Presents A Christmas Memory - Footlightsworlds beyond the kitchen.” Their special “Cake List” is for “Friends.” Not neighbor friends, but those persons with whom Buddy and

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE Presents

A Christmas Memory

Book by Music by Lyrics by

Duane Poole Larry Grossman Carole Hall

Based on the story by Truman Capote

Directed by Alison Eliel Kalmus Music Directed by Emily Cohn

Presented by special arrangement with Jayson Raitt and Brannon Wiles.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY was originally produced byTheaterWorks in Palo Alto, CA. Robert Kelley, Artistic Director and Phil Santora, Managing Director

Any taping, filming, recording or broadcast of this play (musical or otherwise) is strictly prohibited.

No food or beverages (other than water) are permitted in the seating areas.

Please turn off all electronic devices.

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR When we adopted our mission of celebrating the American experience in plays by American authors it forced me to find new holiday shows since our perennial production of A Christmas Carol was no longer possible. Last year, I was lucky to have found A Little House Christmas, based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which proved to be enormously popular with our audiences (we plan to produce it again next year!) And this year, I was thrilled to find A Christmas Memory adapted from the story by Truman

Capote and making its Los Angeles premiere with this production. Set in rural Alabama, it is a play that celebrates all that is good about the holidays – family, food, and festivities, but also examines the special relationship between a young boy and his eccentric older cousin that speaks to those special bonds we form with the unlikeliest of people. It has been beautifully adapted by Duane Poole, Larry Grossman, and Carole Hall and I’m so happy to make it SMP’s holiday gift to you.

When I approached Alison Eliel Kalmus to direct this play, I didn’t know that Capote’s story is one of her favorites. It has been a fortuitous pairing! Alison has a long history with the Playhouse, but this was the first time we have worked together and it has been a joy. She and Emily Cohn, our Music Director, and this wonderful group of designers and actors have brought this lovely play to such vibrant life that I’m sure it will become another audience favorite. A special thank you to John Sparks who produced the show for us, he showed up at just the right moment.

We have had a banner year at the Playhouse – our shows were critical and popular successes (Always…Patsy Cline was the biggest smash in our history), we received our first ever Ovation nominations, we were discovered by many new patrons, we launched our Advisory Council which will work with our Board to help us achieve so many of our goals, we have had great support from local businesses, and support from our donors has risen dramatically. We have so many wonderful plans for 2016 – terrific shows, of course, but many other new initiatives and surprises for you, as well.

From all of us here at the Playhouse, we wish you the happiest of Holidays and the best of everything in the New Year! I hope the Playhouse will continue to be your second living room – filled with memories of good times spent with family and friends – and one to which you return often.

Christian Lebano

CAST (in order of appearance)

Anna Stabler ......................... Charlotte Crossley* Theresa Ford u/s Adult Buddy ............................... Jeff Scot Carey* Jennie ......................................... Jean Kaufman* Sook .............................................. Diane Kelber* Young Buddy ...................................... Ian Branch Patrick Geringer Seabon ............................. Kevin Michael Moran* Farley / Mr. HaHa ........ Christopher Showerman* Nelle .............................................. Lucy Ferrante Samantha Salamoff Queenie .................................................. Sheldon

*Member Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Setting: Rural Alabama, 1933 and 1955

Songs

ACT ONE Prologue ........................................................................... Orchestra Imagine a Morning ............................................................ Ensemble Alabama Fruitcake ...................................................... Sook, Buddy What's Next ................................................................. Adult Buddy This and That .............................................................. Nelle, Buddy Alabama Fruitcake (Reprise) ....................................... Sook, Buddy Mighty Sweet Music.......................................................... Ensemble Detour ..................................................................................... Anna One Small Seed .......................................................... Sook, Buddy Paper And Cotton ......................................................... Adult Buddy ACT TWO Thirty-one Cakes ......................................................... Sook, Buddy No Tellin' ..................................................................... Sook, Buddy Nothing More Than Stars ................... Seabon, Adult Buddy, Buddy Buddy's Midnight Adventure ....................... Buddy, Sook, Ensemble You Don't Know It .................................................................. Jennie The Kite Song.......................................................................... Sook Finale .......................................................... Adult Buddy, Ensemble

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

When I first listened to A Christmas Memory, I was struck with how masterfully it evoked the poignancy of a personally beloved story. Every year, I introduce the Truman Capote classic to my high-school English students observing the lessons they learn from the brilliance of its deceptively simple writing, anthems of tolerance, and the truth of authentic-self. The lyrical beauty of the story’s prose made it a natural for musical theater, and the adaptors have served the story beautifully.

In the play, fruitcake serves as a means for a sensitive boy and intellectually-disabled woman to transcend the insistent “normalcy” of their relatives, community and circumstances. Though they are marginalized, Sook and Buddy are able to explore vistas far beyond the limited world of their biased family and neighbors. Through their adventures in the acquisition of ingredients, the pleasures of baking, and the decision as to who will be an honorary recipient - their fruitcakes become emissaries that “make us feel connected to eventful worlds beyond the kitchen.” Their special “Cake List” is for “Friends.” Not neighbor friends, but those persons with whom Buddy and Sook have developed a special bond or interest (Baptist missionaries to Borneo, the bus driver from Mobile - who always waves to them, the young couple driving from California who snap a photo of them). Then there are those who intrigue and inspire but whom they’ve never met (FDR and Jean Harlow!). Forging a bridge of connections outside their restricted environment, they are able to escape the tyranny of closeted expectations and parochial stricture.

Many thanks to Christian Lebano for the opportunity to direct, John Sparks our wise Producer, Kelsey O’Keeffe (a most organized SM), Emily Cohn (a wonderful MD and Coach), Dorothy Nichols, Estelle Campbell, Diane Siegel, David Goldstein, Vicki Conrad, Michael Kozachenko, an amazing Cast and Crew, our virtuoso Band, SMP Board, Staff, and Volunteers. A special shout-out to the devoted parents of our child actors, who ran lines, drove hundreds of miles, waited patiently and dealt with the nerves and fatigue.

“Oh, what an adventure awaits us today..!” Alison Eliel Kalmus

PRODUCTION TEAM Director / Choreographer .....................................................Alison Eliel Kalmus Music Director .................................................................................. Emily Cohn Producers ............................ John Sparks, Estelle Campbell, Christian Lebano Production Stage Manager / Dance Captain ........................... Kelsey O’Keeffe Stage Manager (Dec. 22 & 23) ................................................... Kristin Bolinski Assistant Stage Manager ........................................................... Emily Hopfauf Stage Crew ................................................................................ Victoria Aguilar Dog Wranglers ...................................................... Elizabeth & Susan Solebello Set Designer ............................................................................. David Goldstein Costume Designer ......................................................................... Vicki Conrad Lighting Designer.............................................................. Michael Kozachenko Sound Effects Designer .............................................................. Barry Schwam Set Dresser / Properties Designer ................................................... Erin Walley Ukelele Coach .......................................................................... Michael Gregan Additional Choreography .......................................................... Dorothy Nichols Dialect Coach ............................................................... Deborah Ross Sullivan Lobby Curator ................................................................................ Diane Siegel Set Builder ........................................................................................... Jeff Ditto Carpenters ................................... Matt John, Zach LaLiberte, Borja Rodriguez Scenic Painter ...................................................................... Orlando de la Paz Poster Design .................................................................................... Kiff Scholl Production Photography .................................................................... Gina Long Website Designer ...................................................................... Daniel Pelletier Publicist ...................................................................................... Philip Sokoloff Program .................................................................................. Christian Lebano

FOR THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE Artistic Director ....................................................................... Christian Lebano Managing Director .................................................................. Estelle Campbell Operations Director .................................................................... Ward Calaway Box Office Manager ........................................................................ Mary Baville Volunteer Guild Coordinator ................................................Alison Eliel Kalmus Exhibits and Special Events Curator ............................................. Diane Siegel Reading Series Curator ..................................................................... DJ Harner Social Media Manager ................................................................... David Crane Website Manager ...................................................................... Daniel Pelletier eBlast Coordinator .......................................................................... Deb Snyder Board Members .................................................... Paul Van Dorpe (President)

Louise Calaway, Ward Calaway, Estelle Campbell, Christian Lebano, Randy Ruppart, Serge Varela, Frank Zgonc

Advisory Council .................... Erica Blodgett (co-Chair), Gina Long (co-Chair),

Michael Albright, David Gordon, Suzanna Guzman, Robert Lebano Ann Scott- Putney, John Sparks, Manuela Markarian

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Truman Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30, 1924, in New Orleans, and died August 25, 1984 in Los Angeles. He spent his childhood with various elderly relatives in small towns in Louisiana and Alabama. (He owed his surname to his mother’s remarriage to Joseph Capote.) He eventually joined his mother and stepfather in Connecticut, where he completed his secondary education. He achieved early literary recognition in 1945 when his short story “Miriam” won the O. Henry Prize for short fiction, the first of four such

awards he was to receive. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948), was acclaimed as the work of a young writer of great promise. The short story “Shut a Final Door” (O. Henry Award, 1946) and other tales of loveless and isolated individuals were collected in A Tree of Night (1949). The quasi-autobiographical novel The Grass Harp (1951) is a story of nonconforming innocents who temporarily retire from life to a tree house, returning renewed to the real world. One of Capote’s most popular works, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958), is a novella about a young café-society girl. Capote’s increasing preoccupation with journalism was reflected in his nonfiction novel In Cold Blood, a chilling account of a multiple murder committed in Kansas by two young psychopaths. Capote spent six years interviewing the principals in the case—including months in Kansas with his friend, childhood neighbor, and fellow novelist Harper Lee (Nelle), who served as his “assistant researchist”—and the critical and popular success of his novel about them was the high point of his dual careers as a writer and a celebrity socialite. For though a serious writer, Capote became a party-loving darling of the rich and famous. Endowed with a quirky character, he entertained television audiences with outrageous tales recounted in his distinctively high-pitched lisping Southern drawl. Capote’s later writings never approached the success of his earlier ones. In the late 1960s he adapted two short stories about his childhood, “A Christmas Memory” (1956) and “The Thanksgiving Visitor,” (1967) for television. The Dogs Bark (1973) consists of collected essays and profiles over a 30-year span, while the collection Music for Chameleons (1980) includes both fiction and nonfiction. In later years Capote’s growing dependence on drugs and alcohol stifled his productivity. Moreover, selections from a projected work that he considered to be his masterpiece, a social satire entitled Answered Prayers, appeared in Esquire magazine in 1975 and raised a storm among friends and foes who were harshly depicted in the work (under the thinnest of disguises). He was thereafter ostracized by his former celebrity friends. The book, which had not been completed at the time of his death, was published as Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel in 1986, and has since been reissued many times.

ABOUT THE ADAPTORS Duane Poole (Book) In addition to A Christmas Memory, which received an Outer Critics Circle nomination as Best Off-Broadway Musical in 2014, Duane’s credits include Love Makes the World Go 'Round featuring the songs of Bob Merrill; Beautiful Poison for Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, a 2014 NAMT Festival selection, score by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda; Scrooge in Love!, with Larry Grossman and Kellen Blair; Michel’s Bird, an animated musical with Michel Legrand; Dorian, premiering in Amsterdam in 2015, score by James Mellon and Scott DeTurk; and #Spellbound, an upcoming musical thriller. Along with a dozen other plays, Duane has created tributes to Sondheim, Schwartz, and Jones and Schmidt for the Pasadena Playhouse. Additional credits include over fifty television movies, series, and features, including the final two screen appearances of Katharine Hepburn. His film, Shattered Image, was an official selection at the Venice, Montreal, and Toronto Film Festivals. He has written for performers as varied as George Clooney, Cheyenne Jackson, Glenn Close, Gwen Verdon, Jack Lemmon, Michael Feinstein, Ginger Rogers, Fred Flintstone, and Johnny Depp. Larry Grossman (Music) is an award-winning composer for theatre, television, film, concerts, and cabaret. Broadway: Minnie’s Boys, Goodtime Charley, A Doll’s Life with book and lyrics by Comden & Green, directed by Hal Prince (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Grind (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), incidental music for Play Memory and Arthur Kopit’s The End Of The World, both directed by Hal Prince. Off-Broadway: A Christmas Memory (nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical), Snoopy! The Musical, which is performed worldwide and received an Olivier Award nomination, Paper Moon, and Diamonds. Next up, Scrooge in Love! premiering in San Francisco this holiday season at the 42nd Street Moon. Mr. Grossman has been awarded six Emmys, with a total of 17 nominations, as well as a Peabody Award for The Muppet Show. Film credits include song scores for Disney’s Pocohontas 2: Journey to a New World, The Great Mouse Detective, MGM’s That’s Dancing! and Princess Diaries 2, along with the dramatic scores for Kurt Vonnegut’s Displaced Person and the remake of Hitchcock’s Suspicion Carol Hall (Lyricist) received two Drama Desk awards for her score to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a Grammy nomination for the album, and an ASCAP Award for Dolly Parton’s recording of “Hard Candy Christmas.” LeAnn Rimes has recorded the song for the holiday season and a Broadway revival is scheduled for this spring. Other stage work includes Paper Moon, and the Off-Broadway musical To Whom It May Concern. Carol was a major contributor to Marlo Thomas’ Free to Be…You and Me (Emmy and gold album - “It’s All Right To Cry,” “Parents Are People”) and to Sesame Street for ten years. Artists who’ve performed her songs are Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, Ann-Margret, Tony Bennett, Chita Rivera, Liz Callaway, Frederica von Stade and Big Bird, among others. Her CD “Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall” is available on Amazon.com. Her evening of one-act plays, The Days are as Grass, was recently published by Samuel French. She is a Lifetime Member of the Dramatists Guild Council. www.carolhall.net

The Producers, Cast, and Crew thank the following for their contributions to A Christmas Memory

Serge Varela and Marvyn Galsim at GrandCare Health Services for providing rehearsal space for this production.

The Only Place in Town for providing our delicious coffee.

Kirk Arnold Smith Camp Charlo Commandante

Jennifer Ramos, Danielle Borsch of Vroman's Bookstore

The staff of Vroman’s Bookstore Hastings Ranch

Norma Bachwansky and The Sierra Madre Historical Society

Michelle An and The Sierra Madre Library

Kristin Ferguson Smith and Solace Sweets, Pasadena

Vicky Aguilar and Emily Hopfauf for their very creative contributions to the Lobby Display LOCAL BAKERIES AND PURVEYORS OF FINE FOODS

Sumi Chang and Europane Bakery, Pasadena, Stollen

Karen Hansen and Copenhagen Pastry, Pasadena, Kringle

Mike McLellan and Patticakes Desserts, Altadena, Buche de Noel

Karen Keegan and Savor the Flavor, Sierra Madre, Sticky toffee pudding topped with sticky toffee sauce

Brittainy and Matt Turnquist and Poppy Cake Baking Company, Sierra Madre, Buche de Noel

Vito Carfachia and Eagle Rock Italian Bakery, Eagle Rock, Panettone

Lourdes Laros and Taco Fiesta, Sierra Madre, Sweet tamales MAIL ORDER FRUITCAKE AND OTHER HOLIDAY TREATS

Beatrice Bakery, Beatrice, Nebraska http://www.beatricebakery.com/

Black Cat Bakery Shop, Missoula, Montana, Stollen http://blackcatbakeshop.com/

Bien Fait Cakes, Greensboro, Vermont https://bienfaitcakes.com

Claxton Bakery, Inc., Claxton, Georgia https://www.claxtonfruitcake.com/

Collin Street Bakery, Corsicana, Texas https://www.collinstreet.com

THE CAST Ian Branch (Young Buddy) is thrilled to step onto the stage of the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Prior to his role as Young Buddy, Ian played “Captain America” in a national television commercial for Kellogg’s Cereal. His theater experience includes the roles of Jafar, in the Santa Barbara Performing Arts production of Aladdin, and Nathan Detroit in the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble production of Guys & Dolls. In addition to acting, Ian loves film directing, script writing, stunt work, magic, piano and drums. Ian would like to thank the company

of A Christmas Memory for their loving support and guidance. To God, he sends never-ending gratitude, to his management team Debra Manners and Kacie Velie, agent Bill Naoum—and to his family—Ian sends a great big hug. Jeff Scot Carey* (Adult Buddy) Broadway: 101 Dalmatians (MSG) and Rent (Tenth Anniversary Concert). National Tours: Grease, South Pacific, Cinderella, 101 Dalmatians, and Rent. World Tour: Rent. Off-Broadway: Tails, Dorian Gray, and Back Home LA Theatre: The Max Factor Factor (NoHo Arts Center) Doomsday Cabaret (Blank Theatre) Bagels (NMI - 3D Theatricals) and Right Together, Left Together (Unknown Artists.) Favorite NY/Regional: The Last Five Years, John & Jen, Hair, Footloose, and Godspell. Film/TV: One Life to Live, All My Children, Magnanimous, Intrinsic, and The Reformation. Written works: NYC, The Order of Things (Under St Marks), Paint (Stella Adler,) and Storm Control, and most recently The Group (Sherry Theatre, LA.) He also wrote and directed the WebSeries Slightly Dramatic (Coincidentally, filmed in Sierra Madre!) Available at slightlydramatic.com. Jeffscotcarey.com

Charlotte Crossley* (Anna Stabler) featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom, got her professional start at 17 when cast in the Chicago production of Hair, ultimately joining the Tony Award-winning production’s first national tour. She was in the original Broadway cast of Jesus Christ Superstar which also won a Tony Award. Charlo starred on Broadway in Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle. She toured with Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, performing and recording for CBS Records with the trio of backup singers known as The Harlettes. Charlo’s music credits include working with Chaka

Khan, Luther Vandross, Lainie Kazan, Muddy Waters, Sister's Love, Boz Scaggs, and Hiroshima. She has appeared in The Preachers Wife, Beaches, Sister Act

1, Sister Act 2, When Harry Met Sally, and the Emmy Award-winning HBO Behind the Candelabra.

Lucy Ferrante (Nelle) made her stage debut at six as an orphan in Annie at Centre Stage's production at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. At the Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, she played leads in the musicals Avenue Q, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma, The Little Mermaid and Little Shop of Horrors. For the past three summers, she attended workshops in the cinematic arts department at LACHSA and has studied improv at LOL Studio and the renowned Groundlings in Los Angeles. Currently, Lucy is a company member at Le PeTiT CiRqUe - the country's only 'all kids' professional level cirque troupe. This year she will be featured in the upcoming documentary Silence. Lucy is an 8th grader at the Gooden School in hometown Sierra Madre.

Theresa Ford (Anna Stabler U/S) Theresa’s introduction to music was standing next to the "juke box" her dad bought for their living room when she was 5. She then started singing in church with her siblings as the "Lanier Sisters" in Philadelphia where her mother was the pastor. From the juke box to church! She has sung with James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch, and El Debarge and co-starred with Loretta Divine, Marla Gibbs, Dorien Wilson, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Jackee'. She has been in several Don B Welch productions: Let the Church Roll On, Heaven Bound, Walking by Faith, The First Lady of Zion, Life Stories, and My Brother’s Keeper the movie. Look for a jazz CD with pianist -husband Kenny Ford. Theresa studies voice with Dr Christian Nova.

Patrick Geringer (Young Buddy) is extremely proud and excited about his first performance at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. He is in the sixth grade attending school in Sierra Madre. He enjoys video games, martial arts and surfing. This is his very first theater performance outside of school and is appreciative of the other, more seasoned, actors and actresses who have taken him under their wings. Patrick takes voices lessons from Dianne Harmel and is forever grateful to her for introducing him to Ms. Kalmus and Mr. Lebano who have found the perfect role for him as young Buddy. Patrick is thankful to his parents, grandparents, and actress-engineer big sister, for

their love and support and allowing him to sing, very loudly, in the car.

Jean Kauffman* (Jennie) was Emma Goldman in Ragtime and Mrs. Brice in Funny Girl (both for 3D Theatricals). Tours: Beauty and The Beast, Cats, On The Twentieth Century, A Chorus Line, Joseph, Hair. Regional: Hamlet (Gertrude), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Curtains (Carmen), Paul Rudnick's The New Century (Helene), Oklahoma (Aunt Eller), Cloud Nine (Maud). On The Town (Lucy Schmeeler), How To Succeed (Hedy). NYC: The Rise of David Levinsky, Hilly, Lili, & Lulu. Los Angeles: Urinetown (Penelope Pennywise), Oliver (Mrs. Sowerberry), Is He Dead? (Madame Bathilde), Assassins (Sara Jane Moore). UCLA (B.A.), Kent State (MFA). Jean just wrapped the film Angels on Tap with Ed Asner. Favorite role:

Max's mom. Favorite husband: Robert L. Freedman, Tony winner for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Diane Kelber* (Sook) is thrilled to come back to SMP! Last seen here as “Miss Maudie/Narrator” in To Kill a Mockingbird. Recently seen as “Bette” in The Aftersex at Eclectic Theatre. Diane began her career as a principal dancer in regional modern rep companies across the country. Next came 25 regional musical theatre roles including work with national treasures like Sandy Duncan and Gavin MacLeod. Diane wrote/performed her solo show produced by Bitter Truth Playhouse and directed by Darryl Hickman; co-wrote/starred in Blue Grass produced by Interact Theatre. She can be seen or heard in national commercials, voiceover and print, indie films, and TV including Weeds. Diane also directs and produces promo and fundraising videos. Her performance is dedicated with love to her husband Ron Guillory. www.dianekelber.com

Kevin Michael Moran* (Seabon) a proud member of Actors' Equity for the past 35 years, has performed in over 40 plays and musicals throughout his career. His recent credits include The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at the Grove Theatre in Burbank and Snake Can at the Odyssey Theatre, which starred Jane Kazcmerek and Gregory Harrison. In New York Kevin appeared off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in a series of one-acts. His film credits include featured roles in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate with Martin Lawrence and Heartburn directed by Mike Nichols starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. He also had a recurring role on ABC’s All My Children.

Kevin thanks Gary Imhoff for his inspiration, and his spouse for "this wonderful life."

Samantha Salamoff (Nelle) developed her skills as a singer/pianist in numerous school and semi-professional variety shows as well as with her rock bands Popcats and Reigning Spades. She has performed at a number of local venues including The Troubadour and The Whiskey. Currently, she is a member of Burbank’s award-winning Madrigals Show Choir. As an actress, Samantha has appeared in short films and commercials and is a recurring cast member for the Los Angeles-based sketch comedy team Yes Please!, which has been featured on the front page of Funny or Die. Her theater credits include the role of “Time” in Noho’s The Road Theatre’s production of Melissa Arctic, winner of

numerous Stage Scene LA Awards including Best Ensemble Cast Performance - Drama (Intimate Theater). Christopher Showerman* (HAHA Jones/Farley) is pleased to be performing on the Sierra Madre Playhouse stage for the first time. He graduated from Michigan State with a music composition degree where he performed in Rossini's opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella) as well as Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore. Other musicals include Once on this Island, Lies and Legends, Closer than Ever, The Rocky Horror Show and many Broadway musical reviews. He toured North America with Linda Evans and Joan Collins in Legends. Other plays include The Star Spangled Girl by Neil Simon, Sightlines by Charles Hall, and Ornament Exchange by Jan Alajandro and directed by our very own Alison Kalmus. TV & Film credits include CSI: Miami, The OC, Radio America and George of the Jungle 2.

Sheldon (Queenie) is a 1.5-year-old Chiweenie adopted as a rescue from the Pasadena Humane Society. Found underweight (and underloved!), those who adopted him knew immediately that he needed to become a part of their family. His favorite things to do are give kisses to anyone who will allow him, and cuddle upside down after a day of playing outside. His family anticipated that he would become a performer due to a foot deformity that keeps him in "first position," and he has proven he is ready for his close up. This is

Sheldon's first stage production, and he is honored to make his debut with SMP! Thanks to his family, his extended theater family, and the company Stella & Chewy's for making his favorite on-stage treats.

THE BAND

Emily Cohn (Music Director / Band Leader) can be found all over Southern California playing piano and keyboards for musicals, music directing, playing with singer songwriters, playing jazz, and writing music. She was recently AMD for We are the Tigers, AMD for the multiple award winning Hollywood Fringe show Alien vs Musical, MD for Bagels and NYSSV at New Musicals Inc. To learn more, see video, and hear music visit www.emilycohnmusic.com. Brian Cannady (Percussion) is an LA based drummer/percussionist with a highly diverse background. Upon graduating CSU Fullerton with a bachelors in Percussion, he set out to carve out his slice of the LA music scene. He has been involved with many musical productions, including LA's award winning 'Color Purple.' Brian has also played with such artists as Bill Cunliffe, Natalie Cole, Vince Guaraldi, and Jeff Hamilton. He is currently pursuing the Masters program at USC and spends time playing with local rock bands such as 'The Acetates' and 'Diamonds and Rust.’ Katie Clarke (Synthesizer) trained as a concert pianist at the Purcell school of music in London and went on to acquire a degree in Music and a Masters in performance from Bristol and York Universities, England. While studying she toured extensively as both a pianist and singer throughout Europe. She has performed on cruise ships and on land all over the world as both a concert pianist and with her virtuoso piano variety act that she created accompanied by a band. Katie also works as a Musical Director, accompanist, session musician and teacher, and has worked with a wide range of singers and instrumentalists in both London and Los Angeles, from the West End to the LA Opera. Sean Paxton (Synthesizer Dec 4, 18-27) is a composer and musician based in Los Angeles. He attended USC for Jazz Performance studying with Milcho Leviev and Cedar Walton. After finishing his degree, Sean spent a year in Glasgow, Scotland, playing in hotels and working with the Lothian Gaelic Choir. He was the Music Director and Band Leader for SMP’s smash hit Always…Patsy Cline and has music directed dozens of productions at various theaters including Sierra Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, PCPA, the Odyssey, the NoHo Arts Center, and has played and produced music for Disney and Universal Studios. As a composer Sean has written music for trailers, commercials, and films. He recently scored the award-winning features Virginity and Refuge, and received ASCAP's Harold Arlen Award for film scoring.

PRODUCTION TEAM Victoria Aguilar (Stage Crew) is a full-time student at Pasadena City College pursuing Technical Theatre. She was Asst. Stage Manager Always…Patsy Cline joining the show for its extension and couldn't be more excited to be working on her second show at SMP. She is a Graphic Designer with her own company Victorious Creations. Victoria is also a resident artist at Don Benito School in Pasadena. She has worked on Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein and Carlo Goldoni's Servant of Two Masters, as a Scenic Painter and Makeup Artist. Emily Cohn (Music Director / Band Leader) See bio under band. Vicki Conrad (Costume Designer) Recent credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2015 Ovation Award for Best Costume Design), 110 in the Shade (Ovation Award – Best Production of a Musical), My Children! My Africa!, Pride and Prejudice, Going to St. Ives, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Learned Ladies (LA Weekly Award Best Costume Design, Ovation Nomination), The Matchmaker, Big River (Ovation Nomination), A Perfect Likeness (Co-op & Fremont Theatre), Live! The Last Night of My Life (Sacred Fools), The Burnt Part Boys (Third Street Theater), Einstein is a Dummy (Sierra Madre Playhouse). Grateful thanks to the entire SMP team. Happy Holidays! www.vickiconraddesign.com Orlando de la Paz (Scenic Painter) A Christmas Memory is Orlando's sixth production at SMP, following Always...Patsy Cline, The Odd Couple, A Little House Christmas, A Walk in the Woods, and the Einstein/Putting it Together Rep. Other credits include - A Noise Within: All My Sons, Antigone, A Flea in Her Ear, Julius Caesar, Figaro, The Threepenny Opera, The Dance of Death; The Colony: Family Planning, What I Learned in Paris, Road to Appomatox, El Grande Circus de Coca-Cola; Antaeus: Top Girls, Picnic, Uncle Vanya; La Mirada Theater: Good People, Billy Elliot, Carrie, Pride and Prejudice; Boston Court: Missing Pages of Lewis Carroll, Seven Spots on the Sun; The Los Angeles Theater: Carrie. Education: Otis College of Art and Design: BFA in Illustration, Don Bosco College Seminary, Don Bosco Technical Institute. Jeff Ditto (Set Builder) is happy to be building his first set for SMP with A Christmas Memory. Recent productions include Los Angeles Ballet's Giselle (Fall 2015), Around the World in Eighty Days at Actors Coop (Summer 2015). Thanks to David Goldstein and the producers for giving me a chance on blind faith. David Goldstein (Scenic Design) Goldstein is thrilled to be in Los Angeles, working at SMP! He currently resides in Brooklyn, and his designs can be seen around the country! Off Bwy: The Eternal Space(current), I Know What Boys Want, Soul Doctor, Stalking the Bogeyman, Fabulous The Musical, Sweet Sweet Spirit. Los Angeles: Around the World in 80 Days, Elevator, Playground, Rocky Horror, Boomermania, Its Top Secret! Regional: NC Stage (Someone Else, current), WV Public Theatre, Allenberry Playhouse, PA, Cohoes Music Hall, NY. Follow his design adventures on instagram! @davidgoldsteindesigns. RLYcore4 www.davidgoldsteindesigns.com

Emily Hopfauf (Asst. Stage Manager) is excited to be working on her fourth show with SMP having ASM’ed for The Odd Couple and Einstein is a Dummy and been the Wardrobe Mistress/Dresser for Always…Patsy Cline. She has constructed costumes for Color of the Stars at Childsplay Theater. She received a BA in Theater, Film, and Dance with an emphasis in costume design at Humboldt State University. While attending HSU she Stage Managed Fat Pig, Costume Designed the Spring Dance Show and worked on multiple wardrobe and run crews. Emily also is Assistant to the Management Team at SMP. Alison Kalmus (Director/Choreographer), from contemporary stage to classic musicals at venues such as Cal Phil at Disney Hall, Fringe and other international festivals, has worked with Henri-Cartier Bresson (CBS’ California Impressions), directed La Boheme with Hradek Kralovie Filharmonie for the CZ International Arts Festival (invited back for Il Barbiere di Seviglia), developed Alison Kalmus Theater (SMP’s professional AKT Youth Repertory) and Southern California Lyric Theater. Kalmus earned an “L.A. Times Critics Choice” for The Fantasticks (Knightsbridge Theatre), and developed “Shakespeare in the Park” in association with L.A. County Parks and Recreation. Acting and vocal credits encompass the performing arts. As write/performer, she worked as a resident member of The Ice House’s Improv Inferno and Tour de Farce, and also “Comic Relief USA V and VI.” Michael Kozachenko (Lighting Designer) is a recent graduate of the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, with an emphasis on directing and lighting design. His prior credits include Watching O.J., Les Miserables, The Woodsman, The Pitchfork Disney and The Other Town. He also recently directed and designed the musical Spring Awakening under the umbrella of his new theatre company, Defy Theatre. For more information, visit defytheatre.org, where you can also follow Michael and his future endeavors. Michael loves Christmas and is thrilled to be with Sierra Madre Playhouse for the first time. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the show! Kelsey O’Keeffe (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working at Sierra Madre Playhouse again! She previously stage managed SMP’s Einstein is a Dummy and assistant stage managed Putting It Together, Battledrum, and An Ideal Husband. Kelsey graduated in 2012 from Muhlenberg College with a major in Theatre and a double minor in Music and Dance. She has stage managed the world premiere of Bend in the Road at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse) as well as The Mission Play at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. Kelsey also teaches and choreographs at Theatre 360 and SODE School of Performing Arts, assistant directs/choreographs at Blair High School, and performs around the San Gabriel Valley. Diane Siegel (Lobby Curator) is reserving judgment on fruitcake until the three SMP tastings are complete, but she loves fruitcake bakers and fruitcake musicals. Speaking to scores of fruitcake bakers all over the country has been a pleasure building up to the programming held in celebration of the LA premiere of the show. Our fruitcake bakers are passionate about the treat that half the country loves to hate. Diane loves the “fruitcake musical” so much that she knows we are experiencing a new American classic. Seven must be lucky

because this is the seventh time Diane has curated the lobby for the Playhouse: Battledrum, 6 Rms Riv Vu, A Walk in the Woods, The Odd Couple, Einstein/Putting it Together Rep and, Always…Patsy Cline. Thanks for making me part of the SMP family! Barry Schwam (Sound FX Designer) Actor/sound designer Barry Schwam has designed sound and created sound effects for over 100 productions both at SMP and around the country, film and stage. He was co-nominated for Best Sound Design for Driving Miss Daisy by the NAACP at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Mr. Schwam has also scored and performed music that has appeared in several shows at SMP as well as having written many songs for children's theater and has 10 self-produced music albums available on Amazon.com. He also plays the unusual Theremin…world's only instrument played without touching it! Barry also enjoys playing in the “fun rock” band, J.J. Jukebox, “Old guys playing old songs.” He resides in Sierra Madre, with his wife and two possessed cats. John Sparks (Producer) As the founder of musical theatre writers’ workshops in Los Angeles (www.nmi.org – 1979-present) and Chicago (Theatre Building Chicago, 1987–2009), John has produced over 200 new musicals in staged readings, workshop and main stage productions. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Mercury Musical Developments in London, where he regularly contributes master classes and dramaturgical evaluations. As a writer, he has contributed music and lyrics (Babes in Barns), music only (Two By Aesop, One By Us and How’s By You?), lyrics only (Hans Brinker), book and lyrics (On The Brink) and book only (The Arresting Dilemma of Mister K, Cashel Byron, Wanting Miss Julie) – all seen in both Los Angeles and Chicago. John recently joined the Sierra Madre Playhouse Advisory Council. Erin Walley (Set Dresser/Props Designer) Graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 2012 with an MFA in Theatre Scenic Design. Her recent properties work includes Props Design for Always…Patsy Cline at SMP, All My Sons and Antigone at A Noise Within, Something Monstrous at The Blank Theatre, Shiv at The Theatre @ Boston Court, Green Grow the Lilacs at Theatricum Botanicum, and Into the Woods at Milken Community Schools. Additionally, her recent scenic designs include The Tempest & Treasure Island with the Young Actors Project, The Odd Couple at SMP, and High Rollers at Ruskin Theatre. Upcoming projects include Breaking Through at Pasadena Playhouse.

Clockwise from left: Diane Kelber (Sook), Charlotte Crossley (Anna), Jean Kauffman (Jennie), Ian Branch (Buddy), and Sheldon

Zugo's Italian 74 West Sierra Madre Blvd

Sierra Madre

Under new ownership!

Opening soon!

Open 7 days a week.

Offering: Brunch, lunch, dinner, wine and craft

beer.

zugoscafe.com

(626) 836-5700

To be added to our mailing list,

please email: [email protected]

The Marquee Circle* The Sierra Madre Playhouse thanks the following members of the Marquee

Circle for their generous contributions in support of our work.

Foundations, Grants, & Underwriters Charles E. & Ruth V. Gilb Foundation CIGNA GrandCare Home Health Services Los Angeles County Arts Commission Pasadena Educational Foundation Ralphs Sierra Madre Civic Club Sierra Madre Community Foundation The Spero Foundation

Angels ($5,000 and higher)

Ward & Louise Calaway Estelle Campbell George Enyedi Paul Van Dorpe & Jill Maglione

Broadway Stars ($1,500 - $4,999)

Anonymous x2 Jeffery & Susan Davidson

Rising Stars ($1,000 - $1,499)

David & Maggi Gordon Carlos Rodriguez Fran Syverson

Center Stage ($500 - $999) Southern California Lyric Theater Gina & Steven Long Christian Lebano Lisa Spigai-Perez Julie Rosenthal – In Memory of Ruth King Dress Rehearsal ($250 - $499)

Eric & Alice Clark Patrick Holland Karol Ballard & Kathryn Mickaliger Anne Scott-Putney & Astrid Sheil Karie Beth Brown Rodney Spears Buccaneer Lounge Daniel & Margaret Van Dorpe Mindy & Jim Halls Glenda & Greg Vanni

Green Room Friends ($100 - $249) Delna Abernathy Shirley & Ken Anhalt Roxanne Barker Patricia Barron Nancy Bechtold Robert Cardenas Carol Ann Collins Michael & Margaret Ellis Marlene Enmark Paul & PaulineFairbanks David Felt Eric Gentry James B. Harnagel Michael Hegeman Lance Ito Janet Kadin Harvey & Kazuko Kagasoff Diane Kelber Constance Lash Carol & Richard Libby

Susan Lompe John Lusche T J & J M McCarthy Kathy Meagher Geoffrey Middlebrook Bill & Judy Opel Leslie J Park Thomas Pocock Sharon Ramsey Noell & Robert Reichmann Carole & Donald Roback Sierra Madre Historical Society Sierra Madre Woman’s Club Donald Songster Stanley A. Meyer Design LLC Robert H. Stevens John Szura John & Leslie Thompson Pearl Tyree

*The gifts listed above were received between Nov. 1, 2014 and Oct. 31, 2015.

To report a misspelling or omission, please contact [email protected].

Your gift is deeply appreciated by all of us here at SMP, and any errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Thank you for your support of the Playhouse!

How to Support the Playhouse Without Writing Us a Check!

You must renew yearly – in September – please do. Thanks. Sign up your Ralphs’ Rewards Card and up to 4% of your grocery bill will be donated to Sierra Madre Playhouse. 1. Visit Ralphs.com and sign-in or register for a Ralphs’ online account. 2. Click the My Account button and select Account Settings. 3. Scroll to Community Rewards and search for Sierra Madre Playhouse or enter our group number 83942 4. Select us under Organization Name. Click Save!

And that’s all there is to it!

‘Deathtrap’ to Bring Chills, Thrills, and Laughs

By Fran Syverson

Murder! Mayhem! Merriment!

How long has it been since we’ve seen a mystery thriller here at the Playhouse? Not for several years—long enough that we’ll be eager to see Deathtrap when it arrives in January after having been postponed to allow the extension of Always…Patsy Cline. It’s one of the best of its genre, finely

crafted, with intricate interweaving of plots in a play-within-a-play. Who murders whom? Who shows up again? Which is fiction and which is real life?

Set in 1978, a down-on-his-luck playwright despairs of ever writing a hit again. He discovers that a student has written a great play, and invites him for a reading. Cunningly, he begins to plot to kill the student and claim the script as his own. But will he? …can he? His wife and lawyer both get involved, as does a psychic who is visiting next door. The plot thickens (as they say) with murders ensuing in both plays. Amidst the spine-chilling thrills and spontaneous laughter, we may have trouble keeping track of who is dead and who is alive!

Deathtrap is not to be confused with the legendary, six-decade Mousetrap, for that, after all, is British. The Playhouse, by offering Deathtrap, is continuing its second season of producing works by only American playwrights, in this case Ira Levin. He is also noted for No Time for Sergeants and Rosemary’s Baby, among others.

The two “trap” plays do bear a similarity in that both have had long successful runs. Debuting in 1978, Deathtrap played for nearly 1,800 performances, and lays claim as the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway. It was also nominated for a Tony Award that year for Best Play.

Christian Lebano will direct Deathtrap and has assembled a group of designers—lighting, set, sound, costume, and properties—who are seasoned SMP veterans, and a-new-to-the- Playhouse fight choreographer who will orchestrate all the physical mayhem. They’ll create a world of crashing windows, a thunderous storm, eerie firelight, gun shots, and other surprises…Be ready!

Thrilled to direct Deathtrap, Lebano assures us he’ll see to it that it “scares the pants off us!” So expect an evening or matinee of screams and laughter from January 15 through February 20 when the Playhouse brings us Ira Levin’s murderous Deathtrap.

Coming Next…

Deathtrap By Ira Levin

Directed by Christian Lebano

January 15 to February 20

"Two-thirds thriller and one-third a devilishly clever comedy…Suspend your disbelief and be delighted. Scream a little. It's good for you." - Cue Magazine After four flops in a row, Sidney Bruhl, a playwright who was once Broadway’s brightest light is so desperate to come up with another hit, he says he would kill for one. Is he joking? Thrilling twists and razor-sharp wit combine in one of the funniest murder mysteries of all time. Deathtrap holds the record as the longest running thriller on Broadway.

Charlotte’s Web Adapted by Joseph Robinette

Based on the book by E.B. White March 4 to April 17

“[Charlotte’s Web is about] friendship on earth, affection and protection, adventure and miracle, life and death, trust and treachery, pleasure and pain, and the passing of time. As a piece of work, it is just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done.”

– Eudora Welty, The New York Times Book Review E. B. White’s beloved children’s book tells the story of Wilbur—a young, runt of a pig—whose life is saved by the friendship of a young girl named Fern and a gifted, grey barn spider named Charlotte. Part of our Field Trip Series of school-day matinees, Charlotte’s Web will also play matinees on Saturdays and Sundays for our general audiences.

Ian Branch (Buddy) and Diane Kelber (Sook)