Book, Lyrics and Musicby Joseph Charney

Cast of Characters(in order of appearance)

Ryan ...............................................Matthew Herrmann*Richard ............................................Benjamin CharneyJosh ........................................................Ryan NiemeyerTori ............................................................ Jenna BrownJulie .........................................................Lencia KebedeSamantha .............................................. Morgan MrohsElizabeth .................................................. Sara CharneyMontaigne ...........................................Lowes Moore III

Production

Director .............................................................................................. Judy SoferMusic Director ................................................................................Leeav SoferProducers .......................................................... Joseph & Linda Charney and

� e Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel & Pomona ValleysChoreographer .......................................................................Lowes Moore IIIAssociate Producer ......................................................... Matthew Herrmann*Production Assistants .......................Sara Charney and Benjamin CharneyAssistant Directors ...................................... Lori McKenna and Mary GatterMusic Arrangement ...........................Kenton Youngstrom and Leeav SoferStage Manager ................................................................. Susan Cohen-RooksLights/Sound ........................................................................... Edeena GordonPublicity ..................................................................................... Lori McKennaGraphic Design ............................ Ryan Niemeyer, Karen Hochman BrownProgram Design ........................................................Karen Hochman Brown

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, � e Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Synopsis

MontaigneBy Joseph Charney

Directed by Cantor Judy Sofer Music Director, Leeav Sofer.

A new and unusual student appears on a High School campus just weeks before prom and graduation, changing the lives of all who meet him — and his own. �e boy, Montaigne, continuously makes observations of his fellow students, writing his thoughts about each and every one of them in his journal. As he records his re�ections regarding his fellow students, Montaigne gains insights into his own complex relationship with his parents: his father, a philosopher, and his mother, a globe-trotting journalist, while taking the other students on a voyage of their own discovery of who they are and what they can be. On the surface, Montaigne is a glimpse into modern High School life and a teenager’s quest to understand his roots. But at a deeper level, it is about the importance of interpersonal communication. It is how we communicate with each other – face-to-face or through our machines – and the power of words, when honest, direct, richly expressive and from the heart, which helps us discover who we are and how we relate to those around us. �e music touches every emotion, and enthusiastically punctuates the journey through this delightful musical.

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Out of consideration to our performers and for the comfort of all of our guests, we ask that you silence your cell phones and other electronic devices, refrain from texting and open any cellophane-wrapped candies before the beginning of our performance.

Please, no photographs, video or audio recordings.

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This production is made in conjunction with the J•Fed Players.

Settings and Musical NumbersAct 1

Scene 1—Outside (prom booth)It’s Coming! ..................................................................................... GroupWhen I Find Him ...................................................................... ElizabethNo Lasting Love ........................................................................ SamanthaIt’s Coming (reprise) ...................................................................... Group

Scene 2—Outside (same day)

Scene 3—Classroom (same day) Texting ....................................................................................Josh, Group

Scene 4—Outside (same day) Observing .................................................................................MontaigneWhy Not a Letter? .............................................................................Ryan

Scene 5—Classroom (next day) Celebrate .......................................................................................... Group

Scene 6—Outside (same day) In Ten Years ................................................................... Elizabeth/Group

Act 2Scene 1—Outside (one week later)

Sel�e ..................................................................................................... Tori

Scene 2—Outside (next day) �ey Wanted Perfection ............................................... Julie/MontaigneTori’s Song ........................................................................................... Tori

Scene 3—Outside (same day)

Scene 4—Outside (3 days later) Erudition ....................................................................................Julie/Josh

Scene 5—Library (same day)

Scene 6—Outside (same day) Your Life’s Song ........................................................................Montaigne

Scene 7—Gym (3 days later)We’re Ready ......................................................................................... JoshCelebrate (reprise) .......................................................................... Group

Montaigne is performed with a 15 minute intermission including a Co�ee & Dessert Reception hosted by Joseph and Linda Charney.

A Note from our PlaywrightMontaigne, my Life’s Song.

During the sixties and seventies, I spent countless hours listening to the songs of extraordinary artists such as Paul Simon, Carol King and John Lennon. I thought what a wonderful feeling it must be to create music that others would enjoy. My dream was to walk down the street one day and hear someone sing a song of mine. �at dream was placed on hold during a lifetime of work. �at dream has now been replaced with the reality of my musical, Montaigne.

It was during my twins’ senior year in high school that I �rst conceived of a musical that would speak to their generation’s challenges, technology-driven culture, and anxieties. Later, when

I read a biography of Michel de Montaigne, a 16th century French philosopher, the direction of my story had begun to take shape. My student protagonist, Montaigne, is isolated through circumstance and provided a classical education by his father. Like his namesake, Montaigne carefully observes the world around him. He wants to balance his father’s scholarship with his mother’s quest for a life of adventure. Montaigne returns to his mother’s high school to resolve some unanswered questions about her. He not only �nds answers about his mother, he �nds answers about himself. Towards the end of the play, he sings “Your Life’s Song,” a paean to his deceased mother.

As I developed the musical it became clear that the creation of Montaigne represented a musical trajectory beginning with my �rst piano lesson at age six. Growing up in the sixties, I veered toward the guitar, folk singing, and attempts at gigs in Greenwich Village. It was during that time I wrote one of three melodies that have found a home in my play, dressed in new lyrics. �e other two were written decades later for my twins, Sara and Benjamin. Now, both musically accomplished, and members of the cast, they have contributed two additional melodies.

At the end of Act I, the high school students gather and express anxiety and uncertainty about their future. �ey sing “In Ten Years” and ask, “Where will I go, what path shall I take”? I asked the same questions and, like many others, I traveled various paths. I became a legal aid lawyer, a deputy district attorney, a foreign correspondent, an adjunct law professor, a playwright, folk-dancer and until recently, a justice deputy for then Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. �rough it all I have treasured every musical moment that I could squeeze into my life. At last, I have been blessed with more time to explore and embrace it.

I would like to thank the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys and its Executive Director, Mr. Jason Moss, for co-producing Montaigne with my family. It is directed by Cantor Judy Sofer, whose talents helped me become a believable Tevya in a production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Pasadena Jewish Temple. It is my belief that she and our very accomplished cast and production team will present to our audiences a compelling musical that I hope will be successfully produced in other venues. My dream is that you will enjoy Montaigne, and maybe, just maybe, hum one of the tunes.

Enjoy the Show.

Joseph Charney

Who's WhoLowes Moore III (Montaigne/Choreographer)Lowes is thrilled to be a part of the � rst production of Montaigne the Musical, especially with such a remarkable cast and crew. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Lowes is a recent graduate of Occidental College in Eagle Rock, where he studied Economics and Vocal Performance. An avid student of music and theatre, Lowes began his musical career in his church choir at

Emmanuel Pentecostal Faith Temple, and his theatrical career at the Children’s � eatre Company in New York City. Lowes has shown interest in many aspects of arts including management, production, development and performance. Lowes directed his all-male a cappella group and spearheaded his group’s appearance on Comedy Central’s hit-show Key & Peele (2015). Lowes was a two-year tenor section leader for Occidental’s Glee Club and has won many prestigious music awards under the Occidental College Music Department. Lowes has worked as the development intern at the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood under co-founder Stephen Sachs and as management intern for the Broadway Theatre Company in New Jersey under Neil Berg. Lowes has studied Broadway dance, hip-hop dance, traditional hula, traditional Ghanaian dance, modern jazz dance, classical voice (Alma Ponce), pop & vocal jazz (Eve Soto), and musical theatre voice (Laural Meade), traditional Ghanaian voice (Dr. David Amuah). Other productions include: Hairspray (Glendale Centre Theater), The Wiz (Doles Center Theater), Hairspray (Occidental College; Keck Theatre), Goodnight Desdemona (Dunn Arts Center). Lowes’s passion for the arts shines brightly on all that have had the honor to work with him. Lowes hopes to continue pursuing a career in the arts and in business, while also inspiring others to pursue their dreams to the best of their abilities.

Sara Charney (Elizabeth)Sara is delighted to perform in the debut of her father’s new musical, Montaigne. She recently graduated from Occidental College with a major in Cognitive Science and minors in Music and Linguistics. During her time at Oxy, she was soprano section leader of the Occidental College Glee Club as well as a member of the all-female a cappella group, � e Accidentals, and

Dance Production. She began performing at a young age with her twin brother, Benjamin (playing Richard) in talent shows and backyard musicals and has since performed original songs at a variety of venues as part of their band � e Charneys, with them both on vocals, Sara on guitar and Benjamin on keyboard. She has also appeared as Luisa in Th e Fantasticks and in productions of � e Music Man, Fiddler on Th e Roof, Th e Sound of Music, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She plans on continuing to write music with her brother and perform while pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Who's WhoMorgan Mrohs (Samantha)Morgan Mrohs is delighted to be performing in her � rst role in a stage production since middle school. Morgan graduated from Occidental College in 2014, where she pursued her love of music with the Occidental College Glee Club. She is currently a full-time Client Success Manager at a tech company in Santa Monica by day, and a member of the semi-professional a cappella ensemble,

Premiere A Cappella, by night. Lencia Kebede (Julie)Lencia Kebede is a rising senior studying Diplomacy and World A� airs and Politics at Occidental College. Aside from her commitment to law and social justice, another major passion of hers is musical theater. Growing up on stage, Lencia has starred in various musicals like Annie, Once on this Island, Peter Pan, and Wizard of Oz as well as participated in a youth touring musical

theater group called High Voltage. Additionally, she has been a member of the Occidental College Glee Club for three years as well as a dancer in Occidental College’s Dance Production. Along with studying acting at Occidental, she recently studied acting and playwriting in Buenos Aires, Argentina during her semester abroad. She most recently starred in Occidental’s production of Hairspray as Motor Mouth Maybelle and a Dynamite. Lencia also enjoys writing her own R&B and pop music and has aspirations to perform on Broadway.

Ryan Niemeyer( Josh)Ryan grew up studying classical piano, without realizing he could sing until halfway through high school. Generally, he would only open his mouth to speak or eat, but when his theater teacher insisted that he try out for the school musical, he hesitantly obliged. He was cast in principle roles during his school’s productions of Once Upon a Mattress and Grease, and portrayed the lead role of Sky Masterson in

Guys and Dolls. At Occidental College, Ryan majored in Biochemistry while singing with the audition based choir, where he met some of his best friends and honed his singing ability for four years. During this time he was also active in the school’s male a cappella group, Cadence. O� en, performing for crowds both on and o� campus, he toured with his choir in Boston, Arizona, San Francisco, Spain and Portugal. Ryan has always pursued music and theater as extracurricular hobbies. Always of the “keep your day job” mentality, he never saw professional acting as a possibility until he was selected to appear in a skit on the sketch comedy series Key and Peele. � e skit features his college a cappella group performing with the hilarious duo, a strikingly familiar element for the collegiate choir class clown. Ryan hopes to continue acting for the rest of his life, although in what capacity remains to be seen.

Who's WhoJenna Brown (Tori)Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the premiere of the musical Montaigne with such a fun and talented cast. Currently, Jenna is a senior at Occidental college studying Sociology but has always made time for performing as well. In college, she is a member of the Occidental College Glee Club, the Accidentals a Capella group, Hyper Xpressions dance company, and Dance Production.

Originally from Indiana, she has been performing for as long as she can remember, starting with her family’s A Capella group at the age of �ve. Her two older sisters and dad put on many concerts of their own leading up to her college career. She also was an avid participant in Indiana University Jacobs School of Music along with several local theater companies, singing in over 20 Operas and Musicals starting at the age of 3. Some of her favorite roles include Maria in West Side Story, Fiona in Brigadoon, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Rizzo in Grease, and Billy in Babes in Arms. Jenna plans to continue her love of music by auditioning for A Cappella groups and musicals post graduation in 2016.

Benjamin Charney (Richard)Benjamin is excited to be a part of his father’s new musical, Montaigne. He recently graduated from Grinnell College with a major in Music. At Grinnell, he was a member of the school chorus, �e Grinnell Singers, as well as the leader of two a cappella groups, �e G-tones and Con Brio. He and his twin, Sara (playing Elizabeth), formed a band, “�e Charneys,” and performed

their original songs, many of which have been recorded professionally and are currently on YouTube and iTunes. Benjamin has also appeared in productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and is currently working at Fortress Talent Management, a company that represents some of the top �lm, television, and video game composers and music supervisors. Benjamin has composed the music for the song “Celebrate” and co-composed the music for “Sel�e” with his sister.

Matthew Herrmann* (Ryan/Executive Producer) Matthew has had a wonderful time working with all these �ne people. Matt’s most recent venture was Tom and Barry, Two Nights Only for the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the role of Barry, as well as Executive Producer. LA credits include: Damn Yankees, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, War Letters, Woman with Pocketbook, Invincible: the Legend of Billie

Jean, Bronies the musical and original cast of the cult hits I Totally Know What You Did Last (Donna) Summer, Little House on the Prairie-oke, and Are You �ere God? It’s Me, Karen Carpenter. Regional: Lincoln: Upon the Alter of Freedom, Balm in Gilead, Reefer Madness, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Film/TV: A League

Who's Whoof � eir Own, Dog Tags, Undying Love, Th e Surf Ballroom, “Harper’s Globe” (CBS), “America’s Next Top Model” (CW). He is the founder of the concert series Soda Pop Revisited and has directed over 35 productions for the beloved French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. Producing credits: Jack, the Musical Life of JFK (York � eatre Company), NINE and Sweeney Todd (Princeton University). Upcoming Projects include the 48th anniversary production of Michael Butler’s HAiR. Graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. � anks: You, his family, and all that follow him on social media.

Cantor Judy Sofer (Director)Cantor Judy Sofer currently serves as the Cantor and Educator at Temple Beth Shalom of Long Beach as well as coordinating the Cultural Arts Program of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys Jewish Federation. She began her Music and � eatre studies at the University of California, Irvine. A� er making aliyah in 1974, Sofer completed her degree—along with a teaching

credential—at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. While in Israel, she performed at the Cameri � eater in Tel Aviv and appeared in a number of programs for Israeli educational television. Sofer also toured the country with her own children’s theater and taught music and piano.Upon returning to Southern California in 1985, Sofer completed her Master’s Degree in Directing at California State University, Fullerton, and received the Award for Excellence in Children’s � eater for her play, A Journey to Noteland, which was performed in 70 elementary schools. In 1994 she graduated from the Los Angeles Hebrew Union College Cantorial Program receiving her Cantorial Commission in 1999. She has also performed in many locations around Southern California as Soloist and Director/Musical Director. And, she has conducted both the Adult and Teen Choirs, and produced and directed various concerts and shows in the San Gabriel, Orange, and Greater Los Angeles areas. Sofer has been involved in all of the J-Fed productions as either Director or Producer.

Lori McKenna (Co-Assistant Director)Lori is excited to be part of the production team for Montaigne. As a � rst-time Assistant Director, she is enjoying the process, which has been especially gratifying given this is a new musical. Lori has previously appeared in J•Fed productions of Mame, Rumors, In the Beginning, Don’t Drink the Water, and Damn Yankees. Lori has enjoyed working with the wonderful cast and production team for Montaigne.

Mary Gatter (Co-Assistant Director)� is is Mary’s second production as Assistant Director. She was the assistant Director (and part-time Woody Allen adapter!) of the recent J Fed Player’s production of Don’t Drink the Water. She has appeared on stage with the

Who's WhoJ•Fed Players most recently in Damn Yankees and, before that, in �e Music Man, �e Pajama Game, Mame and In the Beginning. She has appeared with other groups in Arsenic and Old Lace, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Lovers and Other Strangers, Company, and Carnival. O� stage she is a semi-retired physician. She would like thank her family for their support and her J•Fed family for letting her have so much fun with them.Leeav Sofer (Music Director)Leeav Sofer is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, music director and teaching artist with a performance degree in clarinet and voice from the Bob Cole Conservatory of California State University of Long Beach. He has performed at venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Ford Amphitheater as well as singing backups at the Staples Center

with the Rolling Stones for their 2013 tour. He currently is on faculty at �e Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles teaching classes, directing choirs and community engagement programs. Under the auspice of Colburn, Leeav initiated music programs to culturally elevate the surrounding communities. Some of these programs include a choral ensemble made up of students from underserved high schools and a choir with homeless men and women drawn from the community within Skid Row, Los Angeles. �ese programs have recently found Leeav recognition on the front page of the Los Angeles Times as well as on NPR’s All �ings Considered. In addition to co-founding Los Angeles’ only current Jewish Youth Orchestra, he also leads the band Mostly Kosher, dedicated to preserving and progressing cultural folk music of the Judaic heritage for future generations. Mostly Kosher has met critical acclaim recognized by World Music Network, Los Angeles’ Jewish Journal, JLife Magazine, fRoots Magazine, and Songlines Magazine. Leeav performs clarinet, piano, aux percussion and vocals for his band and around the Greater Los Angeles area.

Kenton Youngstrom (Music Arranger) Kenton Youngstrom , composer, arranger, and guitarist records and performs internationally with the Falla Guitar Trio and Quarteto Nuevo. He is on the faculty at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, Pepperdine University and Pasadena City College. He has appeared as a soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the New Haven Symphony and the

Jacksonville Symphony. Recent compositions include the scores of Behind the Mask of Zorro, aired on the History Channel, and Mary Pickford – a Life on Film.

Who's WhoSusan Cohen-Rooks (Stage Manager)I don’t know how I neglected doing theater for 30 years! In the last several years I’ve had the pleasure of playing Mrs. Paroo in � e Music Man, the mill worker in Working, the easily rattled Mrs. Kirby in You Can’t Take it With You and Vera, the irascible drunk in Mame. � is is my � rst stint as Stage Manager.Edeena Gordon (Lights/Sound)Edeena is proud to have been a part of the PJTC players. She is happy to be a part of the Jewish Federation’s Cultural Arts Program, specifi cally Kol Ha Emek and the J•Fed Players, under the direction of Judy Sofer. In Working, Edeena played the role of Cubical Worker, she was part of the ensemble in Mame, and played Ptapateepa in

In the Beginning. Behind the curtain, Edeena has coordinated the lighting for several productions: Damn Yankees, Don’t Drink the Water, and You Can’t Take It With You. She was also the Stage Manager for Mame, and was the Assistant Stage Manager for Rumors.

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Special Acknowledgement Special thanks to Ruth Blosser for her generous donation to this production.

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Cultural Arts 2015!• August 23 @ 6:00 pm — “Evening With An Actor”

A unique opportunity to hear from � ve up and coming young stars about their acting experiences. See the � ier on the opposite page for more detail.

• October 10, 11, 15, 17, and 18 — “Play On!”Rick Abbot’s farce about a Community � eater ensemble performing a play written by one of their own. It is e� ectively a play within a play!” � at is a bit shorter than the synopsis I sent you the other day.

• December 6—Festival of Jewish Music. Celebration of Jewish music performed by Kol HaEmek, the Jewish Youth Orchestra and other local choirs.

Please Join Us for:

Evening with an ActorA Unique Event Supporting the

Jewish Federation of Greater SGPV Cultural Arts Program

Dine al fresco in the lovely garden of a private home in Pasadena while listening to presentations from � ve up-and-coming young stars. Moderated by director and producer, Oren Kaplan, the interesting and interactive presentations will focus on their experiences as working actors, illustrated by their “reels.”

Sunday, August 23, 6:00pmHome of Josh and Janice Pais

Tickets: $50.00 eachSeating is limited

Purchase tickets by August 17th at:www.jewishsgpv.org/forms

Our Panel:

Moderator: Oren Kaplan: Director and Producer, known for “� e Hammer” (2010) and “A Mother’s Rage” (2013), a Lifetime Movie

Kara Luiz: Actress and Production Manager. Credits include: “� e Big Bang � eory”, “Criminal Minds”, and “� e Hammer” (2010)

Carter MacIntyre: Actor, known for “Drop Dead Diva” (2012-2013), “Benched” (2014) and “� e Truth” (2010). Most recently seen on “Major Crimes” (2015)

Seth Menacham: Actor and writer, known for “Partners” (2007), “Codependents” (2014) and “Chump” (2010).

Matthew Herrmann: Stage actor, director, recently starred an acclaimed show at 2015 Hollywood Fringe and on stage in the J•Fed Players’ production of “Damn Yankees.”

Avi Rothman: Actor and writer, known for “Partners” (2007), “Codependents” (2014) and “Bunion” (2014).

Jewish Federation Board of GovernorsStuart Miller, M.D.—PresidentMarcia Alper—Vice President

Oran Resnik—CFODr. Diane Schuster—Secretary

John Carlton • Shelly Freedenthal •David LevyJulie Miller • Josh Pais (Past-President) • Mark Strunin 

Jewish Federation StaffJason Moss—Executive Director

Marilyn Weintraub—Associate DirectorCantor Judy Sofer—Cultural Arts Program Coordinator

Karen Galeana—Office Manager 114 A Lime St., Monrovia, CA 91016

626.445.0810 • FAX 626.445.5977 federation@jewishsgpv.org • www.jewishsgpv.org

Cultural Arts Program SponsorsPlease consider becoming a sponsor of the Cultural Arts Program of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Your tax-deductible gi� enables us to provide our local Jewish population with community-building activities though creative endeavors such as the J•Fed Players and the Jewish Youth Orchestra as well as cooking classes, visual art exhibits and more. Sponsorship also includes perks such as complementary tickets to some of our activities and events.

Contact the Jewish Federation office to become a sponsor.We cherish your support!

Pillar of the ArtsMarshall (z”l) & Francine Katz

Jerry & Terri Kohl

Crusader of the ArtsHarvey & Ellen Knell

Angel of the ArtsRuth Blosser

Patron of the ArtsGeorge Bardwil

Neil H. & Karen Hochman BrownJohn & Nancy Carlton

Edward & Barbara GompertsBrian & Edeena GordonLewis & Victoria Snow

Supporter of the ArtsMark & Sandra Esensten

Miriam Malabel & Rudy Wolf Susan Cohen-Rooks & Joseph Rooks

James & Denise Schaefer

ContributorArthur & Rosalind LanePaul & Linda Rourman

Jack & Debby Singer

FanIra & Virginia Blitz

Michael Butnik & Joanne ScherrStuart & Stacy Miller

Josh & Jan PaisAlice Shulman

Edie Taylor