From the President...
From the President... Welcome Village Players Family, Start your electronic subscription today! A free sample is just a click away! • Read a digital replica of The Blade each day on your computer. • Easy and convenient to use. Rave Reviews for a Remarkable Season at the Village Players. I had hoped by the time I wrote this letter I wouldn’t have to think of things like unemployment, recession, war, or disasters (natural or man-made). But the truth is that our region is still struggling to find jobs, we wrestle with the idea of loosening purse strings, and the news never seems to want for stories of tragedy. The pulse of America is metered, we make decisions for our families cautiously, our hearts ache for our men and women who fight so far from home, and we hope our leaders make decisions that are right and just, not merely popular. This isn’t the first time that our country has faced crises; it’s not even the worst crisis we’ve encountered. But these are our times, and these are our problems. However, in times of trouble it is the arts that lift the spirit and the soul. The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Mamas and the Papas were inspired by Vietnam. The movies of Cecil B. DeMille, and the music of the Big Bands were born from the World Wars. Pal Joey, Porgy and Bess, Oklahoma!, Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, Carousel, and Showboat (just to name a few) made their Broadway debuts during WWII! Music, television, cinema, and theatre can be a window on a different time and place, or a mirror of reality and stark truth. They give us the opportunity to momentarily escape or challenge us to gain new perspectives. They are subtle and they are blatant. And theatre, I believe, is unique among them because of the vital and integral part that you, our audience, play in the story. Radio, television, and movies can and do play to empty rooms, but theatre requires an audience’s participation. The script gives the actor words and lyrics, the character gives the actor motivation, but you by your presence give the actor purpose. I invite you not to sit back and relax, but to sit up and pay heed as our actors and their crew work their magic. Together we can challenge the laws of physics and bring a different space and time here and now in this little theatre. Perhaps we’ll escape from the worries of our world, or maybe, just maybe, we will be inspired to stand against them. Because if art can create a different world inside these walls, what wonders will manifest when we unleash it upon our world? Visit eblade.toledoBlade.com for complete information, online registration and a free sample. Welcome to The Village Players Theatre, Jake Gordy President 2011-2012 Season Board Members Jake Gordy..................................................President Andrew Todd...............................................V. Pres. Production Brenda Sweeney.........................................V. Pres. Publicity Laurie Mix...................................................V. Pres. Development Dan Finkel..................................................Treasurer Kara Ayers..................................................Secretary Rich Chesko................................................Board Patrick Drummond.......................................Board Derek Hansen.............................................Board Laura Hansen..............................................Board Marc Malley.................................................Board Jean Mills....................................................Board Paul Palmisano............................................Board Brad Riker...................................................Board Sara Speelman............................................Board Ann Veasey.................................................Board Judy Wiederhold..........................................Board Volunteer Staff Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Laura Hansen..............................................Newsletter Kate Argow & Laurie Mix..............................Volunteer Coordinator Ann Veasey.................................................Box Office and House Mgr. Debbie Marinik............................................Casting Director Jake Gordy..................................................Programs Judy Wiederhold..........................................Sold Houses Larry Farley.................................................Legal Laurie Mix...................................................Season Subscriptions Laura Hansen..............................................Season Ticket Marketing Derek Hansen.............................................Education Larry Janney & Norb Mills.............................Building & Grounds Open..........................................................OCTA Delegate Pam Kelso...................................................Costume Manager Don Weber.................................................Data Entry Elizabeth Black............................................Playreading Committee Jake Gordy..................................................WebMaster Open..........................................................Props Manager A Brief History of The Village Players Theatre The Village Players Theatre presented its first play, The Great Sebastians, starring Rosemary Kahle and Edward C. Ames in 1957, in the Ottawa Hills High School. The original group performed in schools, churches and even in tents. The first musical, The Village Player’s fifth production was Plain and Fancy, which opened on February 25, 1958, in the Lincoln Hall at Collingwood Presbyterian Church. The show was directed by Arthur Lithgow, father of the television and movie star John Lithgow, and starred a whole cast of who’s who in Toledo. The Theatre stopped moving from site to site in 1960. We put down roots when we purchased this building and converted it from a church to a theater. That Theatre Board took a leap of faith when they agreed to pay $45,000 for the church. However, because of their faith in the future of the theatre and the city of Toledo, literally hundreds of plays and thousands of actors have crossed these boards. In thankful recognition of the continuing support of our members and volunteers, The Village Players Theatre culminated its 50th season celebration with the successful Rhinestone Ball held at the Toledo Botanical Gardens on June 29, 2007. In the 51st season, the Board was pleased to provide new seating for our patrons. In our 52nd season we installed a new stage for our actors. The summer of 2009 we were able to waterproof the basement, and rebuild the exterior stairwell which used to be a source of flooding. These projects are the direct result of responsible management of monies earned through Sold Houses and special donations over the years. The Village Players Theatre has no paid year-round staff — volunteers keep it running. We take great pride in this and invite you to join us as we continue to add to the history of an organization making a significant cultural difference to our community. 2011-2012 Village Players Board of Directors L0709050094[exp0111][OH] Monroe Street Diner Carry-Out Menu Call Ahead 419-472-0888 4514 Monroe St. (across from Kroger), Toledo, Ohio Hours: Monday - Saturday 6:00am - 3:00pm Sunday 7:00am - 3:00pm Breakfast Anytime! Back Row: Andrew Todd, Patrick Drummond, Laura Hansen, Judy Wiederhold, Derek Hansen, Jake Gordy, Laurie Mix, Brad Riker, Sara Speelman, Kara Ayers Front Row: Dan Finkel, Ann Veasey, Jean Mills, Brenda Sweeney, Marc Malley Thank You!! Voted “Best Local Theatre Group” by readers of The Toledo City Paper for THREE years in a row! The Village Players Theatre 2740 Upton Ave. Toledo Ohio http://www.thevillageplayers.org presents Friends - $25 (cont.) Richard & Charlotte Lauer Maryruth Mabbitt Jane Miller Philip & Rebecca Miller Nancy Morningstar Barb Myers Thomas & Dottie Nortz Mr. & Mrs. James Olejownik Judy Pfaffenberger Mark & Jo Lyn Philippi Bob & Judy Rank Herbert Hoskins & Deborah Rasmusson Bev Rideout Mae Jo Ritchie James & Mary Rooney Catherine Samsen Harry P. Schulman Bob & Barb Skinner Louis & Jean Snyder Sally Sussman Robert & Patricia Suttle Jim & Georgia Szczublewski Linda Tippett Christopher & Laurie Towles Deforest & Judy Lee Trautman Gerald Westphal Children’s Theatre Workshop THEATRE BY CHILDREN, FOR CHILDREN SINCE 1954 Open the door to your child’s creativity. Written by David Foley Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Produced by Sound Design by Andrew Todd Don Weber Directed by Larry Farley Set Design by Light Design by Wes Skinner Andrew Todd There will be one 15-minute intermission Note: Please set all cell phones and pagers to “off” or “vibrate.” CTW offers fun theatre classes that encourage imagination, teamwork, creative characterization, concentration, and confidence. Classes for children ages 5-18. All CTW students are encouraged and invited to participate in CTW’s productions. Save the Date! Winter 2012 Class Registration date is Jan 7, 2012 2011 | 2012 PERFORMANCES: Murder by Indecision Oct 21-22, 2011 The Legend of Pocahontas Dec 1-4, 2011 The Red Velvet Cake Wars Feb 24-25, 2012 The Princess King Apr 12-15, 2012 Rad: The Musical May 18-19, 2012 For more details, call 419.244.5061 or “Like” us on Facebook: Children’s Theatre Workshop (Toledo) Contributions The Estate of John W Hallauer Producer’s Circle - $500 Rich & Becky Chesko Jean & Norb Mills Tom & Kristen Shook Sponsors - $125 Curtis & Marilyn Black Marlene & Ray Brinker John & Cathy Carle Marge Dembowski Russ & Vicky Griggs Earnest & Nancy Hatfield Madge Levinson John & Joan Malak Willard E. Misfeldt Jim & Cheryl Rechel Larry Von Kuster & Teresa Roth Kathleen Simon Patrons - $50 Harvard Armus Raymond & Marlene Bable John & Nancy Burton Thomas & Gisela Cain Charles & Jane Case Richard Chesko, Sr. Robert & Darlene Cook Deborah Peters & Steven Cotner Alvenia Crawford Cecilia Dionisio Larry Farley Sally Ferguson Carole & John Forte Wanda Foster Zac Gilley Robert J Gosling, MD Laura Hanzl Lina Hazle Roy & Joan Heinz David & Shelly Hopson Colis Hudgens Patrons - $50 (cont.) Nancy & Larry Janney Shirley Justen Tom Kovacs Sandra Laas Ted & Janice Lang Sam & Anna Lovalenti Jack & Sally Malhoit Ruth Ann & Larry Martin Carol Matthews Jan & Bill Meyer Suzanne Moesser Marvin & Margaret Mueller John J. & Virginia Myers Bill & Dorothy Nunemaker Carl & Judy Pohl Charles & Barbara Rolander Mark & Corrine Sattler Dean & Kathy Sell Robert & Joan Shreve Bob & Marian Smith Ralph & Susan Smith Claus & Suzanne Stang Jim & Barbara Sullivan Brenda Sweeney Tom & Emily Thayer Brigitte Wagener Elbert J Weller David & Carol Zenk Friends - $25 Ethel Baer George & Karyl Boos Laverne Bussdieker Robert Conley Terry & Barbara Cooper Ted & Billie Dennison Jim & Monique Drotar Joe A Duerringer Norm & Charlotte Dymarkowski Duane Dewey Hall Don & Lynn Harter Dr. Hugh & Kay Henley Gail Odneal & Mel Honig Winifred Kuk Cast Camille.............................................................................. Marissa Rex Billy................................................................................. Maurice Price Ted............................................................................... Keith Bergman Time Present (evening) Place The trendy loft apartment of Camille Dargus in the Soho area of Manhattan. Act I Evening Act II Scene 1: One terrifying second later Scene 2: Twenty gruesome minutes later Production Staff Director:.............................................................................Larry Farley Assistant Director:.......................................................... Debbie Marinik Producer:.........................................................................Andrew Todd Stage Manager:............................................................. Debbie Marinik Lighting Design:................................................................ Andrew Todd Light Crew:...............................................................Allen Wilkinson Sound Design:..................................................................... Don Weber Sound Crew:................................................................. Marc Malley Costume Design:........................................... Becky Farley & Larry Farley Props Gatherers:.......................................... Charlie Boos, Joyce Calmes, Larry Farley & Sarah Speelman Props Crew:...................................................................... Joyce Calmes Set Design:.........................................................................Wes Skinner Set Dressing:................................................ Larry Farley & Wes Skinner Set Construction:.....................................Steve Mierzejewski & Brad Ray Scenic Art:.........................................................................Denise Coyle House Manager:.................................................................. Ann Veasey Box Office Manager:............................................................ Ann Veasey Box Office Staff:............... Kimberley Bruggemann, Pam Engle, Sandy Fry, Darlene Hatfield, Barbara Heindel, Sue Holliger, Debbie Krieger, Dianne Nowakowski, Jinny Patterson, Susan Rice, & Judy Wiederhold Publicity:.....................................................................Brenda Sweeney Program:.............................................................................Jake Gordy Program Art & Cover Design:............................................Laura Hansen Production Logo:..............................................................Laura Hansen Program Printing:........................................................ The Copy Center Marquee Sign:................................................................ Derek Hansen Housekeeping:.............................................................Judy Wiederhold Theatre Photographer:.......................................................Frank Venda Special Thanks Charlie Boos True West (Dramedy) Author: Sam Shepard Dates: January 6-21, 2012 Recently revived at New York’s Circle in the Square, where Phillip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly alternated playing the roles of the brothers, this American classic explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale. School for Husbands (Farcical Comedy) Author: Moliere Dates: March 9-24, 2012 Here is classical theater at it’s funniest, wisest, and most engaging ever. In the battle of the sexes, who trains who? Brothers, Sganarelle and Ariste are guardians to two sisters, Isabelle and Léonor. The brothers have two very different theories of how to school their wards. The stern and repressive upbringing that Sganarelle imposes on his charge is in direct contrast to the loving treatment his brother, Ariste gives to his own young ward. Molière deliciously shows us that Sganarelle’s folly is no match for a woman’s resourcefulness. [title of show] (Musical Comedy) Book by: Hunter Bell, Music & Lyrics by: Jeff Bowen Dates: May 11-26, 2012 “A musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical.” The deadline for the musical-theater festival is only three weeks away and Jeff and Hunter are set on writing a hit. Just how many musical theatre references can you find in this delightful comedy? “Delectable entertainment” - New York Times “Sly, sassy, inspired” - Entertainment Weekly The Village Players’ 2011–2012 55th Season The Love List (Comedy) Dates: September 9-24, 2011 Author: Norm Foster In this side-splitting and thoughtprovoking comedy, Leon and Bill concoct a list of attributes of the ideal woman-the top ten best qualities in a mate. When this allegedly ‘Ideal Woman’ actually arrives on the scene the men quickly learn that their list could use a few revisions. Be careful what you wish for—especially in choosing a mate. This old adage leads to hilarious results in Foster’s sparkling comic hit. Who is this mystery woman and where did she come from? Have these two men created a female Frankenstein? Deadly Murder (Mystery / Thriller) Author: David Foley Dates: November 4-19, 2011 Camille Dargus has fought her way up from humble beginnings to a glittering Manhattan lifestyle. She has beauty, brains, wealth, and a successful career as a jewelry designer for the leading lights of New York society. One night at a society gala she meets Billy, a handsome young waiter, and brings him back to her Soho apartment. But there’s more to Billy than meets the eye. Full of twists and turns, bluffs and double bluffs, this brilliantly intricate thriller will be one step ahead of you all the way! JON McINTEE [email protected] 740.815.0838 www.JONMCINTEE.com Letterhead Business Cards Logo Design Advertisements Mailers Wedding Invitations GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR ALL OCCASIONS The Director Larry Farley (Director) Having declined to be a candidate for the President of the United States, Larry returns to direct tonight’s show. Larry thinks this is his 30th show either acting or directing at The Village. This only means that he is real old and that The Village audiences are the most gracious and tolerant people in the world. When he grows up Larry wants to be George Clooney Debbie Marinik (Assistant Director) is returning to the Village to work with her theatre partner in crime, Larry Farley, as assistant director, stage manager, and fight captain (ok, not fight captain). Debbie has been exorcising her theatrical demons at The Village since Carter was in office. Debbie enjoys working on, behind, and above the stage, but never underneath it! And now, fasten your seat belt, keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times, sit back and enjoy the Deadly Murder ride! The Cast Keith Bergman (Ted) Keith Bergman is a married father of two from Toledo. He recently returned to the stage after a long break and has been active for the last year in local theater, most recently as Mortimer Brewster in Genoa Civic Theater’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace. He is also a musician, an aspiring standup comic, and he makes a mean pot of firehouse chili. Marissa Rex (Camille) is excited for her first production at The Village Players! Following a short break from acting to finish her Master’s degree, Marissa appeared in last season’s Light Up the Sky (Miss Lowell) and Inventing Van Gogh (Hallie) at The Toledo Repertoire Theatre. She would like to thank Deadly Murder’s wonderful cast and crew for their talent and dedication, both of which helped her grow as an actor. Also, Marissa sends a big thank you to her family for their love and support, her friends for their belief in her, and, of course, her husband for understanding (and loving) her passion for theatre. Enjoy the show! Maurice Price (Billy) A Toledo native, Maurice has performed onstage for University of Toledo, The Toledo Rep, and The Ohio Theatre, as well as commercial and print work. He also adheres to The 36 Chambers of Shaolin. He would like to give thanks to his family and friends for all their love and support during this process. Fund-raising Opportunities at The Village Would you like information on “Sold-House” opportunities at The Village Players Theatre: how your group, church, or other organization can purchase a performance and raise money through ticket sales? Musical “Sold-Houses” are $800.00 per show; other productions are $700.00 per show. The theater seats 165 patrons. You determine the ticket price for your show and how much profit you make! A punch reception is provided at no additional cost. Show dates are limited. Please call Judy at (734) 847-7746 for more information on “Sold Houses.”
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