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

The Group Rep dedicates this production To their funny, talented, and inspiring dear friend,

Henry Holden March 20, 1948 - February 10, 2016

“Attitudes are the real disability” –Henry Holden

CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Larry Eisenberg 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 In Honor of Janet Wood & Jay Silverman’s 25th 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 Off-Broadway 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 90-seat 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 Anny Linda Alznauer Diana Angelina Mannette Antill Mark Atha Robert Axelrod Todd Andrew Ball Robert Benedict Michele Bernath Van Boudreaux Barbara Brownell Cynthia Bryant Patrick Burke Kent Butler Truett Butler Paul Cady Christina Carson Irene Chapman Katelyn Clark Roslyn Cohn Laura Coker Stephanie Colet Jack Csenger Sandra Cusimano Julie Davis Kevin Dobson Drina Durazo Larry Eisenberg Bert Emmett Doug Engalla Lareen Faye Diane Frank Chris Fuentes Rich Fullman Robert Gallo Pascale Gigon Renee Gorsey Doug Haverty Cynthia Howe

Belinda Howell Jenny Sue Johnson Devin Juleff Daniel Kaemon Sarah Karpeles Jennifer Laks Suzy London Rhonda Lord Brenden MacDonald Larry Margo Diana Martin Edgar Mastin Stan Mazin Robert McCollum Lisa McGee-Mann Bruce Nehlsen Sheila Oaks Phil Olson Lloyd Pedersen Lauren Peterson Tom Regan Michael Robb Colette Rosario Sean Rose Judy Rosenfeld Veronica Roy Mike Sabatino Kyra Schwartz Adam Sherman Loraine Shields Art Shulman Phoebe Singer Marc Singer Patrick Skelton J. Christopher Sloan Ian Stanley Charlotte Taschen Debi Tinsley Vesna Tolomanoska Cathy Tomlin

Gwen Van Dam Steven West Troy Whitaker Chris Winfield Janet Wood Carol Woodbury Marcia Woodridge Gina Yates Alyson York John William Young Technical Assistants Christian Ackerman Cheryl Crosland Shira Dubrovner Judith E. Nora Feldman Elliott Goldwag Liz Nankin Wayland Pickard Steve Shaw Richard Woody PA Program Members Andrew Bourgeois Ceirra Burton Timm Damiano James Guinn Andre Jack LizAnne Keigley Mikel Parraga-Wills Jennifer Ross Natalia Santamaria Steve Terell Elijah Tomlinson Honorary Members William Arrigon Nora Meerbaum Lillian Robinson