attraction: The Musical, as well as on recent productions
at 59E59 Theaters. She would like to thank Conor, without whom she’d be lost (literally), and Eric Chase for always
keeping an eye out. [email protected]
SEAN M. LITTLEJOHN (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of Wagner College with a BA in Theatre Performance.
Past stage managing credits as well as costume design include productions at Park Playhouse II and Wagner College
Theatre. Past acting credits include Wagner College: The Zoo Story (Jerry), Psycho Beach Party (Yo-Yo), Chess
(Nikolai); Park Playhouse: The Wiz (Lion), Once on This Island (Agwe), South Pacific (Steves); Other: Bye Bye Birdie
(Conrad Birdie), Les Mis (Thenardier), Ragtime (Houdini), Godspell (Jeffrey), and Not Another Musical (Caldwell Sneer)
- Original Cast Recording. He has also toured Europe with American Music Abroad (soloist). [email protected]
ERIKA STADTLANDER (Writer, Composer, Director, Designer) is the Founding Artistic Director of both the Fildwith
Ensemble Theatre in NYC and the Boquet River Theatre Festival in the Adirondacks (summer), and has a BFA in Theatre
Arts. She’s written (book, music, lyrics) and directed ten original musicals, her favorites being: Ragamuffins; Interaction;
A Thousand Shades of Gray; To Me, Fair Friend; In Tune with the Universe; Nimbly Woo. Erika has written and performed
three one-person plays in NYC and on tour: I Think I’m In Here Somewhere; In the Eye; Underwater Orchestra. She’s
produced two CDs of her original songs: Sing to the Moon (2002); and Banana Boat to the Moon, featuring nine gifted
young Fildwith actors singing 23 tunes of hers (to be released next month). Immense appreciation to cast, crew and
board for their generosity and brilliance. [email protected]
ABOUT FILDWITH ENSEMBLE THEATRE The FILDWITH ENSEMBLE THEATRE, INC. is a new not-for-profit corporation in New York City, established in
2005, following 13 successful years at our associate summer theatre company in the Adirondack Mountains, the Boquet
River Theatre Festival (BRTF).
Our purpose as an ensemble theatre company of playwrights, composers, directors,
choreographers and actors is to collaborate on high-quality enlightening productions of new plays and musicals that
celebrate the resilient human spirit and the elevating power of generosity, compassion and kindness in this complex
world. Our company supports and promotes the talents of both children and adults in providing challenging, meaningful
theatrical opportunities for emerging professional artists.
Box office receipts cover less than one-quarter of the cost of each production. To provide much-needed financial support and
volunteer assistance, or to learn about artistic involvement, please contact us through www.fildwith.com or 212-787-2710.
FILDWITH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert P. Ericksen - President
Dawn A. DeFalco - Secretary
Teresa Gumley - Treasurer
Allan J. Berlowitz, Esq.
P. Christopher Henney
James A. Roth, Esq.
Erika J. Stadtlander
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Bob and Jin at Ericksen Advertising & Design for their stunning graphics.
James A. Roth and William G. James for their very generous pro bono legal work.
Elysabeth Kleinhans and her lovely staff at 59E59 Theaters for being so accommodating.
Barry Lynn and our favorite Eighth Avenue Studios for a wondermous rehearsal experience.
Darcey and Sara Hurlburt for transporting our set and vintage props from the Adirondacks.
Lane Napper and Valerie Lindquist for their terrific, considerate assistance in casting actors.
Fildwith families for their donation of time, talent and energy - and their constant support.
www.ericksenadvertising.com
www.bananaboatmoon.com
www.archangelimages.com
www.ionionescu.com
www.fildwith.com
www.59e59.org
www.brtf.com
FILDWITH ENSEMBLE THEATRE
RAGAMUFFINS
BY ERIKA STADTLANDER
E :BILL THEATER B
ION IONESCU (Musical Director, Musical Arrangements, Pianist) started his music training at the age of four in his
native Romania, and went on to win that country’s National Classical Music Competition as well as dozens more, including
the prestigious Bertelsmann’s World of Expression Scholarship Program (BMG) for composers. Ion has performed in
over a hundred venues in the United States and Europe, and in solo concerts of his own compositions at Carnegie Hall,
Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, Cami Hall and the National Arts Club in NYC. Atmosphere, the CD of Ion’s original work,
was launched in 2002 at a Command Performance before His Excellency the Consul General of Romania at the
Romanian Consulate in New York. Ion also composed the score for the independent film Long Story Short and for
Fildwith’s presentation of Luceafarul, the Legend of the Evening Star. He has served as Musical Director and arranger for
Fildwith’s past productions of Ragamuffins and Interaction, and as Musical Director for The Fantasticks at the Dwight
School. [email protected]
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 4