Sunday in the Park with George

February/March 2012

Performances:
February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, March 2, 3

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Craig Pettinati
Music Direction by David Rohde
Produced by Malca Giblin


Synopsis

Inspired by the art of Georges Seurat, the nineteenth-century pointilliste painter, specifically a painting entitled “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” Sunday in the Park with George opens with George beginning a fresh-light figure study of his mistress, Dot, on an island somewhere in the Seine. Dot is not turning out to be the most cooperative subject, fidgeting and complaining. There are other people out and about on the tiny island as well, a group of boys, for example, shouting insults from the other side of the water and another painter, Jules, who disdains George’s artwork. But as George knows, reality can always be improved upon, and with a sweep of his brush, he transforms the mocking boys into a band of youthful angels. Likewise, each of the other characters in the painting is wiped clean of their ugliness, rearranged and improved upon until George has created a work of art incorporating order, design, symmetry, balance and harmony. Unfortunately, burying oneself in one’s work can often cause certain unforeseen repercussions, and George soon learns that Dot has decided to leave him. She is running away to America with a baker to make pastries. What George doesn’t know is that Dot is carrying his child.

In act two, we jump to 1984 where another George, the grandson of the daughter Dot bore to George in Act One, has been commissioned to create a piece of mechanical performance art to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his great-grandfather’s painting. This present-day George, however, is at a creative impasse. After completing his seventh “chromolume,” he has begun to question whether he is finished as an artist–that is, until he receives an unexpected visit from the ghost of his great-grandmother who has a special message for him.


Cast

Erika Abrams (Celeste #2/Silent Artist) is thrilled to be part of Sunday, her first show with KAT! Recent DC-area credits include Foggerty's Fairy (Tottle/Producer) and Engaged (Belinda) with VLOC at the 2010 and 2011 Capital Fringe Festivals. Favorite roles include Petra in A Little Night Music, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Luce in The Boys from Syracuse, and two years performing Off-Broadway and on tour with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. By day she is a graphic designer who designs for a nonprofit as well as for local arts organizations. Much love to Seth!
Talia Brenner (Louise) is a freshman at Walt Whitman High School. Previous roles – K2S: Once on This Island (Little Ti Moune);Godspell (Gilmer). WS: The Music Man (Ensemble). ESP: The Velveteen Rabbit (The Child). PTC: School House Rock Live!(Interplanet Janet). LMP: Annie! (Molly). MP: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Charlie Bradley, Gladys Herdman); Murder on the Nile (Beadseller). Whitman High School: Gypsy (Ensemble). She studies piano and voice. Many thanks to Craig and the Sunday cast and crew. Much love to her friends and family!
Ryan Burke (Georges/George) is thrilled to be back at KAT, especially for this amazing show. He was named one of DC's Top 10 Outstanding Performers in 2010 and also named a 2010 Musical Scene Stealer for his portrayal of Barfee in MC's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other credits include Jekyll & Hyde as Jekyll/Hyde and The Last 5 Years as Jamie. He would like to thank Maggie, Thomas, his friends and family, and the Sunday team for all their hard work, support, and this amazing oppurtunity.
Wade D. Corder (Louis/Billy Webster) is grateful for the opportunity to work with Craig Pettinati, David Rohde and everyone at KAT. Previous credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Director, MCP); The Musical of Musicals! The Musical! (Director, ESP, WATCH Best Musical nominee); PetPourri (Director, SCT); and Ruthless! (Director, DS, ACT Best Musical, WATCH Best Musical nominee). He has been seen on stage as Mr. Walker in Tommy (ESP & LTA), Georges in La Cage Aux Folles (ESP), Frankie in Forever Plaid (VCP & RCP), and Jamie in The Last 5 Years (SCT).
Carmel Ferrer (Yvonne/Naomi) makes her KAT debut in her favorite show – one she's yearned to do since being spellbound by the original Broadway production. Carmel was seen most recently as Aldonza in Man of La Mancha (GAC); other area roles include Mother, Ragtime (TAP); Sarah Brown, Guys & Dolls (TAP); Lucy, Jekyll & Hyde (TAP; WATCH nomination); Florence, Chess (RMT); and Abigail Adams, 1776 (LTA). Love to family and friends for their perennial encouragement and support, and thanks to Craig, David, Lenora, Malca, and the KAT family for the warm welcome. Kisses – and a firm embrace! – to my one and only Jimmy Boy. Saltpeter, John!
Karen Fleming (Old Lady/Blair Daniels) is thrilled to be in a KAT show, finally! Recent credits include Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (SSS) and Mabel in The Pajama Game (RMT). Past Sondheim shows include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Gypsy, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, and Company (3 times). Directing credits include Agnes of God and Book of Days at MP and The Heidi Chronicles at SSS.
Lisa Gullickson (Frieda/Betty) is pleased to be making her KAT debut in one of her favorite shows, Sunday in the Park with George. Lisa is a recent graduate of George Mason University, where she earned her M.M., and was an active participant in the George Mason Opera Theater. Some of her most cherished shows include The Magic Flute (3rd Spirit), Hansel and Gretel (Sandman, Gretel), and Street Scene (Nurse 1). She also took part in a G.M.U. Players production of James Joyce's The Dead (Young Julia). She currently works at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale as a cantor, teacher of the new Choir School Program, and director of the Youth Choir.
Casey Jones (Boatman/Dennis) is the author of All Fall Down, and writer of scripts, screenplays and comic books. Favorite past shows include Assassins, The Mystery of Irma Vep and Proof. He's glad to see old friends again. Casey is a man of voices and a wearer of hats. He discusses writing at his website (caseyjonescaseyjones.com).
Eric Jones (Soldier/Alex) is beyond thrilled to return to KAT for this incredible show! Past KAT appearances include Violet(Monty) and RENT (The Man et al - WATCH nomination for Outstanding Cameo). Other favorite shows include: MET: The Eight Reindeer Monologues (Donner), A Clockwork Orange (Minister of the Interior et al); OOH: City of Angels (Stine); GS: The Triangle Factory Fire Project (Steuer et al); GAC: Children of Eden (Cain/Japheth), The Rocky Horror Show (Dr. Frank-N-Furter - WATCH Award for Outstanding Makeup Design). He'd like to thank Craig, David, and the entire cast and crew for making this show so much fun! VORHANG AUF!
Patrick McMahan (Mr. / Charles Redmond) SIGNATURE: Anyone Can Whistle in Concert (John/Ensemble); Understudy (performed): Les Misérables, The Happy Time, The Witches of Eastwick. KAT: Violet (Father/Preacher), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Norbert), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck). LTA: Company (Bobby). ESP: Passion (Giorgio), Side Show (Terry). TAP:Thoroughly Modern Millie (Mr. Trevor Graydon/WATCH Award Recipient). RMT: The Full Monty (Jerry Lukowski). DS: The Wild Party(Burrs). FP: A New Brain (Mr. Bungee/WATCH nomination). UPCOMING: Archibald in The Secret Garden (SMP/May 2012). Thanks to the talented cast and crew! Much love to Maureen and son Brendan.
Farrell Parker (Dot/Marie) makes her DC-area stage debut in this production. Born and raised in New Jersey, she holds a degree in Hospitality Administration from Boston University and currently works in event management. Favorite stage roles include: Gussie (Merrily We Roll Along), Witch (Into the Woods), Joanne (Company), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), and Mae (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). She is grateful to all the beautiful people in the cast and crew, her beautiful family, and her beautiful friends – new and old.
Jimmy Payne (Jules / Greenberg) is pleased to be making his first appearance with KAT, following his performances at PTP inThe Producers(Max/WATCH Award winner) and Assassins (Guiteau). He has been seen at TAP in Guys & Dolls (Nicely-Nicely),Ragtime (Tateh), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and Follies (Ben). He has also appeared in 1776 (John Adams) and Shenandoah(Charlie) at LTA and Closer Than Ever at SCT. His favorite role has been the lead in "Stacy & Jody's Dad," which most critics agree is the best thing he's ever done. The role has evolved into a supporting one, but he's still very proud of it. That role lead to a sequel, "Jack and Sam's Papa" which he also cherishes. Much love to Audrey for her kindness and friendship. Jimmy is overjoyed to be, once again, sharing the stage with his lovely and talented wife Carmel. The love and support she provides on a daily basis is amazing. She is quite something.
Diana Rodriguez (Celeste #1/Elaine) is making her KAT mainstage debut after playing Andrea in K2S's Once on This Island last year. Currently, she draws inspiration from teaching English at the Silver Spring International Middle School and singing jazz around the DC metro area with the Peter Adelman trio and guest artists. She earned a BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 2003, then served as a health educator in Peace Corps Guinea before returning for her MAT in Secondary English and Drama at American University. She would like to thank her friends and family for making sanity possible.
Russell Silber (Franz/Lee Randolph) is excited to make his KAT debut. Recent roles include Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) at MCP; Frederic (Pirates of Penzance), and Topper (A Christmas Carol) at LSDT. B.A. Musical Theatre from James Madison University. Thank you Craig, Mom, Dad, and Catherine.
Andrea Spitz (Nurse/Mrs./Harriet Pawling) is thrilled to return to KAT, where she most recently co-directed the Ruby Griffith Award winner, Chicago. Onstage roles have included Sara Jane Moore, Assassins (KAT); Baker's Wife, Into the Woods (KAT); Maria,The Sound of Music (MP); Catherine, Proof (SSS); Becca, Rabbit Hole (SSS); and Ruth, Book of Days (MP) among others. Andrea is a graduate of Northwestern University and the STAC, and the mother of her favorite works of art: John, Michael, and ?. Much love to the usual suspects.
ABBREVIATIONSAT - Adventure Theatre, ATMTC - Adventure Theatre Musical Theatre Center, BP - British Players, CC - Creative Cauldron, ESP - Elden Street Players, FMT - Foothill Music Theater, HBP - Hard Bargain Players, IS - Imagination Stage, LTC - Landless Theatre Company, QVT - Quest Visual Theatre, RCP - Reston Community Players, RMT - Rockville Musical Theatre, SBMT - South Bay Music Theatre, SP - Sunnyvale Players, TFT - Taking Flight Theatre, VTC - Vienna Theatre Company, WS - Washington Savoyards, WT - Workhouse Theatre

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