Ghost Brothers of Darkland County premiered last night in Atlanta, GA at the Alliance Theatre and Mellencamp.com was there! We will continue to add more photos, post a personal show review, as the day go on. Enjoy!
The Marquee 
A look at the set 
The bands perch
John and T Bone walk the red carpet! 
Stephen King walks the red carpet 
Susan Booth walks the red carpet 
Cast Members Travis Smith (Andy McCandless), Kate Ferber (Jenna), Kylie Brown (Anna Wicklow), Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless), Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless) and Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless) in the Alliance Theatre’s world premiere production of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County. (not visible – Lucas Kavner (Frank McCandless )and Emily Skinner (Monique McCandless)
Travis Smith (Andy McCandless), Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless) and cast during the 1967 Hawkeye Shootin’ Competition
Kate Ferber (Jenna) and Emily Skinner (Monique McCandless)
Lucas Kavner (Frank McCandless ) and Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless) hash out their sibling rivalry
Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless), Kylie Brown (Anna Wicklow), Lucas Kavner (Frank McCandless ), Emily Skinner (Monique McCandless) and Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless) grapple with the family secret
Travis Smith (Andy McCandless), Kate Ferber (Jenna), Kylie Brown (Anna Wicklow), Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless), Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless) and Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless)
Christopher L. Morgan (Dan Coker) and cast perform “Tear this Cabin Down”
Front - Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless). Back – From left to right – Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless), Kate Ferber (Jenna), Christopher L. Morgan (Dan Coker) and Travis Smith (Andy McCandless)
Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless) and Jake La Botz (The Shape)
Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless) and Travis Smith (Andy McCandless) fight it out as brothers
Royce Mann (young Joe McCandless)
Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless)
Emily Skinner (Monique McCandless)
Kate Ferber (Jenna) and the cast honky tonkin’ in the Alliance Theatre
Jake La Botz as the malevolent character The Shape
Jake La Botz (The Shape) and Kylie Brown
Character GuideFrank McCandless: Twenty-two-years-old. The younger brother of Drake. He is regarded as the more successful of the two. He has a successful career as a writer and is dating his brother’s former girlfriend.
Drake McCandless: Twenty-four-years-old. The older brother of Frank. He is a failed rock musician. He feels overshadowed by his older brother’s success.
Anna Wicklow: Twenty-two-years-old. She was previously Drake’s girlfriend, but is now dating Frank. Anna is a key conflict between the brothers.
Joe McCandless: Broad-shouldered and in his fifties. Joe is Andy and Jack’s youngest brother. He is also the father of Frank and Drake.
Young Joe McCandless: Joe as a child in 1967.
Monique McCandless: In her fifties. She is not a “trophy wife.” She is the mother of Frank and Drake and wife of Joe. She favors Frank, which causes hostility between the brothers.
Andy McCandless: In 1967: Twenty-one-years-old. Jack’s elder Brother.” He is good at pretty much everything and always top dog between the brothers. In 2007: A “Ghost Brother.”
Jack McCandless: In 1967: Eighteen-years-old. The younger brother of Andy. He lives in Andy's shadow. He is an excellent marksman, better than Andy, actually. He is more humble than his brother, but they both have bad tempers; they are constantly at each other's throat. In 2007: A “Ghost Brother.
Jenna In 1967: Nineteen –years-old. Jenna is beautiful and the object of both Andy and Jack’s affection. She is the cause of much of their conflict. In 2007: A Ghost.
The Shape: A supernatural character. A demon-like silhouette. He's a troublemaker without morals or pity. He's a bony hooded figure with fiery red eyes and a hellish-orange aura.
Dan Coker: In 2007: Around sixty-years-old, Dan bartends at “The Dreamland Café.’” In 1967: He was the caretaker of the McCandless cabin.
CAST AND CREWJake La Botz (The Shape)After dropping out of school at 15, Jake La Botz hit the road, frequenting punk rock shows, hobo camps and libraries. He found employment as a roofer, boilermaker, graphite factory worker and obituary writer. In this midst of this he began banging on a guitar. He played on the streets and in the juke joints of New Orleans, Chicago and the Mississippi Delta, finding kinship with the last of the pre-war era bluesmen David “Honeyboy” Edwards, “Homesick” James and “Maxwell Street” Jimmy Davis. Now with six albums under his belt, including the most recent I’m a Crow, La Botz has become known for his “Tattoo Across America Tour,” where he performs at tattoo shops. Film credits include Animal Factory, Rambo and the upcoming On the Road.
Kate Ferber (Jenna)Kate is thrilled to premiere the role of Jenna in Ghost Brothers at the Alliance Theater. Kate is the recipient of the 2010 ASCAP Foundation Desmond Child Anthem Award, acknowledging her promise as an outstanding songwriter. Recent credits include One Child Born: The Music of Laura Nyro, her one-woman
show co-written with Louis Greenstein (TheLauraNyroProject.com); The Daughters by Shaina Taub (CAP21); Sometimes in Prague (The TANK); Deep Cover (NYMF); and Factory Girls (NAMT). Kate is a member of Actors’ Equity and an alumni of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She sends her gratitude to Mom, Dad, and Justin. KateFerber.com.
Justin Guarini (Drake McCandless)Broadway: American Idiot (Will), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Carlos, original cast). Solo albums: Justin Guarini RCA Records, Stranger Things Have Happened, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Cast Album. Theater: Chicago (Billy Flynn), Rent (Roger), Once on This Island (Daniel), The Little Prince (Prince). Film: Fast Girl (Darryl), From Justin to Kelly (Justin). TV: “American Idol” season 1 runner-up (Fox), “Run of the House” (Fox), “Film Fakers” (AMC), “Gone Country” (CMT season 3), TV Guide Network, host/correspondent; “Live With Regis & Kelly” (guest host, ABC). Other: Disney World’s The American Idol Experience, virtual host. Justin is currently involved with the ETM-LA (Education Through Music Los Angeles), which funds music programs in disadvantaged schools.
Shuler Hensley (Joe McCandless)Mr. Hensley won Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Olivier awards for his performance as Jud Fry in Trevor Nunn’s revival of Oklahoma!. His other Broadway credits include the Creature in Young Frankenstein (Drama Desk nom.), Kerchak in Tarzan, Javert in Les Miserables. He was recently seen in both critically acclaimed plays, That Hopey Changey Thing and Sweet and Sad at The Public (NY). His film and television credits include Van Helsing, The Legend of Zorro, “Law & Order: SVU,” and the soon-to-be released films Odd Thomas and Cruiser. Love to Skyler and Grayson, and beautiful wife Paula (FPT). It is good to be home, Atlanta! shulerhensley.com
Peter Albrink (Jack McCandless)Peter is a native of Louisville, Ky., attended Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama before moving to New York City. Regional: A Streetcar Named Desire (dir. David Cromer); Finding Robert Hutchens (dir. Sheryl Kaller); Sam Hunter’s When You’re Here; and the workshop of The Blue Deep (dir.Bob Balaban, feat. Blythe Danner) New York: These Seven Sicknesses (EPBB); Dust (the Incubator). Peter is a founding member of both the Shelby Company and Exit, Pursued by a Bear.
Kylie Brown (Anna Wicklow)Kylie returns to the Alliance stage after having previously appeared in Einstein Is a Dummy, The Guardsman, and two productions of A Christmas Carol. Other Atlanta credits include: Spring Awakening (Wendla) and See What I Wanna See, 2011 Suzi Bass Award (Actor’s Express); Stealing Dixie (Theatre in the Square). Regionally Kylie has worked with Shenandoah Summer Musical Theatre. As a vocalist Kylie has performed with Serenbe Playhouse and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Oklahoma, Kid’s Holiday Concerts and the rededication of Centennial Park with Ray Charles. For Him and fam ... where the hope is.
Lucas Kavner (Frank McCandless )Off-Broadway: No End of Blame (Atlantic/ PTP); Mine (Slant Theatre Project); Barnes and Noble: Frisco, TX (Ars Nova, also writer); The King Is Dead (Abingdon); shows with Naked Angels, Playwrights Horizons, Joe’s Pub. Regional: The Blue Flower (A.R.T, IRNE Award nomination, Elliot Norton Award winner); Six Degrees of Separation; After the Revolution (Williamstown); The Consequences (Wellfleet); The Bewitched (Kennedy Center); 2 seasons with the Potomac Theatre Project in D.C. TV/Film: Michael and Michael Have Issues, Team Players, Northeast, The Musician. As playwright: Fish Eye (HERE Arts Center, off-Broadway), developed work with Williamstown, Naked Angels, Ars Nova, The Flea. B.A: Middlebury College.
Royce Mann (Young Joe)Age 10. Credits include: A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim, three seasons, Alliance Theatre); I Dream (Young Ronald, director Jasmine Guy, Musical Dramatic Arts, Suzi Award Best New Musical). Starring film roles: Boy in the Box (Best Actor, Atlanta 48 Hour Film Project); Missile Crisis; The Razzle. TV: “Good Eats” (Twisted Tiny Tim); national commercials. From the acting family of Sheri Mann Stewart, Barry Stewart Mann and brother Tendal, Royce is a homeschooler (unschooler), athlete, magician and photographer (with works in Elton John’s famed collection), and he donates a portion of all earnings to charity. See IMDB for more! facebook.com/rmannfan.
Christopher L. Morgan (Dan Coker)Christopher is thrilled to be back at the Alliance theater. Most recently he was seen as Clarence in Gut Bucket Blues (True Colors Theater Company). Credits: Kiss Me, Kate (Broadway); Guys and Dolls (The Hollywood Bowl). New York credits: Purlie in Encores (City Center); 70 Girls, 70 (York Theater); Little Ham (John Houseman Theater); and From My Hometown (Gramercy Theatre). Tours: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Victor/Victoria, Carousel and Dreamgirls. Film: Blood of a Champion, recently featured in Probable Cause. TV: “A Royal Birthday,”“Holiday Love” “Guiding Light,” “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne.” Thanks to Kim and Sebastian for all the support a husband/daddy could use! I love you!
Emily Skinner (Monique McCandless)Broadway: original companies of Side Show (Tony nomination, Drama League award), Jekyll & Hyde, The Full Monty, James Joyce’s The Dead (with Christopher Walken), Dinner at Eight (Outer Critics Circle nomination) and Billy Elliot. National tours: Billy Elliot, Disney’s On the Record. Off-Broadway: Jerry Springer the Opera (with Harvey Keitel) at Carnegie Hall, No Strings, Pardon My English, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (at City Center’s Encores!), leading roles at Manhattan Theater Club, WPA Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Roundabout Theatre Company, York Theatre, Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Gardens. Regional: Multiple roles at the Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, The Hangar, Long Wharf, the Old Globe and many others. She has sung with symphonies internationally and her numerous CD recordings may be found at Amazon.com.
Travis Smith (Andy McCandless)Travis is thrilled to be making his Alliance Theatre debut with this amazing production. He has been working in Atlanta theater for several years. Favorite Atlanta productions include Jim in The Glass Menagerie (GA Shakes); Lenny in Of Mice and Men (Suzi nominated for Best Actor); Lost Highway, Keeping Watch, Godspell (Theatrical Outfit).Travis is also a singer-songwriter and has toured America and Australia. He is a proud graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts. Many thanks to an amazing cast and crew. Much love and gratitude to my incredible family.
Jeremy Aggers (Ensemble/Under Study Frank McCandless)
Jeremy is a songwriter and actor originally from North Carolina. He hasperformed locally at Actor’s Express, the Aurora Theatre, and Theatre in the Square, and has released two recordings under the Brash Music label here in Atlanta. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter for show updates, and you can find his music on iTunes, Spotify, or at one of his shows!
Russell Cook (Under Study Male Ensemble)
Russell is making his Alliance debut. His work as an actor includes Dahlonega’s Mountain Music and Medicine Show, and the films Grow! and Childs Play. Along with his wife, Cameron, he forms the core of the band Little Country Giants. Their music is featured on four original albums and on soundtracks for the films Grow!, Pushin’ Up Daisies and Freelance. He teaches visual art at Georgia Highlands College.
Lori Beth Edgeman (Ensemble/Under Study Anna Wicklow & Jenna)
Lori Beth is thrilled to be making her Alliance Theatre debut. Music tours: Mudcat Blues Band, Winston Blues Revival with Taj Mahal. Film: Get Low, The Conspirator, The Way Home, The Crazies, 3, Blood Done Sign My Name, A Dance for Bethany, Two Weeks, Warm Springs, The Substitute, Road Trip, The Gingerbread Man. Television: “The Lost Valentine,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Front of the Class,” “Army Wives,” “Surface.” Dance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre internship.
Gwen Hughes (Ensemble/Under Study Monique McCandless)
Multiple recipient of Creative Loafing’s Favorite Jazz Artist. Gwen’s original music blends jazz and rock with a dash of theatre. Performance highlights: Eddie’s Attic (Atlanta); Elephant Room (Austin); Continental (NYC); Sambuca (Dallas); Red Room (New Orleans); plus concerts across Europe, where she tours annually. Former artist in residence, GA Music Hall of Fame, Board Governor, NARAS. Recent theatre: Always Patsy Cline (14th St. Playhouse). GBDC marks her Alliance debut. Love to her family and Mike. Colossians 3:23.
Joe Jung (Newt/Ensemble/Under Study The Shape)
Joe is a New York-based actorsinger- songwriter and is thrilled to make his Alliance debut. Broadway: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Off-Broadway: BBAJ, H4. Off-Off: Shel’s Shorts, My Custom Van, Language of Angels, Our Bar. Regional: Assassins, Siddhartha, Floyd Collins (Berkshire Theatre Festival);
Red Noses, Misalliance, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Connecticut Rep.). Joe has an MFA from UConn, two solo CDs, and is the artistic director of Project: Theater. Proud member of Actors’ Equity. joejung.com
Joe Knezevich (Ensemble, Under Study Drake McCandless & Newt)
Alliance Theatre: August: Osage County, Carapace, Glengarry Glen Ross, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Georgia Shakespeare: The Glass Menagerie, Noises Off, Shrew: The Musical, King Lear, The Odyssey, Richard III, Metamorphoses. Film: Parental Guidance (fall 2012), The Change-Up, The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice. TV: “Teen Wolf” (summer 2012), “The Vampire Diaries,” “Necessary Roughness.” Training: Florida State University. joeknezevich.com.
Stephanie Laubscher (Under Study Female Ensemble)
This is her Stephanies's first appearance with the Alliance Theatre. Recent stage credits include And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank and James and the Giant Peach, both with Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Stephanie graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where favorite roles included Catherine in Proof, Abigail in The Crucible and Toinette in The Imaginary Invalid. Recent Atlanta film credits include Interrupted (book trailer, Whitestone Motion Pictures). Stephanie paticipates in Appalachian ballad and Sacred Harp singing.
Rob Lawhon (Ensemble/Under Study Andy McCandless & Zydeco Cowboy)
Rob is proud to make his Alliance Theatre debut with Ghost Brothers! You may have seen him as Hank Williams in Lost Highway at Theatrical Outfit, or as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story at Georgia Ensemble Theatre, for which he received the 2009 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of his wife Kirsten, his beautiful baby boy, Gibson, the rest of his amazing family, and the lovely Jody Feldman. Rob is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Joseph Signa (Under Study Young Joe)
Joseph is a middle-school student in Cumming, Ga., and this is his debut performance at the Alliance Theatre. Joseph has performed in community theater as both an actor and singer. He has always dreamed of a big-city Broadway life and would like to thank the Alliance for this opportunity. Joseph appreciates the chance to work with such a talented cast and crew, and is grateful for the good times and amazing experience.
Dale Watson (Zydeco Cowboy/Ensemble/Under Study Joe McCandless)
Dale is a Texas singersongwriter with numerous European awards, Texas State Musician 2008, and Austin Music Award multi-winner, as well as a member of their Hall of Fame. He regularly appears on the Grand Ole Opry and tours extensively worldwide, most recently to China, Singapore, UK and Europe in October of 2012. His acting credits include mostly film and TV, the latest being “Friday Night Lights.”
DeWaye Woods (Under Study Male Ensemble)
Stellar Award winner DeWayne Woods has served as background vocals coordinator for some of today’s biggest talent, including Celine Dion and jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum. In 2006, Woods released his debut project, Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet. The project garnered five Stellar Award nominations including Song of the Year; for the single “Let Go,” written by P.J. Morton. Woods received the coveted statue for New Artist of the Year & Male Vocalist of the Year.
Ryan Wootherspoon (Ensemble/Under Study Jack McCandless)
Marking his first performance with the Alliance, Ryan is thrilled to be a part of this production. Originally from Minneapolis, he honed his talents in L.A., Montreal, and now Nashville. Some of his favorite collaborations have been co-written with his mentor, the Oscar-winning songwriter, Al Kasha, and playing Cornelius Hackl, opposite his dear friend, Sally Struthers as Dolly, in Hello Dolly! Love to Mom, Dad, Bobby, Siobhan, Yuki, Lily and Grandma, (who just turned 103!!).
Dane Clark (Percussion & Acoustic Guitar)Born and raised in Anderson, Ind., Dane started playing piano at age 8, guitar at 9 and drums at 10. He sang his first original song at a sixth-grade talent show. Dane went to college on a music scholarship, graduated with a degree in percussion performance. and started doing session work as a drummer in the Indianapolis area, all the while continuing to hone the craft of songwriting. He joined John Mellencamp’s band in 1996 and has enjoyed that position ever since. His fourth singer/songwriter project will be released in June, featuring his latest song/video “Over It (For the 99%).” He feels it deserves to be the “spokesong” for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Check it out at daneclark.com or on YouTube. It’s an honor to be in Atlanta debuting this fantastic project. Hold on to your seats!
Troye Kinnett (Keyboardist)As keyboardist for John Mellencamp since 2006, Troye has performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Radio City Music Hall, Farm Aid, “The Today Show” and “The Late Show With David Letterman.” He also has performed with Broadway Across America and regional theatre in Indianapolis: Peter Pan, Will Rogers Follies, Cats, Annie, Mame, Happy Days and Footloose. Special thanks to his family, Barbie and Sam.
Dave Roe (Upright Bass)A native of Honolulu and 30-year veteran of the Nashville music scene, Dave has logged more than 250 albums as a session musician, and has toured and/or recorded with 12 major country acts, including Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Vern Gosdin and Jerry Reed. A mainstay on the Americana music scene, he has also appeared on recordings by Iris Dement, Malcolm Holcomb, Dave Olney and Phil Lee. His recording work includes vocals as well as electric and upright bass. His participation in the recording of John Mellencamp’s 2009 recording, No Better Than This, produced by T-Bone Burnett, led to his being tapped for the bass chair in the Ghost Brothers Band. He resides in the Nashville countryside with his wife, Jenn. Member-Local 257 American Federation of Musicians and American Federation of Television and Recording Artists.
Andy York (Band Leader, Guitarist, Vocal Arranger, Associate Musical Director)Andy moved to New York City upon graduation from UNC Chapel Hill and began his 30-year career playing guitar in bands such as Jason and the Scorchers, Hearts and Minds and Roscoe’s Gang. He has been John Mellencamp’s lead guitarist since 1994, and has been involved with Ghost Brothers for the last eight years. He lives with his wife in Connecticut.
Stephen King (Playwright)Stephen was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1973, he began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full time. He has since published more than 50 books and has become one of the world’s most successful writers. Stephen lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. They are regular contributors to a number of charities, including many libraries,and have been honored locally for their philanthropic activities.
John Mellencamp (Composer & Lyricist)Mellencamp’s career in music, spanning more than 35 years, has seen him transition from pop star to one of the most highly regarded songwriters of a generation. Mellencamp fell in love with music at an early age, fronting a soul band in his native Indiana at age 14. He went on to release 26 albums with domestic sales exceeding 40 million units and amassed 22 Top 40 hits. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he has been nominated for 13 Grammys, was recipient of Billboard’s Century Award, ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, Q’s Classic Songwriter Award and Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The social activism reflected in his songs helped catalyze Farm Aid, the concert series and organization that has addressed the struggle of American family farmers for more than 25 years. The unique instrumentation of his band and overall approach is widely credited with being the forbear of the Americana/ No Depression genre of rural-inflected music. An accomplished painter, his work is on exhibit this spring in a one man show at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.
T Bone Burnett (Musical Director)T Bone Burnett has earned an unparalleled reputation as an innovative artist, songwriter, producer, performer and artists’ advocate. He is a 12-time Grammy Award winner for a diverse body of production work, including Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand - which won both Album of the Year and Record of the Year in 2009 - B.B. King’s One Kind Favor, and Tony Bennett and k.d. lang’s A Wonderful World,. He produced the critically acclaimed film Crazy Heart, composed its score and co-wrote many of its original songs, including "The Weary Kind," for which he won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. He earned five Grammys for his work on the 8-times-Platinum soundtrack, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004, along with Elvis Costello, for Best Original Song for "The Scarlet Tide" (Cold Mountain). Burnett most recently served as Executive Music producer for The Hunger Games, collaborating with a diverse array of artists that included Arcade Fire and Taylor Swift.
Susan V. Booth (Director)Susan joined the Alliance Theatre in 2001. Over the past 10 seasons, she has initiated the Collision Project for teens, the Aliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, created local producing partnerships and overseen regional collaborative productions, as well as commercial partnerships on projects including The Color Purple; Bring It On: The Musical; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Sister Act: The Musical; Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk; and Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL, which she also directed. As a director, she has worked nationally at theatres including the Goodman, La Jolla Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens, Court Theatre and many others. She holds degrees from Denison and Northwestern Universities and was a fellow of the National Critics Institute and the Kemper Foundation. She has held teaching positions at Northwestern and DePaul Universities, and serves as adjunct faculty with Emory University. She is the immediate past president of the board of directors for Theatre Communications Group (the national service organization for the field), is on the artistic board of the Steinberg Charitable Trust in New York, and serves on the board of the Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition. Susan is married to Max Leventhal and is the proud mother of Moira Rose Leventhal.
[email protected]Daniel Pelzig (Choreographer)Alliance: Avenue X and My Fair Lady. Recent credits include directing Carmen at Central City Opera, choreographing My Fair Lady for the Shaw Festival, The Winter’s Tale (Guthrie Theatre) and Candide (Shakespeare Theatre). Broadway: 33 Variations; A Year With Frog and Toad. Off-Broadway: Valhalla (NYTW), The New Moon (Encores!), Regrets Only, newyorkers (Manhattan Theatre Club), Privates on Parade (Roundabout Theatre). Metropolitan Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor, La Sonnambula, Iphigenie en Tauride, Armida. Regional: 33 Variations (Ahmanson); Candide, Pericles (Goodman Theatre); Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Dog in the Manger, Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre); 33 Variations (La Jolla Playhouse), War Music (ACT-SF); Sweeney Todd (Kennedy Center, Sondheim Celebration); Don Juan (Old Globe/McCarter); Showboat, Carousel (Hollywood Bowl); Guys and Dolls (Maltz Jupter); Ragtime (Pioneer Theatre); Into the Woods (Kansas City Rep); Company, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, (Huntington Theatre). Opera: Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera (director), Opera Boston (director). Four years as resident choreographer for Boston Ballet. TV: Segment director, “One Life to Live.” Mr. Pelzig earned his degree in cellular biology from Columbia University.
Todd Rosenthal (Scenic Designer)Received 2008 Tony Award for his design for August: Osage County, and a 2011 Tony Award nomination for The Motherf**ker With the Hat. Current/upcoming designs: Ghost Light, Oregon Shakespeare/Berkeley Rep; God of Carnage, A Streetcar Named Desire, the Guthrie; The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Theatre Royal Waterford, Ireland; Close Up Space, Manhattan Theater Club; August: Osage County, Sydney Theatre Company; Who’s Afraid of Virginia, Broadway; A Parallelogram, Clybourne Park, Steppenwolf Theatre Company; The Seagull, Goodman Theater; As You Like It, Oregon Shakespeare. Set designer: New York’s Big Apple Circus; exhibitor, 2007 Prague Quadrennial. Lead designer for “The Mythbusters” TM, the Explosive exhibition. 2009 Lawrence Olivier Award for best set design. 2010 LA Back Stage Garland Award, 2010 Suzi Bass Award and Michael Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration. Todd teaches design at Northwestern University. Graduate, Yale School of Drama. toddar.com.
Clay Benning (Sound Designer)Clay has been the resident sound designer at the Alliance Theatre for 12 years. He has designed more than 70 productions, including Pacific Overtures, Class of 3000, Jelly’s Last Jam, August: Osage County, Five Guys Named Moe, Eurydice and Topdog/Underdog. He is also an associate artist at Georgia Shakespeare with designs for more than 18 productions including King Lear, Metamorphoses, Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus, Antigone and Pericles. Other work includes the Atlanta Ballet: The Great Gatsby, big (featuring Big Boi). Regional work: Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre. Awards: 2006, 2007 and 2009 Suzi Bass awards for best sound design (Metamorphoses, False Creeds and Titus Andronicus). Production sound engineer for the world premieres of The Color Purple, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL and Bring It On: The Musical. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College (BA), North Carolina School of the Arts (MFA) and a member of IATSE/ USA829.
Susan E Mickey (Costume Designer)The recent winner of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Costume Design for The Madness of George III at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Susan’s work has been recognized in television, film and print. She has collaborated on over 35 world premieres with teams as diverse as Jimmy Buffet & Herman Wouk, Patti Austin and Kent Haruf. She has enjoyed extended design relationships with The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Huntington Theatre in Boston and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. This production marks her 58th creative endeavor with the Alliance Theatre her first design here was a production of Billy Bishop Goes To War in 1982. The author of several books on sewing and home décor, Susan teaches Costume Design and is the Head of Design and Technology at The University of Texas Austin.
Robert Wierzel (Lighting Designer)FELA!, Broadway (Tony nomination), National Theatre, International & American Tour; David Copperfield’s Broadway debut Dreams and Nightmares. Off- Broadway: The Public Theatre; The Signature Theatre; The Roundabout Theatre; Classic Stage Company; Playwrights Horizons. Regional: A.C.T. San Francisco; Center Stage; Arena Stage; Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Shakespeare Theatre; Hartford Stage; Long Wharf Theatre; Westport Country Playhouse; Goodman Theatre; The Guthrie; Mark Taper Forum; Old Globe; Berkley Rep. Opera companies: The Paris Opera; Tokyo Opera; New York City Opera; Glimmerglass Opera; Seattle Opera; San Francisco Opera; Houston Grand Opera; Washington National Opera; Chicago (Lyric Opera/Chicago Opera Theatre) as well as Philip Glass’ Les Enfants Térribles (American Theatre Wing Award). Dance work includes 26 years with choreographer Bill T. Jones (Bessie Awards). Future: New musicals Superfly (Broadway 2013) and Stranger w/music by Bruce Hornsby. Teaches at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Yale School of Drama. Graduate, Yale School of Drama.
Adam Larsen (Projection Designer)Adam is a filmmaker and projection designer. He has designed nearly 100 productions both on and off Broadway, including: Hal Prince’s LoveMusik (Broadway); The Gospel at Colonus (Athens, Edinburgh and Spoleto Festivals); The Wind Up Bird Chronicle (Edinburgh Festival); Brief Encounters and My Fair Lady (Shaw Festival); The Women of Brewster Place (Alliance/Arena Stage); Christmas Carol 1941, The Light in the Piazza, The Book Club Play (Arena Stage); 26 Miles (Alliance); big (Atlanta Ballet); Carmina Burana, Love Lies Bleeding and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Alberta Ballet); From the House of the Dead (Canadian Opera); Lily Plants a Garden (Mark Taper); Quartet (Aspen Santa Fe Ballet); Seed (Cedar Lake); Black Whole (BMC&AC/Moog Music); and recently Maa (GloAtl/Atlanta S.O.). Adam holds a B.F.A. in Cinematography from N.C. School of the Arts and just completed his first feature-length documentary about autism from the perspective of autistics entitled Neurotypical.
Scot J. Mann and Kelly Martin (Fight Choreography )Scot J. Mann and Kelly Martin are award-winning and internationally recognized fi ght directors and teachers through the Society of American Fight Directors, the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat. They have choreographed, performed and coached theatrical violence in the U.S., England, and Germany with such companies as The Steppenwolf Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, New Stage Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare and here at the wonderful Alliance Theatre. Together they served as tactics choreographers and stunt players for the Sci-Fi feature fi lm Eyeborgs. Scot was on-set swordmaster for the Bollywood Epic, DRONA, fi lmed in India, and is the director of theatre at Mercer University. Proud members of AEA & The Society of American Fight Directors. 113
Steve Tolin (Special Effects Designer)Steve is very excited to be making his debut collaboration with the Alliance Theatre. Mr. Tolin is the owner and operator of Tolin FX, a Pittsburgh based special effects design and fabrication shop. His work is seen both on screen and on stage. Some of Steve's favorite theatre productions include many productions of The Lt. of Inishmore including Berkeley Rep, PICT, La Plaza in Lima Peru, and for Northlight for which he won Chicago's 2009 Jeff Award for Outstanding Special Effects. Other favorites include God of Carnage, The Pillowman, The Lonesome West, and Hunter/Gatherers. Steve is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and is a member of IATSE/Local 489. Steve has also recently produced his first feature film entitled It Came from Yesterday. You may see more of Steve's work at
www.tolinfx.com and see more about his feature film at
www.itcamefromyesterday.com.
The entire cast with TBone, John and Stephen at the finale
AND THE FINALE! John gives Susan Booth a twirl!
Musical Numbers
Act I
"That's Me" - The Shape
"That's Who I Am" - Anna
"So Goddamn Smart" - Andy, Jack & Jenna
"How Many Days" - Joe & Ensemble
"Home Again" - Jenna, Andy, Jack, Dan & Ensemble
"And You Are Blind" - Drake
"Whats Going On Here" - Monique
"Brotherly Love" - Drake & Frank
"My Name is Joe" - Young Joe & Ensemble
"Tear This Cabin Down" - Dan & Ensemble
Act II
"Lounging Around In Heaven" - The Shape
"Tear This Cabin Down" (reprise) - Dan, Jenna, Andy & Jack
"And Your Days Are Gone" - Andy, Jack, Jenna & Ensemble
"On Belle Reve Time" - Monique & Ensemble
"Jukin" - Jenna & Ensemble
"Put Me In The Ground" - Jack, Andy, Frank, Drake & Ensemble
"What Kind Of Man Am I" - Joe and Ensemble
"Away From This World" - Jenna & Ensemble
"A Rose For Poor Anna" - Anna
"Away From This World" (reprise) - Jenna & Ensemble
"The Truth Is Here" - Joe, Young Joe, Dan, The Shape, & Ensemble
Production Trailer
