genesis-from generation to generation

12
1 Genesis Theatrical Gerald H. Bailey Elayne LeTraunik Artistic Director Associate Artistic Director Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. Presents Book by Karen Sokolof Javitch and Elaine Jabenis Music and Lyrics by Karen Sokolof Javitch Directed by David Zak Musical Direction by Gerald H. Bailey Choreography by Heather Haneman March 30 – May 1, 2011 Justin Argenio Production Manager Nick Quinn, Insiders Entertainment Inc. Scenic Designer | Technical Director Gary C. Echelmeyer Lighting Designer Terrence Pogge Sound Designer Katherine Meister Costume Designer Eric M Chicago Graphic Design Amanda Conversino Production Stage Manager Elizabeth Bruins Assistant Stage Manager Orchestrations by Chuck Penington Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. is a live, professional, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Theatre Company. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Genesis Theatri- cal Productions NFP, Inc. is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres.

Upload: footlightscom

Post on 23-Mar-2016

228 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

Directed by David Zak Musical Direction by Gerald H. Bailey Choreography by Heather Haneman Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. Presents March 30 – May 1, 2011 Orchestrations by Chuck Penington Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. is a live, professional, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Theatre Company. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Genesis Theatri- cal Productions NFP, Inc. is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres. 1GenesisTheatrical

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

1Genesis Theatrical

Gerald H. Bailey Elayne LeTraunikArtistic Director Associate Artistic Director

Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc.Presents

Book by Karen Sokolof Javitch and Elaine Jabenis

Music and Lyrics by Karen Sokolof Javitch

Directed by David ZakMusical Direction by Gerald H. BaileyChoreography by Heather Haneman

March 30 – May 1, 2011

Justin Argenio Production Manager Nick Quinn, Insiders Entertainment Inc. Scenic Designer | Technical Director Gary C. Echelmeyer Lighting Designer Terrence Pogge Sound Designer Katherine Meister Costume Designer Eric M Chicago Graphic Design Amanda Conversino Production Stage Manager Elizabeth Bruins Assistant Stage Manager

Orchestrations by Chuck Penington

Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. is a live, professional, not-for-profit 501(c)(3)Theatre Company. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Genesis Theatri-

cal Productions NFP, Inc. is a proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres.

Page 2: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

2 Genesis Theatrical

CAST

Rose Lieberman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Susan Veronika AdlerNorma Friedman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle McKenzie-VoigtMillie/Sarah/Billie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrelyn MarxGloria/Rachel/Sylvia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy KoltonRabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry CarpenterMarsha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley SteinElliot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kris HylandRosie/Sophie/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Annamarie SchuttYoung Marsha/Ruthie/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole RudakovaFanny/Leah/Nurse/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miriam ReuterHerschel/Dietician/Support Group Leader/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . Marlon WashingtonJennifer/ Rebecca/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky LangCoach/Tourist Guide/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bobby Arnold

SETTING

The play takes place in Chicago, Illinois - 1993 in various locations: the hospital, Rose’s apartment, an exercise room, Marsha and Elliot’s home, etc.

It ends 13 years later at a synagogue.

SONGS

Act One

Overture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The BandFrom Generation to Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose, Rosie, & Entire CastSarah, Rebecca, Rachel & Leah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matriarch Angels: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, & LeahFrom Generation to Generation (Reprise). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rabbi & RoseMy Bubbie and Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RosieSabbath Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose, Marsha, & ElliotSoldier Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elliot & HerschelOne Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fanny, Ruthie, & SophieGoing On a Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norma, Tour Guide, & TouristsOnce Upon a Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer, Group Leader, & WomenI Love to Kvetch! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria, Millie, Rose, Norma, & Entire Cast

Act Two

Entr’acte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The BandLife Was Simple Then . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose, Rabbi, Millie, Norma, & GloriaGolda! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose, Millie, Gloria, & NormaSo Quickly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose, Marsha, & Young MarshaLight of Torah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rabbi, Elliot, Marsha, Rosie, & EnsembleMy Bubbie and Me (Reprise) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RosieCurtain Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Entire Cast

Additional lyrics by Joanie Jacobson and Danny Siegel

Page 3: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

3Genesis Theatrical

To keep kosher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .To keep the requirements of Jewish dietary laws.Bat Mitzvah . . . . . (Hebrew) Literally...”daughter of the commandments” Ceremony marking the rite of passage from girlhood to adulthood at age 12-13.Bubbie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) endearing term for Grandmother.Bubeleh . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) Darling, sweetie, honey...used by Jewish grandmothers when referring to their grandchildren.Shabbat. . . . . . . . . (Hebrew) Sabbath…from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.Shabbat shalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Hebrew) Usual Sabbath greeting...may you have a peaceful Sabbath.Pogrom . . . . . . . . . . . (Russian) An organized, often government approved massacre directed against Jews.Meine kinderlach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) My dear children.Meshugeneh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) noun...crazy, senseless.Negev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Desert region of Southern Israel.Tiberias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City on western shore of Sea of Galilee.Schlep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) verb…to drag, to haul,noun…a tedious journey.Kibbutzim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Collective agricultural communities in Israel based on mutual aid and social justice.Kvetch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) to complain habitually, to nag, to gripe.Farfalleh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A type of pasta…derived from Italian.Matzah balls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traditional Jewish dumpling, made from matzah meal.Knishes . . . . . . . .An Eastern European snack food…baked or fried dumpling made of flaky dough with filling.Farshtaist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) Do you understand?Kvell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) To be delighted, to swell with pride.Sheineh punim . . . . . (Yiddish) Beautiful faces…term usually used by grandparents to refer to their grandchildren.Tzedaka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Hebrew) Doing the right thing…charity, giving.Schmatte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish) A rag, a shabby garment.Chutzpah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Hebrew) Audacity, utter nerve.Knesset . . . The Israeli Parliament…House of Representatives of the State of Israel. Kena Hora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Yiddish/Hebrew) No evil eye…superstition, to keep away the evil eye.Torah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Five Books of Moses…sacred text also known as Pentateuch encompassing the entire corpus of Jewish law.

GLOSSARY OF JEWISH TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS

THE BAND

Conductor/Keyboard 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerald H. BaileyKeyboard 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elissa MetropoulosReeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anthony ParsonsTrumpet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael BackerTrombone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caleb LambertPercussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Edwards

There will be a 15-minute intermission

Page 4: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

4 Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Susan Veronika Adler (Rose) is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, a trained cantor (having served a number of congrega-tions in that capacity

in Los Angeles as well as Chicago) and still teaches and prepares children for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah services, so From Generation to Generation has a unique resonance for her. Born in Budapest, she comes to Chicago via Montreal and Los Angeles. Since her arrival, she’s been a veteran of many Chicago and produc-tions, some of her favorites…Torch Song Trilogy (Jeff Award nomination, Best Supporting Actress, Hubris Produc-tions), Pangs of the Messiah (Silk Road Theatre Project), Pancake Breakfast (The New Colony), The Crucible (Infamous Commonwealth), The Diary of Anne Frank (Moraine Valley), My Favorite Year (Bailiwick Repertory), House of Bernarda Alba (Circle Theatre), The Sound of Music (Light Opera Works), and Over the River and Through the Woods (Mercury The-atre) to name a few. A great big thank you to David for his trust, to Elayne, Jerry, and the very, very talented cast and crew not only for this opportunity but for the most laughs she’s ever had in rehearsals. This one is for her Mom and Dad who would have loved this journey…and as everything always is…for Joe.

Michelle McKenzie-Voigt (Norma) is verklempt to be part of this wonderful show! Having returned to the stage in 2008 after a 10-year absence, she

has been blessed to be busy ever since: this is her 12th full-length production in 3 years. With roles ranging from Shakespeare (Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet) to camp (the Captain in Poseidon: An Upside-Down Musical), her favorite recent credits include Gypsy (Rose), The Wedding Singer (Grandma Rosie – Midwest premiere), Beautiful

Thing (Sandra), All Shook Up (Sylvia), and the title role in Mame. A three-time Chicago Emmy Award-nominee, she is a proud company member of Glitterati. Thanks to David, Jerry, Heather, Susan, the authors, this wildly talented cast/crew, and YOU, the audience, for supporting live theater. Gratitude always to beloved husband Don, cherished son Chris, and John and Michael for seeing her not as she is, but as she could be.

Darrelyn Marx (Millie/Sarah/Billie) is thrilled to be working with Genesis Theatricals. She was last seen playing the role of Boo in The Last Night

Of Ballyhoo with Project 891 and Mary in The Tallest Man at The Artistic Home where she also did Juno And The Paycock. Other Chicago credits include: The Flu Season with Black Sheep Productions; Griffin Theatre’s The Robber Bridegroom; A Man Of No Importance & Number The Stars at Apple Tree Theatre; 110 In The Shade & Bittersweet at Light Opera Works; Jane Eyre (Jeff Cit. for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical) at Circle Theatre; Barefoot In The Park & Steel Magnolias at Metropolis; Grease at Theatre at the Center; and Christmas Carol at Provision Theatre. Darrelyn did performances of The Big Meal for the American Theatre Company’s Mosiac series; and she will be seen in an episode of The Chicago Code on the Fox Television Network. Special thanks to my husband, Ken, for all the love and support.

Nancy Kolton (Gloria/Rachel/Sylvia) marks her debut with Genesis Theatre. Credits include Christmas Carol, Out of Order, and Damn Yankees (Metropolis

Performing Arts), Blithe Spirit, Working, and Honk (Steel Beam Theatre). She was also seen in Jerry Springer: The Opera, The

Page 5: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

5Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Hunchback of Notre Dame, (Jeff Award, Best Musical) A Man of No Importance, Bare, and A Christmas Schooner (Bailiwick Repertory). Thank you David Zak for “discovering me”, and thank you audience for supporting live theatre!

Larry Carpenter (Rabbi) is a playwright, actor, stage manager, director and producer. Currently, he is focused on writing and develop-

ing new musicals through the Midwest Musical Theatre program. He is also the founder of WeGoCentric, (the Writer’s Entrepreneurial Group of Chicago) a support group for playwrights who are interested in self-production. His musical Song-Poems Wanted! was presented as part of the Stages Festival at Theatre Building Chicago in 2009. Recently his family musical Marcie, The Marvelous Tree was performed by Theatre-Hikes at the Morton Arbore-tum. As an actor, he won the Atlas Award for his performance in Godspell at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego and has appeared in over 40 shows for theatre companies in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego and Honolulu, Hawaii. In Hawaii he also wrote and directed TV and Radio commercials for MM&M Productions.

Ashley Stein (Marsha) just recently moved back to Chicago after finishing her BA in theatre at Northern Michigan University. She won multiple

awards for theatre and academia throughout college and some of her favorite recent shows include Rent, Doubt, and The Foreigner. In her free time she enjoys making people laugh and pretending to know how to tap dance. She is extremely excited to be sharing her first Chicago theatre experience with the cast of From Generation to Generation!

Kris Hyland (Elliot) is honored to be working with such a talented and well-known director and cast. A recent transplant from Emerson College in

Boston, his past Chicago credits include Council in JPACs Hairspray, Fred Atkins in Black Elephant Theatre’s Gross Indecency, and Jerry in Pride Films and Plays’ Save the Date. At Emerson, Kris was the president of the Shakespeare Society and can’t wait to continue his work with the bard. He wishes the whole cast and crew the best and can’t wait to work with them again.

Annamarie Schutt (Rosie/Sophie/Ensemble) is very excited to make her debut at Stage 773 as Rosie in this Chicago Premiere Musical. She is an

honor roll student and former volleyball and basketball player at her school. Besides entertaining, she also enjoys babysitting, reading, writing, and drawing. Her past Chicago performances include a Peasant Dancer in Vanessa, Children’s’ Chorus and Soloist in Amahl and the Night Visitors both with the Chamber Opera Chicago; Semi-finalist in Chicago Cubs 7th Inning Stretch Vocal Contest; Ashley in the movie Lemonomics filmed in Lincoln Park; and other various film projects. Some of her theatrical highlights include Janie in It’s a Wonderful Life with Fox Valley Reparatory; Lizzie in the premiere of Placing Out; Tina Turner in The Wedding Singer; and Gracie Shinn in Music Man. Annamarie is thankful for the time she did have with her own grandmother and is dedicating all of her perfor-mances to the memory of her late grandmother, Betty Jean Schutt, her “Gram” who always supported her in all of her dreams.

Page 6: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

6 Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Nicole Rudakova (Young Marsha/Ruthie/Ensemble) is trilled to make her debut at Genesis Theatrical Produc-tions. She is glad that she got the chance

to work with such a wonderful cast and crew. Nicole has been in dozens of short films, mostly at Columbia College and the Art Institute of Chicago. She has also had many play experiences, the most memorable the Iliad at A Red Orchid Theatre, and A Very Merry Unauthorized Children Scientology Pageant at Next Theatre. She would like to thank her mom and dad for always being there for her, her dog Lila for being fun and playful, and David for letting her be in this amazing experi-ence! From Nicole to you, hope you enjoy the show, and Shalom!

Miriam Reuter (Fanny/Leah/Nurse/Ensemble) is thrilled to be joining Genesis Theatricals for the first time. She is a graduate of Webster University’s Conser-

vatory of Theatre Arts with a BFA in acting. Some of her favorite roles include Woman 2 in Jacques Brel, Mammy in the Cripple of Inishmaan, and Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa. She has also performed with Shakespeare Festival Saint Louis, Epic Theatre Chicago and LiveWire Chicago, among others. She sends her love and thanks to her amazing family and friends.

Marlon Washington (Herschel/Dietician/Support Group Leader/Ensemble/Dance Captain) is a May 2010 graduate of Bradley University, and is pumped to be

in his first Chicago show! Recent credits include an east coast tour of Robin Hood as Robin Hood/Prince John, going to Idaho as Duane in Hairspray and

Smee in Peter Pan, and Gabriel in Fences and Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance at Bradley. He would like to dedicate this performance to his entire family who have given me support and shared so many laughs and stories. And congrats to Mary and Booker for turning 90! Thank you cast crew. Finally, thank you God for your blessings and this journey. Enjoy the show.

Becky Lang (Jennifer/Rebecca/Ensemble) A sophomore theatre major at Northwest-ern University, Becky has been acting, singing, dancing, and

modeling since the age of three. Some of her favorite roles include Fern in Chicago Jewish Theatre’s The Chopin Playoffs, Jane Fairfax in Northlight Academy’s Emma, Amy March in Northlight Academy’s Little Women, and the role of Dorothy in numerous productions of The Wizard of Oz. Becky also thoroughly enjoyed singing, by invitation, at the Taste of Chicago. Film credits include Grace is Gone with John Cusack and The Promotion with Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly. Becky attended the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) conven-tion in Los Angeles in 2004 and was recognized in the monologue category as well as numerous vocal competi-tions. Becky would like to thank the entire FGTG Company; her acting professor Dawn Mora; and all of the special people in her life for their never-ending love and support, especially her mom and dad.

Bobby Arnold (Coach/Tourist Guide/Ensemble) is incredibly excited to make his appearance on the Genesis stage. New to Chicago, Bobby graduated last

May from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Theatre & Drama (Acting Specialist) and Communication

Page 7: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

7Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Arts. He most recently had his Chicago debut as the Caddie in the new Endpoint Theater production, Fairways, the Musical. Other favorite roles include Burrs (Lippa’s Wild Party), Wolf (Into the Woods), Lucky (Dames at Sea), Senator Fipp (Urinetown), Thenardier (Les Miserables), Papa Ge (Once On This Island), and a 2-year singer/dancer in UW’s touring group, The Wisconsin Singers. Many thanks to David, Jerry, and the rest of this amazingly talented cast for accepting him with open arms. As always, love to Mom, Dad, Amanda, Jason and all who have gotten him where he is today!

David Zak (Director) is Executive Director of Pride Films and Plays. He served as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, Chicago, from 1982-2009, and is currently adjunct faculty at both the Chicago College of Perform-ing Arts at Roosevelt University, and Korea National University of Arts in Seoul. In 2010 he directed the London premiere of The Irish Curse, and A Doll’s House in Seoul, and directs the new musical From Generation to Generation this spring in Chicago. He has received Chicago’s Jeff Recommendations and/or Awards for Direction of Parade, Dr. Sex, Animal Farm, The Hiroshima Project, Incorruptible, The Count Of Monte Cristo, Light In The Heart Of The Dragon, Pope Joan, Jerry Springer – The Opera, and Son Fire. He has received Jeff Citations for Best New Work for The Count Of Monte Cristo (with Jeff Casazza), and his play The Hiroshima Project (with Anne V. McGravie, Dwight Okita, and Nicholas A Patricca) has been performed around the world. He received a special Jeff Citation in 2003 for Bailiwick’s range of diverse programming. He has received After Dark Awards for Direction of Southern Baptist Sissies, In The Deep Heart’s Core, and Equus. He has received MacMurray College’s Distinguished Career Alumni Award, the Community Service Award from the Chicago Hear-ing Society, the Torch Award from the Human Rights Campaign, and been in-ducted with Bailiwick’s Pride Series into the City of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian

Hall of Fame. He teaches gender studies for the Chicago Center of Urban Life and Culture.

Karen Sokolof Javitch (Co-Librettist, Music, and Lyrics) Karen considers Gen-eration to be a tribute to her mother and grandmother. She was very close to her Mom who died at age 56 after a long struggle with cancer. Like Rose, she had a positive spirit and was a fighter all the way. Karen has written 4 other shows, including Princess Diana the Musical, (another collaboration with Elaine), for which she wrote the more than 30 songs. A prolific songwriter, two of her songs are in movies and one was written and performed for Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. With her musicals and 10 CD’s, she has raised money for various charities. She and her husband, Gary, have 3 wonderful children – Jenny, Mark and Rachel - her “true inspira-tions.” She would like to thank Elaine Jabenis for being her mentor and true friend. Both Karen and Elaine are thrilled with the director, David Zak, the music director, Gerald H. Bailey and the cast and crew of Chicago’s Generation!

Elaine Jabenis (Co-Librettist) is known in Nebraska as The Grande Dame of The-atre having won every award offered in the area. During her radio career she won a National Award from Billboard Magazine for her talk show. During her television days she worked with Johnny Carson, and as a writer she wrote a weekly newspaper column and books on fashion. A major thrill was when Karen Javitch asked her to work with her. She jumped at the chance when she heard Karen’s inspired music for Generation.

Chuck Penington (Orchestrations) Chuck began piano lessons at age 6 and composed his first piece of music a year later. He attended Southern Meth-odist University and finished school at the University of Nebraska where he won the Vreeland Award for music composition. Chuck has performed with musical legends such as Tom

Page 8: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

8 Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Jones, Henry Mancini, Wayne Newton and Engelbert Humperdinck and conducted orchestras for top names such as George Burns, Bob Hope and Bob Newhart. He was Gordon MacRae’s musical conductor and arranger for eight years and conducted the Exile Orchestra for the ABC television mini-series Amerika. Chuck has been the featured keyboard artist for Chip Davis’ Music of Mannheim show and conducts the Mannheim Steamroller Orchestra on its Christmas tour. His company, PANDA Productions, has created origi-nal music for film scores, records and hundreds of commercials. Chuck has also produced the rock musicals Lucifer and The Count That Counts.

Heather Haneman (Choreographer) is thrilled to be making her Genesis debut with From Generation to Generation. Her choreographic credits include Griffin Theatre Company productions of The Robber Bridegroom, Shake your Groove Thing, Ella Enchanted, Sleeping Ugly, and Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snog-ging. Heather has danced with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Light Opera Works, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Chicago Dance Medium. Some of her dance credits include Harold Princes’ Candide, Cosi fan Tutti, One Touch of Venus, and Die Fledermaus. She is the author of Big Wigs: Stories of a Straight Girl in a Drag Queens World and pro-ducer of Big Wigs Live!

Justin Argenio (Production Manager) is proud to be working with Genesis Theatricals for the first time. Justin comes from Florida where he worked in some of the largest touring theatres in the state as a production stage man-ager, rigging specialist, and good old stagehand. He attended Florida State University, and upon finishing, moved to Chicago. In Chicago, he has worked with companies like Redmoon, Next Theatre, and Redtwist as a freelance production and stage manager. He is also currently the staff production co-ordinator at About Face Theatre. Justin wants to thank everyone for making Generations such a great experience.

Nick Quinn (Set Design/Technical Director) is the Creative Director | COO at Insiders Entertainment Inc., a produc-tion company currently based in Wau-conda, IL. He has served as Technical Director for 1001 (2010) and Sketchbook X (2010) at Collaboraction. His design credits include Spelling Bee at CLSHS; The Book of Liz (2010), Ring Around the Guillotine (2010), Texas Sheen (2009), and Midnight Queen (2009) at Chemically Imbalanced Comedy; Wisp (2009), Sre-brenica (2008), In the Blood (2008), and Whispers of Bedlam (2007) at the Armory Free Theatre. Nick received the NAPAT Design Excellence Award (2009) for his scenic design of Hamlet (2008) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has worked as a design assistant at the Utah Shakespearean Festival (2008) as well as the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (2007).

Gary C. Echelmeyer (Lighting Design) Design credits include: Sanders Family Christmas and Best Christmas Pageant Ever with Provision Theater; The Man Who Came to Dinner, Kiss Me Kate and The Wedding Singer with Circle Theatre; Ruby Sunrise with The Gift Theatre; Miracle On 34th Street, Macabaret, and Once On This Island with Porchlight Mu-sic Theatre; 1985 with Factory Theater; Sex Marks The Spot with New Lincoln Theater; Passion and Of Thee I Sing with Illinois Wesleyan University; Guys & Dolls, Company, Seussical, and Hello, Dolly! with Elgin Community College; A Flea In Her Ear, Little Shop of Horrors, A Christmas Story, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and You Can’t Take It With You with Texas Repertory Theatre; Chicago, Sweeney Todd, and Thoroughly Modern Millie with Clinton Area Show-boat Theatre. Assistant Design credits include: Taming of The Shrew with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Mimeso-phobia with Theatre Seven of Chicago, and over twenty-five productions with Houston Grand Opera. Gary has worked with Aspen Opera Theatre Center, Tulsa Opera, Opera Illinois, Northlight Theatre, Court Theatre, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Raven Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars (Houston),

Page 9: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

9Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Pennsyl-vania Shakespeare Festival, Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, and Chicago Dance Crash. Gary earned his B.S. in Theatre Design & Production at Illinois State University. Visit Gary’s online design portfolio: www.lightingbygce.com

Terrence Pogge (Sound Design) is a Chicago-area sound and lighting designer, as well as an ETCP certified Entertainment Electrician. Pogge, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, entered the theatre world as a professional musician, and holds degrees in music from the University of Nebraska and Northern Illinois University. Previous credits include work for The Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Intelligent Lighting Creations, and The Northbrook Theatre. Pogge would like to thank his family for their never-ending support.

Katherine Meister (Costume Designer) is delighted to be working on From Generation to Generation. She has de-signed such shows as Cabaret (Wright College), Stars in the Morning Sky (UIC), The Aeneid (Chicago Circle Players), Scooter Thomas (Team Venture Produc-tions), Unbroken (Kid Brooklyn Produc-tions) and Angels in America. She has also worked on other various Chicago productions including, The Fifth of July and Cyrano de Bergerac (Oak Park Fes-tival Theatre), Giasone (Chicago Opera Theater), A Midsummer Nights Dream and Hedda Gabler (UIC), The Nutcracker (Civic Ballet of Chicago), Urinetown and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Wright College). Katherine is a graduate of The University of Illinois at Chicago where she received her B.A. in Directing and Design. Some of her credits there include The Seagull, Fen, Taking Steps, American Ma(u)l and Hot L Baltimore.

Scott Pillsbury (Master Electrician) Since arriving in Chicago in 2000, he’s designed or assisted for several dif-ferent theaters and dance companies: Albany Park Theater Project, Ballet Chicago, Beverly Theater Guild and Arts Center, Colaboraction, Five Star Produc-

tions, GI Alliance, Gift Theatre, Prevail Dance Company, Pure Renditionz, Shapeshifters, Strange Tree, Theatre of Western Springs and Theatre Wit. Films: Dead in the Water, Lac Du Flambeau, Something to Eat, and Tapioca.

Eric M Chicago (Graphic Design) has been designing marketing and identity materials for the Chicago theater scene since 2006. As well as graphic design, Eric M Chicago offers a variety of ser-vices that includes branding, identity, marketing consultation, and a full suite of web services including design, coding, and programming. For more information please visit ericmchicago.com or email [email protected] Congratulations to this cast and crew on a great production!

Doug Kupferman (Prop Master) holds a B.A. in Technical Theatre and Design as well as Psychology from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Some of his re-cent props credits include the property design for Stage Left’s world premiere production of Kingsville, Next Theatre’s The Piano Teacher, The Red Orchid Theatre’s production of Homer’s Illiad, and Congo Square’s The Nativity. Before moving to Chicago a year and half ago he worked in several props position at theatres around the country including Maine, Colorado, and Arizona. For more information about him and his work please visit Dkupferman.squarespace.com

Amanda Conversino (Stage Manager) is a transplant from Ohio, and has been involved with numerous productions for about a decade. She wishes to thank the cast and crew for their relentless dedication to this production. “Some-day your child will cry and if you sing this lullaby, then in your heart there will always be a part of me. Someday we’ll all be gone, but lullabies go on and on. They never die that’s how you and I will be” - Billy Joel

Elizabeth Bruins (Assistant Stage Manager) has been stage-managing in Chicago for over ten years, most recently The Rivals at Polarity Ensemble

Page 10: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

10 Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Theatre. Other credits include Hedda Gabler (Vintage Theatre Collective), Have a Kung Fu Christmas (n.u.f.a.n.) and Chiaroscuro (Bailiwick Pride Series). She is also a participant in Stockyards The-atre Project’s Play For Keeps program, which gives voice to female play-wrights and actors. Elizabeth wishes to thank Elayne for this opportunity.

Gerald H. Bailey (Artistic Director/Musical Director) is a long-time veteran of the Midwest theatre scene. As an actor he has worked with Orson Bean and Jane Withers in Bye Bye Birdie, Jane Powel in Brigadoon, and Leonard Nimoy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Directing credits include The Col-lage Project at Victory Gardens Studio Theatre, The Member of the Wedding for the Delaney Theatre Company, and Home Ain’t Nothin’ But a Word for Hid-den Stages Productions. Mr. Bailey was the director and musical director for the Chicago Premiere of Meshuggah-Nuns! at Chicago Jewish Theatre. He is also the recipient of a “Best Director” award from the Academy of Theatre Artists and Friends for a production of Annie. Mr. Bailey was the original musi-cal director for Something’s Afoot at The Peninsula Players in Door County and The Chateau Louise Resort Mystery Dinner Theatre in Dundee, Illinois. Additional musical director credits include The 51st Ward at Theatre Build-ing Chicago, Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends for Theo Ubique Theatre Company, and Salute to Musi-cal Theatre in Chicago at the State of Illinois Center hosted by local news anchor Ron Magers. As an educator, Mr. Bailey has taught a graduate course on Musical Theatre at VanderCook College of Music. He has also conducted master classes on Public Relations and Musical Theatre for Bradley University and was a Guest Artist Instructor at College of DuPage. One of his favorite roles is that of L. M., the piano playing grease-monkey in Pump Boys and Dinettes at The Little Theatre On-the-Square. Mr. Bailey currently tours all over the United States in Molly Picon’s Return Engagement with local Chicagoland

favorite Renee Matthews. Kudos to the talented cast, crew, and design staff of From Generation to Generation.

Elayne LeTraunik (Producer) is the Associate Artistic Director of Genesis Theatrical Productions. She is a native Chicagoan and has been involved in the Chicago theatre scene since the 1970s. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with honors in History and Theatre, she continued her acting studies at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Elayne has worked extensively both as an actress and a producer and starred in the Chicago premieres of Nuts and Extremities. She also appeared in Beyond Therapy which featured Skipp Sudduth and Carmen Roman. As a producer, she oversaw a number of award winning and critically acclaimed productions including the Chicago premiere of A Dybbuk and a revival of Class Enemy. Elayne was the founder of the Casting Call Hotline and was also the auditions columnist for PerformInk newspaper for 15 years. She was the founder and Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions and Chicago Jewish Theatre and was a weekly columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times as well as a contributor to Plays and Players Magazine in London. Elayne currently works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for a number of small theater companies in Chicago. More informa-tion about her can be found at: www.virtualelayne.com. Elayne is a member of Actors Equity, The Donors Forum, Chicago Women in Philanthropy and the League of Professional Theatre Women. She also acts as Coordinator for the Association for Jewish Theatre and is the Executive Administrator for ShPIeL-Performing Arts Identity.

Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc founded by Gerald H. Bailey and Elayne LeTraunik, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding and developing new works and using theater as a way to promote communication in a global society. Since its inception, Genesis has mounted several staged readings in the

Page 11: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

11Genesis Theatrical

PROFILES

Chicagoland area, including The Boys of Winter, and A Natural History of Mozart Street. Co-directed by Ms. LeTraunik and Mr. Bailey, The Boys of Winter was a real life story of three boys on a high school hockey team who volunteered to fight in the Viet Nam War following graduation. This play had eerie parallels between the Viet Nam War of the 1960s and the Iraqi War of today. Written by Barry Brodsky, Eric Small and Dean B. Kaner, The Boys of Winter was set in a small town in Minnesota. These three boys were the best of friends, doing what best friends do in their final year of high school. When they went off to fight in the Viet Nam War, only one person came back. After some further develop-ment by Genesis, the authors revised their play and had it presented by Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway Theatre in Somerville, Massachusetts. The play was also a finalist in The Last Play Standing 2, which was a competition presented by Another Chicago Theatre Company. The Boston Playwright’s Theatre mounted a full production in Boston, Massachusetts to rave reviews. This production was

nominated in the Best New Play catego-ry for small theatres by The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE). All of these productions featured an anti-war protest song with music composed by Mr. Bailey. The authors are now writing a screenplay adaptation of this thought provoking show. A Natural History of Mozart Street was written by Pauline Yearwood, who is the Managing Editor of Chicago Jewish News. This play was based on the real-life history of Leonard Dubkin, Pauline’s father, whose ambition to become a naturalist mystified and horrified his immigrant Jewish parents in the early 1900s. The play detailed how the teenager, with help from a fiery socialist editor, and from Chicago social reformer Jane Addams, overcame fam-ily and personal conflicts and his own status as an outsider to find a way to potentially realize his dream. Yearwood used excerpts from her father’s diaries within the play. Her father went on to write six books about nature in the city and to write a nature column, first for the Chicago Tribune and then, for many years, the Lerner Newspapers.

Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. is considering several plays to produce in the upcoming Theatrical Season. Among them are Growing Up Goldberg, a true-to-life comedy by Jeff Max, and The People’s Choice, a political satire written by Philip Pinkus. We are also looking at Notes from the Warsaw Ghetto and The Trial of Adolf Eichmann by Neil Cole, Einstein’s Gift by Vern Theissen, a musical version of The Golem by Czech composer Karel Svoboda, and The Visitor by Carol Mack which looks at the issue of freedom of speech. Our more ambitious projects include The Holocaust Project, which will expand the concept of The Holocaust to include but also go beyond the murder of 6 million Jews during World War II. Genesis is creating The Holocaust Project to examine how human beings are often abused and their human rights subverted for political purposes. This will be an ongoing, multiyear project. We are also looking at The Disappeared by Wysteria Edwards. This powerful story relates the painful history of The Disappeared, those members of Argentinean society who dared to oppose the military government in the 1970s. Involved in this project is Juan Mandelbaum, an Argentinean Jew who fled the country and now works to reveal the story of The Disappeared to the world at large. Committed to direct is Richard Perez, Associate Artistic Director of Chicago Dramatists. He recently ended his seven year tenure as the Producing Artist Direc-tor of the Bloomington Playwrights Project in Indiana.

Guest Artists Teaching SeriesGenesis is seeking to bring some of the leading teaching artists to Chicago. Included are Elizabeth D’Onofrio, one of the leading instructors in Method Acting. The use of her teaching tools would offer actors, both experienced and beginning, a strong basis for future work.

Page 12: Genesis-From Generation to Generation

12 Genesis Theatrical

PRODUCTION STAFF

Artistic Director Gerald H. Bailey Producer/Associate Artistic Director Elayne LeTraunik Director David Zak Musical Director Gerald H. Bailey Choreographer Heather Haneman Production Manager Justin Argenio Scenic Designer | Technical Director Nick Quinn, Insiders Entertainment Inc. Lighting Design Gary C. Echelmeyer Sound Design Terrence Pogge Costume Design Katherine Meister Graphic Design Eric M Chicago Prop Master Doug Kupferman Master Electrician Scott Pillsbury Production Photographer Anthony Aicardi Public Relations Noreen Heron and Associates Dance Captain Marlon Washington Production Stage Manager Amanda Conversino Assistant Stage Manager Elizabeth Bruins House Manager John Boss Volunteer Ushers Courtesy of The Saints Program Gerald H. Bailey

Genesis Theatrical Productions NFP, Inc. would like to thank Jack Short and Jill Valentine at Stage 773, David Feiler at North Shore Baptist Church, Theresa Wilmot of Footlights, Robert Ollis, Jr., Susan Veronika Adler and to Bill Anderson for his original scenic design concept adapted by Nick Quinn.

Genesis Theatricals are looking for new energetic board members as well as donations to help offset productions costs. Ticket prices alone cannot sustain any theatrical event. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you are interested, please contact Elayne LeTraunik at [email protected].

From Generation to Generation has also been produced in St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Omaha. For information about producing this show, please contact JMR Productions at 402-393-3893, or email [email protected].