Theatre on San Pedro Square 29 N. San Pedro Street • Downtown San Jose
January 24 - February 16, 2014
Presents
The Tabard TheaTre company
It’s not always fun being the “new guy” at work, but, as the “new guy” at Tabard, company founder Cathy Cassetta, the Board and the whole Tabard family have welcomed me with open arms and made it all very fun. If I seem familiar it’s because I have had the blessing of working in the San Jose performing arts community for over 25 years; from San Jose Civic Light Opera to San Jose Rep. Now I have the privilege to work with the team here at Tabard and help this dynamic company continue to flourish and grow. With my arrival, Cathy will able to concentrate on the stories Tabard tells and the art we create. I want to thank Cathy for developing this new structure and generously inviting me to be part of it. I look forward to meeting you, and I hope you will come up and introduce yourself to the “new guy.” Enjoy the show.
From Nick Nichols, Executive Director
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 1776, the sixth production of eight in our season of Twists and Turns. We began this new calendar year with a big change at Tabard. As you may know, as of January 1st we have a new executive director: Nick Nichols. I have received many questions from subscribers, patrons, and others who are just curious why I am no longer executive director. Well, the truth is that the company has grown quite substantially, and after working a pretty consistent 90-hour week for many, many years, I could no longer keep up and keep Tabard running smoothly — a positive sign that Tabard continues to grow. I invited Nick to be part of Tabard, he accepted, and the board agreed. So, now, instead of “wearing many hats,” I will wear only three or so, one of which is continuing to be the artistic director, producing all of the main stage shows. I’ve given Nick all the other hats to wear, and the good news is that they fit him like they were made for him!
Thank you for being with us for our revolutionary production of 1776. Whether people agree or disagree with our approach, it is certainly worthy of conversation. And isn’t that what theatre is all about? To get us thinking, feeling, and sharing ideas? I invite you to listen to the words spoken and sung by the characters, and hear the heart and passion behind those words that motivated these men to make the bold, risk-taking, and fear-embracing steps toward independence. We are still, today, living out and living with the legacy of some of the decisions and compromises they made.
From Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, Producing Artistic Director
1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
Experience infinite possibilities. Tabard.Making memories. Tabard.
All Female Cast
Music Director / Arrangements / Orchestrations Brian Allan Hobbs
Assistant Director Lori Basuino
Assistant Stage Manager Robert Lewis
Lighting Designer Jeff Swan
Sound Designer John DiLoreto
Spotlight Operators Ken Barczi, Kyle McGinnis
Properties Design “propEARLYdone” by RuthE Stein, Lori Basuino, and Dave Stein
Properties Assistance Jane Lui, Terri Weitze
Program Layout Barbara Reynolds
Tabard offers its sincere and grateful appreciation to...
Rob Christopher, Harley & Esther Goes, Ted Kopulos, Opera San Jose, John Palmer, Jon Ross, South Bay Musical Theatre, South Valley Civic Theatre, Marilyn Watts,
WVLO Musical Theatre Company, and all our season subscribers, donors, sponsors, and community partners who helped make this season possible.
producTion STaff 1776
The Tabard Theatre Company is a proud and active member of:
The Tabard Theatre Company is grateful for the support provided, in part, by the Farrington Historical Foundation, a Cultural Affairs grant from the
City of San Jose, and a Regional Arts Fund grant from Silicon Valley Creates.
Cast Members of the Continental Congress: President: John Hancock .............................................................. Paula Warren Secretary: Charles Thomson ..................................................................Jane Lui New Hampshire: Dr. Josiah Bartlett .........................................................Kama Belloni Dr. Josiah Bartlett (February 8 and 14) ................................. Diane Milo Massachusetts: John Adams .................................................................Mary Melnick Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins .............................................................Terri Weitze Connecticut: Roger Sherman .....................................................Kristina Nakagawa New York: Lewis Morris .............................................................. Linda Sciacqua Robert Livingston .........................................................Christine Wait New Jersey: Rev. John Witherspoon .................................................Joanne Barczi Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin ........................................................ Ruth E. Stein John Dickinson ......................................................... Molly Thornton James Wilson ............................................................ Vanessa Alvarez Delaware: Caesar Rodney ................................................................ Janet Miller Col. Thomas McKean .................................... Becky White Brownson George Read ................................................................. Kimberly Kay Maryland: Samuel Chase ............................................................. Norma Hughes Virginia: Richard Henry Lee ......................................................Kristen Carder Thomas Jefferson ...................................................... Breigh Finnerty North Carolina: Joseph Hewes ....................................................... Mrigendra Steiner South Carolina: Edward Rutledge ........................................................Hayley Lovgren Georgia: Dr. Lyman Hall .............................................................. Ana Williams
Congressional Custodian: Andrew McNair........................................ Barbara Heninger Abigail Adams ...................................................................................Barbara Reynolds Martha Jefferson ................................................................................. Catherine Brady A Leather Apron................................................................................. Deborah K. Roth A Courier ....................................................................................... Amber Sommerfeld
Matthew Bourne, keyboard
Marie Elaine Laskin, bass
Lily Kaye Sevier, percussion
Bring your imagination; we’ll do the rest. Tabard.Experience the magic. Tabard.
1776 Scenes and Musical Numbers
The Time: May, June, and July, 1776
Act One
Scene 1: The Chamber of the Continental Congress For God’s Sake, John, Sit Down ...............................................Adams & The Congress Piddle,Twiddle ..................................................................................................Adams Till Then ............................................................................................Adams & Abigail
Scene Two: The Mall The Lees of Old Virginia .......................................................... Lee, Franklin & Adams
Scene 3: The Chamber But, Mr. Adams .............................. Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Sherman & Livingston
Scene 4: Thomas Jefferson’s Room and High Street Yours, Yours, Yours ...........................................................................Adams & Abigail He Plays the Violin ............................................................ Martha, Franklin & Adams
Act Two
Scene 6: A Congressional Anteroom The Egg .....................................................Franklin, Adams, Jefferson & The Congress
Scene 7: The Chamber Molasses to Rum............................................................................................Rutledge Compliments ....................................................................................................Abigail Is Anybody There?..............................................Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Thomson
A portion of Tabard’s concession proceeds from this production will be donated to
There will be a 15-minute intermission.
Daughters of the American Revolution
direcTor’S noTe
1776 Definition of “Happiness” “The pursuit of Happiness” was thought to be an unalienable right by the writers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. However, in 1776, the definition of happiness evoked a different meaning than it does today. When the framers of this historic document wrote about “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” what exactly did they mean by “happiness”?
The term happiness comes from the Old Norse term happ meaning “luck” or “chance.” It’s also related to the Old English word hæpic meaning “equal.” While early senses of happiness dating from the 1500s are still very much in use, such as “good luck,” “success,” and “contentment,” Francis Hutcheson, an Irish reverend and philosopher, brought a new, more political interpretation of happiness to English speakers with his 1725 treatise An Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue. His political philosophy: “that Action is best which accomplishes the greatest Happiness for the greatest Numbers; and that worst, which in like manner occasions Misery.” The popularity of Hutcheson’s philosophies helped tie the concepts of civic responsibility and happiness to one another in the minds of the great political thinkers of the 18th century, including the writers of the Declaration of Independence.
In our production of 1776, all roles in the show will be played by women.
Okay! Now that we have that point out of the way, let’s focus on the incredible story that you are about to witness. The story of how colonial delegates to the Continental Congress in 1776 decided to declare independence from England and form a new nation called the United States of America is one of the most spellbinding and compelling tales you will ever hear told. As we all know, this momentous decision changed the world forever. It is my great honor to work with this fine group of talented women who have breathed new life into this depiction of our country’s founding fathers. As these women deliver the brilliant words and lyrics of this theatrical piece, you will experience and feel the passion and convictions and courage of the men who risked everything in the name of liberty and justice for all.
I invite you to listen to this story and see not a stage filled with women, but a stage filled with gifted storytellers who bring their own passion to the roles of the men they are portraying. It has been an exciting and inspiring journey for all of us, and we are thrilled that you have chosen to come along with us! We hope you enjoy our heart- filled production of 1776!
From Diane Milo, Director
Theatre is more than a show. Tabard.Time well spent. Tabard.
meeT The arTiSTS
Vanessa Alvarez (James Wilson) makes her Tabard debut with 1776. Vanessa was last seen as Daniela in In the Heights at Palo Alto Players. Past work includes: Escaping Queens (Mama); 9 to 5 (Kathy); SJRep’s World Premiere of Love in American Times (understudy); Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate); Dog Sees God (Marcy) and Urinetown (Josephine Strong). Vanessa can next be seen in Company at Los Altos Stage Company. Mucho love to her family and friends for their support on and off stage.
James Wilson, 1742-1798: Wilson taught Latin at the College of Philadelphia, which was to become the University of Pennsylvania, and ironically became a law student in the office of John Dickinson.
Joanne Barczi (John Witherspoon) is excited and honored to be working with this phenomenal group of women. Joanne has worked on stage at Sunnyvale Community Players, South Bay Musical Theatre, and Woodside Community Theatre (favorite roles: Sister Margaretta, Sound of Music; Widow Corney, Oliver!; Eulalie Shinn, The Music Man), as well as vocal- and music-directed shows at SCP and Cuper- tino High School including Aida and West Side Story. Thanks as always to Ken. Dedicated to my new star in heaven, my mom, Virginia Brogan.
Rev. John Witherspoon, 1723-1794: The only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, by the age of four he could read from the Bible and would eventually be able to recite most of the New Testament.
Kama Belloni (Josiah Bartlett, swing) is excited to be in her first show with Tabard, with friends from WVLO Musical Theatre’s 2011 The Sound of Music. Kama is Fine Arts Director at St. Joseph of Cupertino School and was vocal director for Rodgers & Hart: A Celebration at Presentation High. A frequent Bay Area soloist, she has a B.A. in vocal performance from Loyola Marymount and pursued her master’s degree at Arizona State. A career highlight was a 2010 recording at Skywalker Sound with San Jose Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett, 1729-1795: Bartlett was noted as a principled legislator, not susceptible to pressure from the Royal Governor, and as an active advocate against British oppression.
Catherine Brady (Martha Jefferson) has enjoyed recent roles including Ida in Die Fledermaus and Alms Sister in Suor Angelica (Opera San Jose); Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Ernesto in The Billy Goat’s Gruff (OSJ Outreach); and Yellow Girl in Shout! The Mod Musical (The Retro Dome). She is the Music and Drama teacher at Most Holy Trinity School. Catherine can be seen next as The Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Marquee Productions) and Cathy Hyatt in The Last Five Years (i.e.Presents).
Martha Jefferson, 1748-1782: Martha Jefferson was the first and only wife of President Thomas Jefferson. She, however, never got to fulfill any duties as First Lady — she died years before he was elected president.
Becky White Brownson (Thomas McKean) is making her Tabard debut. Starting out in Bay Area theater in the 1980s, Becky appeared with San Jose Civic Light Opera, TheatreWorks, Saratoga Drama Group, West Valley Light Opera, and Sunnyvale Community Players, took a long hiatus to raise her children, and returned a few years ago with South Bay Musical Theater, West Valley Light Opera, and Sunnyvale Community Players. She also directs, most recently WVLO Musical Theater’s very successful Fiddler on the Roof.
Col. Thomas McKean, 1734-1817: He received honorary degrees from Princeton in 1781, Dartmouth in 1782, and Pennsylvania in 1785, and held the office of Chief Justice for Pennsylvania for 22 years.
Kristen Carder (Richard Henry Lee) joined Tabard last spring in Babes in Hollywood and is happy to be back performing in 1776. Kristen has been performing for the past 14 years in the Monterey and San Jose areas. Her favorite roles include Ilse in Spring Awakening, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, the Musical, and the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella. A fun fact about Kristen is that she is related to John Hart who signed the Declaration of Independence!
Richard Henry Lee, 1732-1794: Considered a great orator, he was author of the Westmoreland Resolutions of 1766, mover of the Resolution for Independence, President of the Continental Congress, and United States Senator from Virginia.
Breigh Finnerty(Thomas Jefferson) was last seen at Tabard as Julie in The Poptimists! Other credits include Marge McDougall in Promises, Promises! (South Bay Musical Theatre), Green Girl in Shout! The Mod Musical (Bus Barn), Edith in Blithe Spirit (Palo Alto Players), Sandy Markowitz in A Thousand Clowns (Hillbarn), and Little Becky Two-Shoes in Urinetown (Sunnyvale Players). Breigh teaches middle school at the Catholic Academy of Sunnyvale, and is sharing the stage with her growing belly — twins will arrive in May!
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826: At age 33 Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, an everlasting tribute to his memory. The document in its amended form is a reduced version of his draft but retains his eloquent writing style.
Barbara Heninger (Andrew McNair) is making her first appearance in a Tabard show. She’s performed with South Bay Musical Theatre, WVLO Musical Theatre, Foothill Music Theatre, West Bay Opera, and Lyric Theatre. Favorite recent roles are Mrs. Strakosh in SBMT’s Funny Girl, and Roz in 9 to 5 with WVLO, for which she won their 2013 ERMA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She thanks her ever-patient husband Andy for supporting her theater habit!
Andrew McNair: McNair was contracted to make the fires, light and extinguish candles, and keep the Congress meeting room clean, for four shillings a night. He was the official ringer of the “Liberty Bell.”
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Norma Hughes (Samuel Chase) has appeared in more than 100 stage productions plus having performed a number of other theatrical duties. Roles with special memories include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, as well as both Gooch and Mame in Mame. This is her fifth production with Tabard, following appearances in Follies, Hold on to Love, The Magician’s Nephew, and Fools. As a psychic and healer, she works with San Jose’s Center for Creative Living.
Samuel Chase,1741-1811: Chase was appointed chief justice of the Criminal Court and a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. At one time, he served on 21 committees engaged in legislation affecting his “middling class.”
Kimberly Kay (George Read) has credits including Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother) at Theatre in the Mountains; Promises, Promises (Peggy Olson), Finian’s Rainbow, and The Producers at South Bay Musical Theatre; Bells Are Ringing (Gwynne), How To Succeed, My Fair Lady, and Honk! at WVLO Musical Theatre Company; Wrong Turn at Lungfish (Nurse) at Northside Theatre Company; and Sweeney Todd, City of Angels, and Urinetown at Sunnyvale Community Players.
George Read, 1773-1798: Said by some to be the Father of Delaware, he was also known to dress with style and elegance, as evidenced by the amethyst-studded shoe buckles he wore the day he signed the Declaration of Independence.
Hayley Lovgren (Edward Rutledge) received her M.F.A. in musical theater from Boston Conservatory, where she performed in The Full Monty, One Touch of Venus, and Factory Girls. Hayley is returning to Tabard after appearances in The World Goes ‘Round and A Taffeta Wedding; other shows include Oliver! at Broadway By the Bay, Jesus Christ Superstar, Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, and the sketch comedy play 3 Woman 1 Woman Show featured this year at SF Sketchfest.
Edward Rutledge, 1749-1800: At the age of 20, Rutledge sailed for England to became a law student at the Temple, where he listened to some of the most distinguished orators of the day, in court and parliament, a precursor to his later oratory ability.
Jane Lui (Charles Thomson) is a singer-songwriter by trade and new to theatre. Jane comes from San Diego and has performed at venues like Walt Disney Hall, The Shrine, and Zellerbach Hall (U.C. Berkeley). She’s worked with Jason Mraz, Felicia Day (The Guild, Supernatural), CDZA (Opus no.1) and has 3.5 million views on her YouTube Channel “Luieland.” Her videos were recently included on Virgin America In-Flight Entertainment; she produces music and is writing her fourth album. Theatre is making her a better musician.(JaneLui.com)
Charles Thomson, 1729-1824: Living to age 90, Thomson served as secretary of the Continental Congress through its entirety. Thomson’s name appeared with Hancock’s on the first published version of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.
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Mary Melnick (John Adams) is honored to play the “Voice of the Revolution” in her Tabard debut. This is Mary’s fourth production of 1776, having played both Martha (Saratoga Drama Group) and Abigail (Lyric Theatre and SDG). Other credits include Foothill Music Theatre’s Anything Goes (Erma; Bay Area Theater Critics nominee for Best Supporting Actress) and Ragtime (Mother; Dean Goodman Choice Award), and South Bay Musical Theatre’s Mack and Mabel (Mabel). All my love to Robin and Andrew.
John Adams,1735-1826: Declared “the Atlas of the hour, the man to whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of independency...” He died on July 4, 1826 (incidentally, within hours of the death of Thomas Jefferson).
Janet Miller (Caesar Rodney) makes her Tabard debut; favorite roles include Mrs. Paroo (Jewish Community Center’s The Music Man); Carlotta (WVLO Musical Theatre’s Phantom; ERMA Award); Helena Landless (WVLO’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood; ERMA nominee); and Trudy Heyman in Social Security with Studio Theatre of California, where she is a member of STOCtet. By day, she is the District Instructional Coach for Literacy for SJUSD. This spring she’ll be seen in South Bay Musical Theatre’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Caesar Rodney, 1728-1784: In 1766, as the Speaker of the Assembly, he introduced a bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into Delaware. He was tormented throughout his life by asthma, and in his adult years plagued by a facial cancer.
Kristina Nakagawa (Roger Sherman)is pleased to be making her Tabard debut! Most recently, she was featured alongside Stephen Schwartz in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus production of Enchantingly Wicked at Davies Symphony Hall. Other theatre: Working at Foothill Music Theatre (Kate Rushton, housewife) and Ragtime at South Bay Musical Theatre. Kristina works at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, and is the Artistic Director of Resounding Achord, a community choir in San Jose. Love to Ryan and Russell.
Roger Sherman, 1721-1793: His interests in the federation carried him to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Madison’s notes credit him with 138 speeches to the convention.
Barbara Reynolds (Abigail Adams) returns to Tabard after roles in Hold on to Love and More Than Petticoats. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she has credits including Little Women (Marmee) and City of Angels (Bobbi/Gabby) for Sunnyvale Players; Ragtime (Mother), The Music Man (Marian), and She Loves Me (Amalia) for South Bay Musical Theatre; A Little Night Music and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; and Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award as Magnolia).
Abigail Adams, 1744-1818: Abigail was the first Second Lady and second First Lady, and also mother of the sixth U.S. President, John Quincy Adams. A devoted reader and prolific writer, she and John exchanged more than 1,100 letters.
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Deborah K. Roth (Leather Apron) is truly excited to be part of this very special production of 1776, and feels it is an honor to share the stage with so many amazing, talented women. She was encouraged to audition for a show four years ago by theater friends she met singing karaoke, and now can’t imagine life without it. When not on stage, she is either working as an underwriting assistant in Los Gatos or spoiling her whippet Kadence and her boyfriend Mike.
Leather Apron: Worn by craftsmen, it was usually used by a leather tanner to protect him from strong fluid called “ooze” and acid used for tanning hides. As a craftsman, he possessed specialized skills that set him apart from the common laborer.
Linda Sciacqua(Lewis Morris) is thrilled to be performing with the Tabard Theatre Company for the first time and with this delightful, talented cast. Some of her previous roles include Rachel in Rags with the Willows Theatre Company, as well as Mother Superior in Nunsense, Aunt Martha in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Mrs. Peacock in Clue with San Ramon Community Theatre. Special thanks to Rich and Josh for their continuous support.
Lewis Morris,1726-1798: Morris served as a brigadier-general in the New York militia. He also served on the first Board of Regents for the University of New York.
Amber Sommerfeld (Courier) is currently a cast member of San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s touring production of Julius Caesar. She has her degree in theatre arts with a minor in musical theatre from Santa Clara University. She has been seen in productions with Woman’s Will, Pacific Repertory Theatre, Half Moon Bay Shakespeare, SJREAL at San Jose Repertory Theater, and other productions with SF Shakes. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming from Montana to see the show! Love you!
Colonial Courier: Also called “postriders,” they were given the exclusive privilege of carrying letters, papers and packages along 2000 miles of post roads (fixed routes). The position could be dangerous and was usually given to anyone willing to do it.
Ruth E. Stein (Benjamin Franklin) is an award-winning actor/ voiceover artist/vocalist/director/producer/props designer/set dresser/costumer/musical director, who has performed throughout the U.S. and extensively in the Bay Area for over five decades. Some recent credits: Sophie Greengrass (Social Security), Bellomy (The Fantasticks), Auntie Juliana Tesman (Hedda Gabler), Ida (The Cemetery Club). Watch for her one-woman show, Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class, at Limelight Actors’ Theatre in April 2014!
Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790: Only the signature of Benjamin Franklin appears on all four founding documents that sealed America’s independence and secured her future: Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Alliance with France, Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution of the United States.
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Mrigendra Steiner (Joseph Hewes) is thrilled to make her Tabard debut in this revolutionary production of 1776. Recent roles include Secret Garden (Ayah) with TheatreWorks, Carousel (Nettie Fowler) with Lyric Theatre, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Armelia) with South Bay Musical Theatre, and Allegro (Grandma Taylor) and Merrily We Roll Along with Foothill Music Theatre. Ms. Steiner performed as a soloist in Austria for ten years; a highlight was her one-woman show of Broadway hits, The Sound of Musicals.
Joseph Hewes, 1730-1779: Born a Quaker, he severed his connection with “The Society” and became a promoter of war against Britain. Hewes chaired the committee that was responsible for fitting out the first American warships.
Molly Thornton (John Dickinson) is delighted to be returning for her fifth Tabard production; prior Tabard credits include The World Goes ‘Round, Hot ‘n’ Cole, Stop Time!, and The All Night Strut. Favorite roles include Pennywise in Urinetown (Sunnyvale Players), Mrs. Walker in The Who’s Tommy (City Lights), Aldonza in Man of La Mancha (Saratoga Drama Group), Kate in Kiss Me, Kate (WVLO Musical Theatre; ERMA Award) and Betty Blake in The Will Rogers Follies (Contra Costa Musical Theatre; Shellie Award).
John Dickinson, 1732-1808: Best known for his phrase “let experience be our guide; reason may mislead us.” Authored Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, which urged resistance to unjust laws, emphasizing the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
Christine Wait (Robert Livingston) returns for her third Tabard production, following It’s a Wonderful Life and Elvis Has Left The Building. In the 80s and 90s, Christy performed in 12 productions with San Jose Civic Light Opera, including Jenny Lind (Barnum), Faye Templeton (George M), and Glinda/Aunt Em (The Wizard of Oz), earning 7 Ginny Awards. She has also performed roles for South Bay Musical Theatre, WVLO Musical Theatre, and San Jose Stage in Angry Housewives. Christy is a retired special education teacher.
Robert Livingston, 1746-1813: As Chancellor of New York, Livingston administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington. As the minister to France, he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase.
Paula Warren (John Hancock) is excited to return to Tabard Theatre for this production of 1776. Paula was cast in the hit musical Crowns in 2009, where she played Wanda. She has also performed with the South Bay Musical Theatre in Saratoga, California, where she was a cast member of Ragtime, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hello, Dolly!, and Finian’s Rainbow. She is already looking forward to her role in Tabard’s original musical Love, Laughter and Linguine which opens in April.
John Hancock, 1737-1793: The first to sign, he did so in an entirely blank space. He played an instrumental role, sometimes by accident and other times by design, in coaxing the American Revolution into being.
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Terri Weitze (Stephen Hopkins) comes to us from Bay City, Michigan, by way of Los Angeles. She has appeared in many shows with various theater groups, and is happy to be appearing in her first show at the Tabard Theatre. Pursuant to the suggestion of her husband Bill, she wishes to thank him for his devotion, patience, his loving support, and the never-ending inspiration he provides to her every waking moment.
Stephen Hopkins, 1707-1785: A self-educated man, Hopkins spoke out against British tyranny long before the revolutionary period. He was a colonial governor, educator, judge, merchant ship owner, surveyor, and patriot.
Ana Williams (Lyman Hall) has waited 40 years to play this role in this most beloved of musicals. Other favorite roles have been Mother Burnside in Mame, Sara Jane Moore in Assassins, Miss Jones in How to Succeed, and Judge Wargraves in Ten Little Indians. Besides acting, she also costumes, creates props, works as tech crew, and has produced several shows. She loves all aspects of theatre, and shares that passion with her daughter Joyce whom she cherishes above all else.
Dr. Lyman Hall, 1721-1784: An ordained Reverend and Doctor of Medicine, Hall left his life as a “Connecticut Yankee” colonial for that of immigrant settler of Georgia’s low country. He paved the way for the foundation of the University of Georgia.
Lori Basuino (Assistant Director, Properties) is back at Tabard after assistant- directing The World Goes ‘Round; I Left My Heart; The Tin Pan Alley Rag; and Follies in Concert and assisting with Lady, Be Good; Crowns; and The Gifts of the Magi. Lori has been active in local theatre for more than 20 years as a performer, director, technical specialist and acting coach. Besides designing props for many groups, she has directed for Foothill New Works Festival and done assistant-directing and tech for City Lights, Foothill Drama, and West Valley Light Opera. Lori has also worked for the Castillero Middle School Drama Department and Children’s Playhouse of San Jose.
Matthew Bourne(Keyboard) is a pianist and music director. He has performed with many theatre companies throughout the East and South Bay, including Stage 1 Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Players, and Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre. He is excited to participate in his first show with Tabard Theatre. He is also a piano teacher and a composer.
Cathy Spielberger Cassetta (Producer) is a theatre/television veteran and entrepreneur who created/produced/co-hosted the weekly TV program Theatre This Week in the 1990s before founding Tabard in 2001. For Tabard she’s directed Scapin, Dames at Sea, The Gifts of the Magi, The Dog Sitters, Sabrina Fair, A Taffeta Wedding, It’s a Wonderful Life, Crossing Delancey, Babes in Hollywood, and the award-winning production of Trying; she created and co-wrote More Than Petticoats; and she both directed and wrote Stompin’ at the Savoy, Bandstand Beat, and The Duke, The Count, and Me as well as the upcoming Love, Laughter and Linguine.
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Joe Cassetta (Technical Consultant) continues to lead Tabard’s technical team, which he has done since the company was founded in 2001. With a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University, Joe’s steady and skilled leadership has led to Tabard’s increased ability to explore and expand what we do technically.
John DiLoreto (Sound Designer) is Tabard’s head audio engineer and has designed sound for many Tabard shows as well as for TheatreWorks, City Lights, South Bay Musical Theatre, and numerous clubs and rock bands for more than 30 years. He is also a former recording studio owner, record producer, and keyboardist in numerous rock bands and in theatre orchestras. While at M.I.T. he studied acoustics with Professor Bose, and he holds a M.Eng. from U.C. Berkeley and an M.B.A. from Stanford. By day, he is Tabard’s operations director.
Brian Allan Hobbs (Music Director, Arrangements, Orchestrations, Keyboard) recently music-directed Little Women and Pippin for Sunnyvale Community Players, and has recently played in the pits for Aida and Little Shop of Horrors (Stage 1) and Spamalot (Tri-Valley Rep). In 2012, he adapted and directed A Christmas Carol, featuring an original score of traditional carols, for Stage 1. Brian worked on the music staff for several Broadway productions including Finian’s Rainbow, Rock of Ages, and Tarzan and was a producer of the recent revival of Godspell. In addition to many other Off-Broadway and regional credits, he writes music and lyrics, and his orchestrations have been performed both locally and at many benefit concerts and shows in New York. Mr. Hobbs studied theatre and music at UCLA and NYU/Tisch.
Marie Elaine Laskin (Bass) was born in New York City and introduced to the bass by her mother, also a classical bassist. Marie has a Bachelor of Music from Juilliard and a Master of Music from Yale. Since relocating to California in 1990, she has performed with several Bay Area orchestras including Symphony Silicon Valley, Opera San Jose, the San Francisco Opera, the Fremont Symphony, and the Santa Cruz County Symphony where she was Principal Bass. Marie lives in Sunnyvale with her writer husband and two daughters.
Keith Leung (Woodwinds) graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a double major in chemical engineering/material science, and recently finished a M.B.A. at U.C. Davis. Besides a full time job at Criterion Catalysts & Technologies in Bay Point, Keith tutors math and sciences in the San Ramon Valley and performs in pit orchestras at theatre companies all over the Bay Area. 1776 will be Keith’s 35th musical.
Robert Lewis (Assistant Stage Manager) returns to Tabard after working in technical roles for The Elves and the Shoemaker, Making God Laugh, and The World Goes ‘Round, and serving as house staff for The Duke, The Count, and Me and Babes in Hollywood. A New Jersey native and electrical engineer by education, Robert is now a 26-year resident of the Bay Area (with stops in Dallas, Boston, and Tokyo along the way) and software consultant. Happily married for 34 years, he enjoys singing and playing mandolin with his church music group.
meeT The arTiSTS
Andrew Marshall (Stage Manager, Technical Director) returns to Tabard after stage-managing The Elves and the Shoemaker. He was previously a theatre student at Ohlone College, where he directed two plays and wrote and directed a short film. Most recently, he was a technician at California’s Great America where he built mazes and did the show Blades of Horror for Halloween Haunt. Outside of theatre, Andrew is a video game developer.
Gretchen Miescke (Violin, Viola) is a professional violin and viola player residing in the San Jose area. Playing both violin and viola, she is equally comfortable playing musical theater or symphonic literature. She teaches violin, viola, cello and bass, is music librarian for Opera San Jose, South Valley Symphony, and Santa Cruz Ballet, and plays free-lance gigs. She is thrilled to be able to do what she loves for a living.
Diane Milo (Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer) returns for her 16th production with Tabard. Most recently, she directed and performed in The World Goes ‘Round earlier this season. In addition to performances in Babes in Hollywood, Bandstand Beat, Follies Concert Version, Stompin’ at the Savoy, all three Taffetas productions, and Stop Time!, Diane has directed I Left My Heart; Tin Pan Alley Rag; Gifts of the Magi; The Story of My Life; Follies Concert Version; Lady, Be Good! and Crowns. She has more than 80 theatrical credits with companies across the Bay Area, and can next be seen on stage in March in the role of Sara in Theatre Chevruta’s staged reading of God of Vengeance. She will also serve as vocal director for South Bay Musical Theatre’s upcoming production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Lily Kaye Sevier (Percussion) is originally from western Massachusetts and attended graduate school at San Francisco Conservatory studying timpani performance; she has worked with David Herbert (principal timpanist, Chicago Symphony) and Jack Van Geem (former principal percussionist, San Francisco Symphony). Lily’s recent Bay Area performances include 110 in the Shade, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Little Women, and she’s slated for upcoming productions of Sunday in the Park with George and Evita.
Jeff Swan (Lighting Designer) has been involved with lighting design for theater and dance for over five years in Santa Cruz and now the Bay Area. He is excited for his first Tabard Theatre show, 1776, after just finishing Rich and Famous and November at Dragon Theater. Other recent designs include the musicals The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, and Rent. Jeff also co-designed Beauty and the Beast and The Wiz at the Campbell Heritage Theater.
meeT The arTiSTS
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Steve Lagna Paul & Carole Barrish Joan Bartmess Lori Bartmess Beverly Bassett Mark Baushke Todd & Sherry Bevis Ann Bolhorst Clell & Jan Bontrager Doti Boon Pat Bortle Frank & Karen Bower Karen Bowers Dulcey Branch Clara Brock Kathy Bullock CAFN8RX Bob & Nan Caldwell Laura Carlsen Barbara Carney Larry Carothers Karen & Jerry Carter Case Remodeling Cecilia Cavacas Phyllis Chai Charles E. Mollett, III
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Loretta Welch Debra DeMartini Rose Deterding Minette Diamond &
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Julie Oates Miriam Frazier Claudia French Carol Gage Pat Gallagher Barbara Gallien Gingerbread on the Go Florence Godfrey Esther Goes Gott Design? Amy Griffith Naomi Grubb &
Steven Linhoff Alma Guillot John & Bobbi Guisto Kelly Gutierrez Lucy Haab Greg & Bunny Hacker Pat Haggerty Kevin & Karen Haley Jaci Hall Phyllis Hall Bud & Dori
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Greg Goodhue Norma Hughes Mike & Debi Hugill ImageWurx Kathryn Ingold Peggy Jabri
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Landry Carol Lanoie Ardella LaPointe Natalie Lasher Estelle Lavietes Judy Lawrence Hank & Marcia
Lawson Alice Ledford John & MaryAnn
Lemons Nicole Letellier Susan Lister & Robert
Zeiher Carol Littleton Gloria Losonsky Bobbi Lotman Andrew & Christy
Lowd Peggy Lundie Dorothy “June” Luth Sharon Lynn Shirley Lynn Joan MacKay Jeanne Mackie Mayvid Maclay Marjorie (Jori)
Mangers Donna Marencia Ron & Carol Marks Doris Martinez Austin Marx Don Masuda Mac & Pat
McCaughey David & Claire
McFeely Darrin & Michelle
McGrew Marie McLaughlin Michael & Peggy
McNutt Debra McQueen Theresa C. Meditch Bob & Karol Meeks JoAnne Merkley Gordon & Patricia
Mickelson Janet Miller Georgia Milton
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Weddington Bob & Anne Welker Judy West Ernie & Linda
Westby-Gibson Marilyn Wiese Marianne Wilcox Marianne Williams Mike & Linda Withrow Ed Wong Dale & Bonnie
Workman Patty Wray Tara Yingst Brian & Linda York Jerry & Kay Young
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Be a part of it. Tabard.Theatre for all ages. Tabard.
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Soul food theatre. Tabard.Explore new horizons. Tabard.
John & Harriett Arnold Paul & Carole Barrish Mark Baushke Kathy Bullock Louis Caputo Joe Colletti Brenda Corral Vicky Deggs & Howard
Taub Debra DeMartini Minette Diamond &
Myron Tygar Muriel Dickinson Betty DiVita Christine Driedger Elaine Elkin Carol Emmons Phyllis Faxon Joanne & Harlan Felt Jerry & Susie Ferguson Richard Flynn & Julie Oates Miriam Frazier Julie Freeman Carol George Amy Griffith Naomi Grubb &
Steven Linhoff Greg & Bunny Hacker Katie Hassett Kathy Higgins Norma Hughes Jerry & Jan Keifer Sam & Pam Khadder
with thanks to Bill & Betty Gott
Jim & Ann Kilty Robert & Clare Landry Carol Lanoie John & MaryAnn Lemons Nicole Letellier Susan Lister & Robert
Zeiher Andrew & Christy Lowd Michael & Peggy McNutt Bob & Karol Meeks Michelle Neuhaus Ed & Carol Neumann Betty Newton Janet Paterson Jill Peter Roger & Myrna Pettengill Nancy Peyton Joe Reickard Bob & Lois Rew Tim Reynolds Terry Riley & Julie Freeman Beverly Rose Larry & Linda
Saltman
Bob & Winnie Schlossareck
Joe & Carol Silveria Edmund & Barbara Soohoo Jack & Sally Stallard Marvin & Ina Tanner Paul & Mary Tripp Joan Wagner Loretta Welch Judy West Ernie & Linda Westby-
Gibson Larry & Dottie White Marilyn Wiese Wong Family Brian & Linda York Jerry & Kay Young Mel Zucker
“The Duke” Kickstarter Donors Steve Adkins Richard Adoradio Simeon Aronson Don Balistreri Joanne Barczi Patrick Barrett Carla Bottenfield Pat Burleigh Joyce Davis Valerie Doyle Victoria Deggs Richard Flynn Claudia French Susannah
Greenwood Valerie Gordon Kristy Hughes Michael Johnson Edith Pollock Kerr Carol Knouf Larry Lagier Judy Lawrence Dirk Leatherman Alice Ledford Nicole Letellier Jon Manuel Sherry Martin Diana Morabito Karl Mosgofian Betty Newton Jan Paterson Denise Reynolds Karin Rumstedt Jonathan Sharp Diana Skokan Laurel G. Smith Pieter & Jaqueline Smith Rory Snyder
Ruby Stone Marvin Tanner Shirley Tibbs Evelyn Vigil Lorrie Wernick Mel Zucker
In-Kind Donations Kathy Bullock Joe & Cathy Cassetta Barb Christie Shirley Connor Rocky Fagundes Harley & Esther Goes Valerie Gordon Susannah Greenwood Rich Hemmerling Dottie Lester-White Marj Mancuso JM Perchalski Lynne Rice Betsy Shoup Leslie Stepanek Kathy Sutherland Keith Thomas Lee Garay Toney Irene Trapp Grace Vaccaro Bob & Sharon Visini Anne Webb
Broadway by the Bay CAFN8RX Capital Club City Lights Theatre
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Arts Angels Gus Kambeitz & Tina
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Foundation Silicon Valley Creates
Thank you for joining our journey. We apologize for any omissions due to our print deadline.
The Tabard TheaTre company
Executive Director Nick Nichols Producing Artistic Director Cathy Spielberger Cassetta Operations Director John DiLoreto Associate Artistic Directors Doug Baird, Susannah Greenwood, Diane Milo Marketing & Communications Director Leslie Gaynor Director of Engagement Irene Trapp Social Media Advisor Ruby Stone (StoneMediaConsulting.com) TOSPS Guest Company / Non-profit Liaison Jeanie Burgess Education Artistic Director Jennifer Packard Education Managing Director Ritwika “Ritz” Chandwani Technical Director Joe Cassetta Lighting Consultant Nick Nichols Head Audio Engineer John DiLoreto Costume Designer / Box Office Manager Marilyn Watts TOSPS Concessions Manager Lynne Rice TOSPS Mixologist Josh Salans Web Master, Graphic Artist Betty Gott Tabard Logo Don Barnes (cellarideas.com) TOSPS Logo Mike English Tabard Website Gott Design? (gottdesign.net) Tabard Buttons Harley Goes
President Joe Cassetta Vice President Rich Hemmerling Treasurer Keith Thomas Secretary Patricia Burleigh Recording Secretary Marj Mancuso Members Karen A. Lapinski, Robert Lewis, Leslie Stepanek, Kathy Sutherland Board Member Emeritus Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, Founder
Board of Directors
Ed Correia, Mike Haimson, Jonathan Jackel, Jim Kabel, Butch Kruse, Jason Minsky, Lorrie Wernick
Advisory Board
Sherry Bevis, Joanne Johnson Felt, Alma Guillot, Harley & Esther Goes, Clare Landry, Marcia Lawson, Nicole Letellier, Betty Newton,
Suzanne Rostamizadeh, Bob & Winnie Schlossareck, Barbara & Ed Soohoo, Jack & Sally Stallard, Grace Vaccaro, Bob & Anne Welker
Tabard Audience Advisory Panel (TAAP)
2013–2014 Season Partnering through Donations and Grants
friendS of Tabard
Special thanks to: Farrington Historical
Foundation for providing the funds needed to replace all of our
drapes and curtains.
Journey of the heart. Tabard.Be engaged. Tabard.
‘tab’ard: \’tab- erd also -ärd\ n: 1. An ancient London inn featured in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, from which pilgrims began their journey to Canterbury Cathedral and at which the innkeeper offered a free meal to the best storyteller. 2. A tunic worn by a knight over his armor and emblazoned with his sovereign’s arms. 3. The name appropriated by numerous contemporary collegiate literary fraternities. 4. A dynamic and imaginative theatre company in Silicon Valley, CA
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Administrative Office: 5663 Chambertin Drive San Jose, CA 95118 408-979-0231
cathy@tabardtheatre.org www.tabardtheatre.org
Our Mission Statement: The Tabard Theatre Company is committed to making a difference in the community through the arts by providing professional-quality theatre experiences such as productions and workshops that are appropriate and affordable for audiences of all ages. Tabard focuses on new works or works not commonly produced. Especially engaged with altruism and philanthropy, Tabard reaches out to the under-served, such as the blind/visually impaired and children in low-income areas, and donates a portion of each production’s concession proceeds to a designated local charity.
A 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation
Executive Director: Nick Nichols Producing Artistic Director: Cathy Spielberger Cassetta