2023 105 T H SEASON
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3 Mike Isaacson Artistic Director & Executive Producer MIKE’S NOTES Tonight, we play Chess. Already a world-wide legendary musical, it arrives at a perfect time for our city and our grand Muny stage. If you’re about to see it for the first time, relax and settle in. You’re about to win. How did the game begin? With a first move by the brilliant lyricist Tim Rice. Tim approached his frequent collaborator Andrew Lloyd Webber with a variety of ambitious ideas for a musical that would explore the Cold War’s impact on geopolitics – and on the human heart. He finally landed upon the 1972 chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, an event that held the world rapt. You did not need to be a chess player to find this match, West versus East, enthralling. A game of pure strategy was the perfect metaphor, and Rice realized it was also the ideal engine for a musical. The intrigue of that suspenseful competition revealed lives and destinies caught up in forces we might have suspected were at play, but never fully understood. Within this coolly cerebral, hotly dramatic world, Rice created the heartbreaking love triangle of Florence, Freddy, and Anatoly. Each must struggle to hold their game together as the forces of love reveal deeper mysteries. Chess followed the path of successful pop operas such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita by debuting as a record album before it became a stage show. In 1984, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by two ABBA songwriters, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the double album of Chess, the musical, was released. An immediate, worldwide sensation, the album sold millions of copies. TIME magazine wrote that “the rock-symphonic synthesis [was] ripe with sophistication and hummable tunes.” Two of the album’s songs, “One Night in Bangkok” and “I Know Him So Well,” became huge pop hits. Two years later, the show premiered at London’s Prince Edward Theatre. Chess, the musical, fans and chessplaying devotees filled the theater. In 1988, a highly re-written version (there’s a complicated story about that) opened on Broadway. It was rewritten yet again for a successful national tour. Tonight’s Muny version returns mostly to the original London edition. Inspired by its glorious music, there have been countless productions (even in Russia), concert tours, a PBS special with Josh Groban and Idina Menzel, and multiple recordings. In two generations, the show has developed an enthusiastic global following. There are three distinct Chess Facebook pages, countless discussion sites, and maybe the most comprehensive fan website ever, chessthemusical.weebly. com. Like its namesake, Chess is rich with nuance, history, and the flawed nobility of human nature. The mystery of each move — how, why and when it is made — soars to life in the show’s exquisite, almost operatic score and intelligent lyrics. (And just wait until you hear this extraordinary cast sing this for you tonight. This is a “bucket list” show for all of them.) Our journey to tonight’s production began eight years ago, when I was walking near my Central West End home, marveling at all the international guests visiting the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame. I could feel the energy, the passion and dedication sparked by this game. So I started to snoop around a bit, and I soon discovered how much the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame had in common with The Muny. Both were civic gems committed to the history and future of their form and eager to reveal its power to all St. Louisans—showcasing their talent in the process. Also, like The Muny, the Club and Hall of Fame are celebrated internationally with games and tournaments played in St. Louis and broadcast throughout the world. So I found the right person and asked, “Hey, have you ever heard of Chess, the musical?” Thanks to the quick response, tonight we play the game together.
THEATRE ETIQUETTE • Use of cameras or recording equipment of any kind is strictly prohibited during the show. • Curtain time at The Muny is promptly 8:15 p.m. Please wait for a pause in the action before you find or return to your seats. • All guests must have a ticket. If your child moves to your lap during the performance, please be respectful of those around you. • Please avoid singing along with the show. • Please remember...the show is not over until after the actors have taken their curtain calls. Muny performers have said, “There is no greater theatre audience than the Muny audience.” Please show them your gratitude by remaining at your seat until after the curtain call. Please Do Not Use Your Cell Phone and Electronic Devices During the Performance. 4 A BIG MUNY THANK YOU! On behalf of The Muny, we are grateful you joined us tonight. To ensure a wonderful evening under the stars for all, please be considerate to those around you. We encourage you to take photos before the show! #muny105 JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
105TH SEASON • THIRD PRODUCTION • JULY 5 — 11, 2023 • 8:15 P.M. 5 and Artistic Director & Executive Producer Mike Isaacson Scenic Design Costume Design Lighting Design Sound Design Edward E. Haynes, Jr. Emily Rebholz Rob Denton John Shivers & David Patridge and Based on an idea by Tim Rice Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus Production Stage Manager Kelsey Tippins Casting The Telsey Office Destiny Lilly, CSA Priya Ghosh Wig Design Tommy Kurzman Video Design Alex Basco Koch Music Direction by Jason DeBord Jessica Vosk Jarrod Spector John Riddle Taylor Louderman Associate Direction & Choreography by Lee Wilkins Starring CHESS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com Mike Isaacson Artistic Director & Executive Producer Kwofe A. Coleman President & Chief Executive Officer Direction & Choreography by Josh Rhodes Lyrics by Tim Rice -also starringRodney Hicks Phillip Johnson Richardson Tally Sessions Associate Music Direction by Michael Horsley
4657 Maryland Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63108 @STLChessClub 4652 Maryland Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63108 @WorldChessHOF stlchesscampus.org D C T X Did you know that Saint Louis is the Chess Capital of the United States? The Saint Louis Chess Campus—home of the Saint Louis Chess Club, World Chess Hall of Fame, and the World’s Largest Chess Piece—is the international destination for chess lessons, tournaments, exhibitions, culture, and more. Whether you are just curious about chess or looking to improve your game, the Saint Louis Chess Campus has you in check! EXPERIENCE THE SAINT LOUIS CHESS CAMPUS
FROM OUR SPONSOR 7
Our chess team doesn’t sing or dance, but they play chess better than any other collegiate chess team in the country. Learn more about Webster’s role in making Missouri a chess powerhouse. webster.edu
MUSICAL NUMBERS 9 ACT ONE: MERANO ITALY Merano ...................................................................................................................The Company Commie Newspapers......................................................................Frederick, Walter, Florence Press Conference......................................................................Frederick, Reporters, Florence Anatoly and Molokov...................................................................................... Anatoly, Molokov Where I Want to Be ......................................................................................................... Anatoly Diplomats (Dangerous and Difficult Times) ..................................................Molokov, Walter ...................................................................................American Delegation, Russian Delegation The Arbiter......................................................................................................Arbiter, Ensemble Hymn to Chess ...................................................................................................... The Company The Merchandisers .......................................................................... Merchandisers, Ensemble Chess #1...................................................................................................................Instrumental The Arbiter – Reprise.....................................................................................Arbiter, Ensemble Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility).................Molokov, Florence, Arbiter, Anatoly Florence and Molokov ..................................................................................Florence, Molokov 1956 – Budapest Is Rising...........................................................................Florence, Frederick Nobody’s Side .............................................................................................Florence, Ensemble Der Kleine Franz......................................................................................................Instrumental Mountain Duet...............................................................................Florence, Anatoly, Frederick Chess #2 ..................................................................................................................Instrumental Florence Quits ..............................................................................................Frederick, Florence Pity the Child................................................................................................................ Frederick Embassy Lament.................................................................................... Civil Servants, Anatoly Heaven Help My Heart .................................................................................................Florence Anatoly and the Press ................................................................................................ Reporters Anthem............................................................................................................................. Anatoly ACT TWO: BANGKOK, THAILAND Golden Bangkok......................................................................................................Instrumental One Night in Bangkok............................................................................... Frederick, Ensemble One More Opponent .......................................................................................Anatoly, Florence You and I ..........................................................................................................Anatoly, Florence The Soviet Machine ....................................................................................... Molokov, Cronies Interview ...........................................................................Walter, Molokov, Frederick, Anatoly Someone Else’s Story ................................................................................................... Svetlana The Deal .............................................Arbiter, Frederick, Molokov, Svetlana, Walter, Florence I Know Him So Well...................................................................................... Florence, Svetlana Talking Chess ................................................................................................ Frederick, Anatoly Endgame.................................................................................................................The Company You and I – Reprise .........................................................................................Florence, Anatoly Walter and Florence .........................................................................................Walter, Florence EPILOGUE Epilogue ...................................................................................... Florence and The Company The action takes place in and around the arenas of the World Chess Championships in Merano, Italy, and one year later in Bangkok, Thailand. TIME: THE COLD WAR ERA OF THE EARLY 1980'S PROLOGUE The Story of Chess ........................................................................ Arbiter and The Company
CAST 11 The Muny is a professional theatre and the Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are proudly represented by Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the USA. Dance Captain EMILIE RENIER PHILLIP JOHNSON RICHARDSON JARROD SPECTOR JESSICA VOSK JOHN RIDDLE RODNEY HICKS TALLY SESSIONS TAYLOR LOUDERMAN Swings BRADY MILLER, EMILIE RENIER Arbiter Frederick Trumper, American grandmaster Florence Vassy, Frederick’s lover/second Anatoly Sergievsky, Russian grandmaster Walter De Courcey, head of the American delegation Alexander Molokov, head of the Russian delegation Svetlana Sergievskaya, Anatoly’s wife ENSEMBLE Annelise Baker, Jett Blackorby, Eric Allen Boyd, Sydney Chow, Cicily Daniels, Spencer Dean, Matt Faucher, Anna Gassett, Brian Golub, Omega Jones, Sydney Jones, Gareth Keegan, Sage Lee, Daniel May, Trina Mills, Alysha Morgan, Kristen Faith Oei, Alex Prakken, Shelby Ringdahl, Michael Seltzer, Avilon Trust Tate YOUTH ENSEMBLE Riley Adams, Addison Buckner, Jason Clyde, DJ DeJesus, Olivia DeMaio, Jude Emperado, Luke Ferrante, Noelle Hammond, Alex Malone, Brynn Meyer, Chase Ra’Mel Phillips, Yasmine Ravandi, Henry Riggan, Jameson Roam, Sophie Russ, Ruby Simmons, Reagan Thomas, Isla Turner, Micah Webster-Bass OFFSTAGE SINGERS Henry Chackes, Ben Iken, Spencer Jones, Trixie Kohlenberger, Aspen Meyer, Rebecca Mooney, Kalia Pagano, Adriano Robins, Victor de Paula Rocha, Katie Beth Terrill, Noah Van Ess, Asher Woodward Citizens of Merano and Bangkok, Reporters, Delegates, Civil Servants and various other roles played by the Ensemble TAKE METROLINK AND SHUT TLE TO THE MUNY! S H U T T L E S E R V I C E The Muny provides a FREE courtesy shuttle service from the MetroLink DeBaliviere Station to The Muny every performance evening between 7pm and 12 midnight. All electric, environmentally friendly vehicles from Labyrinth Smart Mobility are being utilized as The Muny works to make access easier and transportation cleaner. Fight Captain TRINA MILLS
For 103 years, Ameren and The Muny have partnered to power the lives and livelihoods of creatives and our communities. This year we bring you a family favorite, Beauty and the Beast. Like Belle with her beloved books, we hope this show takes you to places that only a story can. And to encourage young readers to reach for the stars, we hope you will consider a book donation to the official community partner of this evening’s performance, Ready Readers. “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” — Ernest Hemingway Bright tomorrows start with doing good today. Ameren.com/Community
JESSICA VOSK (Florence Vassy) returns to The Muny after starring as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last summer. Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, The Bridges of Madison County. Vosk recently returned to Carnegie Hall in Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration after her sold-out solo concert there, and just wrapped a 20-city solo concert tour. Best known for her starturn as Elphaba in Wicked, both on tour and in the 15th Anniversary Broadway company, she recently performed “Defying Gravity” in the Great Performances 50th Anniversary Concert (PBS). She starred in the Jerome Robbins tribute Something to Dance About with the company of the NYC Ballet. Jessica produced two albums that debuted on the Billboard and iTunes charts, Wild and Free and A Very Coco Christmas. Having started with a career in finance, her one-of-a-kind story has been covered by ABC’s 20/20 and NBC Nightly News. @jessicavosk JARROD SPECTOR (Frederick Trumper) Muny: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Barry Mann). Broadway: Les Misérables (Gavroche), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Barry Mann, Tony nomination), The Cher Show (Sonny Bono). New York: Hamlet (Hamlet). National tours: Les Misérables, Jersey Boys. Regional: Piece of My Heart (Bert Berns, New York Stage and Film), Presto Change-O (Michael, Barrington Stage Company), Roman Holiday (Irving Radovich, Golden Gate Theatre), The Cher Show (Sonny Bono, Nederlander Theatre), Bruce (Steven Spielberg, Seattle Rep). TV/ Streaming: Halston, Wormwood, A Killer Party, The Kate (Regional Emmy nomination). Jarrod tours the country with his critically acclaimed solo concerts and duet performances with his wife, Kelli Barrett, and has released two solo albums. Come see him at The Blue Strawberry in St. Louis’ Central West End on July 12th! Proud member of AEA. For K, always. @jarrodspector JOHN RIDDLE (Anatoly Sergievsky) received his Equity card 15 years ago in the ensemble of The Muny’s Annie. Other Muny: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Titanic, Show Boat, Legally Blonde and others. Recently, John played Raoul in the final Broadway company of The Phantom of the Opera. He originated the roles of Young Anton in The Visit opposite Chita Rivera and Hans in Disney’s Frozen. Off-Broadway/New York: Titanique (Lortel nomination), The Secret Garden in Concert (Lincoln Center), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince, Town Hall). National tour: Evita. Regional: Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Casa Mañana, Naples Opera, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. @thejohnriddle TAYLOR LOUDERMAN (Svetlana Sergievskaya) is a Tony-nominated actress from Bourbon, MO. Favorite Muny credits: Aida (Amneris), Grease (Sandy), Hairspray (Amber), Kinky Boots (Lauren) and Muny Teens! She made her Broadway debut starring in Bring It On: The Musical with The Muny’s own Mike Isaacson. Additional credits include the original Broadway cast of Mean Girls (Regina), Kinky Boots (Lauren), NBC’s Kenan (Tami), Peter Pan Live! (Wendy), Nick Jr.’s Sunny Day (Blair) and CBS’s Evil (Malindaz). Love to the Muny family, my family and Addison2 . RODNEY HICKS (Walter De Courcey) The Muny: Paint Your Wagon (H. Ford). Broadway: Come From Away (Bob, OBC), The Scottsboro Boys (Clarence Norris, OBC), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter, 2000 Revival), Rent (Paul/ Ensemble), OBC/ Benjamin Coffin III, closing cast). TV/Film: Leverage (TNT), Grimm (NBC), Rent: Live on Broadway (Apple TV/Amazon), NYPD Blue (ABC), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC), Hope & Faith (ABC), Student Affairs (pilot). Rodney can currently be seen in Mighty Oak (Apple TV/Paramount Pictures) and WHO’S WHO 13
CEA-15384-A-AD EXP 19 SEP 2024 © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD Member SIPC Talent deserves an audience We are proud to support The Muny that shines the spotlight on diverse perspectives and brings art to life. edwardjones.com/purposeinaction
ANNELISE BAKER (Ensemble) Her Muny debut! Broadway: Jagged Little Pill. Opera: The Merry Widow (The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago). Regional: The Outsiders (La Jolla Playhouse), Cabaret (Asolo Rep), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse). BA, Northwestern. Thank you Mom & Dad. @birdsofbaker annelisebaker.com JETT BLACKORBY (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to The Muny this season in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Chess. Favorite Muny Teen credits: Kinky Boots (Hooch), Jersey Boys (Ensemble). Regional: West Side Story (Diesel). Rising Senior at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Musical Theatre. Special thanks to my love, Christian and my wonderful family. ERIC ALLEN BOYD (Ensemble) Miami native making his Muny debut! Select credits: Hairspray and Grease (Royal Caribbean Productions), and most recently seen in Mu’allaqat: An Extension of Glories (Saudi Arabia). Grateful for the support from his fiancé, family and friends, and would like to thank Mikey, the creative team and casting for their support. SYDNEY CHOW (Ensemble) is happy to return to The Muny! Muny: Camelot. Regional: Asolo Rep, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Engeman Theater, Forestburgh Playhouse, Northern Stage. She is originally from CA and is a 2021 Theatre and Dance graduate of Wagner College. Thank you to Pantera/ Murphy the Agency! @sydchow sydney-chow.com CICILY DANIELS (Ensemble) performed at The Muny in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (national tour). Broadway: Once on This Island (revival), The Little Mermaid (OBC) and Rent. National tour: A Night with Janis Joplin. TV/Film: The Other Two, Mozart in the Jungle, Ugly Betty, Across the Universe. She thanks her family and agents. SPENCER DEAN (Ensemble) Ecstatic to make his Muny debut! Regional: Cats (Rum Tum Tugger, City Springs), The Drowsy Chaperone (Swing, Goodspeed), A Chorus Line (Bobby, The Lex). TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Principal Dancer). BFA: The Boston Conservatory. Lots of love to friends and family, especially mom - you are my queen! @jspencerdean MATT FAUCHER (Ensemble) Muny: Oklahoma!; My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly!; Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Off-Broadway: The Threepenny Opera the upcoming feature film The Sumber Party (Disney+/ Imagine Entertainment). Playwright: 1968 an American Love Story (book; with music and lyrics by David Austin), FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play; Ms. Pearl’s Cabaret (Eugene O’Neill semi-finalist), Just Press Save (Eugene O’Neill semi-finalist). PHILLIP JOHNSON RICHARDSON (Arbiter) Muny: Newsies, All Shook Up, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, The Music Man. Regional: Goddess (Berkeley Rep) and Hamilton (Chicago’s CIBC Theatre). Film/TV: Sharper, The Last O.G.; Little Voice, Chicago PD, Proven Innocent and The Other Two. Education: BFA, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. @philsgoodmusic TALLY SESSIONS (Alexander Molokov) Muny: South Pacific, Spamalot. Broadway: Company, Anastasia, War Paint, Falsettos, Paramour, School of Rock, Big Fish, The House of Blue Leaves. Off-Broadway: Giant (Public Theater), Queen of the Mist (Transport Group), Anyone Can Whistle (NY City Center Encores!), Yank!; Godspell and Hallelujah, Baby! (York Theatre). Tours: Legally Blonde, South Pacific, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Regional theatres: Paper Mill Playhouse (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors), Goodspeed Musicals (Holiday Inn, Carousel, Lizzie Borden), Old Globe (The Gardens of Anuncia, Rain, Robin and the Seven Hoods), Signature Theatre (Assassins, The Gospel According to Fishman), Kansas City Rep (Sweeney Todd), Asolo Rep (The Sound of Music), Westport Playhouse (The Immigrant), Olney Theatre (Carousel), Studio Theatre (Silence!), Kennedy Center (How to Succeed…). Film/TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Falling Water, Elementary and Burning Man. Awards: Two Carbonell Awards, Henry Award, two Helen Hayes nominations, Connecticut Critics Circle nomination. thetallysessions. com Instagram/Twitter: @tallysessions WHO’S WHO 15 (RODNEY HICKS BIO CONTINUED)
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WHO’S WHO 17 (Macheath). National tour: Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Beautiful. Regional: Goodspeed Musicals, Paper Mill Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Asolo Rep, Northern Stage, Olney Theatre. TV: FBI: Most Wanted. Love to Britt, Mimi. @the_fauch ANNA GASSETT (Ensemble) is ecstatic to return to The Muny! Muny credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Joseph… Dreamcoat, Chicago. Recent graduate of Texas State University, BFA in Musical Theatre. Special thanks to her family, mentors and TXSTMT. @annagassett, annagassett.com BRIAN GOLUB (Ensemble) National tours: Jesus Christ Superstar (Priest, u/s Annas/Pilate), School of Rock (Gabe, u/s Ned), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Reuben). International: Jekyll & Hyde. Regional: The Secret Garden (Archie), Memphis (Huey, Carbonell Award), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour). Film: When in Rome (Male Secretary). Thanks Josh and Avalon! Namaste, y’all. @Brigolub @Unclebrianwellness, BrianGolub.com OMEGA JONES (Ensemble) Muny: Kinky Boots (Simon Sr.), Sweeney Todd, The Color Purple (Preacher, Ol’ Mister, u/s Harpo). Regional: Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dreamgirls (Stray Dog Theatre), Grey Gardens (Max & Louie Productions), Polkadots (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Many hearts to my family and TOES. @CriticalBard SYDNEY JONES (Ensemble) is happy to be returning home to The Muny. Previous Muny credits: Legally Blonde, Joseph…Dreamcoat. Broadway: A Beautiful Noise. Regional: Grease (Sandy, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), The Karate Kid (Stages St. Louis). Love to Mom, Dad, Spencer and Brett. GARETH KEEGAN (Ensemble) Broadway: Diana: The Musical (OBC). Regional: Diana: The Musical (La Jolla Playhouse), The Who’s Tommy (Denver Center), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ridgefield Playhouse). International: Hugh Jackman’s Broadway to Oz, Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You, Cat Stevens’ Moonshadow. TV/Film: Diana (Netflix), Tommy, Instinct, The Rundown, The Good Fight. SAGE LEE(Ensemble) is elated to be returning this summer to The Muny! Muny: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Camelot, The Color Purple. National tour: Hairspray (Gilbert, u/s Seaweed). Regional: Spring Awakening (Moritz, Short North Stage), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey 2, Carnegie Theatre). Much love to my family and MMV team. @theeonesage DANIEL MAY (Ensemble) Muny debut! Daniel just starred as Kayama in Pacific Overtures at Washington D.C.’s Signature Theatre. Broadway: Flower Drum Song (revival). Off-Broadway: Soft Power (The Public Theater), Red Eye of Love. National tours: The Prom, Soft Power, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Regional: Kennedy Center. Instagram: @danielmayofficial BRADY MILLER (Swing) is honored to make his Muny debut! National tour: 42nd Street. Regional: 42nd Street (Goodspeed), The Sound of Music (Rolf, Tuacahn), Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay, Tuacahn), Jersey Boys (Stages St. Louis), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Riverside Theatre), Gypsy (Tulsa, Lyric Stage Company), Anything Goes (PCLO). Love to my family, Michael and Professional Artists. @itsbradymiller TRINA MILLS (Ensemble, Fight Captain, Assistant Choreographer) Born and raised in Seattle WA, Mills is so honored to be back at the beautiful Muny! Muny performances: Jersey Boys, Paint Your Wagon. Selected regional: 5th Avenue Theatre: The Wiz (Glinda), A Chorus Line (Sheila). Village Theatre: Mamma Mia! (Tanya). The Kennedy Center: Tommy. Love to Josh and Lee! ALYSHA MORGAN (Ensemble) Muny debut! OffBroadway: The Harder They Come (Ensemble, The Public Theater). Regional: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (DeLee, Engeman), A Wonderful World (DC, Miami New Drama). National tours: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Ensemble, Second National). Commercials: Shoe Dazzle, JustFab. Proverbs 3:6. @TheAlyshaMorgan KRISTEN FAITH OEI (Ensemble) Broadway (all OBC): Spiderman (u/s MJ), King Kong, Diana, M. Butterfly; The King and I. Off-Broadway: Kung Fu, Soft Power. Tours/Sitdowns: Wicked, We Will Rock You, Aida (u/s Amneris), West Side Story, Fame. Others: Hercules (Hera), Joy, Guys and Dolls, Other World. Favorite TV/ Film: Mozart in the Jungle, Estella Scrooge. @dragonfly02 (MATT FAUCHER BIO CONTINUED)
WHO’S WHO 19 ALEX PRAKKEN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at The Muny after appearing as Marius in Les Misérables and The Courier in 1776. Broadway: New York, New York (OBC). National tour: Newsies. Favorite regional: Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The Rev, La Mirada, Paramount. Thanks to Mike, Samantha, and my parents. @alprakken EMILIE RENIER (Swing, Dance Captain) is back for her third season at The Muny: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Favorite credits: Dear World (NY City Center Encores!), Cinderella (national tour), Beauty and the Beast (national/ international tours), Mary Poppins (Mary) and many more. Love to G&G and Ann Steele Agency! SHELBY RINGDAHL (Ensemble) Muny: Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble). Off-Broadway: Oh, Kay! (Constance). New York: Heathers (Ensemble, u/s Heather). National tours: Disenchanted (Snow White), Abba Mania (Agnetha). Regional: Catch Me If You Can (Cheryl Ann), Seussical (Mayzie), Honky Tonk Angels (Sue Ellen). Former Miss Missouri. Love to TCU, The Fab Five, Taylor and sweet Baby Hudson. @shelby_ringdahl MICHAEL SELTZER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to The Muny! Muny: Paint Your Wagon and Jersey Boys. Broadway: West Side Story. Regional: Cabaret (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Hair, Lost in Yonkers and Guys and Dolls (Weston Theater Company). Endless gratitude to Josh, Lee, Jason, Mike, Michael, and his family. AVILON TRUST TATE (Ensemble) is thrilled to make his Muny debut! National tour: Mean Girls (Christian Wiggins, u/s Duvall). Regional: Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ensemble, u/s Lord Pinkelton, North Shore Music Theatre). Musical Theatre major at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Endless gratitude to God, my family, The Collective, LINK 4! Instagram: @avilon.tate ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION “Equity,” founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks JOSH RHODES (Director/Choreographer) is thrilled to return after directing Joseph…Dreamcoat, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Jersey Boys, Paint Your Wagon and choreographing Young Frankenstein. In New York, Josh directed and choreographed Mack & Mabel and Grand Hotel at NY City Center Encores! For the Kennedy Center, he staged the critically acclaimed production of The Who’s Tommy. Josh’s other productions as a director include Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville (Old Globe), Spamalot (The 5th Avenue Theatre) and Cabaret, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls and Evita (The Asolo Repertory). Rhodes recently directed the award-winning musical film, Beau. On Broadway, he choreographed Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, It Shoulda Been You, First Date and Bright Star. On London’s West End, he choreographed Carousel (English National Opera) and Sweeney Todd, starring Emma Thompson. JASON DEBORD (Music Director/Conductor) is honored to be The Charles W. and Janet T. Mueller Conductor. Broadway conducting credits include Shrek, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert; Rock of Ages, Legally Blonde, All Shook Up and Rent. He was resident music supervisor for both the Broadway and world tour productions of Once. Other New York credits include Bare: The Musical; Bat Boy: The Musical; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, New York City Center Encores!; and countless developmental productions of new works. DeBord played and conducted the national tours of A Chorus Line, Rent and Urinetown. Regionally, he has worked at The Muny, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, A.C.T., Alliance Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre. He is a faculty member in the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre. LEE WILKINS (Associate Director/Choreographer) Muny: Joseph…Dreamcoat, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Paint Your Wagon, Jersey Boys. Broadway (Associate Choreographer): Bright Star, It Shoulda Been You, First Date, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Broadway (Actor): Elf (original cast), Spamalot, Wonderful Town, Kiss Me, Kate. Other: Carousel (English National Opera), Mack & Mabel, Grand Hotel and Big River (NY City Center Encores!), Cabaret, The Sound of Music, Evita (Asolo Rep), Guys and Dolls (Old Globe, Asolo Rep), Spamalot (The 5th Avenue), On the Town (LA Philharmonic), Company (Avery Fisher Hall), Minsky’s (Ahmanson). TV: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS), Hatfields and McCoys (NBC) and Alpha House (Amazon Studios). Direction: D23 (Disney), NBC Upfront (Radio City Music Hall), Disney’s The Little
Don’t miss the excitement when legends like Bernhard Langer, David Toms, Timothy O’Neal and John Daly compete at the Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson. All proceeds will benefit area charities including Marygrove, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Pro-Am foursomes, hospitality packages and tickets available at AscensionCharityClassic.com © 2023 Ascension. All rights reserved. Players subject to appear. LEGENDS RETURN! The SEPTEMBER 5–10, 2023 | NORWOOD HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
WHO’S WHO 21 Mermaid (Casa Mañana), First Date (Straz Center), Divas For Democracy (StageIt). MICHAEL HORSLEY (Associate Music Director) is the music supervisor for The Muny and the music director for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Broadway: Chicago, Seussical. National tours: White Christmas, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chicago (with Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen), 42nd Street, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Solo concerts for Lee Roy Reams, Judy Kaye, Luci Arnaz, Shirley Jones, Karen Mason and Tovah Feldshuh. Vocal direction: Detroit Symphony (holiday concert series), National Symphony and Birmingham Symphony. Select Regional: Roman Holiday (Guthrie Theater), White Christmas (Boston’s Wang Theatre, Detroit’s Fox Theatre and Toronto’s Sony Center), On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Music Theatre Wichita), Fiddler on the Roof (American Musical Theatre of San Jose), A Chorus Line (Pioneer Theatre) and The Full Monty (North Carolina Theatre). EDWARD E. HAYNES, JR. (Scenic Designer) is happy to be returning to The Muny where he previously designed sets for The Wiz, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Regional: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pittsburgh City Theatre Company, Trinity Rep, Geffen Playhouse, Ebony Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, The Hollywood Bowl, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, South Coast Repertory, Marin Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Alley Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and many he can no longer remember. TV: MTV Spring Break, Hip Hop Harry (Discovery Family) and Culture Clash (Fox). Ed is the proud father of twins Denis and Wesly, and husband to director Elizabeth Bell-Haynes. EMILY REBHOLZ(Costume Designer) Broadway: Jagged Little Pill (Tony Nomination), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Gettin’ the Band Back Together; Indecent, Dear Evan Hansen, Oh, Hello On Broadway; If/Then; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Select Recent: Dear Evan Hansen (West End), Nantucket Sleigh Ride (Lincoln Center Theater), Jagged Little Pill (American Repertory Theater), The Low Road (The Public Theater, Henry Hewes Design Award, Lucille Lortel Nomination), The Winter’s Tale (Theatre for a New Audience), Mary Jane (New York Theatre Workshop), Twelfth Night (Classic Stage Company), Brigadoon (NY City Center Encores!), The Robber Bridegroom (Roundabout), Lucia Di Lammermoor and Don Giovanni (Santa Fe Opera), Orfeo ed Euridice (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis). MFA Yale University. ROB DENTON (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be back for his 11th season. Select Muny designs include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Chicago, Legally Blonde and Mary Poppins. Regional: Fun Home and The Wolves (TheaterWorks), Jersey Boys and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Fly and The Wizard of Oz (Capital Repertory Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), The Will Rogers Follies (Goodspeed Musicals), The Cake (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (TUTS), Tosca (Opera San Antonio) and Daughter of the Regiment (Atlanta Opera). Upcoming lighting designs include Lizzie The Musical (TheaterWorks). @rdentexdesign JOHN SHIVERS (Sound Designer)Shucked (2023 Tony and Drama Desk nominee), Beauty and the Beast, Pretty Woman (Worldwide), Paramour, Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award), Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway; Leap of Faith, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, 9 to 5, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays. International: Wicked, Tarzan, The Lion King (Shanghai, Singapore). Regional: The Muny (2015-Present), Trading Places, The Wanderer, 42nd Street, Heart of Rock & Roll, The First Wives Club, The Nutty Professor, Tales of the City, Emma, Robin and the 7 Hoods, Ace. Associate: Mary Poppins, Hairspray, The Producers, The Lion King, Titanic, Big, How to Succeed…; Tommy, The Buddy Holly Story. Other credits: Savion Glover, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Gregory Hines and engineering at Electric Lady Studios. DAVID PATRIDGE (Sound Designer) is really happy and honored to be back at The Muny for his eighth season partnered with John Shivers as Sound Designers. He has worked in theatre for 38 years around the world and on Broadway and considers his experiences here in St. Louis as some of the most memorable! These days, when not overeating BBQ here in STL, he can be found working at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in NYC. Special thanks this year to Josh Hummel who has gone above and beyond to supervise putting the system together. (LEE WILKINS BIO CONTINUED)
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WHO’S WHO 23 ALEX BASCO KOCH (Video Designer) Broadway: Be More Chill (Drama Desk, Lortel, Outer Critics Circlenomination), Irena’s Vow. Off-Broadway: Buyer & Cellar (North American tour, Menier Chocolate Factory, Barrow Street Theatre, Rattlestick Theater), Fireflies (Atlantic Theater, Lortel nomination), I Was Most Alive with You (Playwrights Horizons), The Liquid Plain (Signature Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Goodbar (Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival). Regional: Indecent (Guthrie Theater), The Who’s Tommy (Denver Center), Approval Junkie, Tiger Style (Alliance Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company), Stax, Marley (Baltimore Center Stage), Invisible Man (Court Theatre, Chicago; Studio Theatre, Washington, DC; Huntington Theatre Company). Concert: Mariah Carey, Phish, The Magnetic Fields. alexbascokoch.com TOMMY KURZMAN (Wig Designer) Broadway: Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Pictures From Home, The Collaboration, Macbeth, Mrs. Doubtfire, All My Sons, True West, St. Joan, My Fair Lady, Little Foxes, Long Day’s Journey, Bright Star, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof. OffBroadway: Little Shop of Horrors (Westside Theatre), The Roundabout, MCC, The Atlantic, The New Group, The Public, Manhattan Theatre Club, New World Stages. Regional: The Muny, The Huntington, Geva Theatre, Arena Stage, MSM. Opera: Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Santa Fe Opera. Associate Hair Designer on over 15 Broadway productions. Instagram: @TommyKurzmanWigs THE TELSEY OFFICE (Casting) With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theatre, film, television and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability and advocacy. KELSEY TIPPINS (Production Stage Manager) is overjoyed to spend her first summer at The Muny! National tour credits: Pretty Woman the Musical, The Prom, Once on This Island, A Bronx Tale, Finding Neverland, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Elf the Musical and Shrek the Musical. For Ace. @kelseytippins ANNA K. RAINS (Assistant Stage Manager) First season at The Muny! Immersive: The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience (Netflix/Shondaland). Tour: Blue Man Group, The Phantom of the Opera, An American in Paris. Las Vegas: Blue Man Group. Regional: Tuacahn, North Carolina Theatre, Juilliard, Gateway, Virginia Repertory. Proud NC State University alum. Love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and the dogs at home. ASHLEIGH DAVID (Assistant Stage Manager) loves working at The Muny after attending shows here her whole life. Favorite credits include Beautiful (Muny), Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School, Pete the Cat (national tours, TheaterWorksUSA), In the Heights, A Chorus Line (Stages St. Louis), Think of Me Tuesday, Reparations, Baskerville (Gloucester Stage Company), Urinetown, Heathers, Sylvia (Penn Players). ERIC ELZ(Assistant Stage Manager) A graduate of Truman State University, Eric has spent his time as a lighting designer for a variety of corporate clients and musicians over the years as well as for academic institutions and special events. His time at The Muny began in 1996 and he is thrilled to be returning for his 17th season. MIKE ISAACSON (Artistic Director & Executive Producer) is the third person to hold the position in The Muny’s 105-year history, and he’s so grateful you are here tonight. Now in his 12th season, Isaacson has produced 74 Muny shows, 28 of which were new to The Muny stage. With his partner Kristin Caskey, Isaacson produced Parade, starring Ben Platt and Mikaela Bennett, which received the 2023 Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Musical,” his 8th Tony Award. In 2022, they produced David Byrne’s American Utopia, which also became an HBO film by Spike Lee, for which Isaacson received an Emmy nomination as an executive producer. Isaacson and Caskey have produced more than 26 Broadway musicals and plays, national tours, off-Broadway and London productions. They are producing the much-anticipated Broadway return of The Wiz, which begins a pre-Broadway national tour this Fall. Career highlights include: Fun Home (2015 Tony Award, Best Musical; 2018 Olivier Award nominee, Best Musical), The Humans (2016 Tony Award, Best Play), Legally Blonde the Musical (2011 Olivier Award, Best Musical), Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Tony Award, Best Musical), Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker (premiering at London’s Savoy Theatre in January 2024), Burn This starring Adam Driver and Kerri Russell, If/Then starring Idina Menzel, Bring It On: The Musical (2013 Tony nomination for Best Musical), Red (2010 Tony Award,
25 Best Play), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Caroline, or Change; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Death of a Salesman (1999 Tony Award, Best Revival). For the IPN, he served as producer for the Broadway productions of Spamalot (2005 Tony Award, Best Musical), Ragtime (revival), The Color Purple, along with the national tour of 9-to-5 The Musical. All told, his productions have received more than 130 Tony nominations and 37 Tony Awards. Isaacson has received the St. Louis Arts and Education Council’s Award for “Excellence in the Arts” and The Broadway League’s and Theatre Development Fund’s Commercial Theater Institute “Robert Whitehead” Award for Excellence in Producing. He has served on the board of governors and executive committee of The Broadway League and received “Star of Touring Broadway” Award. He received the Equality Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign. He’s honored to work with everyone on and offstage, and offers all gratitude to his husband Joe. (MIKE ISAACSON BIO CONTINUED) WHO’S WHO LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH! Tag and follow us on our socials! @themuny VIOLIN Tova Braitberg CONCERTMASTER Julie Leonhardt Beth Hoffman Isabel Tannenbaum Nathan Banks VIOLA/VIOLIN Carolina Neves PRINCIPAL Wendy Lea Orchestra Personnel Manager CELLO Nathan Hsu Shannon Merciel BASS Tim Weddle PRINCIPAL WOODWINDS Michael Buerk PRINCIPAL Elsie Parker Robert Hughes Nancy Summers TRUMPET Andy Tichenor PRINCIPAL Vicky Smolik FRENCH HORN Corbin Castro PRINCIPAL Steven Hanrahan TROMBONE Tom Vincent PRINCIPAL Tyler Vahldick TUBA Jason Tanksley HARP Megan Stout PERCUSSION Erin Elstner, PRINCIPAL GUITAR Steve Schenkel ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS All Musicians of The Muny Orchestra are members of Local 2-197 of the American Federation of Musicians. MUNY ORCHESTRA Tova Braitberg is the William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Concertmaster. KEYBOARD Ryan Carpenter Chase Anderson Katie Kopff WOODWIND Mike Karpowicz Jacob Johnson DRUMS Matthew Henry BASSOON Peg Bumb TRUMPET Garrett Schmidt GUITAR Aaron Brown
©2023 SSM Health. All rights reserved. CGC-STL-18-458109 5/23 Proud MUNY Partner and Supporting Sponsor of June 22 – 30 Pediatric care that’s as certain as the sun.
ENSEMBLE AND SWINGS 27 Annelise Baker Jett Blackorby Eric Allen Boyd Sydney Chow Cicily Daniels Spencer Dean Matt Faucher Anna Gassett Brian Golub Omega Jones Sydney Jones Gareth Keegan Sage Lee Daniel May Brady Miller Trina Mills Alysha Morgan Kristen Faith Oei Alex Prakken Emilie Renier Shelby Ringdahl Michael Seltzer Avilon Trust Tate
EXPERIENCE EPIC ADVENTURES GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY Scan the QR code via your phone camera or call the Box Office at 314-968-4925 Choice seats starting as low as $20 per show REPSTL.ORG Cast, Moby Dick 2017 Photography courtesy of Lookingglass Theatre Company
STAFF & CREDITS PROVIDING OVATIONS FOR EVERYONE We thank our partners for helping to make this possible: Crawford Taylor Foundation, Thomas A. Kooyumjian Foundation and for the Patti’s Pick program, a gift in memory of Patricia Wolf Gould, from the A.J. Bitker Charitable Foundation. We are no longer accepting Community Access applications for the 2023 season. If your organization has interest in participating in the 2024 season, please contact Jane Schell at [email protected] or 314-595-5708. muny.org/tickets/ticket-savings COMMUNITY ACCESS For more than 100 years, The Muny has welcomed all attendees, regardless of race, economic standing or ethnic background and has provided free admission to more than 10,000,000 since 1919. Besides making available nearly 1,500 free seats nightly on a first-come, first-served basis, The Muny partners with more than 140 social service organizations to provide free tickets that enable underserved and special needs audiences to enjoy a night at The Muny free of charge. 29 The painters & designers at The Muny are members of Local Union 829 of United Scenic Artists. All scenery, audio, lighting & props are constructed by members of IATSE Local 6. All costumes, hair & makeup at The Muny are created and maintained by members of IATSE Local 805. Sound equipment provided by: MASQUE SOUND Assistant Choreographer Cultural Consultant Dialect Coach Associate Scenic Designer Associate Lighting Designer Associate Sound Designer Associate Video Designer Production Video Department Lead Production Video Design Lead Emeritus Assistant Costume Designer Assistant Wig Designer Assistant Stage Managers Video Content Creators Rehearsal Pianists Youth Ensemble Vocal Director Youth Ensemble Coordinators TRINA MILLS STEPHEN SLAUGHTER JOANNA BATTLES KENDRICK KNIGHT SHELBY LOERA DANIEL MIELE KYLEE LOERA BENJI ARRIGO MATT YOUNG LILY KOMAROW HEATHER HARDIN ANNA K. RAINS, ASHLEIGH DAVID, ERIC ELZ SYDNEY DYE, SPENCER ROE-WEAVER, TAYLOR GORDON RYAN CARPENTER, NIC VALDEZ CHARLIE MUELLER ELLEN ISOM, GRACE KNIGHT Special Thanks: STEPHEN SLAUGHTER AND THE THAI CULTURAL CENTER OF GREATER KANSAS CITY NEIL GOLDSTEIN SCHILLER’S
The arts reflect our experiences and expand our lives. At Enterprise, we believe that the arts belong in everyone’s lives, building up our communities and enriching our experiences. ©2022 Enterprise Rent-A-Car. K07298 5.16 Driven to pick people up. Enterprise is a proud supporter of The Muny.
31 Benjamin Ola. Akande Mary V. Atkin Andrew S. Baur Warner L. Baxter Anna Reby Bertman Suzanne S. Brauer Edwin B. Broadhurst III Louis A. Cella Robert J. Ciapciak Parker B. Condie, Jr. Clark S. Davis Steven L. Finerty June McAllister Fowler Christopher Gagliano Davida Lichtenstein Grindstaff Jasmina Hadzialic E. Douglas Harbison Tracy E. Hart Nancy M. Hawes David A. Hogan David M. Hollo Rick Holton, Jr. Celia L. Hosler Gregory Iken Hope Welles Jernagan Steven T. Johnston Grace Jones Opal M. Jones Ashley B. Kemper Timothy J. Kertz Christopher A. Koster John W. Lemkemeier Kathryn E. Love Michael Loynd Derek L. Martin Richard H. McClure Art J. McCoy Michael P. McMillan Richard L. Nix, Jr. Henry B. Pflager III Kitty McDonnell Pipoli William N. Scheffel Elizabeth J. Schlesinger Nicole Schnuck Stephanie Schnuck Tamara Sheffield Sherry Sissac Michele R. Sowers Lucie N. Springmeyer Mary Ann Srenco Cori Cunnane Stebelman Mary Steward Julio F. Suárez Michael J. Torney James S. Turley Clarence C. Barksdale Alice C. Behan Thomas H. Brouster, Sr. Carole L. Buck August A. Busch III Parker B. Condie, Sr. S. Bryan Cook Donald G. Fassold Raymond R. Fournie Ronald A. Fromm Louis J. Fusz, Jr. Earle H. Harbison, Jr. Samuel B. Hayes III Robert R. Hermann, Jr. Douglas E. Hill William F. Holekamp Joseph F. Imbs III Carmen Jacob Stephen G. Jansen Bettie S. Johnson Stephen C. Jones Peter B. Krombach F. Mark Kuhlmann J. Mark Lashly Michael D. Latta James S. McDonnell III Richard G. Millman Stephen C. Roberts, Sr. Terry E. Schnuck Hugh Scott III E.C. Simmons III David L. Steward Elizabeth J. Stroble Donald M. Suggs Thomas R. Voss John K. Wallace, Jr. Douglas H. Yaeger BOARD OF DIRECTORS HONORARY LIFE DIRECTORS PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kwofe A. Coleman OFFICERS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ..... John W. Lemkemeier VICE CHAIR ..... Tracy E. Hart TREASURER ..... Anna Reby Bertman ASSISTANT TREASURER ..... Opal M. Jones ASSISTANT SECRETARY ..... Sherry Sissac 1919 MUNICIPAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION 2023 SECRETARY..... Edwin B. Broadhurst III
Open Tuesday–Sunday, Always free | Open late on Fridays Connect with us! DEDICATED TO ART AND FREE TO ALL One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park slam.org #stlartmuseum EXHIBIT NOW THROUGH JAN. 7 2024 Where did you go to High School? Stroll down memory lane while exploring St. Louis Public Library’s new exhibit highlighting the Library’s extensive collection of PROM magazine–a monthly publication from 1947-1973 featuring all the news from St. Louis’ public, private and parochial schools. The exhibit is free and open to the public during normal Library hours. CENTRAL LIBRARY 1301 OLIVE STREET / slpl.org Exhibit sponsored by: St. Louis Public Library Foundation
THE MUNY STAFF STAFF 3933 Director of Operations: SEAN M. SMITH Facilities Manager: TIM MCDONALD Special Events & Facility Rentals: JANE SCHELL Director of Marketing: ERIC PUGH Associate Director of Marketing: AMY MAIER Group Sales Manager: JANE SCHELL Print Project Manager + Visual Brand Designer: JUDY SAKAI Digital Communications Manager: COLBY DEZELICK Marketing Coordinator: EMILY SANTEL Promotions Support: SUSIE JOFFE Chief Financial Officer: TAMMY MCKIM Accountants: LINDSEY R. GALANTI, JOEY KLEBA Accounting Assistants: MEGHAN ALBRECHT, HANNAH ZEISS Director of Education: TALI ALLEN Education Programs Manager: CHARLIE MUELLER Education Assistant: GUNNAR BOUCHER Director of Development: COURTNEY SIMMS Director of Individual Giving: JENNY PRATT Development Gift Manager: ROSEMARY GLIEDT EDUCATION MARKETING DEVELOPMENT Executive Assistant to the President & CEO: BARBARA ECHELE P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director of Audience Experience: LINDSEY R. GALANTI House Managers: PHILLIP CAMPBELL, HANNAH ZEISS HOUSE MANAGEMENT FINANCE/ACCOUNTING President & Chief Executive Officer: KWOFE COLEMAN OPERATIONS HUMAN RESOURCES Receptionist: JOY BOLAND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF PRODUCTION Production Manager: TRACY UTZMYERS Artistic Associate: MICHAEL BAXTER Technical Director: TODD MOORE Costume Director: JAN CREGER Company Manager: STACY MYERS Assistant Production Managers: KENDRA HENRY, ISABELLE SCHEIBE Casting Assistant: KAMAL LADO Resident Choreographer: FRANCINE ESPIRITU WARDROBE Associate Costume Director: SIMON BRETT Wardrobe Heads: DEONA OFFIELD, BRENDAN WOODS Wardrobe Assistant: GRACE AUSTIN WIGS Wig Shop Managers: KELLEY JORDAN, ALISON HORA Hair & Make-up Supervisors: ALYCIA BERRY, ALISON HORA, KATE SHAW, PAULA STONE MUSIC Music Supervisor / Orchestra Librarian: MICHAEL HORSLEY Orchestra Manager: WENDY LEA Music Assistant: CHASE ANDERSON SCENIC Scenic Build Supervisors: DAVID MCCARTHY, MATT MOURNING Head Scenic Artist: JAMES VAN WELL Automation Head: THEO PRIFTI Properties Head: JIM ROBERT Scenic Stitcher: KIM STONE Draftsperson: EMILIE WEILBACHER-MCMULL AN LIGHTING/SOUND/VIDEO Head Electrician: JAMES SPIES Sound Head: SEAN WILHITE Audio Engineers: JOSHUA HUMMEL, ADAM SMOLENSKI Video Heads: JONATHAN RITTER, MICHAEL LEACH Photographers: PHILLIP HAMER, ERIC WOOLSEY Director of Human Resources: JOHN MEYER Director of Ticketing: L AWRENCE P. WALSH BOX OFFICE FOOD & BEVERAGE/CONCESSIONS Food and Beverage Manager: LAURIE WATERHOUSE Artistic Director & Executive Producer: MIKE ISAACSON ADMINISTRATION Director of Strategic Partnerships: SARA SAUL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
42 of Feeding American Families 1938 - 2023 Celebrating Years IT’S TIME FOR MUNY MAGIC! WHEN THE SUN SETS
SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM 35 Each summer, The Muny proudly welcomes interns from colleges and universities from around the U.S. These students support and learn from our creative, production and administrative teams. Have questions? Contact Megan Harms, Arts & Culture Director • [email protected] • 618-394-6449 Mindseye provides Audio Description throughout the Muny Season. Every Monday and Saturday performance is made accessible for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. Administrative Runner.............................................................................................................Nathan Smorodin Arts Administration ........................................................................................................................Lauren Marut Automation .............................................................................................................................. Anthony Mueth Carpentry .............................................................................................................................. Kennedy Webb Costume Design ...........................................................................................................................Emma Whetton Costume Shop Materials Coordinator ............................................................................................Kymora Gentry Costume Shop....................................................................................................................................Erin Hubka Development .............................................................................................................................. Eva Wilson Directing .................................................................................... Gregory Almanza, Emma Cavage, Serena Feniger Education............................................................................................................. Rachael Britton, Grace Knight Electrics .............................................................................................................................. Rhett Cunningham Kid and Teens Sound ................................................................................Isabella Garrett, Bee Muzzy, Koy Range Lighting Design ......................................................................................................................... Audrey Wubbena Marketing ...............................................................................................................Sara Akihiro, Anna De Marco Musical Direction ...................................................................................................................... Caleb Middleton Paints..................................................................................................................................... Meredith Rodgers Producing.................................................................................................................................. Courtnee Rouse Production Management .........................................................................................................Mauriea Lawrence Props...........................................................................................................................................Samuel McCoy Scenic Design .............................................................................................................................. Lily Tomasic Scenic Shop Materials Coordinator .................................................................................................Alijah Hunter Sound Design .............................................................................................................................. Darien Durell Sound Script .............................................................................................................................. Aurora Lindsey Stage Management Assistants .............................................................Stephanie Brown, Lexi Sims, Lou Williams Stage Management Production Assistants .....................................Megan Hanna, Sarah Holland, Campbell Tiffin Video Design .............................................................................................................................. Barrett Wagner Wig and Make-Up .......................................................................................................................... Olivia Waszak
Popcorn, cold refreshments and more! With five concession stands throughout the theatre, be sure to get your ice cold drinks, frozen treats and delicious eats prior to tonight’s performance or during intermission. THE MUNY EXPERIENCE: PRESHOW DINING Dining at The Culver Pavilion Café One Trying to keep it casual? Stop by before the show and grab a bite at Café One. Its menu features a delicious blend of grab-and-go favorites, including pizzas, sandwiches, finger foods and your favorite frozen treats. Muny Partners receive 10% off at Café One or The Culver Pavilion with coupon. Welcome back to our 2023 summer season! Back by popular demand, enjoy delicious selections featuring various charcuterie selections, hot appetizers and vegetarian options, now enhanced with salad and dessert. A limited a la carte menu is also available at the bar, where you can enjoy a drink or a signature cocktail. Dine under the covered pavilion surrounded by the beautiful sights of Forest Park and enjoy the live music and entertainment from the East Lawn Stage in the Steward Family Plaza. Guarantee your dining experience by visiting Muny.org/dining. 36 Advanced sales are now available as well as walk-ups!
THE MUNY EXPERIENCE: PRESHOW ENTERTAINMENT 3737 Arrive early to avoid traffic and enjoy free entertainment in one of the Preshow areas. BROADHURST PAVILION Preshow Entertainment for WEST SIDE STORY STEWARD FAMILY PLAZA STAGE July 15, 19 July 17, 21 A Special THANK YOU to CHESS Preshow Festival Participants: LICHTENSTEIN PLAZA • DJ—You Call It Entertainment • First Act KC Dance Studio • Joe Pastor Trio featuring Erica Johnson • Muny Kids • Muny Teens • Renewal by Andersen • Saint Louis Chess Club & World Chess Hall of Fame Muny Kids Muny Teens July 15-21 Samba Bom Quartet • Grand Center Arts Academy • Renewal by Andersen • AAA • St. Louis Symphony Orchestra • Latinx Arts Network STL • Renewal by Andersen • Renewal by Andersen Saturday, July 15 Sunday, July 16 Monday, July 17 Tuesday, July 18 Thursday, July 20 PURINA PLAZA STAGE July 15-21 Joanna Sorenko Trio July 15 – 21 • “Somewhere” Latinx Arts Expo
Enrolling 6th-12th tuition free Calling all aspiring middle and high school artists! Explore your creativity in DANCE, MUSIC, THEATER, and VISUAL ARTS at Grand Center Arts Academy. grandcenterartsacademy.org | @grandcenterartsacademy All the World’s a Stage Savor it on a dream vacation! You do not have to be a AAA member to use AAA Travel. AAA Missouri members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Member Benefits and savings. Member Benefits may be available for a limited time only, are subject to availability and restrictions may apply. Offers and benefits are subject to change without notice. Not responsible for errors or omissions. The Automobile Club of Missouri acts only as an agent for its travel vendors and is a motor club with a principal place of business at 12901 N. Forty Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141. Copyright ©2023 Automobile Club of Missouri. All Rights Reserved. Call or visit AAA Travel today and SAVE! CALL 866-222-7587 • CLICK AAA.com/Travel Enjoy the Hawaiian Islands, European river cruising, Canadian rail adventures, or an Alaskan cruise. AAA Travel Advisors in the St. Louis area can help you plan and save on your next dream vacation.
STAGE B6 C6 Don’t Miss It! Single tickets available at muny.org/tickets, at the Muny Box Office or through MetroTix at 314.534.1111. Box Seats $115 $115 Terrace A (Rows A-M) $92 $69 Terrace A (Rows N-Y) $74 $55.50 Terrace B (Rows A-M) $54 $40.50 Terrace B (Rows N-Y) $36 $27 Terrace C $18 $13.50 SINGLE TICKET PRICE GROUP TICKET PRICE One of the greatest and most powerful musicals of our time. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story is a love story that has endured the test of time. Tony and Maria find themselves in each other’s arms in a dance of romance, but can they escape the tensions in the streets? The classic Sharks and Jets rivalry leaps onto the Muny stage for the first time in a decade. GET THE BEST SEATS NOW! JULY 15-21 THE EPIC LOVE STORY RETURNS NEXT AT THE MUNY 39
Bike Rehab THE MUNY THANKS MANCHESTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S Manchester UMC’s Bike Rehab ministry cleans and repairs donated bicycles, then partners with local nonprofit organizations, such as Homeless Veterans Outreach (VBASTL), who distribute them to homeless vets. Over 9,000 bikes & helmets have been donated! To learn more visit manchesterumc.org/bike. for providing bicycles to our cast & crew so they can enjoy an earth-friendly commute to and from the theatre in beautiful Forest Park! 6726 Chippewa St. STOP IN OUR GIFT SHOP! Across the parking lot at our Chippewa location www.teddrewes.com 314-481-2652 IIttrreeaallllyyiissggooooddgguuyyssaannddggaallss...... TM
41 2024 SHOW SURVEY Help us select which seven shows will be in our 2024 season! Use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code to pick your favorites. THE Or visit muny.org/showsurvey SHOW SURVEY DISNEY’S MARY POPPINS, 2022
MUNY YOUNG FRIENDS 43 The Muny is More Fun with Friends! muny.org/young-friends or @munyyoungfriends on instagram Are you 21-40 and LOVE The Muny? Come hang out with Muny Young Friends on Friday nights this season! Each MYF ticket includes an exclusive preshow event (with dinner and drinks), great seats for the show and comes with a 25% discount. Scan the QR code below to reserve your tickets! SCAN THIS QR CODE TO SIGN UP & RESERVE YOUR TICKETS! Check your calendar and make plans now! Meet us at The Muny for these great nights: Muny Young Friends is sponsored by: JULY 7 Chess JULY 21 West Side Story JULY 28 Little Shop of Horrors AUG 4 RENT AUG 18 Sister Act
44 THE CRAWFORD TAYLOR EDUCATION INITIATIVE The Crawford Taylor Education Initiative develops new arts education opportunities while supporting ever-evolving Muny education programs. This initiative strives to provide unprecedented, hands-on instruction and mentoring to youth with the hopes of pursuing a career on or offstage in musical theatre. Current programs include: THE MUNY KIDS AND THE MUNY TEENS These performing troupes serve as goodwill ambassadors to the people of St. Louis and the surrounding region. A performance and training ground for talented young people, this intermediate to advanced level program spotlights children and teens who demonstrate exceptional voice and dance talent, stage presence, dedication and discipline. TECHNICAL THEATRE TRAINING (T3) The T3 program was created to expand the network of craftsmen, artisans and theatre professionals who work both locally and nationally in the entertainment industry. This program provides unprecedented training and mentorship to high school students in the industry of technical theatre helping to create a clear path for success in these fields after high school. EDUCATION CLASSES A unique opportunity for students to further their training through area-specific offerings and one-on-one engagement with musical theatre professionals in classes like our Master Audition Workshop, BFA Bootcamp, Musical Theatre Dance class and many more! INTERNSHIPS Interns at The Muny participate in the creation of seven full scale musical theatre productions over the summer. The environment is intense, the stakes are high, and the rewards are endless. Interns have the unique opportunity to work closely with union professionals including IATSE, USA, SDC, AFM and Actors’ Equity. THE MUNY SUMMER INTENSIVE This three-week program in St. Louis, held at Webster University invites rising junior and senior high school students from across the nation to participate in an immersive theatrical experience like no other! MUNY IN SCHOOLS This program partners with various St. Louis area schools to offer tailor-made classes, residencies and/or workshops, as well as produce or assist with their annual school or theatre club production. MUNY U High school theatre classes have the opportunity to participate in online discussions with nationally-recognized musical theatre professionals about any component that exists within the process of “putting on a show.” Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 2022
45 The Muny recognizes and salutes the following individuals and organizations for their underwriting and support of these programs: The Randy Mitchell Endowment Fund This fund provides special support to Muny education programs and participants on an asneeded basis. The endowment’s generosity helps to bridge funding gaps, and enables programs and participants to succeed in reaching their goals. Carol B. Loeb Production Fellowship As part of The Muny Internship Program, the goal of this fellowship is to take our outstanding intern program one step further through mentorship and observation. These fellows will work side-by-side with the skilled artisans, deepening their understanding of the specific art form and ultimately change the trajectory of their career path. Muny Kids & Teens Albers/Kuhn Family Foundation Muny Youth Ensemble Johnston Family Fund St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards Carol B. Loeb, Presenting Sponsor Muny in Schools Thomas A. Kooyumjian Foundation THE CRAWFORD TAYLOR EDUCATION INITIATIVE For more information visit: muny.org/education ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS (SLHSMTA) This program is designed to celebrate outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre. The year-long adjudication process culminates in an awards ceremony modeled on the Tony Awards®. The winners of the Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Actor categories travel to New York (all expenses paid) to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) program and to participate in a week-long professional development experience. MD OUTREACH PROGRAM The Muny’s music directing professionals share insight, training and opportunities with local musicians of color who have advanced skill and expertise, but need more extensive training and/or experience in order to prepare them for, and integrate them into, the musical theatre profession. THE CRAWFORD TAYLOR EDUCATION INITIATIVE 45
55 The perfect outing for family, friends or students! Exclusive FREE tours available for group reservations Group dining options available at the Culver Pavilion & Café One Private catered dinners available in the Broadhurst Pavilion for select group reservations Enjoy 25% savings off single ticket prices FREE bus parking FREE accessibility services FREE picnic table reservations (in select area) For Group Ticket Discounts: Go to: muny.org/ticket/group-tickets Call: Jane Schell at 314-595-5708 Email: [email protected] BRING YOUR GROUP TO THE MUNY & SAVE! SAVE 25% BRING 15 FRIENDS + 46
SHOW SURVEY 39 Full of excitement as you leave The Muny production and you’re not ready for it to end? We have great news for you! NEW for the 2023 season, The Muny has partnered with Classic 107.3 FM for “Muny Post-Show Conversations.” Learn behind-the-scenes details and fun-facts on how “Muny Magic” is created for each production. Immediately following the performance, tune-in to 107.3 FM, (or 96.3 HD-2) to join hosts Julie Schuster and Gavriel Savit for the inside scoop from actors, designers, creatives, and Muny team members about what it takes to put on our epic shows. Your night at The Muny doesn’t have to end with the curtain call! Let the magic continue as you make your way home… waiting to exit Forest Park has never been so entertaining and informative. Julie, Gavriel, and the Muny artists are excited to connect with you to share dynamic cultural conversations about the show you just saw and the entire Muny community. Along with interviews, “Muny Post-Show Conversations” will feature a segment called Rooted in St. Louis, where local contributors to each production are featured. Episodes will also highlight Muny Moments, where we hear what it’s like to be an usher, a guest services representative in the box office, a member of the administrative staff, a part of the concessions team, and more! Peel back the petals of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors to see what lies within. Follow the moves involved when two St. Louis cultural partners come together for a production of Chess. Reveal the secrets of the enchanting costumes in Disney’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Discover all this – and more – when you tune in this season! Even on the nights when you’re not at The Muny, listen to Classic 107.3 FM (or 96.3 HD-2) each night at approximately 11pm for an engaging half-hour seven days a week during the Muny season. Miss an episode? Find every Muny Post-Show Conversation on the Classic 107.3 website a https://classic1073.org/muny We can’t wait for you to join the conversation! MUNY POST-SHOW CONVERSATIONS Host Julie Schuster 47
BE SEEN THIS SUMMER AT THE MUNY! The Muny and KMOV have partnered to introduce Shutter Squad. Arrive early for the show and you may be spotted by the Shutter Squad to take home your very own exclusive souvenir photo! 48 SHUTTER SQUAD
All proceeds will benefit The Muny Endowment. For more information, visit muny.org/Auction Featuring signed posters like this one from the 2023 cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Own a piece of The Muny! Autographed Items! Stage Used Props! Exclusive Experiences! and More! THIRD ANNUAL MUNY VIRTUAL AUCTION AUGUST 21-25
A GREENER MUNY 51 Ameren: Ameren has been instrumental in helping The Muny continuously upgrade its electrical systems and related technology. Friendlier Printing: All show programs, marketing materials and office copiers use recycled paper. Missouri Department of Conservation: The Missouri Department of Conservation is the official conservation partner of The Muny. WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A GREENER MUNY The Muny is fortunate to work with partners that share its desire to become a more energy efficient and environmentally responsible facility: Manchester United Methodist Bike Rehab: Manchester United Methodist Bike Rehab provides bicycles as an enjoyable, energy saving transportation option for performers and staff. Second Century Campaign Renovations: All interior lighting in The Muny Administration Building has been converted to LED and a new Building Automation System (BAS) controls our HVAC systems to enhance their year-round efficiency. All systems (originally from the 1940s) have been updated. 50