skylight-gershwin

1Skylight Opera Theatre

presents

Gershwin and FriendsMusic by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington,

Fats Waller and Harold Arlen

January 27, 28, 29, and February 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Stage Director: Bill Theisen

Music Director: Paul Helm

Choreographer: Pam Kriger

Set Designer: Rick Rasmussen

Lighting Designer: Holly Blomquist

Sound Designer: Gary Ellis

Costume Coordinator: Shima Orans

Production Stage Manager: Kimberly Ann McCann*

Assistant Stage Manager: Jennifer Anderson

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

This production was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2 Skylight Opera Theatre

A MESSAGE FROM THE STAGE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – BILL THELSEN

Since I began my tenure as artistic director of Skylight in 2004 it has been my goal to bring the music of George Gershwin back to the Cabot stage. But why stop there? Why not include the amazing work of a few of George’s “friends”…..his remarkable contemporaries who, along with Gershwin, transformed popular music during the 1920s and 1930s.

Gershwin had a string of Broadway successes from 1924 through 1933 that could not be matched, all leading up to his most ambitious and renowned work, Porgy and Bess which premiered in 1935. As I write this there is a revival of Porgy and Bess playing in New York, as well as a new Gershwin musical heading to Broadway this spring called Nice Work If You Can Get It. Music with such unique and original melodies will never go out of style.

Duke Ellington wrote some of his best loved tunes during the 1930s- Mood Indigo, It Don’t Mean A Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing, Solitude and Sophisticated Lady. He also embarked on a highly successful European tour with his 15 piece orchestra and when he landed back in the States made a monumental return to the Cotton Club.

Fats Waller was a skilled composer and pianist-so much so that his good friend Oscar Levant dubbed him “the soulful Horowitz.” His string of hits included After You’ve Gone, This Joint Is Jumpin’, Honeysuckle Rose, Keeping Out Of Mischief Now and Ain’t Misbehavin’. In 1978, Ain’t Misbehavin’, a revue of the music of Fats Waller introduced a whole new generation to the syncopated swing tunes of this legendary man.

Harold Arlen may be the most underrated American composer of all time. While starting out as a band singer he began writing music that he would sing himself and that turned into an inspired career yielding more classic songs than you can imagine. Get Happy, Stormy Weather, It’s Only A Paper Moon, That Old Black Magic, Blues In The Night and One For My Baby are just a few of his brilliant creations. But biggest of all was his unforgettable score for one of Hollywood’s most important movie musicals, The Wizard of Oz.

Add to the genius of these four composers the incomparable talents of Cynthia Cobb, Parrish Collier and Paul Helm and you are in for a performance that is dynamic, innovative and chock-full of hit tunes.

It may be a cliché, but it’s true- “They just don’t write songs like this anymore!”

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A MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGING DIREC TOR – A MY S . J E N SE N

Welcome to the Skylight Music Theatre’s production of Gershwin and Friends. We are so excited to be bringing this delightful production to the Cabot Theatre after a very successful run in the Studio Theatre last season. With sold out performances last season, if you were one of the many people who missed out on seeing it, you are in for a real treat. If you were lucky enough to see it last year, you’ll enjoy it all the more with additional songs and enhanced musical arrangements.

As a patron and/or donor, you may have already heard of an important change for Skylight effective February 1, 2012. As of that date, our name is officially changed to Skylight Music Theatre. Skylight’s name has been an ongoing topic of discussion for our board and staff as we strive to ensure that it truly reflects our mission, the work we do onstage, and our programs in our local schools. Because we produce the full spectrum of music theatre, the name “Skylight Opera Theatre” doesn’t accurately reflect the breadth of work that we do. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we represent ourselves accurately in the hearts and minds of our patrons. It’s critical to the future of the Skylight.

Skylight’s strength lies in the magical combination of music and song to tell a story in a way that words or music alone can’t reach. Whether in a beautiful operatic aria, a thrilling song and dance number from a Broadway musical, a Gilbert & Sullivan patter song or the work of contemporary composers who are blurring the lines between musical theatre and opera, Skylight Music Theatre will continue to seek out productions that have a moving story to tell and compelling music through which to tell it.

Thank you for joining for Gershwin and Friends and please join us throughout the remainder of our season for an engaging array of stories that sing! Best wishes for a happy and music-filled 2012.

SUSANNAH

a riveting American opera of innocence lost

Florentine opera Company

William Florescu General Director

for tickets, call or visit

291-5700 ext 224 | Florentineopera.org414

By CarliSle FloyD

marCH 16 & 18 | marCUS Center


C A S T

Cynthia Cobb*Parrish Collier*

Paul Helm

O R CH E S T R A

Bass .................................................................................................................................. Tom McGirrDrums and Vibes .................................................................................................. Michael Lorenz

M US I C A L N U M B E R S

Act 1September, 1936 - The Gershwin EstateAct 1 songs composed by George Gershwin

Shall We Dance ......................................................................................................................ParrishStrike Up The Band ............................................................................................................ CynthiaLet’s Call The Whole Thing Off ................................................................... Cynthia & ParrishI’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise .......................................................................................ParrishJust Another Rhumba .........................................................................Cynthia, Parrish, & PaulEmbraceable You .................................................................................................................ParrishSomeone To Watch Over Me ......................................................................................... CynthiaNice Work If You Can Get It ................................................................................. Parrish & PaulFascinating Rhythm/I Got Rhythm ............................................................Cynthia & ParrishBidin’ My Time ............................................................................................................................PaulOh, Lady Be Good ................................................................................................................ParrishMy Cousin In Milwaukee .................................................................................................. CynthiaI Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ .........................................................................................................ParrishSummertime ........................................................................................................................ CynthiaBess, You Is My Woman Now .......................................................................Cynthia & ParrishThere’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York ......................................................ParrishBut Not For Me .................................................................................................................... CynthiaBlah-Blah-Blah .......................................................................................................................ParrishLove is Here To Stay .........................................................................................Cynthia & ParrishClap Yo’ Hands ........................................................................................Parrish, Cynthia & Paul

THERE WILL BE A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION


M US I C A L N U M B E R S

Act 2Later that evening - A club in Harlem

Entr’acte/Take The “A” Train (Duke Ellington) .................................................Paul & BandDrop Me Off in Harlem (Duke Ellington) .....................................................................ParrishThe Joint Is Jumpin’ (Fats Waller) ...............................................................Cynthia & ParrishIt Don’t Mean A Thing (Duke Ellington)..................................................Cynthia & ParrishHit Me With A Hot Note (Duke Ellington) ................................................................. CynthiaSlap That Bass (George Gershwin) .......................................Cynthia, Parrish, Paul & TomSatin Doll (Duke Ellington) ...............................................................................................ParrishAin’t Misbehavin’ (Fats Waller) ...................................................................................... CynthiaThat Old Black Magic (Harold Arlen) .............................................................................ParrishMood Indigo (Duke Ellington) .........................................................Cynthia, Parrish & PaulStormy Weather (Harold Arlen) .................................................................................... CynthiaSophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington) ............................................................................ParrishSolitude (Duke Ellington) ................................................................................................ CynthiaOver The Rainbow (Harold Arlen) .................................Cynthia, Parrish, Paul & MichaelGet Happy (Harold Arlen) ............................................................................................... CynthiaI Love To Sing (A-Harold Arlen) .......................................................................................ParrishDon’t Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington) ...............................................ParrishIt’s a Sin to Tell a Lie (Fats Waller) ................................................................................. CynthiaIt’s Only a Paper Moon (Harold Arlen)...........................................Cynthia, Parrish & PaulThey All Laughed (George Gershwin) ...........................................Cynthia, Parrish & Paul

W H O ’ S W H O

Cynthia Cobb* – Cynthia is excited to be back at Skylight as part of the creative team for this remount of Gershwin and Friends. Other roles at Skylight have

included both Armelia and Charlaine in Ain’t Misbehavin’, BJ in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Susannah in Tintypes, The Lady in Blues in the Night, and Woman 2 in The All Night Strut. Other favorite roles have included Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Mary Kenny in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? at Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Epatha in Elmer Gantry at Marriott Lincolnshire, Lee in Cowgirls at Northlight Theater and Queenie in Showboat at Gateway Playhouse. She has also been seen out on the ocean traveling the world as a featured singer with Royal Caribbean.

Parrish Collier* – Parrish returns to Skylight where he was last seen in last year’s production of Gershwin and Friends. Other Skylight credits include RENT, Smokey

Joe’s Café and The All Night Strut!. His Chicago credits include Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Don in A Chorus Line, and Four-Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe at Drury Lane Evergreen Park; Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar and Paul in Kiss Me Kate at Drury Lane Oakbook; Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Zooter in Zoot Suit and Andre in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Goodman Theatre; Evita and The King and I at Marriott Theatre; Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Rosemont Theatre. Other credits include Bernardo in West Side Story (European tour), Swing for Elektra, Rockies and Components in Starlight Express (Germany) and Four-Eyed Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (UK National Tour).


W H O ’ S W H O (c o n t. )

Paul Helm (Music Director) – Paul is thrilled to return to the Skylight for more “fascinating rhythm!” Skylight credits include The Music Man, Plaid

Tidings, The Pirates of Penzance, The Midnight Angel, Patience, South Pacific, The Mikado, and Iolanthe. He has also performed, directed, and music directed with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage Children’s Theater, Florentine Opera Company, American Folklore Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, and the UW-Platteville Heartland Festival. Recent credits include Seussical, Grease, Ragtime, U: Bug: Me!, My Son Pinocchio, Laurel and Hardy, Beauty and the Beast, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Elmer Gantry, and The Producers. Next, you can catch Paul tickling the ivories at the Milwaukee Rep for Always…Patsy Cline before he battles evil Space Bears in Packer Fans from Outer Space at the Marcus Center. www.paulhelm.net

Bill Theisen (Stage Director) – Bill Theisen made his professional theatre debut as a performer at the Skylight Music Theatre in 1981 and began his tenure as Artistic Director in 2004. He has directed over 100 productions for theatre and opera companies from coast to coast. Recent directing credits include The Pirates of Penzance for Santa Fe Opera, Showboat with Gateway Playhouse, H.M.S. Pinafore at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Sweeney Todd with Cleveland Opera, The Fourth Wall at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, The Magic Flute for Virginia Opera, A Little Night Music with Seaside Music Theater, The Mikado with Opera Carolina, Seussical at First Stage Children’s Theatre and Into The Woods at the Capitol Canter for the Performing Arts. Skylight Directing credits include The Figaro Story, La Boheme, Souvenir, South Pacific, The Tragedy of Carmen, Animal Crackers, The Spitfire Grill, La Cenerentola, The Mikado, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance

and the world premiere of Over the Moon with Gilbert and Sullivan. Mr. Theisen works frequently on the university level as a Guest Director and Lecturer. He served as Director of Opera at the University of Iowa and has continued that relationship for the past 12 years. Other university credits include Carnegie Mellon University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Florida State University, Portland State University, Manhattan School of Music, Utah State University, Northwestern University, NYU and St. Ambrose University where he is also serves on the advisory committee to the theatre department. Bill was the Artistic Director of the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts in Upstate New York and is an adjudicator for arts programming on PBS.

Pam Kriger (Choreographer) – Pam returns to Skylight after serving as choreographer for The Music Man. Other Skylight stage director/choreographer credits include last year’s production of Gershwin and Friends, Dames at Sea, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, White Christmas, Tintypes, Lady Be Good, The All Night Strut, Little Shop of Horrors, The World Goes ‘Round and Once On This Island. She has choreographed a multitude of Skylight shows since 1980 including Oh, Lady Lady!, Cabaret, West Side Story, The King & I and Animal Crackers. She is a member of the theater faculty at Cardinal Stritch University where she has directed Zombies From the Beyond, Urinetown, the Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone and most recently, Into the Woods. Recent regional credits include Cheeseheads, the Musical and Bing, the Cherry Musical for American Folklore Theatre, Muskie Love for Madison Rep, Urinetown, the Musical for Nicolet High School, and Into the Woods for University Theater at UW Madison. Her next project will be as director/choreographer for Grease! at Nicolet High School.

Rick Rassmussen (Set Designer) – Rick Rasmussen has been working with Skylight Music Theatre since 1991 when he designed the scenery, props and


W H O ’ S W H O (c o n t. )

costumes for its production of Dames At Sea in the old Skylight theatre. He was honored to be the scenic designer for its first season in the Cabot Theatre, designing 110 In The Shade. Rick resides in Seattle, but works extensively in Milwaukee and other parts of the Midwest. Area theatrical credits include, Duet For One at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, La Boehme at Skylight Music Theatre, High School Musical at the Fireside, Seven Stories at Next Act Theatre, A Christmas Story at First Stage Children’s Theater and Syncopation at Renaissance Theaterworks.

Holly Blomquist (Lighting Designer) – Holly’s lighting design work this season includes Gorgons (Renaissance Theaterworks), Heroes (Chamber Theatre) and Tea at Five (In Tandem). Past work for Skylight includes A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine. While lighting for theatre is her first love, Holly is fortunate to have a career which includes lighting designs for architectural projects. Locally, these include the façade at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, the new Wauwatosa Fire Station, and the Pabst Brewery Parking Structure which earned LEED Gold for sustainable design. A big thank you to Bill and the rest of the Skylight staff for such an enjoyable experience!

Gary Ellis (Sound Designer) – Gary is serving in his fifth year as Skylight’s audio visual supervisor and he loves working in this great theatre with this great group of people. He began his career as a software engineer in Silicon Valley, but watching performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Cirque du Soleil got him hooked on theatre. Shows he has designed and mixed include Rent, Adding Machine-The Musical, The Music Man, White Christmas, The Spitfire Grill, The Producers, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blues In The Night, Sunday In The Park With George, Side Show, Dames At Sea and Violet. Gary studied technical theatre at San Francisco

State University. Previously, he worked at The Santa Fe Opera, Theatreworks in Palo Alto, CA and Summer Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa, CA.

Shima Orans (Costume Coordinator) – Shima designed costumes for Skylight’s H.M.S. Pinafore; A Day in Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine; I Do, I Do; Souvenir; South Pacific; Little Women; and A Grand Night For Singing. She also serves on the Skylight staff as costume director/draper. Shima has designed for Syracuse Opera, Sterling Renaissance Festival, Oswego Opera, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Apple Hill Playhouse, Acadia Repertory Theatre, and the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and has taught at Point Park University and the State University of New York.

Kimberly Ann McCann* (Production Stage Manager) – Kimberly is joining Skylight for her second season. Her regional credits include: A Civil War Christmas at Northlight Theatre (Chicago), Million Dollar Quartet (Chicago). Broadway credits: Curtains. Off-Broadway credits: Bill W. and Dr. Bob, How to Save the World, John Ferguson. Other credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (San Francisco), Door Shakespeare, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, toured with ArtsPower National Touring Theatre and numerous productions at The Juilliard School. Kimberly is a graduate of Illinois State University and a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Jennifer Anderson (Assistant Stage Manager) – Jen is very excited to be returning to Skylight! Previously at Skylight, Jen has been a part of the Stage Management teams for Rent, The Pirates of Penzance, I Do I Do and The Producers. She has also worked with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Jen recently completed a Stage Management internship at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN for their production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Enjoy the show!


PR O D U C T I O N S TA FF

Director of Production ...............................................................................................Mark Turner

Technical Director .................................................................................................Robert Wagner

Assistant Technical Director ...........................................................................Steve Gillingham

Technical Assistant ........................................................................................ Alexander Moliere

Scenic Carpenters ....................................................................... Adam Held, Rebecca Knipfer

Scene Shop Apprentice ......................................................................................... Amanda Srok

Production Stage Manager .................................................................Kimberly Ann McCann

Assistant Stage Manager ............................................................................. Jennifer Anderson

Properties Director................................................................................................. Lisa Schlenker

Properties Carpenter ............................................................................................. Jennifer Lyons

Properties Artists ............................................................................Nikki Kulas, Jennifer Bezjak

Properties Apprentice................................................................................................. Kara Waala

Scenic Charge .................................................................................................................. Carri Dahl

Scenic Artists ......................................................................... Andrea Toussaint, Jason Schultz

Scenic Artist Apprentice ...............................................................................................Jane Vang

Costume Coordinator .............................................................................................. Shima Orans

Costume Shop Manager .............................................................................................. Barry Link

Wig Designer................................................................................................................. Lara Dalbey

Wig Master, Hair Stylist & Wardrobe.....................................................................Justin Deehr

Wardrobe ..................................................................................................................Susan Maroske

Stage Supervisor ................................................................................................. Andrew Booher

Lead Props ..................................................................................................................Amanda Srok

Audio Visual Supervisor ..................................................................................................Gary Ellis

Master Electrician ..................................................................................................Ryan Bertelson

Spot Operators .......................................................................... Doug Vance, Terry Valdovinos

Light Board Operator .................................................................................................Jessica Peck

Electricians ............................................................................. Andrew Booher, Thomas Moore, Jessica Peck, Doug Vance, Ross Zentner

2011-2012 SU BS CR I B E R B E N E FI T PA R T I CI PA N T S

ACK N OW L E D G E M E N T S

Bella Caffé 189 N. Milwaukee St. (414)-273-5620Kate Gingrass Gallery 241 N. Broadway (414) 289-0855Swig 217 N. Broadway (414) 431-7944Third Ward Caffè 225 E. St. Paul Ave. (414) 224-0895Water Buffalo 249 N. Water St. (414) 431-1133

Kris Klein, Klein’s piano workshop; Sandy Strawn, UWM department of Theatre; Milwaukee Repertory Theatre prop department; Michael Cronin & Lt. Philip Jones; Anne Van Deusen; The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel; and Milwaukee Repertory Theater Costume Shop


S K Y L I G H T O PE R A T H E AT R E B OA R D S

2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORSDavid Harvey, President

BOARD OF ADVOCATES

F. Tessa Escamilla BartelsMarta Bianchini

Rick BlissMichael Bula

F. Colin Cabot (Honorary Director)

Jameson Delgadillo Laura Emory

John FlanaganByron Foster

Susan GodfreyLeslie HauserMark Huber

Valerie JohnsonTracey Klein

Christopher LaydenMichael Lueder

Michelle MattsonSandra McNeely

Howard Miller

James PlunkettBrad Quade

Mary Ann RenzCurtis SawyerJohn Shannon

John StollenwerkPaul Sweeney

Betty ArndtPolly Beal

Dorothy BiwerMary EmorySuzy Foster

Harry FrankeSue Frautschi

Timothy FrautschiLloyd GerlachRoy GrommeSue GrommeKatie Harding

Grace JohnsonWilliam JohnsonGary JorgensonA. Kipp Koester

Terrance KurtenbackPam Kriger

Arthur F. Lubke Jr.Zabelle Malkasian

Sally ManegoldSteve Mech

Susan NicholsNick Owen

Mary PollockJohn Shannon

Greg ReiterBlaine RiekeLinda RiekeJulia Taylor

Teri ViceDavid B. Williams

Nick WilsonHerbert Zien

PAST PRESIDENTSJohn Stollenwerk

SKYLIGHTERS COMMITTEE

Mary EmoryMatt Flynn

Byron FosterSue Frautschi

Timothy Frautschi

Jack GardnerSuzanne Hefty

Terry KurtenbachHoward Miller

Jeff Nohl

Nick OwenMary PollockLarry Salustro

Richard Wright

Karissa FellerSherry Johnson

Amy Schmidt JonesJeanne Kessler

Christopher Layden

Karen LemmerJustine Leonard

Kate MannSara Miller

Bobbi Polacheck

Mary Jo TrotterKay Valcq

Stephanie Wesselowski


SK Y L I G H T M USI C T H E AT R E S TA FF

AMY S. JENSEN, MANAGING DIRECTORBILL THEISEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Diana Alioto, Director of Artistic OperationsCindy Haas, Finance Director

Jim Farrell, Development DirectorRay Jivoff, Associate Artistic Director

Jennifer Samuelson, Marketing DirectorMark Turner, Director of Production and Facilities

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFKelley Arlt ....................................................................................................... Box Office ManagerAlyssa Brakke .............................................................................................Graphic Design InternLee Caracci .............................................................................................................House ManagerMadeline Cope .......................................... Special Events and Donor Relations ManagerRobin Dennis ........................................................................................ Resident Teaching ArtistMadelyn DePrey .......................................................................................... Development InternCorinne Gilbert ....................................................................................Education AdministratorBarbara Weber ......................................................................................................Grants ManagerRose Hebein ...................................................................................Marketing Project ManagerAmy LaMacchia ............................................................................................ Campaign ManagerPaul Kaishian ................................................................................................................... CustodianBecca Marten ................................................................................................ Education ManagerKristen Nissen ............................................................Office Manager and Finance AssistantRuben Piirainen ................................................................................. Education Music DirectorJennifer Stanislowski ...............................................................................Box Office SupervisorJulian Salas ..............................................................................Weekend Box Office SupervisorJess Jante, Koren Nowak, Gwen Zupan ........................................................ Box Office StaffCara McMullin, Michelle Brien, Patrick Schley ...................... Assistant House Managers

PRODUCTION STAFFRyan Bertelson ................................................................................................. Master ElectricianAndrew Booher ................................................................................................. Stage SupervisorCarri Dahl .................................................................................................................. Scenic ChargeGary Ellis ................................................................. Audio Visual Supervisor and IT ManagerSteve Gillingham ..........................................................................Assistant Technical DirectorAdam Held ..........................................................................................................Scenic CarpenterRebecca Knipfer ................................................................................................Scenic CarpenterBarry Link .............................................................................................. Costume Shop ManagerMichael Lorenz ...........................................................................................Orchestra ContractorJennifer Lyons .............................................................................................Properties CarpenterKimberly Ann McCann .................................................................Production Stage ManagerAlexander Moliere .........................................................................................Technical AssistantShima Orans ..................................................................................................... Costume DirectorLisa Schlenker ................................. Properties Director & Assistant Director of FacilitiesLillian Tillson ......................................................ASM and Production and Facility AssistantJane Vang ...........................................................................................................Scenic ApprenticeKara Waala ..................................................................................................Properties ApprenticeRobert Wagner .................................................................................................Technical Director


S K Y L I G H T M USI C T H E AT R E CI R CL E O F D O N O R S

Skylight recognizes and honors, with our deepest gratitude, the following individuals, foundations, organizations, businesses and government agencies who provided support to our Annual Campaign and helped us to deliver high quality music theatre productions to the Greater Milwaukee community. A special thanks to the members of the Clarion Society, who have made multi-year commitments of pledging $5,000 or more for the Annual Campaign (these members are listed as bold). Our thanks, too, for the many donors of $249 and under whose gifts are vital to Skylight’s continuing success, we regret there is not space to list them all. (This list is current as of January 12, 2012.)

BENEFACTOR CIRCLE -$25,000+Anonymous The Lynde & Harry

Bradley FoundationMary Ann & Lloyd

GerlachGreater Milwaukee

FoundationDavid & Margarete

HarveyPotawatomi Bingo CasinoUnited Performing Arts

Fund

STAR CIRCLE - $10,000-$24,999Anonymous (2)Helen Bader FoundationRobert W. Baird &

CompanyChaseGreater Milwaukee

Foundation Halbert and Alice

Kadish Fund Pain FundThe Richard & Ethel

Herzfeld FoundationJohnson BankFrontier AirlinesHoward & Sara MillerNorthwestern Mutual

FoundationVerne & Marion ReadLinda & Blaine RiekeSchoenleber FoundationDaniel M. Soref Charitable

TrustBert L. & Patricia S.

Steigleder CharitableTrust

David & Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation

The Windhover Foundation

SPONSOR CIRCLE -$5,000-$9,999AnonymousAssurant HealthAlvin & Marion Birnschein

FoundationRick & Wendy BlissBriggs & Stratton

Corporation Foundation

Michael & Anne Marie Bula

F. Colin & Paula CabotMae E. Demmer

Charitable TrustJohn & Mary EmoryRalph Evinrude

FoundationLili & Rick FriedmanGreater Milwaukee

Foundation Burns-Schrader Fund Asher & Susan Nichols Family Fund

Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc.

Krause Family Foundation

Phoebe & Jack LewisMaihaugen FoundationMarcus CorporationMarshall & Ilsley

FoundationNonprofit Management

FundMeyer & Norma Ragir

FoundationAdriana & Robert RagirGreg & Mary Ann RenzRockwell AutomationWayne RoperCharles & Patricia RoyCurtis & Candace SawyerCarol & Kevin SchueleSempercor Foundation

John Shannon & Jan SerrStollenwerk Family

Charitable Foundation

WE EnergiesHerb Zien & Liz Levins

PRODUCER CIRCLE -$2,500-$4,999AnonymousChris & Storm ElserJohn Flanagan &

Deborah SchwartzByron & Suzy FosterGreater Milwaukee

Foundation’s Luedke-Smith FundSusan GodfreyLindsay & Peter

HammererMark Huber & Nari HaigFreida & William Hunt

Memorial TrustJohnson Controls

FoundationPam KrigerTerry & Kristie

KurtenbachNancy & Arthur LaskinSandra & Mike McNeelySusan NicholsGordana & Milan RacicMatthew Sirinek &

Michelle MattsonSigma-Aldrich

Foundation

DIRECTOR CIRCLE -$1,000-$2,499Richard AdamekTom & Betty ArndtNancy H. BalcerPolly & Robert BealLee A. BerthelsenRichard & Kay Bibler


S K Y L I G H T O PE R A T H E AT R E CI R CL E O F D O N O R S (c o n t. )

Mr. & Mrs. William D. Biersach

John & Olive BrysonChristine & Robert

BukowskiBarbara & Don BuzardH.H. Camp FoundationDoris Hersh ChortekLaura & John Emory, Jr.Suzy B. EttingerJim & Lynne FarrellMary Lou FindleyLeona FitzsimondsGardner FoundationJoe & Gwenn GraboyesCatherine GrahamGreater Milwaukee

Foundation Cottrell Balding Fund Dr. Carl W. Eberbach

& Elizabeth Falk Eberbach Fund

Margaret Heminway Wells Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Wayne K. HaderCharles & Margaret

HarperJohn & Sara HeinJohn E. Holland & Konrad

K. KuchenbachHelen & Ronald JacobsAmy S. JensenCarol JensenValerie Johnson & Dennis

RobisonWilliam R. & Charlotte S.

JohnsonWilliam Stark Jones

FoundationGary & Judy JorgensenTracey & Rick KleinKipp & Mary KoesterRuth De Young KohlerKPMG LLPJohn E. & Nancy LarsonPasquale LaurinoChris & Emilia LaydenJames & Camilla LevinFranklin Loo & Sally LongArt Lubke & Gloria TracyTonya & Michael LuederZabelle MalkasianJohn R. & Coleen E.

MarshallGeorge Michel

Mr. & Mrs. George A. Mosher

The Charles D. Ortgiesen Foundation

Clare M. Peters Charitable Trust

James G. & Gwen PlunkettIldy & Skip PolinerMary S. PollockPPC FoundationRonald & Carol ScottService Club of

MilwaukeeNita SorefPaul & Lisa SweeneyTarget StoresBrian & Joan WakeDr. Marcia J.S. Richards &

Mr. Donald R. WhitakerNick & Stoney WilsonDick & Diane Wright

DESIGNER CIRCLE -$500-$999Robert & Rebecca AdlamMarilyn AuerF. Tessa & Richard BartelsJane & Jim BellDr. & Mrs. Michael BeschCarolee C. BeutlerMarc & Marta BianchiniMr. & Mrs. Gregg BoltWilliam & Karen BoydJames Cauley & Brenda

AndrewsMargaret & B. Lauren

CharousThomas & Belle ChattonJohn & Kay CrichtonJoan Dimow & John

MoulderEdward DoemlandKaren DuffyMr. & Mrs. Walter DusoldAlbert J. & Flora H. Ellinger

FoundationDavid FloresKristen & Alec FraserSue & Tim FrautschiGardner L.R. & Karen

FriedlanderScott & Lyn GeboyDouglas GeorgeMary Jane Gralton

Dale & Mary GravesGreater Milwaukee

Association of Realtors Youth Foundation

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Donald & Barbara Abert Fund

Werner M. & Susan W. Krause Family Fund

Bill & Gwen Werner Fund

Roy & Sue GrommeBill & Sandy HaackDonald Haack & Karen

SmithDr. & Mrs. Thomas A.

HandrichArlene HansenRalph & Susan HarkinsCheryl & Roy HauswirthEvan & Marion Helfaer

FoundationBurton & Lynn HoffmanDwayne JohnsonClark E. Johnson & Nona

G. HillSydney & Grace JohnsonWarren & Sally KreunenJeanne C. KuelthauDale & Sandra LandgrenJohn & Audrey MakowskiMary McAndrewsAnne Grace NimkeJeffrey & Mary NohlDr. Mark & Kristine

O’MearaDr. Nick & Mary OwenDonald PetersonAnthony Petullo

Foundation, Inc.Jack & Martha PrinceMr. & Mrs. Edward A.

Purtell, Jr.Mickey RippRobert & Lenore

SwobodaCalvin & Pauline

VerbruggeVJS Construction ServicesSargit WarrinerAllan & JeanAnn Wirth


SK Y L I G H T O PE R A T H E AT R E CI R CL E O F D O N O R S (c o n t. )

CHOREOGRAPHERCIRCLE - $250-$499Acme Sales, Inc.Sara AlterDavid & Patricia

AndersonAnonymous (4)L.B. & J.K.Robert BjerkeJill & Frits BroekhuizenDonald A. CressBob & Belle DanforthSusan DawickeMrs. Ross H. DeanHarry & Barbara DrakeDon & Nora DreskeTom & Bette DroughtBrian & Heather DunnJoAnn DurrettWilliam EasthamJohn & Polly EdgarMr. & Mrs. Joseph

EngmanMarianne Holtz EpsteinRobert & Kristin FewelRachel E. FingerRobert & Diane GaglianoMark & Virginia GennisSusan GetzelBurton GoodmanMary Anne GrossMary Kay & Johnathan

GundlachGeorge B. HaaslerEd & Priscilla HeineckeEdward M. HipkeAnn & Fred HorwitzSarah & Milton HwangRichard & Diane KaneIronwood FoundationGeorge & Angela JacobiSuzette J. KappesBruce & Sally KehlTim KitzkeJohn & Patricia KonkelCharles LenzJustine LeonardJim & Susan LoveridgeJohn & Marty LubingWayne & Kris LuedersLee Marquardt

Christine McGeeBarry McNultyRetta & Jeff MeserJequitta K. MolotJane S. O’ConnellLincoln & Mary OroLarry & Bonnie PaplhamPark Bank FoundationRobert D. Parrish &

Richard E. SteeleMr. & Mrs. James PetrieFred Pike & Cecilia TaylorBruce & Candy PindyckLarry & Bobbi PolacheckJill Anna PonasikGreg ReiterRoger & Nancy RitzowCurtis & Patty RobinsonBibi & Greg RosnerJerold & Lee Dougherty

RossDr. Emily SchlenkerRobert & Sally SchmidtMargery J. SennMarsha Ruth SehlerMark & Karen SostarichRobert SpencerJames & Catherine

SponholzAnnette Stoddard-

FreemanBarbara & Christian

SteinmetzEdwin & Jean StoneAudrey StrnadRudolph & Theresa

SundbergL. Jean TurnerKay ValcqJoan & Gary WeidaSue WellsDiane WieseMr. & Mrs. David B.

WilliamsCarlton & Leslie WiningerRichard & Kay Yuspeh

The Skylight receives support from the following government agencies:City of Milwaukee Arts

BoardMilwaukee County

CAMPACNational Endowment for

the ArtsWisconsin Arts Board

Thank you to those that have supported the Skylight with an in-kind gift:Assurant HealthDigiCOPYDryit Carpet Dry Cleaning

Inc.EntechDale & Mary GravesNOVA Systems Inc.Dr. Marcia J.S. Richards &

Mr. Donald R. Whitaker

A special thank you to the following corporations for matching employee gifts: Alliant EnergyAmerican Transmission

CompanyAptarGroupAssurant HealthDominion FoundationEaton CorporationGE FoundationJohnson ControlsQuad/Graphics, Inc.RexnordRockwell Automation

InternationalSPX FoundationUBSWE EnergiesWell Point

We make every effort to ensure that our donors are recognized properly. If we have made an error, please accept our sincere apologies and contact us at

414/299-4953 so that we may correct it.


SK Y L I G H T S TA R S

Skylight Stars was established in 1998 to recognize those special donors who have designated Skylight in a bequest, trust or other planned gift for organization, artistic, capital and endowment initiatives. Thank you very much for your generous support.

Christopher Seton AbeleAnonymous (8)Dennis & Mary BerschThe Lynde & Harry

Bradley FoundationAunt Teckie BrumderBarbara & Don BuzardAnne Perkins CabotF. Colin & Paula CabotJohn DahlbergMae E. Demmer

Charitable TrustHugh & Mary DenisonElizabeth Elser Doolittle

Charitable TrustsJohn & Mary EmoryMarianne Holtz EpsteinByron & Suzy FosterLloyd & Mary Ann

GerlachJoseph & Gwenn

GraboyesRoy & Sue GrommeDavid & Margarete

HarveyTom & Suzanne Hefty

Jane E. HeinemannRichard & Ethel Herzfeld

FoundationJohn E. HollandRobert F. & Jean E. HoltzGrace & Sydney JohnsonWilliam & Charlotte

JohnsonWilliam Stark JonesHalbert & Alice Kadish

FundJack & Ginny KopischkeKonrad K. KuchenbachClarice LaubenheimerMr. & Mrs. Edward

MalkasianRobert & Sally ManegoldDorothea C. MayerHoward & Sara MillerSusan & Asher NicholsAsher & Susan Nichols

Family FoundationNorthwestern Mutual

FoundationJane B. Pettit Foundation

James G. & Gwen Plunkett

Mr. & Mrs. George William Pollock, Jr.

Verne & Marion ReadBlaine & Linda RiekeEsther Leah RitzRockwell AutomationWayne & Jean RoperCharles & Patricia RoyLarry and Susan SalustroJohn Shannon & Jan SerrVince & Joanne ShielyL.B. & Lucy SmithDale L. Sorden FamilyDaniel M. Soref

Charitable TrustJohn & Jo Ellen

Stollenwerk Art Lubke & Gloria TracyDavid & Julia Uihlein

Charitable FoundationJon & Teri ViceAudrey WegnerRobert & Joyce WeissNora & Jude Werra

CO M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S

Mae E. DemmerCharitable Trust

Maihaugen Foundation

Frieda & William Hunt Memorial Trust

Daniel M. SorefCharitable Trust


TO T H E AU D I E N CE

Audience Guide…A free audience guide is generated by Enlighten, Skylight’s education program, with the help of volunteer Justine Leonard. It is meant to provide in-depth background information about the show, including information on the composer and author, source material, historical perspective on the setting, and information about Skylight directors, designers and performers. The guide is available on our website and in the lobby of the theatre.

Bad Weather Policy...Skylight rarely cancels or reschedules performances due to inclement weather, however in cases of extreme weather circumstances we may be forced to do so.

Cabaret Series...Friday and Saturday evening performances in the Cabot Theatre are followed by a free, 45-minute cabaret show in the Skylight Bar & Bistro. There is not a cabaret performance on opening night.

Emergency Contact…If you need to be contacted during the performance, an emergency number is available for your convenience: (414) 908-6645. This extension is a message center for the house manager. Please leave your seat location so we may contact you.

Food and Drink...Skylight Bar & Bistro, located on the second floor of the Broadway Theatre Center, is a full-service bar with a pre-theatre dinner menu open two hours before Cabot Theatre performances, at intermission and after performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. For dining information visit www.getindulge.com or email [email protected].

Group Discounts...Groups of 10 or more are eligible for our group discount. Make your event unique and ask about our rental spaces for a pre- or post-show reception with cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, dinner or dessert. Please contact Rose Hebein at (414) 299-4951 for more information or to reserve group tickets.

Lost and Found...Leave a message with the House Manager at (414) 908-6645 to check if lost articles have been found.

Parking...Convenient, free or low-cost parking is available in several locations. Metered street parking throughout the Historic Third Ward is free after 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays. The Italian Community Center parking lot, three blocks east of the theatre at Jackson and Menomonee streets, is free after 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays; daytime parking is also available for a small fee. Structure parking is available for a small fee in the Third Ward parking structures located at Chicago and Milwaukee streets (two blocks east) and Chicago and Water streets (two blocks west).

Recording Equipment & Cameras...The use of recording devices and/or photography is strictly prohibited in the theatre during a performance.

Skylight’s Annual Campaign...Consists of individuals, corporations and foundations whose generous gifts allow Skylight to achieve fiscal soundness and artistic excellence. To become a donor, please contact Sara von Hemert-Dachelet, Campaign Manager, at (414) 299-4953.

Skylight Insights…Join us for an opportunity to learn more about Skylight Opera Theatre productions. Ray Jivoff will lead pre-performance talks one hour before curtain for every Wednesday and Sunday performance.

Special Patron Services... A limited number of infrared hearing systems are available on a first come, first served basis. Audio description, sign language interpretation and wheelchair seating are available and can be arranged in advance by calling (414) 291-7800.

Tours...With advance notice, tours of the Broadway Theatre Center and Skylight’s production shops are available throughout the year. Call (414) 299-4972 for reservations.


B OX O FFI CE I N FO R M AT I O N

Skylight Music Theatre’s Box Office is located in the Broadway Theatre Center at 158 North Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Phone: (414) 291-7800.

Hours...Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 p.m. and two hours prior to all performances. Skylight tickets are available for purchase online at www.skylightopera.com — 24 hours a day/7 days a week!

Ticket Exchanges… Season tickets may be exchanged for tickets to another performance of the same production by mail, fax, or in person, up to 48 hours in advance of a performance. Reservations for ticket exchanges may not be made less than 48 hours in advance of the original performance date. Subscribers and single ticket holders who lose their tickets may contact the box office for duplicates; seating locations are on record. All sales are final.

Ticket Donations...Ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets may donate them for resale and receive a receipt for a tax-deductible contribution. Just ask the box office for a contribution receipt. Tickets are not refundable, nor may the ticket value be applied to future ticket sales or outstanding pledges.

VO LU N T E E R I N FO R M AT I O N

The Skylighters... The Skylighters are involved in a variety of activities and special events in support of Skylight. For event or membership information, contact Madeline Cope, Donor Services and Special Events Manager, at (414) 299-4972.

Ushers...Sign up for any show at www.skylightopera.volunteerhub.com or email our House Manager, Lee Caracci, at [email protected]

Volunteer for Skylight… For over 50 years, Skylight Music Theatre as been providing fun on and off the stage! To learn more, email [email protected]

G E N E R A L I N FO R M AT I O N

Skylight Music TheatreBroadway Theatre Center

158 North BroadwayMilwaukee, WI 53202

Administrative Office: (414) 291-7811Box Office: (414) 291-7800

www.skylightopera.com

Skylight Music Theatre is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), Theatre Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee, the Historic Third Ward Association, and Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee, and is a cultural partner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program.

skylight-gershwin

Documents

stage director

music of george gershwin

music of fats waller

stage managers

cabot stage

assistant stage manager

artistic director of

popular music