cast and creative
REX SMITH (Captain von Trapp) is a multi-talented performer whose natural singing ability has led him to a successful career as a singer and actor. A veteran of stage and screen, Rex started his career as a "teen idol" heartthrob with the platinum album hit "You Take My Breath Away." Other albums included "Rex," "Where Do We Go From Here," "Sooner Or Later," "Forever," "Camouflage," and most recently, "Simply...Rex." Turning to Broadway at the height of his popularity, Rex made his Broadway debut as Danny Zuko in the original production of Grease. He captivated both critics and audiences, and received the Theater World Award for his memorable portrayal of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance on Broadway. Other starring roles on Broadway include Grand Hotel, Sunset Boulevard, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Annie Get Your Gun and Kiss Me Kate. Rex is an enthusiastic entertainer who never lacks for energy. In between Broadway shows, he expanded his career to encompass TV shows and feature films. Rex hosted "Solid Gold," starred in the series "Street Hawk" and became a household name on the popular CBS daytime drama "As The World Turns." He was featured in Danielle Steele's "Once In A Lifetime," "Passion To Kill," and "Ballerina And The Blues." Rex has guest starred on numerous prime time television shows and movies including "Daredevil," "The Sentinel," "JAG," "Baywatch," "Caroline In The City," "Just Cause," "Pope Dreams" and John Schneider's "Collier & Co." Rex Smith has been Celebrity Host, Corporate Spokesperson and Entertainer for events ranging from Time-Life Inc., HBO, Avon Corp., Time Magazine, among many others. He continues to support artistic education and participate in community theaters and schools across the country, including the Concert Company Theater's, "An Evening with Rex Smith," the Bellflower Theater, the Hoogland Center for the Arts, and the Carpenter Theater for the Performing Arts, as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. Recently, Rex sang to a sold-out crowd at the Araneta Coliseum and The Hard Rock Cafe in Manila, Philippines. He then hosted "Operation Homecoming" for Vietnam Veterans in Branson, Missouri, where his heartfelt performance mesmerized audiences into standing ovations. Rex has also performed for concert venues including the Big-E State Fair in Springfield, MA., and has revved up audiences with the "Original Idols" in Las Vegas. Year 2009 found balladeer Rex Smith once again visiting Manila, Philippines, with a series of concerts aptly named, "Let’s Make A Memory," as well as a new CD entitled "Forever Rex." This Spring 2010, Sony Music re-released all six of Rex’s albums available on CD, iTunes, and Amazon.com; as well as the now available new DVD Box Set release of Rex Smith as “Jesse Mach” in the series “Street Hawk” in Europe and the U.S. Rex is unique because few entertainers have covered every aspect of show business. Referring to himself as a "Stand-Up Vocalist," Rex blends tales of his career with the music that made him famous. His on-stage presence radiates his gregarious nature and bright sense of humor. Rex's distinctively charismatic personality captivates and enthralls his audience. Rex's hobbies include sharpening his culinary skills as a chef, flying bi-planes, collecting vintage cars and writing songs. He is the proud father of five children.
GAIL BENNETT (Maria) The last time Gail was in The Sound of Music, she was 10 and played Brigitta! She is thrilled to return to Ogunquit after playing Eliza in My Fair Lady ‘08 and comes directly from the National Tour of Mary Poppins where she performed the title role over 60 times. Other favorites include Usherette/Lick-me Bite-me in Mel Brooks’ The Producers (Vegas and North Shore), Nine (Claudia), Cats (Jellylorum), Annie, Get Your Gun (Annie), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Julia), A Christmas Carol (Belle opposite Christopher Lloyd/Jane Leeves/John Goodman). She can also be seen in several feature films and commercials and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.
MEG BUSSERT (Mother Abbess) is both a musical actor and a professor of performance. Broadway: revivals of Irene, Lorelei, The Music Man (Theatre World Award), Brigadoon (Tony Nomination), Damn Yankees and Souvenir. Regional: South Pacific, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Kiss Me, Kate, Closer Than Ever and many others. Master teacher of music theatre studies at NYU Steinhardt. International residencies: University of Ballarat, Australia and the Danish Academy of Musical Theatre, Denmark. National vice-President of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance. Two kids: one grown, one almost.
DICK DECAREAU (Max) grew up in Lynn, MA. His dad and brother were both on the Lynn Fire Dept. Last season Dick played Grandpa Potts in the national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. On Broadway, Raggedy Ann, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Other tours include Ragtime, and three productions of Annie. Regionally, four productions of Beauty and the Beast as Cogsworth. Recently, Wilbur in Hairspray, Max in Sound of Music, Everett in Crazy for You at this theatre. He has been in Actors Equity almost 30 years, and has performed all over the country.
CRISTA MOORE (Elsa): Debut in the title role of Gypsy, (starring opposite Tyne Daly), received Tony, Drama Desk, & Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Susan in Big The Musical, Received Tony, Drama Desk, & Outer Critics Award Nominations for Best Actress. Zelda in Noel Coward’s Waiting in the Wings, (Opposite Lauren Bacall), Also appeared in Manhattan Theatre Club’s Absurd Person Singular, and Tom Stoppard’s Jumpers. First National Tour: Polly in Crazy For You. Lincoln Center's NY City Opera: Cinderella in NY premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Eileen in Wonderful Town, Snookie in 110 in the Shade. Concerts: Penelope in The Golden Apple w/ The American Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Tunick, conductor.
ADINAH ALEXANDER (Frau Schmidt) TV. Dr. A. G. Waxman in "Lights Out," Mrs. Dzubenko in “Nurse Jackie” and Judge Schaft on “Law and Order.” BROADWAY: Original cast member of Wicked, Wedding Singer, Parade and Urban Cowboy. OFF BROADWAY: Recent credits include the critically acclaimed Adding Machine, Two Rooms by Lee Blessing, Janis Joplin in Love Janis. REGIONAL: Jack's Mother in Into The Woods, Miss Hannigan in Annie at CMT. Mme.Thenardier in Les Miserable at The Pioneer Theatre, Mama Rose in Gypsy at Sundance, Rosalie in Carnival at NSMT. Plays include Dirty Blonde,The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life In The Universe by Lily Tomlin, Eleemosynary, Danny And The Deep Blue Sea and All In The Timing.
BLAIR ALEXIS BROWN (Sister Sophia) is thrilled to make her Ogunquit debut. Recently: Donna/Oolie in City Of Angels (Gallery Players), Charlotte in A Little Night Music directed by Michael Leeds (Carbonell-nominated production at the Stage Door Theatre), and Fran in the new 40s tuner, Swing For Victory! (premiere reading at the York Theatre). Favorite regional: Master Class starring Leslie Uggams, Caroline in Titanic The Musical, Anna in The King And I and Mimi in Michael Hollinger’s An Empty Plate In The Café Du Grand Boeuf. Pianist/vocal coach/teaching artist. Thanks to family and friends!
LINDA CAMERON (Sister Berthe) is delighted to be returning to Ogunquit Playhouse, having played General Cartwright in last season’s Guys and Dolls. Heaven is doing great theatre with great people in a beautiful place, with the Red Sox on TV! National Tours: Rumors; Man Of La Mancha Off-Broadway: Triangles, Eat The Runt, We’re Still Hot, Dr. Sex Regional And Stock: Rumors (Paper Mill Playhouse); Hair (Actors Theatre Of Louisville); Animal Fair (Denver Center Theatre); The King And I (Candlewood Playhouse); Private Lives (Nickerson Theatre). Linda has sung at the Zurich Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and the Opera Company of Boston.
KAITLIN EGGERS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut. She is currently working toward a BFA in Theatre Performance from Salem State College. Favorite performances include Catherine in Pippin, The Mute in The Fantasticks, Amy in Company, Claire in Proofand Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She would like to thank the Playhouse for an amazing opportunity, as well as her parents and Bobby for their constant love and support.
STACIE JOHNSEN (Sister Margaretta) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut! Recent credits include the national tour of Oliver! (Widow Corney), A Christmas Carol at Arizona Broadway Theatre (Mrs. Fezziwig), High School Musical at the Dutch Apple and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatres (Ms. Darbus) and Fiddler on the Roof at the Fulton Theatre (Shaindel, Yente U/S). Much love to husband Michael, Mom and Dad, “niece” Ashley and besties Michelle, Bex and Bry for their boundless love and support. Many thanks to Gary John and Robert for this great opportunity. www.staciejohnsen.com
JOHN LITTLE (Admiral von Schreiber) is delighted to return to Ogunquit, where he played Arvide last year in Guys and Dolls. He recently played Pa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Porterhouse in Run for Your Wife at the Engeman Theatre. John has appeared in A Christmas Carol, Woman in Black and Noises Off at Portland Stage; Amadeus, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Play’s the Thing at the Shakespeare Theatre; A Woman of No Importance at Yale Rep; and Glimmerglass at Goodspeed. He toured Europe in Crazy for You, and Asia in Cabaret. John is a Yale School of Drama graduate and lives in New York with his wife Amy, and children Eleonora and Joel.
ASHLEY DAWN MORTENSEN (Liesl) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut in one of her favorite musicals. She recently graduated with honors from New York University with her degree in Musical Theatre through CAP21. Favorite regional credits include Sound of Music (Maria), Les Miserables (Fantine) Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Brooklyn (Brooklyn). Thanks to God for his many blessings, Davin for his love and my family for their constant support. Thanks to Michael, Joel and everyone at Nicolosi!
EDWARD PROSTAK (Franz) appeared in the Broadway revival of Oliver!, the Off-Broadway musical, Zombies From The Beyond, the Christmas Show at Radio City and starred in The Gondoliers, H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado at City Center. Ed has created roles in the premieres of The Little Rascals (Goodspeed Opera House), Casino Paradise (American Music Theater Festival) and Moby Dick (Bristol Riverside Theatre) and in new works for the 2004, 2005 and 2008 Fringe and NYMF Festivals.
BRUCE REBOLD (Baron Elberfeld/Ensemble) is excited to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut with this wonderful production, and thrilled to be reunited with director-extraordinaire, Gary John La Rosa! Regional credits include: Fiddler On The Roof (Avram) at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. as well as the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport, NY, Miracle On 34Th St. (Judge Harper), and Oliver! (Dr. Grimwig) at the John W. Engeman Theatre, Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), Kiss Me, Kate! (Fred/Petruchio), South Pacific (Emile Debecque), Man of La Mancha (Cervantes/Don Quixote), The Music Man (Harold Hill), My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), A Little Night Music (Fredrik), The Yeston-Kopit Phantom (The Phantom), 1776 (Richard Henry Lee), La Cage Aux Folles (Albin/Zaza), and Camelot (King Arthur). Much thanks to Ogunquit Playhouse, the cast and crew, and to Phil Hall. Love to Mom, Anne, Tania, family and friends, both earthly and heavenly, and to Brooklyn, where the journey started! Positive Waves!
HUNTER F. ROBERTS (Zeller) is proud to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. REGIONAL: Lockstock, Urinetown; Peron, Evita; Terry, SideShow; Charlie, The Foreigner; Saunders, Lend Me a Tenor; Ellard, The Foreigner. FILM: “Ali,” “What’s The Worst That Can Happen,” “Sex, Politics and Cocktails.” Hunter winters in Los Angeles as a Producer, Writer, Director and 1st Assistant Director of feature films. He is also the Company Manager for this season at the Playhouse, and a BFA graduate of Point Park Conservatory. Thanks Mom!
ALAN SHAW (Rolf) is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Circle in the Square Professional Workshop. Favorite credits include: Huckleberry Finn (Big River - The Arvada Center), Cain/Japheth (Children Of Eden - The Astoria Performing Arts Center), Jamie (The Last Five Years - The Juilliard School). Thank you to my agent Michael Rodriguez at "The Roster",acting coach Kimberly Vaughn and my family who has always been my rock. website: alanshaw.me
LAUREN ELAINE TAYLOR (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Favorite roles include: Petra, A Little Night Music - Carbonell Nominated Production, Sally, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Charlotte, A Little Night Music, Winifred, Once Upon A Mattress, and Nikki, Sweet Charity. Future productions include: The Regional Premiere of Sunset Blvd.(Ogunquit Playhouse) and The National Tour of Grease! (Rizzo). Love to her new husband, Garrett, family & friends. Special thanks to Blair Alexis Brown for snagging the audition!
DAWN TUCKER (Baroness Elberfeld/Ensemble) was last seen in Ogunquit as Mme. Renaud in La Cage aux Folles and a Ballet Singer in The King and I. She has performed the role of Elsa in the Sound of Music for both Wachusett Theater Co and Company Theatre. She has also worked with North Shore, Lyric Stage, New Rep, the Huntington, Foothills, Yellow Taxi, and NERC/MMAS. Dawn graduated from Stanford University and Boston Conservatory. When not on stage, she is riding her horse, playing with her 2 dogs, or working as a civil engineer. This one is for Mom.
ANNIE UNNOLD (Ursula/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut. Previous productions include: A Funny Thing...Forum (Philia) at the Good Theater, Music Man (Marian Paroo) at Portland Players, The Rocky Horror Show (Usherette) at Hart House Theatre in Toronto. Originally from Maine, Annie currently lives in New York City and is grateful for the opportunity to be back up this way for the summer!
JENNIFER FOGARTY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back for her second summer at the Ogunquit Playhouse! Recent credits include Rent (Mimi, Charleston Music Hall), Disney’s High School Musical (Gabriella, Ogunquit Playhouse), All Shook Up (Ogunquit Playhouse) and The Love Note (Jessie, GP Productions). Thanks to Brad, Robert, and Jean. Love to her wonderful family and friends for their unconditional support. www.jenniferfogarty.com
KENNY FRANCEOUR (Ensemble) is excited to be returning to the Ogunquit Playhouse with The Sound of Music after having been seen last year in A Chorus Line and High School Musical. Recently he portrayed the role of Terry Swanson/File u/s in Elon University’s production of 110 in the Shade, where he will be returning in the fall. Some favorite roles include Jack (Into the Woods), Dickon (Secret Garden), andFriedrich (The Sound of Music). He would like to thank his Elon Family for always being there and constantly being a source of support.
RLAURIE MITCHELL (Ensemble) lives in Cape Neddick with her husband Sean and children Joshua, Jonah and Carly. After taking a hiatus to raise her family, she is thrilled to be back on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Laurie teaches preschool music, is a professional soloist, as well as the owner of Bagel Basket in York Village and Bagel Shack in Cape Neddick. Her favorite roles include Maggie in A Chorus Line, Nellie in South Pacific, and Lizzie in Baby. To the “Fam”....I Love You a bushel and a peck!!
CHRIS CROWTHERS (Ensemble, Dance Captain, Assistant Director) is exstatisch to spend the summer in "the hills" of Ogunquit. This show marks his fifth working alongside Gary John, having assisted him on productions of Grease and Fiddler on the Roof. Chris has toured nationally and worked at regional theatres in productions of Best Little Whorehouse (Dance Captain), Crazy for You (Eugene Fodor), La Cage aux Folles (Hanna), A Chorus Line (Greg) White Christmas and Meet Me in St. Louis. Anything else you want to know, you can ask his parents. www.chriscrowthers.com
IAN R. GLEASON (Ensemble) Ian is proud to return to Ogunquit! Past roles include Lead Tenor, The Producers, Courfeyrac, Les Miserables. Other regional/stock favorites include: Josiah Bartlett, 1776 (Paper Mill), Krupke, West Side Story (MSMT), Danny, Baby (Good Theater Co.). Television: "Forensic Files," "truTV." Film: "Wall Street II." Ian can also be heard hosting trivia on the nationally syndicated Lex and Terry Radio Show. Ian thanks God, his friends and his family for all of their love and support. For JB, with love.
MIKE LYNCH (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse! A life long resident of Southern Maine, Mike has performed on several stages throughout the state. Favorite credits include Footloose, 42nd Street, and playing Drake in Annie. Thanks to Robert and Brad for the great opportunities, and his friends and family for all their support and encouragement.
ANNA GRACE GAGNON (Gretyl) is a fourth grader at Coastal Ridge Elementary School in York, ME. She has participated in Ogunquit Playhouse’s Rising Stars Theatre Camp since 2005. In March of 2010 she was part of the cast of Charlotte’s Web at Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, NH. Anna also sings with the First Parish Children’s Choir in York, ME. In addition to singing and acting, Anna enjoys horseback riding.
KATHERINE HALL (Marta): With OP: Debut. Elsewhere: lead roles in The Littlest Angel, Heidi, Oliver, and Alice in Wonderglass; Goodnight Moon (Kitten) NSMT; Scrooge, Tom Sawyer, Willy Wonka, Big River, Dreaming Awake. She also tours with Terezin, Children of the Holocaust (Celia). Katherine is thrilled to join the OP family, combining her love of acting and Maine. When not acting, dancing and singing, Katherine reads voraciously, practices Taekwondo, and plays piano and soccer. Thanks to Jane, Anna, Marc, Lori and Jen for your support and inspiration. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Joe and Caroline for your love.
PIPER KINGSTON (Brigitta) made her Ogunquit Playhouse debut last year at the age of nine. She played Perla, the Mouse, in the Junior Players production of Cinderella. She is thrilled to return this year in a main stage production! Piper is also excited to be working with her sister, Shae. She would like to thank Stacey, Hollye and Michael at Stages and Leslie Giammanco for all of their help and encouragement and her Mom, Dad, sister Colby, her grandparents and friends for cheering her on.
SHAE KINGSTON (Louisa) is twelve years old and very excited to be performing at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Some of Shae’s favorite rolls include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. She also enjoyed Hong in Mulan Jr. and Pauline in West Side Story; both produced by Stages, The Performing Arts Academy for Kids. Shae would like to thank her vocal coach Leslie Giammanco and the Stages family. She also thanks her family, friends, teachers, and her big sister Colby for their support throughout this amazing experience.
NATHAN LADD (Kurt) is thrilled to be making his debut on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage. This is his tenth play at the OP, but his first on the mainstage. Favorite roles include the Sultan, Aladdin at Ogunquit Playhouse and Herculesat Nelson, and Kidnapping Kraze at Acting Out Theater Co. in Massachusetts. When not acting Nathan enjoys playing soccer andfiddling with electronics. Nathan would like to thank his friends, family, fellow actors and teachers for their enthusiastic support.
CAMDEN LOESER (Friedrich) is pumped to be back at Ogunquit Playhouse after Beauty and the Beast Jr. last summer. Camden’s greatest passion is singing, and he has been singing in various school and auditioned choirs for over 8 years. Some of Camden’s credits include Little Jake in Annie Get Your Gun, Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr., Rooster Hannigan in Annie Jr., and Ugly in Honk Jr. Camden has also directed three shows; Looking Glass Land, Sleeping Beauty KIDS and Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. He would like to thank his family, who have been his greatest support.
BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) now in his fifth season in stewardship of “America’s Foremost Summer Theatre,” Mr. Kenney is proud to include many wonderful theatrical productions and the guidance of some of the most significant theatre companies in New England as part of his career. Some Ogunquit highlights include last season’s Singin’ in the Rain and the all-star production of Guys & Dolls, as well as My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Hairspray, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly!, Andrea McArdle in Cabaret and Leslie Uggams in Cinderella. While at Foothills Theatre in Worcester, MA, he produced many shows including: Miss Saigon, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Proof, Cabaret (National Regional Premiere), Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Dick and Jimmy Van Patten in The Sunshine Boys, Titanic The Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Regional Premiere), and Ragtime. He is also founder of the Wachusett Theatre Company in Massachusetts with shows such as The Sound of Music, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Disney/Elton John’s AIDA (Northeast Regional Premiere), Ted Lange from “The Love Boat” in Damn Yankees; and Eddie Mekka in Fiddler on the Roof, among others. His children’s theatres have produced Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, Seussical TYA (Northeast Premiere), Willy Wonka Jr., and Disney’s 101 Dalmations Kids, and the new production, Fairy Houses, The Musical. In addition to his producing credits, Brad has appeared on stage in the title role of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Sorcerer with Salisbury Lyric Opera, Strephon in Iolanthe with the Savoyard Light Opera, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Barrett the Stoker in Titanic, Eric Burling in An Inspector Calls, Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap, Bobby in Company, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, the King in The King and I, Cornelius in Hello, Dolly! and Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as many other roles in shows throughout New England. He is a fourth generation artist, having studied at Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art and Maine College of Art. For Tucker and Ryan Francis Curtis.
ROBERT LEVINSTEIN (Associate Producer/Casting Director) A resident of New York City, this is Robert’s 8th season with the Playhouse, where he was previously the Production Stage Manager and Director of Production. As a Stage Manager, he worked on Broadway: Waiting in the Wings (with Lauren Bacall and Rosemary Harris), Voices in the Dark (with Judith Ivy), Parade (with Carolee Carmello and Brent Carver), Off-Broadway: Clue: The Musical, and National Tours: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Camelot (with Michael York and Rachel York) and the hit revue Forbidden Broadway. Regional credits include PSM for North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA 2000/2001 seasons as well as Production Stage Manager for major theatres throughout the country. Originally from Southern California, Robert is also the producer of the new musical Something Wicked This Way Comes, based on the Ray Bradbury novel and the studio recording of the show that features Brent Barrett, Andrea Burns and Diana Canova. He sends his love to Alan, and thanks him for his understanding.
GARY JOHN LA ROSA (Director/Choreographer) Recent credits include the 10th Anniversary National Tour of Footloose; Fiddler on the Roof at both the St Louis MUNY (Judy Award; Kevin Kline Award nomination) and Starlight Theatre in Kansas City; Peter Pan at the MUNY; Hairspray, Aida, Footloose and West Side Story at Sacramento Music Circus, Always…Patsy Cline (Sally Struthers) at Virginia Musical Theatre; The Light in the Piazza and Seussical at Playhouse on the Square; Grease, Fiddler on the Roof and Romance/Romance at the Fulton Opera House; The Full Monty at Phoenix Theatre: La Cage aux Folles at Downtown Cabaret Theatre (Connecticut Critic’s Circle Award – Outstanding Direction); Annie at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma; Beehive (four productions); and many industrial shows (including TGI Fridays, Blockbuster, Sam’s Club, Goodyear, Dunkin’ Donuts and Samsung). NYC credits include Marry Me a Little (Brent Barrett & Sally Mayes) at Queens Theatre in the Park; Pins and Needles (Karen Mason) at Jewish Rep.; In My Dream… at the Vortex Theatre and the new works: lift and Another Day in Paradise. Also, numerous productions at: Albuquerque CLO, Maine State Music Theatre, Worcester Foothills Theatre, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Cortland Rep., Surflight Theatre, WV Public Theatre, Helen Hayes Theatre, Carousel Dinner Theatre, Theatre-by-the-Sea, Seacoast Rep., and the Hampton and Arundel Barn Playhouses. He has been a guest artist at many universities including UPenn, NYU, Hofstra, UB (Kennedy Center Award) and UNM. A UCLA graduate and longtime SDC member, Mr. La Rosa was formerly an actor, including Broadway, national and international tours. www.garyjohnlarosa.com
AARON McALLISTER (Musical Director) is happy to be joining the Sound of Music and the Ogunquit Playhouse family. Recent credits include The Will Rogers Follies, The Spitfire Grill, Peter Pan, George M, Evita, Company, Sweet Charity, Crazy For You, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Forever Plaid, Urinetown, The Thing About Men, The Boyfriend, A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Pippin, Merrily We Roll Along, and CATS, among others. Aaron is a highly sought after vocal coach/performance clinician among professional actors on the East Coast and has composed, arranged and orchestrated numerous cabaret, solo, and showcase performances. Together with collaborator/playwright, Daryl Lisa Fazio, he has composed the score to original musicals lift, POPart: The Musical (2010 New York Musical Festival: Next Link Official Selection), and Blackout.
www.fazio-and-mcallister.com
JINAY L. REITZE (Production Stage Manager) Off-Broadway: Debbie Does Dallas (Jane Street Theatre), The Prince and the Pauper (Lamb’s Theatre). New York: World Premiere of Oedipus for Kids (NYMF). National Tours: Dora the Explorer Live!, Backyardigans Live!, Peter Pan, Urban Cowboy, Savion Glover’s Improvography II, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, St. Petersburg Ice Ballet - The Nutcracker and Cinderella. International: Grease (Turkey), Fame (China). Regional: 2 seasons with Goodspeed Musicals. Jinay is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.
PAUL BREWSTER (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to Ogunquit Playhouse after Assistant Directing last year's All Shook Up starring Sally Struthers. Favorite Stage Management Credits: The Orphan's Home Cycle (Signature Theatre Co./Hartford Stage Co.); Forgotten World (Public Theater/Sundance Institute); The Pillowman (Astoria Performing Arts Center). Up next, Paul is directing Ogunquit Playhouse's Junior Player's production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Many thanks to Gary John, Jinay, Brad and Robert.
RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) salutes the Playhouse board, management and staff for all their efforts moving the Playhouse forward! Favorite shows from past seasons include: All Shook Up, A Chorus Line, Shout!, Cabaret, Evita, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Aida, Chicago. Recent work: a revival of Ogunquits’ 2008 production of Fiddler on the Roof (Engeman Theatre), Projection Design Research for the world premiere of Moby Dick (Dallas Opera) and Thurgood with Laurence Fishburne (B’way), lighting Jon Peterson in Song Man, Dance Man (Seven Angels Theatre), the Nunsense 25th Anniversary Tour with Sally Struthers, television shoots of other installments in the Nunsense canon, years of Off-Broadway shows, corporate events and a continued association with American Ballet Theatre.
JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Designer) is really excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse and have his first design be the Sound of Music after the amazing 2009 season. He has designed popular shows like Jekyll and Hyde, and Nunsense, and has engineered many others, Nunsense! 25th Anniversary Tour, National Tour of Peter Pan, and 75th Anniversary of Porgy and Bess. He also has worked on Anything Goes at Musical Theatre West and Arizona Broadway Theatre, Brigadoon, Man of La Mancha, as well as all of the 2009 season for the Ogunquit Playhouse. He would like to thank his friends and family and the Ogunquit Playhouse staff for all of their support.
JAMES FOUCHARD (Set Designer) has created sets for over 300 productions in regional, stock, opera and educational theater. Previous design credits include the national tours of Can-Can (starring Chita Rivera), Joseph...Dreamcoat (starring Patrick Cassidy), The Show-Off (starring Jean Stapleton), 42nd Street (Asia Tour), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Phantom, Little Shop of Horrors, South Pacific, Sound of Music (USA and Asia), Crazy For You, Grease!, Oklahoma!, Singin’ In The Rain and the Charleston production of Porgy and Bess. He has also served as Scenic Supervisor for tours of Will Rogers Follies, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Evita (supervised by Harold Prince). Other designs include productions for John F. Kennedy Center, Papermill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, American Musical Theater, Ford’s Theater, Walnut Street Theater, Peabody Conservatory, Syracuse Stage, Theatre of the Stars, Everyman Theatre, OperaDelaware, Summer Opera Theater, Opera Columbus, Feld Entertainment, Olney Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse and Harah’s (Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe). His work has also been featured in gallery exhibitions at Georgetown University, the Smithsonian Institution and the Washington, D.C. Theatre Design exhibit “It’s Only A Paper Moon.”
CATHERINE ZUBER (Costume Designer) Broadway: The Light in the Piazza (Tony Award); Edward Albee's Seascape; Awake and Sing!; A Naked Girl On The Appian Way; In My Life; Doubt; Little Women; Dracula; Frozen; Dinner at Eight (Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nomination); Twelfth Night (Tony and Drama Desk nomination); Ivanov; Triumph of Love (Drama Desk nomination); London Assurance; The Rose Tattoo; Philadelphia, Here I Come!; The Sound of Music; and The Red Shoes. Off-Broadway: Julius Caesar, The Harlequin Studies, Intimate Apparel (Lucille Lortel Award, Ovation Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations), Engaged, Beckett/Albee, The Beard of Avon (Lucille Lortel Award), Far Away, many others. Recipient: 2003 and 2004 Henry Hewes Award for Outstanding Costume Design, 2004 Lucille Lortel Award, 2004 Ovation Award, 1997 and 2005 Obie Award for Sustained Achievement. Regional: Center Stage, Goodman Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre, Kennedy Center, Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage Company, Seattle Rep., La Jolla Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum. Opera and dance: ABT, Tribute to George Harrison; Canadian Opera Company; New York City Opera; Glimmerglass Opera; Houston Grand Opera; L.A. Opera. Other: Fête des Vignerons, 1999 Vevey, Switzerland. Graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
EMILIA MARTIN (Hair & Wig Designer) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Previous shows including Singing in the Rain, The Producers, and My Fair Lady. Emilia is a NYC based hair and wig stylist. After earning her BA from wagner College and the julliard's school intern program she has worked on Broadway’s Gods of Carnage, Mamma Mia, and 2nd Stages’ Vanities. She recently became a proud new member of IASTE 798, as a hair stylist. Also she can be found teaching stage makeup in Wagner College theatre department, and a part time designer. Thank you to Robert and Brad for all the support!
RICHARD RODGERS (Music) contributions to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits rangingfrom the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright lights of Broadway, London and beyond. He was the recipient of countless awards, including Pulitzers, Tonys, Oscars, Grammys and Emmys. He wrote more than 900 published songs and forty Broadway musicals. Richard Charles Rodgers was born in New York City on June 28, 1902, and went to public school there (P.S. 166, which he attended from 1911 to 1916, was renamed in his honor in 2003), as well as Columbia University and the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School). While a student at Columbia, Rodgers wrote several of the popular "Varsity" shows with two upperclassmen: Oscar Hammerstein II and Lorenz Hart. His earliest professional credits, beginning in 1920, included a series of musicals for Broadway, London and Hollywood written exclusively with lyricist Hart. In the first decade of their collaboration, Rodgers & Hart averaged two new shows every season, beginning with POOR LITTLE RITZ GIRL, and also including THE GARRICK GAIETIES (of 1925 and 1926), DEAREST ENEMY, PEGGY-ANN, A CONNECTICUT YANKEE and CHEE-CHEE. After spending the years 1931 to 1935 in Hollywood (where they wrote the scores for several feature films including Love Me Tonight starring Maurice Chevalier, Halleleujah, I'm A Bum starring Al Jolson and The Phantom President starring George M. Cohan), they returned to New York to compose the score for Billy Rose's circus extravaganza, JUMBO. A golden period followed -- golden for Rodgers & Hart, and golden for the American musical: ON YOUR TOES (1936), BABES IN ARMS (1937), I'D RATHER BE RIGHT (1937), I MARRIED AN ANGEL (1938), THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE (1938), TOO MANY GIRLS (1939), HIGHER AND HIGHER (1940), PAL JOEY (1940) and BY JUPITER (1942). The Rodgers & Hart partnership came to an end with the death of Lorenz Hart in 1943, at the age of 48. Earlier that year Rodgers had joined forces with lyricist and author Oscar Hammerstein II, whose work in the field of operetta throughout the '20s and '30s had been as innovative as Rodgers' own accomplishments in the field of musical comedy. OKLAHOMA! (1943), the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, was also the first of a new genre, the musical play, representing a unique fusion of Rodgers' musical comedy and Hammerstein's operetta. A milestone in the development of the American musical, it also marked the beginning of the most successful partnership in Broadway musical history, and was followed by CAROUSEL(1945), the movie musical STATE FAIR (1945; remade 1962; Broadway premiere, 1996), ALLEGRO (1947), SOUTH PACIFIC (1949), THE KING AND I (1951), ME AND JULIET (1953), PIPE DREAM (1955), the TV musical CINDERELLA (1957; remade 1965, 1997), FLOWER DRUM SONG (1958) and THE SOUND OF MUSIC(1959). Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals earned 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes and two Grammy Awards. In 1998 Rodgers & Hammerstein were cited by Time Magazine and CBS News as among the 20 most influential artists of the 20th century; in 1999 they were jointly commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp. Despite Hammerstein's death in 1960, Rodgers continued to write for the Broadway stage. His first solo entry, NO STRINGS in 1962, earned him two Tony Awards for music and lyrics, and was followed by DO I HEAR A WALTZ? (1965, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim), TWO BY TWO (1970, lyrics by Martin Charnin), REX (1976, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick) and I REMEMBER MAMA (1979, lyrics by Martin Charnin and Raymond Jessel). NO STRINGS was not the only project for which Rodgers worked solo: as composer/lyricist he wrote the score for a 1967 television adaptation of Bernard Shaw's ANDROCLES AND THE LION for NBC; contributed songs to a 1962 remake of STATE FAIR; and to the 1965 movie version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. He composed one ballet score (GHOST TOWN, premiered in 1939), and two television documentary scores -- VICTORY AT SEA in 1952 and THE VALIANT YEARS in 1960 (the former earning him an Emmy, a Gold Record and a commendation from the U.S. Navy). Richard Rodgers died at home in New York City on December 30, 1979 at the age of 77. On March 27, 1990, he was honored posthumously with Broadway's highest accolade when the 46th Street Theatre, owned and operated by the Nederlander Organization, was renamed The Richard Rodgers Theatre, home to The Richard Rodgers Gallery, a permanent exhibit in the lobby areas which honors the composer's life and works. In 2002, the Richard Rodgers Centennial was celebrated around the world, with tributes from Tokyo to London, from the Hollywood Bowl to the White House, featuring six new television specials, museum retrospectives, a dozen new ballets, half a dozen books, new recordings and countless concert and stage productions (including three revivals on Broadway), giving testament to the enduring popularity of Richard Rodgers and the sound of his music.
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II (Lyrics) was born on July 12, 1895 in New York City. His father, William, was a theatre manager and for many years director of Hammerstein's Victoria, the most popular vaudeville theatre of its day. His uncle, Arthur Hammerstein, was a successful Broadway producer and his grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein, a famous opera impresario. Hammerstein started writing lyrics for the Columbia University Varsity shows while studying law. His earliest works included musical comedies written with a Columbia undergraduate seven years his junior named Richard Rodgers. (The 1920 Varsity show, FLY WITH ME, was composed by Rodgers with lyrics by both Hammerstein and a fellow classmate of his named Lorenz Hart.) Withdrawing from Columbia Law School after his second year to pursue a career in theatre, Hammerstein took a job with his uncle as an assistant stage manager. In 1919 Hammerstein's first play, THE LIGHT, was produced by his Uncle Arthur; it lasted four performances. Undaunted, he continued to write both lyrics and librettos, principally with Otto Harbach as his collaborating author. His first success, with Harbach, Vincent Youmans and Herbert Stothart, was WILDFLOWER in 1923. Hammerstein found his niche with some of the greatest composers of his day, breathing new life into the moribund artform of operetta with such classics as ROSE-MARIE (music by Rudolf Friml), THE DESERT SONG (Sigmund Romberg), THE NEW MOON (Romberg), and SONG OF THE FLAME (George Gershwin). With Jerome Kern, Hammerstein wrote eight musicals, including SWEET ADELINE, MUSIC IN THE AIR and their masterwork, SHOW BOAT. His last musical before embarking on an exclusive partnership with Richard Rodgers was CARMEN JONES, the highly-acclaimed 1943 all-black revision of Georges Bizet's tragic opera CARMEN. During the years that Hammerstein was redefining the terms of operetta, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were challenging the accepted norms of musical comedy with shows that set new standards for wit, sophistication and innovation. The Rodgers & Hammerstein partnership began with OKLAHOMA! (1943). Like Hammerstein's SHOW BOAT and Rodgers & Hart's PAL JOEY, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical was a ground-breaking milestone, blending musical comedy and operetta into a whole new genre -- the musical play. OKLAHOMA! was also the start of the most successful partnership in Broadway history and was followed by CAROUSEL, ALLEGRO, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, ME AND JULIET, PIPE DREAM, FLOWER DRUM SONG, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote one musical specifically for the big screen -- STATE FAIR -- and one for television -- CINDERELLA. Collectively, their musicals earned 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes and two Grammy Awards. As producers, Rodgers & Hammerstein presented plays, musicals and revivals, including John van Druten's I REMEMBER MAMA, Anita Loos' HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Irving Berlin's blockbuster ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, the national tour of SHOW BOAT (1947-49) and six of their own stage musicals (from the Pulitzer winning SOUTH PACIFIC in 1949 to the Tony winning THE SOUND OF MUSIC ten years later). They also produced the motion picture version of OKLAHOMA! and founded their own music publishing firm, Williamson Music (basing the name on the fact that both of their fathers were named William.) Oscar Hammerstein II was a member of the board of directors of many professional organizations, including the Dramatists Guild and the Screen Writers' Guild. He received many personal honors and awards including five honorary degrees, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Academy Awards and five Tony Awards. His last musical was THE SOUND OF MUSIC written with Richard Rodgers in 1959; his last song was "Edelweiss," written for that musical during its Boston tryout. Oscar Hammerstein II died at his farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on the morning of August 23, 1960. In 1995 Hammerstein's centennial was celebrated worldwide with commemorative recordings, books, concerts and an award-winning PBS special, "Some Enchanted Evening." The ultimate tribute came the following season, when Oscar Hammerstein II had three musicals playing on Broadway simultaneously: SHOW BOAT (1995 Tony Award winner, Best Musical Revival); THE KING AND I (1996 Tony Award winner, Best Musical Revival); and STATE FAIR (1996 Tony Award nominee for Best Score.) "The Careful Dreamer," a Time Magazine cover story on Oscar Hammerstein II, was published on October 20, 1947. A biography, Getting to Know Him by Hugh Fordin, was first published by Random House in 1977. A revised edition of Hammerstein's Lyrics, edited by his son William Hammerstein and containing an introductory essay by the lyricist plus a preface by his protege Stephen Sondheim, was published by Hal Leonard Publishing in 1985. THE COMPLETE LYRICS OF OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II was published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2008.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL In 1952, Frank Loesser transformed a fledgling business into what is now known throughout the world as "MTI." In the intervening years, Music Theatre International has become a leader in the theatrical licensing industry, specializing in Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End musicals. Since its founding in 1952, MTI has been responsible for supplying scripts and musical materials to theatres worldwide and for protecting the rights and legacy of the authors who it represents. Whether it is the newest hit from the Broadway or London stage, or a timeless classic, MTI has been a driving force in cultivating new work and in extending the production life of the great American musicals such as, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Fiddler On The Roof, Les Misérables, Annie, Of Thee I Sing, Damn Yankees, The Music Man, Godspell, Little Shop Of Horrors, and the musical theatre collection of composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, among others.