Bach At Leipzig

presents
Bach At Leipzig
By Itamar Moses
Directed by Calvin Remsberg
March 18, 2016 – May 1, 2016
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
The Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-763-5990
www.thegrouprep.com
Th e Gro up R ep d edic a tes this prod ucti on
To their f unny, tal ented, a nd i ns piri ng d ear friend,
Henry Holden
Ma rc h 20, 1948 - F eb ru ary 10, 2016
“A tt itu des are t he re al disabil ity ” –Hen ry Hol den
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Larry Eisenberg
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Chris Winfield
ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD
F. Murray Abraham
Ed Asner
Bruce Davison
Salome Jens
Mark Rydell
Lou Antonio
Barbara Bain
Florence Henderson
Martin Landau
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bert Emmett, President
Drina Durazo, Lloyd Pedersen
Alternates: Jack Csenger, Kevin Dobson
HOUSE STAFF
Treasurer....................................................................................................Richard Alan Woody
Bookkeeper.........................................................................................................Lloyd Pedersen
Dues Coordinator...................................................................................................Lareen Faye
Social Secretary...................................................................................................Renee Gorsey
New Member Coordinator.………………………………………...…………..Patrick Burke
New Projects.....................................................................................................Irene Chapman
Host Coordinator.............................................................................................Katelyn Ann Clark
Maintenance Coordinator.......................................................................................Edgar Mastin
Hospitality........................................................................................................Sandra Cusimano
Electrician........................................................................................................Robert McCollum
Master Carpenter..................................................................................................Chris Winfield
Ticketing & Reservations................................................................Julie Davis, Cathy Tomlin
LA Stage Alliance Liaison....................................................................................Irene Chapman
Production Photographers..................................................................................... Doug Engalla
Participating Actors Coordinator...........................................................................Drina Durazo
CONSULTANT STAFF
Graphics................................................................................................................Doug Haverty
Social Networks.....................................................................................................Drina Durazo
Publicity, Public Relations....................................................................................Nora Feldman
Web Design........................................................................................................Larry Eisenberg
ARTISTIC COUNCIL
Drina Durazo Doug Haverty Lloyd Pedersen Gwen Van Dam
presents
Bach At Leipzig
By Itamar Moses
DIRECTOR
Calvin Remsberg
PRODUCER FOR THE GROUP REP
Suzy London
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR
Michele Bernath
SCENIC AND LIGHTING DESIGN
J. Kent Inasy
COSTUME DESIGN
A. Jeffrey Schoenberg
SOUND DESIGN
Steve Shaw
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
Adam Conn
WIGS
Wig Rescue
STAGE MANAGER
Steve Terrell
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Nora Feldman
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Doug Haverty +
Art & Soul Design
PROGRAM
Drina Durazo
The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is
strictly prohibited.
Bach At Leipzig
By Itamar Moses
Directed by Calvin Remsberg
CAST
(in alphabetical order)
Graupner……………………….……...Todd Andrew Ball
Schott………………...….….…….....….Larry Eisenberg*
Steindorff……………….…………....Mikel Parraga-Wills
Kaufmann...………..........................….Lloyd Pedersen*
The Greatest Organist in Germany….……Steve Terrell
Lenck……….……………..……….....…….Troy Whitaker
Fasch…………………………..……....…...Chris Winfield
SETTING
The Thomaskirche, Leipzig, Germany, 1722. Later, 1750.
THERE WILL BE ONE FIFTEEN-MINUTE INTERMISSION.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and
Stage Managers in the United States of America.
Giving to the Arts is an investment in the communities in which we live, work and play. Not only is
your presence the lifeblood of theatre, but every penny of your donation goes into the productions at
The Lonny Chapman Theatre.
We thank all our supporters. We are grateful for your presence and your presents! If you would like to
join the list of Supporters as an Angel, Patron, Benefactor, Sponsor or Friend for The Group Rep,
please contact Larry Eisenberg or any Company Member.
Supporters of The Group Rep
Angels
L & N Andreas Foundation – Lou Antonio - Bix Barnaba - Christina Carson - Laura Coker - June
& Barney Meskin - Ronald & Laurie Morgan - Lloyd Pedersen - Jo Shannon - Cliff Robertson
Ethics Foundation, Clifford P. Robertson, President – Jay Silverman & Janet Wood – Frawley
Becker
Patrons
Anonymous - Polly Barmaper – In Memory of Frances Mizrahi – Dic Morois – Florence
Schauffler – David Vowell - Gerrie Weaver - In Memory of Erma Dean Chapman – In Memory of
Marion Wright
Benefactors
Michele Aller – Kathleen Aponick - Edward & Sybil Baitz – Phil Baron - George & Kay Beier Michele Bernath (In Memory of Hank Smith) - Arthur & Sharon Berrick - Jay Bevan – Van
Boudreaux - Scott & Pam Bourgeois - David & Susan Boyer – Robert & Shona Brogden-Stirbl
Kent Butler – Britt Chichester – C.C. Cooper – Joyce Costanza-Moskowitz – Ben Creighton –
Maxine Crosland – Jason & Yvonne Delane - Charlie Dierkop - Kady Douglas – Larry Eisenberg
- Lareen Faye - Jocelyn Finn - Shannon Flynn - Shelly Freiberger - Louise K Garside - Sharon &
David Goldberg - Renee Gorsey - Barbara & Stan Haberman (In Memory of Bill Chapman)
Randy & Rhea Hagan – Robert & Judith Hall – Raymond & Marcie Haug Stew Herrera – Henry
Holden - David & Christine Holmes - Diane Glatt & David Holtz – Aaron Johnson - Gertrude
Jolicoeur – Tammy Kaitz - Jane Kean – Andrew & Kira Kosove – David & Roberta Kostenbader
Don Lazarus - Morgan & Deke Lightholder (In Memory of Dom Salinaro) – Suzanna Shaw Lyons
Randi Marell - Stan Mazin – Francisco Medina - Sharon Michaels -Donna Michel – Ron & Karen
Millman – Ed Mizrahi - Laurie Morgan - James & Benita Morrow - Sherry Netherland – Daniel
O’Connell – Justin Okin - Parker & Crosland LLP – Bache Perry - Chuck Petithomme – Joe
Praml – Tom Regan - Betty Jane Rose - David Roth – Mike Sabatino – Barbara & Bob Scheibel
th
In Honor of Janet Wood & Jay Silverman’s 25 Anniversary – Murrey & Sue Seider – Tyler
Shirek - Art Shulman – Joe Ellen Simon – Stanley Sludikoff & Shari Geller – Stephen Sobel
Allen Solom – Linda Steinbaum – Derek & Emerson Tabone – Arthur Toretsky - Joomi Viereck
Craig Warmer – Weaver Family Foundation – Eugene & Phyllis Weinstein – Chris Winfield Alex Winitsky – Janet Wood
Sponsors
Terrence Bell - Gail Brisco - Alan Corbin – Susan & Michael Conner - Max Drootin - Cliff
Fletcher - Karen Goldberg – Mike & Marsha Haverty – Valerie Hunter – Kellard-Beeman Family
David & Roberta Kostenbader - Tom Kuhn – Ted Lin - Frank Lucero – Mrs. Saul Marell - Sheila
Oaks (In Memory of My Beloved Husband Earl Horwitz) - Patty Paul – Leon Prince - Phylis
Rawlings - Bert & Colette Rosario – Carrie Ross - Sybil Scotford - Audrey Singer – Audrey
Sperling – Evelyn Stambler – Rudy Vargas – Elizabeth Weller
Friends
Jerry Butler – Barbara & Howard Cooperman - Victoria Deggs – Luke Euzarraga - Lisa
Greenberg – Barbara & Stan Haberman – Linda Hartfield - Stephanie Jones - Marjorie & Ellis
Katz - Cordell & Janet Krabbenhoft - Nora Meerbaum - Alexandra Orona - Gil & Elaine Skopp
Neil Thompson - C. James Wood - Gina Yates
PLAYERS DIRECTORY
TODD ANDREW BALL (Graupner) is excited to return to the
GRT stage. Last seen at GRT as Gooper (Cat On A Hot Tin
Roof) and Slocum (Tiger By The Tail). Other credits include
Patterns at Theatre 40, Lend Me A Tenor at the Glendale Centre
Theatre, Jack (Leading Ladies), Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie’s
Black Coffee), Lov Bensey (Tobacco Road), Emperor Joseph II
(Amadeus) and the Creditor (The Guardsman). He thanks Hisato
for all his love and support.
LARRY EISENBERG (Schott) is an Actor, Writer and Director.
Some of his favorite acting roles have included Kit Carson
in The Time of Your Life, opposite Lonny Chapman, Edgar in
King Lear opposite George Coulouris and the Conductor in
Terence McNally’s Prelude and Liebestod. Most recently he
produced the GRT’s production of That Lovin’ Feelin. Larry
has his MFA in directing from the California Institute of the Arts
and serves as one of the Group Rep’s Co-Artistic Directors.
MIKEL PARRAGA-WILLS (Steindorff) is enjoying his Group
Rep debut on the beautiful Lonny Chapman stage. His previous
stage roles include Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar (UCLA),
Leontes in A Winters Tale (UCLA), Orsino in Twelfth Night (Long
Beach Playhouse), Albany in King Lear (UCLA) and Tuco in The
Porters of Hellsgate production of Breaking Bard. He recently
made his network television acting/stunt debut on the show
“Lucha Underground.”
LLOYD PEDERSEN (Kaufmann) last appeared at GRT in The
Winning Streak (Eddon Award) and our world premiere musical
Love Again, as well as Tiger By the Tail, The Paris Letter (Eddon
& LA Scenie Awards), Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, My
Three Angels, Heroes, The Prisoner of Second Avenue and The
Sunshine Boys (ADA Award). Other recent credits include Rafael
Bunuel’s Confessions of a Robot, and Theatre 40’s Affluence.
Thanks to Calvin and this terrific cast and crew.
STEVE TERRELL (The Greatest Organist In Germany) is
known for his work in radio broadcasting. The news show “The
Byte” broadcast from Santa Monica College. He is currently a
radio show host for Urban Soul Radio’s “Monday Night Madness”
and has produced music for Republic Records. He was most
recently the Stage Manager and Audio Engineer for GRT’s That
Lovin’ Feelin’, and is making his acting debut in Bach At Leipzig.
Steve is a combat veteran who was proud to serve in
Afghanistan and the Middle East.
PLAYERS DIRECTORY, cont’d.
TROY WHITAKER (Lenck) is a graduate of Cal State University,
Northridge's Screenwriting program. He has appeared in
productions such as Awake and Sing!; Don't Hug Me, We're
Married; Putting On Your Shorts 1, 2, 3, and 4; Arsenic and Old
Lace (with the Burbank United Methodist Players); Lombardi (for
which he received two Stage Scene LA Awards); and Breaking
Bard (with the Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company).
CHRIS WINFIELD (Fasch) has been a member of GRT for 30
years, and has appeared in over 30 productions, most
recently as Dad in Phil Olson’s Mom’s Gift, various roles in Hotel
Paradiso, as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock’s Last Case, and as
George Hay in Moon Over Buffalo. Film and TV credits include
“Firefox,” “MASH,” “Baywatch,” “The Nanny,” and “Eli Stone.” He
designs and builds most of the GRT sets and is the Co-Artistic
Director of the company.
PRODUCTION TEAM
CALVIN REMSBERG (Director): Mr. Remsberg is well known as both actor and
director on both coasts. Favorite stage credits: Sweeney Todd (First National,
and Television productions), CATS, the acclaimed Los Angeles’ Phantom of the
Opera, Man of La Mancha, and Oliver! Favorite film credits: “Pretty Woman,”
“Shrek,” “The X-Files,” “Twilight of the Golds,” “Silk Stalkings.” Favorite Directing
credits: The Medium, Educating Rita, Chapter Two, Dracula, Triumph of Love,
The Sound of Music, Urinetown, Sunday in the Park with George (Ovation
Nomination), Into the Woods, Hello, Dolly!, The Last Five Years, Glory Days,
F**king Men (American premiere), and Sweeney Todd (Ovation nomination), and
ten musicals for The Musical Theatre Guild. This is his debut at The Group Rep.
SUZY LONDON (Producer) Primarily an actor/singer, she has also produced a
number of shows: Ann-Margret: Return To Sweden, Swedish stars Eva Rydbery,
Eva Roos, Li’l Babs and 10 shows for Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre.
Acting: Theatre: Marat/Sade (National Tour, receiving the ACTF Outstanding
Actor Award), 3 Penny Opera, The October Country (world premiere), Intent to
Murder (Drama-Logue Award for Best Performance), Man of La Mancha, West
Side Story. At GRT:Moon Over Buffalo, Stepping Out, Ghost of Gershwin.
Singing: Scandinavia, Japan, Germany, France, England; member of Hodges,
James and Smith (3 Albums, 2 Top 40 Hits, 2 Tours); numerous commercials
and animation voiceovers.
PRODUCTION TEAM, cont’d.
MICHELE BERNATH (Assistant to the Director) Eddon Award winning actress
-Bessie Berger Awake and Sing! Favorites: Boeing Boeing, Nice Family
Gathering, Over the River..., Choreographer:That Lovin Feelin’,Ghost of
Gershwin, Tiger by the Tail (director Jules Aaron). Actress, Dancer, Singer:
Touring Companies, Vegas, etc. (Minnie Faye, Hello Dolly; Aunt Sue, No No
Nanette; Anybody’s, West Side Story). Television: “Columbo,” "Murder She
Wrote,” "Taxi,” “Laverne & Shirley”. Michele has a featured role in the new film
“Lookin‘ Up” MFA -- UCLA.
J. KENT INASY (Scenic and Lighting Design) is a multi-award recipient for his
work in LA theater. Recent GRT credits include: That Lovin' Feelin', Cat On A
Hot Tin Roof, Love Again, The Ghost Of Gershwin, and The Paris Letter, to
name a few. J. Kent has designed major productions in theaters across the U.S.
and Canada. He is pleased to be working with Calvin and his talented cast on
this production. For my Muse…you know who you are....
A. JEFFREY SCHOENBERG (Costume Designer) Designing costumes for
more than 30 years, Jeffrey has received four L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation
Awards. Among the dozen shows for Antaeus are Cloud Nine, The Malcontent,
and King Lear. Others include Hamlet, Elmina’s Kitchen, The Dead, Travesties,
Threepenny Opera and Elizabeth Rex. For Colony Theater- Dames at Sea,
Side Show, The Laramie Project. Resident designer for Musical Theatre Guild,
he owns/designs for AJS Costumes, Renaissance Dancewear, and Mr. Alan
Jeffries Fine Gentlemen’s Apparel.
STEVE SHAW (Sound Designer) is a GRT member who has designed sound
for That Lovin’ Feelin’, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Love Again, Tiger by the Tail,
Don’t Dress for Dinner, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Ghost of Gershwin,
Mom’s Gift, Boeing Boeing, Awake and Sing, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,
Stepping Out, and many others. Other recent credits include The Real Thing (at
Two Roads Theatre), and Ryan is Lost for the New York Fringe festival.
ADAM CONN (Fight Choreographer) is known for his work on the films
“Operation: CTF” (2012), “Warrior Showdown 1 & 2” (2014), and “The First
Sergeant” (2016). Adam hails from Ohio and has a strong background in
musical comedy. He has been teaching fencing and stage combat since 2008 to
people of all ages and skills. He is currently training to become a 2nd Dan in Tae
Kwon Do and is in his 5th year of kickboxing.
PRODUCTION TEAM,
cont’d.
NORA FELDMAN (PR) on staff at
The Group Rep and Actors Forum.
She has publicized numerous
theatre productions and events
such as World Championships of
the Performing Arts and Experience
NoHo. Nora has also served as
producer of the theatre component
for the NoHo Theatre & Arts
Festival, NoHo Scene, and
Experience NoHo 2011.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ITAMAR MOSES grew up in
Berkeley, California, earned his
bachelor's degree at Yale
University, and his Master of Fine
Arts degree in dramatic writing
from New York University. He
has written several full-length
plays including Outrage, Celebrity
Row, The Four of Us,
Yellowjackets, Back Back Back,
and Completeness as well as
various short plays and one-acts.
His work has appeared OffBroadway and elsewhere in New
York, at regional theatres across
the country and in Canada. He
has been a writer for the television
shows, “Men of A Certain Age”
and “Boardwalk Empire.” Mr.
Moses has taught playwriting at
both Yale and New York
University.
The GRT Board of Directors gratefully
acknowledges the participants, many of
whom are veterans, of the Los Angeles Valley
College Service Learning Program. FROM THE DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK
First of all, let me say how delighted I am to be directing
for the first time at The Group Rep. I have been
attending theatre here for years, as a patron, and also
as an Ovation voter. I have always loved coming to
GRT because I knew that I would be seeing good work,
and now, I am here working. Many thanks to Larry
Eisenberg and Chris Winfield for the invitation.
Bach at Leipzig, by the preternaturally gifted Itamar
Moses, has long been among my favorite plays. Based
on a true historic incident, where the famous Thomaskirche held a
competition to replace its recently vacated position of organist/choirmaster,
the play takes this little known event, and invents a sort of “German Organ
Idol.” And all the craziness that implies!
My own fascination with the eighteenth century goes back to my
days as a student at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg,
Virginia. The head of the Theatre Department there was Howard Scammon,
who was a recognized authority on the eighteenth century theatre in
America. Every year, the College produced an eighteenth century comedy at
the Williamsburg Lodge, done in the authentic manner, and I was involved as
an actor in several of them. So this time period is very close to my heart.
Itamar Moses, who is every bit a contemporary author, has
immersed himself in the style and artifice of the eighteenth century, and then
infused French farce, and low comedy to make a truly modern work, and the
experience of rehearsing it has been as much fun for the actors as it will be
for you the audience to see it. No matter how much or how little you know
about music and history, you will still find yourself laughing out loud at this
remarkable piece.
So sit back, relax, and let us take you back 294 years. The play’s the thing!
Calvin Remsberg
SPECIAL THANKS
Dr. Alan Kay and Bonnie MacBird
Contrapuntal Hall
Dr. Namhee Han
William D. Whitaker
Adam Conn
Clark Bason
ABOUT THE COMPANY
The acting company began in May 1973
with a rag--tag group of 12 actors
performing scenes for audiences in a
Laundromat--turned 36-seat theatre on
Van Ness Boulevard. When Lonny
Chapman first entered that theatre, the
magic began. Here was an Artistic
Director searching for a theatre and a
theatre company searching for an artistic
director. The match was perfect and The
Group Repertory Theatre was born with
Lonny Chapman at the helm.
The first show, Round Dance, an
adaptation of Schnitzler’s La Ronde, was
an immediate hit, and The Group Rep
was on its way. By 1974, with the
growth in the number of productions and
additional company members, as well
as having acquired its professional status
with Equity, Chapman suggested that a
bigger space was needed.
A new 58--seat venue was rented on
Magnolia Blvd., which began playing to
sold--out houses. The Group Rep’s
growth and success required yet a larger
venue. In 1980, Chapman secured the
current Burbank and Vineland location,
which was renovated into its present 90seat configuration.
The Company honored Mr. Chapman in
1999 with a naming ceremony, making
the theatre officially The Lonny Chapman
Theatre. He continued to serve as the
Company’s Artistic Director until his
death in 2007. Lonny Chapman’s artistic
vision for the Company spanned more
than three decades.
The Group Rep is a permanent
Company of actors, directors, writers
and technicians. The Company has
produced over 300 shows, including
dozens of World Premieres. We now
have over 80 active Company members,
from those with notable careers to those
building new careers.
The Company has been home to untold
numbers -- many of whom continue to
enjoy successful careers in the
entertainment industry today. The Group
Rep looks forward to welcoming new,
passionate artists to its distinguished
roster.
In addition to professional stage
productions, The Group Rep gives back
to the community with its Annual
Foster/Cancer Children’s Holiday Party.
Its Participating Actor and Technical
Associates (PATA) program provides
internship opportunities for aspiring
artists in the creative and technical fields.
Past graduates of The Group Rep’s
PATA program include such notables as
Sean Penn and Jennifer Tilly.
In June of 2010, Larry Eisenberg and
Chris Winfield were appointed Co-Artistic
Directors of the theatre. Both men are
long--time members of The Group Rep.
They have the experience, passion and
creativity to maintain the Company’s
exceptional reputation within the Los
Angeles Community and to guide it to
even greater heights.
With you, our audience, we continue to
strive to fulfill the vision of Lonny
Chapman. His Vision?
“First to entertain, then to illuminate the
human condition, and to never be
boring.”
The audience, play and actor have equal
parts in this exciting venture.
We Welcome You To The Lonny
Chapman Theatre For Many Years
To Come!
Company Members
Belinda Howell
Gwen Van Dam
Anny
Steven West
Linda Alznauer
Jenny Sue Johnson
Devin Juleff
Diana Angelina
Mannette Antill
Daniel Kaemon
Chris Winfield
Sarah Karpeles
Janet Wood
Mark Atha
Jennifer Laks
Carol Woodbury
Robert Axelrod
Suzy London
Marcia Woodridge
Todd Andrew Ball
Rhonda Lord
Gina Yates
Robert Benedict
Brenden MacDonald
Alyson York
Michele Bernath
Larry Margo
John William Young
Van Boudreaux
Diana Martin
Edgar Mastin
Technical Assistants
Barbara Brownell
Cynthia Bryant
Patrick Burke
Robert McCollum
Kent Butler
Lisa McGee-Mann
Truett Butler
Bruce Nehlsen
Paul Cady
Sheila Oaks
Christina Carson
Phil Olson
Irene Chapman
Lloyd Pedersen
Katelyn Clark
Lauren Peterson
Roslyn Cohn
Tom Regan
Laura Coker
Michael Robb
Stephanie Colet
Colette Rosario
Jack Csenger
PA Program
Members
Sean Rose
Sandra Cusimano
Andrew Bourgeois
Judy Rosenfeld
Julie Davis
Ceirra Burton
Veronica Roy
Kevin Dobson
Timm Damiano
Mike Sabatino
Drina Durazo
James Guinn
Kyra Schwartz
Larry Eisenberg
Andre Jack
Adam Sherman
Bert Emmett
LizAnne Keigley
Loraine Shields
Doug Engalla
Mikel Parraga-Wills
Art Shulman
Lareen Faye
Jennifer Ross
Phoebe Singer
Diane Frank
Natalia Santamaria
Marc Singer
Chris Fuentes
Steve Terell
Patrick Skelton
Rich Fullman
Elijah Tomlinson
J. Christopher Sloan
Robert Gallo
Honorary Members
Ian Stanley
Pascale Gigon
William Arrigon
Charlotte Taschen
Renee Gorsey
Nora Meerbaum
Debi Tinsley
Doug Haverty
Lillian Robinson
Vesna Tolomanoska
Cathy Tomlin
Cynthia Howe
Stan Mazin
Troy Whitaker
Christian Ackerman
Cheryl Crosland
Shira Dubrovner
Judith E.
Nora Feldman
Elliott Goldwag
Liz Nankin
Wayland Pickard
Steve Shaw
Richard Woody