2003-2004

2003-2004

SEASON

STAFF
Artistic Director – Ron Peluso
Company Manager – Janet Hall
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Costume Designer & Construction – Jeannie Galioto
Production Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. McNally
Production Assistants – Darcy McGill, Rachel Roen
Light Board Operator – Andrea Heilman
Sound Board Operator – Yer Her
Video Operators – Jodi Larson, Cara Ullrich
Deck Manager – Gwen Heyn
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Electricians – Collin Sheridan, Gwen Heyn, Andrea Heilman, Joel Anthony, Tom Steffen, Brian Maher, Jesse Cramer, Nicole Simeneau, Brian Gunsch
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Painters – Kristina Krenz, Andrea Heilman, Gwen Heyn
Artistic Advisors – Bob Beverage, Jan Puffer, Sue Scott, Sarah Gioia

Managing Director – Virginia Nugent
Development Director – Susan Heinrich
Public Relations Director – In-Fin Tuan
Education Director – Julia DeRuyter

Audience Services Director – Chari Hall
Audience Services Associate – Emily Arsenault
Group Sales & Marketing Director – Alan Estevez
Group Sales Manager – Linda Berglund
Box Office – Anne Hammel, Beth Cashman, Marj
Hammer, Jodi Larson, Julia Erickson

Sisters Of Swing
July 4-August 10, 2003
By Beth Gilleland & Bob Beverage
Musical Arrangements by Raymond Berg

This is the second mounting by the Great American History Theatre of a musical story about the famous, popular and Minnesota-born Andrews Sisters. The action of the play occurs before and after WWII, east and west of Minneapolis. Note that this musical was presented in July, when the company typically did not operate. Nevertheless, it is included in our chronicle of History Theatre offerings as the opening show of the 2003-2004 season.

Cast
Patty – Christina Baldwin
Maxene – Jennifer Baldwin Peden
LaVerne – Patty Nieman
Lou Levy/Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye, et al. – Mark Rosenwinkel
Vic/Lieutenant & Band Leader – David Lohman
Puppeteer – Christopher O. Kidder

Artistic Team
Director – Ron Peluso
Choreographer – Jan Puffer
Music Director – Raymond Berg
Scenic Designer – Nayna Ramey
Lighting Designer – Pamela Kildahl
Costume Designer & Costumer – Jeannie Gallioto
Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Carpenter – Lynn Salmon-Easter
Assistant Stage Manager – Shannon O’Brien
Master Electricians – Logan Jambik, Natascha Plouffe
Electrician – Kristina Krenz
Light Board Operator – Kristina Krenz
Sound Board Operator – Logan Jambik
Follow Spot Operators – Andy Oftelie, Gwen Hayn, Natascha Plouffe
Deck Manager – Christopher O. Kidder

The Capital City Big Band
Trombone – Jordan Burns
Trumpet – Matt Huot
Bass – Darren King
Clarinet/Alto Sax – Bill Nimchuk
Percussion – David Whitman
Understudies – Zoe Pappas, Fred Wagner, Raymond Berg

Musical Numbers
ACT I
Three Little Fishies
Dinah
Near You
Bei Mir Bist Du Shon
Well All Right! (Tonight’s The Night)
Hold Tight-Hold Tight
As-cent-tchu-ate The Positive
I Love You Much Too Much
Norwegian Lullaby
Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrell)

ACT II
Six Jerks In A Jeep
Corns For My Country
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
Rum And Coca Cola
Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)
I Can Dream, Can’t I?
I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
The Woody Woodpecker Song
Carmen’s Boogie
Count Your Blessings

Axel & His Dog
October 4-Nov 2, 2003
By Don Stoltz

This play tells the story of Don Stoltz, who created the popular childrens’ TV show for WCCO television in Minneapolis. “Axel & His Dog”, which was aired between 1954 and 1966, did more than entertain upper-Midwestern kids; it shared a story about growing up and all of the highs and lows of life that accompany it.

Cast
Clellan Card – Fred Wagner
Don Stoltz – Sam L. Landman
Mary Daview/Marion Card/Receptionist – Sue Scott
Harry Jones/Attendant – Peter Thoemke
Stan – Mark Rosenwinkel
Tom Cousins/Cameraman – Craig Johnson
Michael/Cameraman – Randy Schmeling
Julie/Carol – Hadjia Steen-Omari, Teresa Marie Doran, Erin Hampe

Sue Scott and Fred Wagner

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Assistant Director – Carin Bratlie
Scenic Designer – Matt LeFebvre
Lighting Designer – Pamela Kildahl
Costume Designer & Costumer – Jeannie Galioto
Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Sound/Video Assistant Designer – Logan Jambik
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Production Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Assistant Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Master Electricians – Logan Jambik, Natasha Plouffe
Electricians – Gwen Heyn, Wu Chan Khoo, Chris Morris
Painter – Gwen Heyn
Light Board Operator – Gwen Heyn
Sound Board Operator – Jodi Larson
Video Operator – Linda Berglund

Comment
I am so proud to have been able to experience History Theatre up close and personal these past 23 years alongside my husband, Ron Peluso. Occasionally, I’ve been able to steer him toward an article in the newspaper or a fascinating documentary whose subject has ultimately become an amazing production.

Ron’s singular goal to tell “real stories about real people,” has led to countless “History Theatre Moments,” as we call them. Serendipities, fortuitous encounters, “you’ll never believe what just happened” instances, which are always moving and always uniquely History Theatre. For example, the 82 year-old Orphan Train rider from Albert Lea stepping up on stage to hug the cast during the opening night curtain call; General Vang Pao’s fully armed body guards sitting in the front row during Hmong; Birth mothers lining up in the lobby to write their own stories in a journal after seeing Watermelon Hill; Bobby Vee’s close friend and veteran Broadway lyricist, Tim Rice, flying in from London to see the musical, Teen Idol, days after Bobby has died. Then there was Let Heaven and Nature Sing, which inspired legislation to name the unmarked graves at the former state mental hospital in Faribault, and Tomboy Stone, which galvanized park officials to dedicate a baseball field at St. Paul’s Central High School.

Every time I sit in the audience, I’m joined by countless family members, veterans, babysitters, co-workers, friends and neighbors of the people whose stories are being brought to life onstage so beautifully. Each time I am touched, inspired and motivated by their stories. That personal connection with a play doesn’t always happen for me in theatre, but it happens every day at History Theatre.

I am so proud of Ron’s compassion for the work, his desire to create great art and for his unending determination to tell these stories that need to be told.

– Sue Scott
Actor and long-time cast member of the radio show, A Prairie Home Companion

A Servants’ Christmas: The Musical
November 22-December 28, 2003
Book & Additional Lyrics by John Fenn
Music & Lyrics by Drew Jansen

This is a musical celebration of the holiday season in a St. Paul mansion at the beginning of the last century, as seen through the eyes of a Jewish servant girl. The play is set in the Warner home on Summit Avenue in St. Paul during the early 1900s.

Cast
Eric – Martin Ruben
Frieda – Cathleen Fuller
Monica – Adena Brumer
Warner – Joel Liestman
Angelina – Jill Sandager
Richmond – Ryan McCartan
Anne – Erin Capello, Elizabeth Peterson
Miss Pettingill, Lillian Russell – Carolyn Gielzer
Women’s Understudy – Heather McCormack
Men’s Understudy – David Doering

L-R: Martin Ruben, Cathleen Fuller, Adena Brumer, Ryan McCartan, Carolyn Gielzer,
Joel Liestman, Erin Capello, Jill Sandagar

Musicians
Piano – Drew Jansen
Clarinet – Dana Mathewson, Alan Kolderie

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Choreographer – Jan Puffer
Music Director/Composer – Drew Jansen
Scenic Designer – Erik E. Paulson
Lighting Designer – Chris Johnson
Costume Designer & Costumer – Jeannie Galioto
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Assistant Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Carpenter – Russell Colliton
Electricians – David Bearl, Woo Chen Khoo, Gwen Heyn
Deck Manager – Taya McCoy, Elizabeth McNally
Follow Spot Operators – Andy Oftelie, Linda Berglund
Light Board Operator – Alan Pagel
Costume Assistants – Nancy Jackson, Gwen Heyn

Musical Numbers
ACT I
Overture
Double Up – Eric & Frieda
Do I Dare Dream? (pre-prise) – Monica
Stereopticon – Warner & Angelina
Prayer (pre-prise) – Warner, Miss Pettingill, Anne, Richmond
Do I Dare Dream – Monica & Anne
It Simply Isn’t Done – Miss Pettingill
Prayer – Warner, Miss Pettingill, Anne, Richmond
Better Than My Best – Warner, Servants & Children
Velvet Chair – Richmond & Virginia
Stereopticon (reprise) – Angelina
Stereopticon (reprise) – Monica

ACT II
Entr’acte
‘Twill Soon Be Christmas Day – Angelina, Servants & Children
Double Up (reprise) – Eric, Frieda & Monica
Monica’s Song – Monica
I Know My Lines – Monica & Lillian
Where Did You Get That Hat? – Eric & Lillian
The Miracle Of Light – Lillian
Finale – Angelina & Monica

Note:
Words & music for “Where Did You Get That Hat?” by Joseph J. Sullivan
German lyrics for “‘Twill Soon Be Christmas Day” by Lisel Mueller

JOE
January 10-February 1, 2004
Written & Performed by Jim Stowell

Storyteller Jim Stowell celebrates the life of a living legend in this dynamic and inspirational new work, which explores the life of an amazing Minnesotan. From his remarkable work in the civil rights arena to his dogged fight to save inner-city neighborhoods, Joe Selvaggio’s determination to help those in need has changed the history of the Twin Cities. A former Catholic priest, Joe is never one to shy away from a fight. As the founder of Project for Pride in Living, The One Percent Club and MicroGrants, he brought new life and new hope to the impoverished and forgotten neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Cast

Joe – Jim Stowell

Jim Stowell

Artistic Staff
Director – Richard D. Thompson
Scenic Designer – Erik E. Paulson
Lighting Designer – Pamela Kildahl
Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Costume Designer & Costumer – Jeannie Galioto
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Production Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Assistant Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Carpenters – Russell Colliton, Eric Cheever, David Bearl
Electricians – Woo Chen Khoo, Gwen Heyn
Light Board Operator – Gwen Heyn
Sound Board Operator – Jodi Larson

Hiding in the Open
March 27-April 25, 2004
By Kira Obolensky, based on the memoirs of Sabina Zimering

This is the story of how a Polish-Catholic family helped a brave Jewish teenager and her sister obtain false identification papers during WWII. After escaping from a Polish ghetto, and posing as Catholics, the girls moved into the lion’s den – Germany. There, Sabina worked for several years at a posh hotel, surrounded by Nazi officers. The time of the play is set between 1939 and 1945.

Cast
Sabina – Alayne Hopkins
Helka – Sara Marsh
Natek – Michael Mayer, Andy Troska
Ensemble – Michelle Cassioppi, David Doering, Angie Haigh, Mark Rosenwinkel, Randy Schmeling, Karen Weber
Women’s Understudy – Jen Maren

Sarah Marsh, Alayne Hopkins

Artistic Staff
Director – Sari Ketter
Scenic Designer – Nayna Ramey
Lighting Designer – Marcus Dilliard
Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Costume Designer & Costumer – Jeannie Galioto
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Technical Director – Cara Ullrich
Production Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Assistant Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Carpenter – Russ Colliton
Load-in Crew – Woo Chen Khoo, Kylie Nicholas, Russ Colliton, Alan Pagel
Electricians – Woo Chen Khoo, Alan Pagel
Light Board Operator – Woo Chen Khoo
Costume Assistant – Nancy Jackson
Sound Intern – Rebecca Meyer

Tuesdays with Morrie (Regional Premiere)
May 8-June 20, 2004
By Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom

This play is a theatrical adaptation of Mitch Albom’s popular book, which autobiographically recounts his remarkable commitment to travel from his home in Michigan each Tuesday to visit his favorite college professor, who is dying from ALS in Massachusetts. The play, performed in one act, is set in 1995 in Boston, Detroit and other locations.

Cast
Mitch – Christopher Gabriel
Morrie – Clyde Lund
Understudy – Michael Tezla
Pianist – Phil Bratnober

Clyde Lund, Christopher Gabriel

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Lighting & Scenic Designer – Chris Johnson
Sound Designer – C. Andrew Mayer
Costume Designer & Costumer – Shannon Lee
Properties Designer – Jenn James
Technical Director – Cara Ullrich
Assistant Technical Director – Woo Chen Khoo
Production Stage Manager – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Assistant Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Carpenters – Kylie Nicolas, Russ Colliton
Light Board Operator – Elizabeth R. MacNally
Light Board Programmer – Kylie Nicolas
Sound Board Operator – Woo Chen Khoo
Costume Assistant – Nancy Jackson
Deck Managers – Janet L. Hall, Rebecca Meyer, Lynn Salmon-Easter