Fairfield Center Stage Fairfield, CT , Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
Fairfield Center Stage PRESENTS REEFER MADNESS Music by Dan Studney Lyrics by Kevin Murphy Book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney Music Director ELI NEWSOM Director MAGGIE MEATH Choreographer EMILY FRANGIPANE Sound Designer CHRIS GENSUR Stage Manager KELLY BENENATI Scenic Designer KELLEY WRIGHT Costume Designer CHRISTY McINTOSHNEWSOM Artistic Director CHRISTY MCINTOSHNEWSOM Executive Director ELI NEWSOM Reefer Madness is presented by arrangement by Concord Theatricals. Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
Scene I: Trevi Lounge Reefer Madness! Lecturer, Company Scene II: A Back Yard Romeo and Juliet Jimmy, Mary Scene III: A Reefer Den The Stuff Mae Scene IV: A Five-And-Dime Store Down at the Ol' Five and Dime Company Scene V: A Reefer Den Jimmy Takes a Hit / The Orgy Jimmy, Sally, Goat-Man, Jack, Mae, Ralph Scene VI: A Backyard Scene VII: A Church Lonely Pew Mary Listen to Jesus, Jimmy Jesus, Company Scene VIII: A Reefer Den Scene IX: A Street, A Driveway, A Balcony Mary Jane / Mary Lane Jimmy, Mary Act I Finale Mary, Lecturer, Jack, Company Scene I: A City Street, A Train Station Jimmy On the Lam Jazz Trio Backup Girls The Brownie Song Jimmy Scene II: A Five-And-Dime Store Down at the Ol' Five-and-Dime (Reprise) Mr. Poppy Scene III: A Reefer Den Little Mary Sunshine Ralph, Mary Mary's Death Mary, Jimmy Scene IV: A Reefer Den Murder! Company The Stuff (Reprise) Mae Scene V: An Execution Chamber, A Town Square Tell 'Em the Truth Company SONGS ACT I ACT II Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
BAND The Reefer Madness BAND: (music tracks for this production were recorded in-studio by our long-time FCS musicians and mixed/mastered by local musician Aaron Brady) Keyboard: Clay Zambo Bass: Charles Casimiro Reed: Kate Testani Guitar/Recording Engineer: Aaron Brady Drums: Gabe Nappi Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
Cast Members The Lecturer Marilyn Olsen Jimmy Joe Cardozo Mary Lindsay Protsko Jack / Jesus Robert Alexander Mae Lisa Dahlstrom Ralph Sophie Bardos Sally Kaylin Cardozo Placard Girl Jennifer Turner Everyone Else Grace Ferrante, Elissa Ranney CAST Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
Crew Members Director Maggie Meath Executive Producer / Music Director Eli Newsom Artistic Director / Costume Designer Christy McIntosh-Newsom Choreographer Emily Frangipane Sound Designer Chris Gensur Scenic Designer Kelley Wright Stage Manager Kelly Benenati Props Manager Elaine Vassiliades Scenic Artist / Assistant Props Designer Tere Mak Assistant Stage Managers Alana Merly, Cheyenne Perez Media Manager Brian Bish Front of House Trudi Durrell, Tere Mak CREW Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
WHO'S WHO Marilyn Olsen (The Lecturer) Marilyn is excited to be back at the Trevi and her FCS family!!! She was last seen as Donna in Mamma Mia, and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret. Other favorites: Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard; Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd; Madam Rose, Gypsy; The Witch, Into The Woods; Mme Thenardier, Les Miserables; Maria Callas, Master Class. Marilyn is a PA in Waterbury. Special thanks go to Maggie, Eli and Emily. Thanks also to husband John and her two favorite productions, Philip and Ellie, for supporting her creative side. Joe Cardozo (Jimmy) Joe is pleased to be back with FCS. Previous credits include In the Heights, Hair and American Idiot. Thank you to all for coming out and supporting. Lindsay Protsko (Mary) Lindsay is psyched to be participating in another production with Fairfield Center Stage! She has appeared as Medium Alison in Fun Home and in A Christmas Carol Experience recently. Other favorites are RENT (Maureen) and Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly). A freshman at UCONN studying Psychology, she has a huge love for theater. Lindsay is so grateful to her family, friends, directors, and fabulous co-stars for the endless fun she’s had along the way! Robert Alexander (Jack / Jesus) Robert is excited to play Jack in this version of Reefer Madness. Robert recently played Scrooge in FCS’s A Christmas Carol Experience. I'm happy to have an opportunity to continue to grow as a performer with this wonderful group of people. Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
WHO'S WHO Lisa Dahlstrom (Mae) Lisa returns to Fairfield Center Stage having appeared in Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), The Music Man (Eulalie Shinn), The Secret Garden (Claire Holmes), A Christmas Carol Experience (Mrs. Cratchit,) and La Cage Aux Folles (Madame Renaud.) Other favorite roles include Company (Amy,) The Wiz (Addaperle,) How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Smitty), Ruthless (Eve) and Lily St. Regis (Annie.) Lisa thanks her family for holding up the house while she is in the Reefer den every night. Sophie Bardos (Ralph) Soph [they/them] is a CT-based performer and theatrical designer. They are absolutely thrilled to be making their FCS debut after a twoyear acting break! Other credits include Leilah in Uncommon Women and Others (Connecticut College Theater), The Editor in Away With Words (Wig & Candle Theater Company), and a lead artist in Death/ Play (SLC Theater). So much gratitude to Maggie, Eli, Kelly, and the whole cast and crew for getting me back on stage! @sbardosdesign Kaylin Cardozo (Sally) Kaylin is lit up with excitement to be a part of this hilarious show with Fairfield Center Stage! Favorite roles include; The Witch in Into The Woods, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Ariel Moore in Footloose, and Erma in Anything Goes. Thanks and love to her husband Joe, her parents for seeing every show (no matter what the subject matter), and to the whole cast and crew for their talent and exceptional work ethic! Let's blaze it, guys! Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
WHO'S WHO Jennifer Turner (Placard Girl) Jenn is ecstatic to be part of this crazy show. This is her first musical since starting her family. She has been previously featured in A Christmas Elf Spectacular (Twinkle Bell), Godspell, and has choreographed a national winning number. She would like to thank all the people who have given her the opportunity to continue in the arts, especially her husband Steve for helping to take care of their son so she can rehearse. Grace Ferrante (Everyone Else) Grace is so thrilled to be a part of this ridiculous show in all the best ways! She made her FCS debut in Spring 2023 as Hot Box Doll/ Featured Dancer in Guys and Dolls. Other FCS productions include Rocky Horror Picture Show (Phantom) and Elf: The Musical (Tiara/ Featured Dancer). She would like to thank Maggie and the other wonderful folks on the production team! Break legs and burn gels! Elissa Ranney (Everyone Else) Elissa is thrilled to be performing again with FCS after dancing in Elf the Musical this winter! She holds a BFA in Dance from Adelphi University and trained with Paul Taylor Dance Company, STEPS on Broadway, Peridance Center, and American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive. Some favorite past roles include Maria in West Side Story, Liesl in The Sound of Music, and Chava in Fiddler on the Roof. Elissa would like to thank Maggie, Emily, Eli and all the cast and crew for this fun opportunity, as well as her husband Taylor and son Sawyer for their love and support! Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
CREW WHO'S WHO Maggie Meath (Director) Maggie has been a proud participant at FCS since its inception. As Director, credits include: Dracula (Bridgeport Theatre Company); Dial M for Murder, Godspell, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Fame (The Bijou Theatre); Godspell at (WCT); The Happy Elf (TPNC). Maggie is FCS’s Parent Liaison and Kindergartner director. She sings professionally with 4 local bands, co-owns an Etsy shop, and is a proud mom to Lucky and Xandre. Huge THANKS to Maggie’s loving family, and to Christy and Eli for the tireless encouragement. Eli Newsom (Executive Producer / Music Director) Along with running the day-to-day operations for Fairfield Center Stage, Eli staffs and supports all of the production teams throughout the season. He is the former Producing Artistic Director of both Downtown Cabaret Main Stage Theatre (2015-18) and Bridgeport Theatre Company (2010-15), where he produced approximately 40 shows. He served as Director at Fairfield Teen Theatre for seven years, and he works as a Music Director for various Fairfield county school productions throughout the year. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, after many years in non-profit and professional theatre as a singer/actor/dancer, he eventually discovered he much prefers directing and producing. Eli is a proud resident of downtown Fairfield with his wife Christy (also FCS Artistic Director!), kids CJ and Melody, and dogs Abby and Fozzie Bear. Thanks to the entire production team and cast of reefer denizens for such an enjoyable rehearsal process. Christy McIntosh-Newsom (Artistic Director / Costume Designer) Christy is elated to be here in the reefer den with these bonkers and brilliant artists! Some favorite costume design credits include Fun Home, La Cage Aux Folles, and Dreamgirls. In addition to serving as Artistic Director of FCS, Christy is also the Education Director for FCS youth programming, the Drama Director at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, a freelance director, voice and audition coach, wife, and mommy to CJ and Melody. Thank you to Maggie, Em, Eli, Kelly and this whole amazing team! Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
CREW WHO'S WHO Emily Frangipane (Choreographer) Emily holds a B.F.A in Dance from Emerson College. Performing credits include Rent, A Chorus Line, Cabaret and the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Recently she choreographed Elf and La Cage Aux Folles with FCS. The Addams Family, Something Rotten and Chicago at Darien High School. In Fairfield, choreography includes Hedwig and The Angry Inch, American Idiot, In The Heights, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Spring Awakening. She’s also choreographed at Curtain Call in Stamford. Emily teaches dance and performing when she gets the opportunity. Chris Gensur (Sound Designer) Chris has been working in professional theatre since Sept 2000. This is his second full season as the resident sound designer and sound board operator for FCS. He was the sound engineer/ sound designer at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre from July 2009 to March 2020. He has worked with Eli & Christy and the entire FCS family on countless shows since Bridgeport Theatre Company. In Feb 2020. Big shout out and thanks to Eli for constantly supplying me with new audio equipment toys! Kelley Wright (Scenic Designer) Kelley began assisting work on the FCS sets for La Cage Aux Folles, and Guys and Dolls. She co-designed FCS's Finding Nemo Jr., Addams Family, & Matilda, and solo designed Fun Home and Elf. Kelley started Set Designing in theater with the world premier of Lee Murphy’s Monkey Grass in Los Angeles. She worked in television and film as an Art Director, Set Decorator, and Production Designer for over 20 years. Her credits include The Bonnie Hunt Show, HBO Comedy Festivals, the SAG awards, Grammys, and the Oscars twice. She won an Art Department Emmy for the 75th Oscars. Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.
CREW WHO'S WHO Kelly Benenati (Stage Manager) Kelly is thrilled to be working with FCS for the first time! This is her fourth show collaborating with Maggie as Director, having previously worked as Stage Manager on The Mystery of Edwin Drood (The Bijou Theatre) and The Happy Elf (The Town Players of New Canaan), and as Assistant Director on Godspell (Westport Community Theatre.) She is a graduate of Fordham University and currently works as Marketing Manager of the Westport Country Playhouse. Alana Merly (Assistant Stage Manager) Alana is very excited to be working on her fifth show with FCS! She was previously on the crew for Fun Home and Elf, and looks forward to many more shows to come. She would like to thank Maggie, Eli and the whole FCS family for being the absolute best! Cheyenne Perez (Assistant Stage Manager) Cheyenne is so excited to have joined this awesome show. This is her second time working as a crew member in a Fairfield Center Stage show, and fifth FCS show. Thank you to Maggie, Eli, and all the cast and crew for giving her the opportunity to be a part of this experience. All the love and gratitude to her family for the support, and her partner Courtney, her biggest inspiration of all. Brian Bish (Media Manager) Brian is honored to be a part of the Fairfield Center Stage team! Favorite productions with this creative team include The Wedding Singer, American Idiot, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The SpongeBob Musical and Fun Home. Much love to my husband, Jack! Copyright © 2024 Playbill Online Inc. All marks used by permission.