"Little Women" Program

 

The Community Players of Salisbury

 

President’s Message

 

Good evening and welcome to the second production of our 65th season!

Little Women is a classic story, beloved by many through the years. It continues to be a favorite among young readers everywhere. The novel, written by Louisa May Alcott, has lent itself to film and stage adaptations that delight audiences young and old. We are sure that you will enjoy our production of Little Women as we bring the story of the March sisters, their family, and friends to life for you.

We would like to thank those of you who joined us for A Christmas Carol, our first-time joint venture with the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. This dinner theatre in the round proved to be a great success.

Make plans now to join us in June for the Neil Simon comedy The Sunshine Boys!  This promises to be a terrific end to an outstanding season for Players and our audience.

                                                                                        Rusty Mumford

 

Officers

President.................................................................................................................... Rusty Mumford

Vice-President.................................................................................................................... Carol Alex

Corresponding Secretary............................................................................................. Becky Mumford

Recording Secretary.................................................................................................. Ernest Matthews

Treasurer...................................................................................................................... Charles Linton

Immediate Past President................................................................................................... David Allen

Board of Directors

Jana Davis          Debbie Dawson     Lester Huss

Joanne Little    Sherri Trader-Hynes     Kristi Toadvine

Standing Committees

Advertising......................................................................................................................... David Allen

Box Office............................................................................................................................ John Alex

Concessions.................................................................................................................... Brenda Allen

Fund Raising................................................................................................................ Rusty Mumford

Historical....................................................................................................................... Bonnie Bosies

Hospitality.................................................................................................................... Debbie Dawson

House................................................................................................................................. Carol Alex

Maintenance..................................................................................................................... Lester Huss

Membership..................................................................................................................... Brenda Allen

Patrons..................................................................................................................... Ernest Matthews

Program....................................................................................................... David and Pat Oberholtzer

Production........................................................................................................................... Carol Alex

Publicity........................................................................................................................ Kristi Toadvine

Scholarship.................................................................................................................. Rusty Mumford

Season Tickets........................................................................................................... Ernest Matthews

 

 

 194thProduction                                                                                        65th Year

 

Community Players of Salisbury, Inc.

 

 

Presents

 

Louisa May Alcott’s

Little Women

 

Adapted for the Stage by

Thomas Hischak

 

 

Directed by

Cindy Gore

 

                            

 

Guerrieri Hall Auditorium at Wor-Wic Community College

February 20, 21 and 22, 2003 at 8:00 p.m.

February 23, 2003 at 2:00 p.m.

 

Presented by arrangement with I. E. Clark, Publisher, Schulenburg, TX 78956

 

This production was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts

Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

 

Act I

 

Scene 1:  The March House, Christmas Eve, 1863

Scene 2:  The March House, Christmas

Scene 3:  The March House, Christmas Evening

Scene 4:  The Laurence Mansion, The Next Day

Scene 5:  The March House, New Year’s Eve

Scene 6:  The Laurence Mansion, New Year’s Eve

Scene 7:  The March House, New Year’s Day

Scene 8:  On the Way Home from School, The Watson House,

Aunt March’s House, and The March House,

All during the Winter of 1864

Scene 9:  The March House, Spring of 1864

Scene 10:  Aunt March’s House, Spring

Scene 11:  The March House, Autumn

Scene 12:  The March House, Christmas Eve and Christmas

 

15 Minute Intermission

You’re invited to visit the refreshment stand in the lobby during intermission.

 

Act II

 

Scene 1:  The March House, Spring, 1865

Scene 2:  The March House, Summer, 1866

Scene 3:  Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, New York, Summer, 1866

Scene 4:  Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, Autumn, 1866

Scene 5:  Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, Time Has Passed

Scene 6:  Amy in Paris then Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House,

Meg at Home, Later

Scene 7:  The March House,,February, 1868

Scene 8:  A Street in Rome, Summer, 1868

Scene 9:  The March House, A Few Weeks Later

Scene 10:  The March House,  A Few Months Later

 

Please: Do not take flash photographs during our performance

And turn all cell phones and pagers off.

 

 

CAST

(In order of appearance)

 

Jo March........................................................................................................ Kristi Toadvine

Meg March.................................................................................................... Monica Shores

Amy March........................................................................................................... Erin Twilley

Beth March...................................................................................................... Jenny Bratten

Mrs. March (called Marmee)................................................................................... Ann Allen

Mr. March............................................................................................................ Matt Bogdan

Hannah, (their housekeeper)............................................................................... Mary Veise

Aunt March (a rich relative)................................................................................ Geri Wiberg

Theodore Laurence (called Laurie)................................................................. Chase Wulff

Mr. Laurence (Laurie’s Grandfather)............................................................. Bob Connelly

John Brooke (a tutor)....................................................................................... James Spahn

Mrs. Moffett......................................................................................................... Robin Finley

Clara (her daughter) ......................................................................................... Emily Shoop

Jenny (a schoolgirl)................................................................................................ Kate Allen

Mary (a schoolgirl)............................................................................................ Kelly Derosa

Sarah (Meg’s pupil)........................................................................... Casey Mason-Foley

Katy (Meg’s pupil).......................................................................................... Mollie Deimer

Mrs. Kirke....................................................................................................... Kimberly Blair

Professor Friedrich Bhaer........................................................................ Santiljano Keca

Kitty........................................................................................................................ Karli Boog

Minnie.............................................................................................................. Katy Likovich

 

 

 PRODUCTION STAFF

 

Director............................................................................................ Cindy Gore

Assistant Director....................................................................... Mary Starnes

Producer............................................................................................ Carol Alex

Stage Manager............................................................................................

 

Set Designer............................................................................. Ernie Matthews

Lighting Design......................................... Sharon Benchoff and Gary Finley

Sound.................................................................................................... Bill Gore

Props Coordinators..................................... Joanne Little and Mary Starnes

Costumes.............................................................. Becky Mumford, Carol Alex,

                                                                         Sally Ridgeway and Geri Wiberg

Make-up and Hair...................................................................... Rusty Mumford

Set Construction................................................. Ernie Matthews, David Allen

                                       and Alan Perry

Set Decorating.......................................................... Carol Alex, Mary Starnes

Publicity............................ Kristi Toadvine, Judy Ferrand and Susan Likovich

Poster and Cover............................................................................... Scott Alex

Programs..................... David & Pat Oberholtzer and Di’s Laser Express, Inc.

 

 WHO’S WHO

Cindy Gore (Director) has been a member of Community Players for more than 30 years.  She first directed The Pleasure of His Company.  Other directorial credits include Night of January 16th, Never Too Late and Blithe Spirit.  Memorable credits include Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Stepmother in Cinderella, Ella in Bells Are Ringing, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, Mrs. Sauerbury in Oliver!, Mother Superior in Nunsense, Mama in I Remember Mama, Myra in Deathtrap, M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Lizzie in The Rainmaker, Margo in Dial ‘M’ for Murder, and Madame Parole in last season’s My Three Angels.  Cindy is a two-time Past President of Players. She has taught theatre arts in Wicomico and Worcester county public schools and is currently chairing the Steering Committee of the Boulevard Theater Renovation Project.

Ann Allen (Marmee) appeared in the chorus of The Music Man and The Wizard of Oz.  She played Mrs. Greer and one of the Boylan sisters in Annie.  She was the Mother in The Eastern Shore Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

Kate Allen (Jenny) has appeared in the Players productions of The Music Man and The Wizard of Oz.  She played Annie and July in Annie.  She has appeared in several seasons’ productions of The Nutcracker with the Eastern Shore Ballet.  She played the Queen of Hearts in Kaleidoscope’s Alice in Wonderland.

Kimberly Blair (Mrs. Kirke) appeared as Marie Louise in last season’s My Three Angels.  Kim says, “This is my second show and I am thrilled to work with Cindy Gore, for a second time.  Angels was fun.  Women will be fabulous!”

Jenny Bratten (Beth) has been performing in Players shows since she was a teenager.  She played Bet in Oliver! and appeared in Godspell and The Wizard of Oz.

Matt Bogdan (Mr. March) has been involved with Community Players for almost 20 years.  He directed The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Twelve Angry Men, Lend Me a Tenor and The Impossible Years.  Recently he played the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.  Other roles include Bill Sykes in Oliver!, Jud in Oklahoma!, and Benny in Guys and Dolls

Karli Boog (Kitty) recently appeared as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz.  Karli has been involved in her school choir, cheerleading, gymnastics and dance.

Bob Connelly (Mr. Laurence) is a veteran Community Players member and has appeared in Dial “M” for Murder, Rainmaker, I Remember Mama, Ten Little Indians, Cinderella and My Fair Lady, in which he played Professor Henry Higgins.

Kelly Derosa (Mary) makes her Players debut with Little Women.  She appeared in Kaleidoscope’s productions of Snow White and A Christmas Carol.

Molly Diemel (Katy) appears with Players for the first time.  She plays the violin and piano and sings in the Wicomico High School concert choir.  She has sung with Barry Manilow and in Magi.

Robin Finley (Mrs. Moffett) has appeared in several dessert theatre productions for WorWic Community College including Oklahoma!, Merry Regiment, Trifles, and Sylvia.  Also for  Wor-Wic she directed Empty Space.  She also has experience as a choreographer and dancer.  This is Robin’s first appearance with Community Players.

Santiljano Keca (Prof. Bhaer) is making his stage debut.  A native of Albania, Mr. Keca is a student at  Wor-Wic Community College.

Katy Likovich (Minnie) appeared as Helen in A Christmas Carol.  She recently played a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz.  She has also appeared with Kaleidoscope CYP.

Casey Mason-Foley (Sarah) appears with Community Players for the first time.  She performed several roles in the St. Francis deSales School’s production of Guys and Dolls.  She participates in her school choir, and is a student of dance and gymnastics.

Emily Shoop (Clara) is also appearing with Players for the first time.  She is a former student of the Glen Burnie Academy of Fine Arts and the Spotlight Studio of Dance.  She appeared in Bye-Bye Birdie with the Prince George’s Teen Theatre and with Merely Players in Little Women, How to Eat Like a Child and The Hobbit.

Monica Shores (Meg) performed in the Players chorus in Music Man and Bye-Bye Birdie.  Before that she played the role of Martha in Salisbury School’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace.  Monica is a student at Salisbury University.

James Spahn (John Brooks) makes his debut with Community Players, last appeared in productions at Laurel High School. He describes himself as a “dashing young Ne’er-Do-Well, who fancies himself a Post Modern Knight.  He is an overly dramatic man who enjoys music, acting, and storytelling.  He remains lost somewhere in his ‘20’s.”

Kristi Toadvine (Jo) does publicity for Players. She was last seen in the chorus of “Wizard of Oz”, as Pam in “Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect”, and as a dancing waiter in “Hello Dolly”. Other roles include the Star to Be in “Annie” and Ethel Toffelmier in “Music Man”. She works as an administrator in the Office of Continuing Education at Wor-Wic Community College and is proud to have the opportunity to play such an imaginative character as Jo March.

Erin Twilley (Amy) played one of the orphans in Annie and was a member of the ensembles in Hello, Dolly and The Wizard of Oz.

Mary Veise (Hannah) most recently appeared in this season’s production of The Wizard of Oz.  She has been a member of the chorus in several of our other musical productions and played the role of Sophie in Social Security.  At Salisbury University she played Bertha in Pippin and performed in several shows for Parker Productions.

Geri Wiberg (Aunt March) has played several roles in Community Players productions including Mother Gilbreth in Cheaper By the Dozen, Vivian Trachtman in Love, Sex and the IRS and Violet Bradman in Blithe Spirit.  Geri teaches English and French at Colonel Richardson High School.

Chase Wulff (Laurie) is a student at WiHi, where he is a member of the concert choir.  He has sung with Barry Manilow and is appearing in the school’s production of Bang, Bang You’re Dead.  This is his first show with Community Players.

 

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

When the Production Committee first approached me about directing Little Women, I knew that the task would be daunting.  Not only had local audiences recently fallen in love again with Louisa May Alcott’s story of growing up and letting go with a new screen version starring Susan Sarandon and Winona Rider, among others, but some of us remember those movies which featured June Allyson or Kate Hepburn as Jo.

Of course, who hasn’t read Little Women? Yet, I was intrigued by the challenge of taking a novel which had been adapted to the stage in the early nineteen hundreds, to the screen in the 30’s and 40’s then back to the stage in recent decades and even into an opera which is being performed in New York this season.  So I said “sure” and  my friend and assistant, Mary Starnes, set out on an adventure that took us through seven stage adaptations and four intensive nights of auditioning a record 83 people for the cast and story which you will enjoy seeing in our performance.  It has been a labor of love and I thank everyone who has made it possible for us to present it here for you. We have endeavored to bring to you the highlights of this children’s classic which cover Alcott’s novel, Little Women:  Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and its first sequel, The Good Wives.  Travel with us as we visit the March family on Christmas Eve, 1863, to post-war New York City, to Europe and back home again to New England.  Christopher Columbus, we’re having a capital time!

                                      Cindy Gore

                                                             Director

 

 

 

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Joe Andrews – Sign-Age

The Costume Loft

Jones and Dryden Truck and Car Rental

Mitchell’s Interiors

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.

Salisbury – Wicomico Arts Council

Wor-Wic Community College

Access 26

The Daily Times

Mike and Sandi at Q105

WBOC-TV

WMDT-TV

WICO – Cat Country

 

As in every production, there are individuals who have come to our aid and unfortunately are not mentioned in the program.  We take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this production possible.

 

                        

2002-2003 SHOW Remaining

  

Sunshine Boys

Directed by Ken Johnson

At Guerrieri Hall, Wor-Wic Community College

June 19, 20, 21 and 22

_______________________________________________________________________

   

Children’s Theatre Workshop

We are planning a session for this summer.  Please look for announcements if you are interested in your children participating

_______________________________________________________________________

                                               

PATRONS  2002-2003

 

Guardians

    Kel and Debbie Nagel                                                                                     Tom and Susan Robinson

    In Memory of Mary E. Spencer                                                                                    MSC/ Mail Movers

Benefactors

    Barbara S. Hanson - Dance Unlimited                                                 Fred G. and Clara S. Livingood

Mrs. Harry L. Palmer

Angels

    Diane M. Collins                                                                                     Mary Sue and. Gordon Gladden

    Holloway Funeral Home, P.A                                                 Paul Klaverweiden and Michale Williams

    Regina Montagna                                                                                               Lillian & Lester Simpson

    John and Ann Suthowski                                          Barry P. Wilson In Memory of Mary Lou H. Wilson

Donors

    Nancy and Fred Althaus                                                                                                    Jane W. Bailey

    Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bloodsworth                                                                                    Gerry Dashiell

    Nancy Davies and Bob Culver                                                                       Alan and Mollie Dickerson

    Nina S. Downs                                                                                              Robert and Evelyn Fishman

    Lloyd and Alice Foard                                                                              Betsy Hancock and Ed Fooks

    Alan and Debbie Goodman                                                     William A. and Dr. Carolyn S. Johnston

    Adrianne and Lew Kadushin                                                                                               Ruth Langeler

    Rod and Pat Layton                                                                                                       Eloise D.J. Lowry

    Elinor H. Lynch                                                                                                          Mary Frances Macon

    Mark N. Maselli                                                                                    Dr. Kay Myers and Dr. Ben Bogia

    Rick and Melody Nelson                                                                                    David and Mildred Pines

    Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Plotts                                                                      Mr. and Mrs. A. James Smith

    Bill and Jane Speide                                                                                      Mary and Stephanie Taylor

    Shirley Thomas Taylor                                                                        M. William and Frances Tilghman

    Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd F. Tweedy                                                            Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woodward

Anonymous

Sponsors

    Marge and Jack Bredin                                                                             Dr. and Mrs. William J. Doyle

    Doris V. Hammond                                                                                                Mary‑Alice S. Hawkins

    Mr. Alfred C. Huffer, Jr.                                                                                               Virginia B. Layfield

    Vernon E. Tompkins                                                                                                 Dick and Sally Work

Friends

    Jessie M. Calloway                                                                                             Tim and Susan Johnson

    Terry and Mary Beth Lindsay                                                                                 John and Vickie Pick

    Holly and Miles Riggin                                                                                       Alan and Debra Yentsch

Anonymous

 

Thank You