CardinalStritch-AnEveningWithNoelCoward_single

1An Evening with Noel Coward

2 Cardinal Stritch University

Noel coward (1899-1973) Pl ay wright

Noel Coward, English playwright, composer, actor and singer, is perhaps best known for his full-length plays Blithe Spirit, Hay Fever, Private Lives, and Present Laughter. Time Magazine once described Coward as a wit with a “sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise.” Tonight at 8:30, a cycle of nine one-act plays written by Coward, was first produced in 1935 in Manchester, England and eventually played to enthusiastic audiences the following year in both London and New York. After appearing with Gertrude Lawrence on stage in Private Lives, Coward felt that the public enjoyed the pairing on stage so he wrote Tonight at 8:30 as vehicles for their acting, singing and dancing talents. Coward hoped that the short plays in the cycle would enhance the one-act play form and in the published edition of the plays he wrote, “A short play, having a great advantage over a long one is that it can sustain a mood without technical creaking or over padding, deserves a better fate, and if, by careful writing, acting and producing I can do a little towards reinstating it in its rightful pride, I shall have achieved one of my more sentimental ambitions.”

backgrouNd to the stories

For our production of an Evening with Noel Coward, we have chosen to perform three of the works from Tonight at 8:30, We Were Dancing, Fumed Oak and Red Peppers. Ranging in style from romance to dark comedy to musical interlude, this trio shows off Coward’s enormous range and gifts as a playwright. We Were Dancing, which contains a song of the same title written by Coward, tells the story of two stylish people who fall in love at a country club dance on a south Pacific island. In the cold light of morning however, they realize that “love at first sight” is perhaps not what they thought it was. Fumed Oak, subtitled An Unpleasant Comedy, tells of a meek and henpecked husband’s revenge on the three harridans in his life – a petulant daughter, a nagging wife, and an insufferable mother-in-law. Red Peppers, the most popular of the plays from Tonight at 8:30, is an affectionate satire of vaudeville with a charming gallery of theatrical characters that Coward knew only too well. It also contains two of Coward’s most enduring hit songs, Has Anybody Seen Our Ship? and Men About Town.

message from the d irector

Mounting these three different productions in a small studio space was a challenge. Our concept imagines how a British amateur theatrical company, residing somewhere in one of the distant colonies of the waning British Empire, might have provided the “locals” with an evening’s entertainment, despite limited theatrical resources. Thus the orchestra in Red Peppers becomes a single piano and the scenic elements are, in some cases, painted two-dimensional, non-functional units. These three very different works have also been a challenge for our students because acting Coward isn’t easy; playing his work requires a tone and a style that is long gone just as the society that created them. We hope you will sit back and enjoy what has been a delightful journey for me, as a director, and for the entire cast, crew and design staff.

David Oswald


artistic credits

Director ..................................................................................................................................David Oswald*

Set Designer ...................................................................................................................Scott Wirtz-OlsenLighting Designer .........................................................................................................Scott Wirtz-OlsenCostume Designer .................................................................................................. Robert Liebhauser*Musical Staging ...........................................................................................................................Pam Kriger

Stage Manager ................................................................................................................Alyssa Roberson

Technical Director ........................................................................................................Scott Wirtz-OlsenProgram Layout ........................................................................................................... Karen Mihopulos*Promotional Material ......................................................................................................... Rachel BabiakPhotographs...........................................................................................................................Melissa Webb

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

All three plays were produced by John C. Wilson at the National Theatre in New York City on November 27, 1936, as part of a series of nine one-act plays by Noel Coward, under

the title of “TONIGHT AT EIGHT-THIRTY.” The plays were directed by the author.

cast

We Were DancingA Comedy in Two Acts

Karl Sandys ..............................................................................................................................Sean JacksonLouise Charteris .......................................................................................................................... Izetta VossGeorge Davies ....................................................................................................................... Hugh BlewettEva Blake ..............................................................................................................................Roxanne DobbsClara Bethel .....................................................................................................................Olivia LudwiczakHubert Charteris .................................................................................................................. Austin GomezMajor Blake ................................................................................................................................. Sam ShircelWaiter ...................................................................................................................................Phillip J. Roeder

Scene I – Verandah of the Country Club at Samolo. Evening.Scene II – The same. Early morning.

Fumed OakAn Unpleasant Comedy in Two Scenes

Henry Gow ............................................................................................................................. Austin GomezDoris Gow .................................................................................................................. Shaina SummervilleElsie Gow .............................................................................................................................Roxanne DobbsMrs. Rocket ........................................................................................................................... Alex Bouchard

Scene I – Morning.Scene II – Evening.The sitting-room of the Gows’ house in South London.


cast c o n t.

There will be one interval of 15 minutes.

CastRed PeppersAn Interlude With Music

George Pepper .......................................................................................................................Sean JacksonLily Pepper ..............................................................................................................................Natasha LawsBert Bentley ............................................................................................................................ Hugh BlewettMr. Edwards ................................................................................................................................ Sam ShircelMabel Grace ....................................................................................................................Olivia LudwiczakAlf ..........................................................................................................................................Phillip J. Roeder

On the stage, a dressing-room, and the stage again of the palace of Varieties in one of the smaller English provincial towns.

ProductioN credits

Set Construction Crew ........................................................... Alex Bouchard, Cassandra Goulais, Seth Hallet, Natasha Laws, Phillip J. Roeder,

Shaina Summerville, Joshua WohllebenProperty Assistants ........................................................................................................Scene Shop StaffWardrobe ............................................................................................. Hugh Blewett, Roxanne Dobbs

*indicates member of Alpha Psi Omega Theater Honorary Society

ackNowledgemeNts

Special thanks toMarquette University Theater DepartmentTim AblerMark QuistorfDr. James NordenDr. Dennis King.


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Hugh Blewett - Junior Theater/Writing major: George Davies/Alf. Hugh has performed in community/semi-professional theater in Milwaukee, and has

worked on many films in the Milwaukee area including the feature horror film, The Homecoming Queen. This is his 11th performance on the Stritch stage. Favorite roles include Professor Moriarty and Rumpelstiltskin.

Alex Bouchard – Sophomore Theater major: Mrs. Rocket. Alex is excited to be in her fourth show at Cardinal Stritch and thanks you for coming to see these

productions of Noel Coward’s. Her last few acting roles have been Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods, Martha Arable in Charlotte’s Web, and most recently Granny in The Little Mermaid. She has also served as light and sound board operator in Quiet in the Land and as sound board operator in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure.

Roxanne Dobbs – Freshman Theater major: Eva Blake/Elsie Gow. This is Roxanne’s third role at Cardinal Stritch and she is very excited to be involved

in this production. She would like to thank her parents and her brother, Joe, for the constant support and love. She would also like to thank the Theater Department for giving her such wonderful opportunities. Last, but not least, she would like to thank Austin and Natasha for always being there. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Austin Gomez – Junior Theater major: Hubert Charteris/Henry Gow. Austin has been lucky enough to be in several shows, including The Little Mermaid as King

Neptune, Irena’s Vow as Schultz, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure as Watson, Charlotte’s Web as Wilbur, Quiet in the Land as Christy, Into the Woods as Cinderella’s Father, among others. He is very happy to be back and finally doing comedy. A special thanks to his family and friends who have been amazing throughout. Enjoy the show!

Sean Jackson – Senior Musical Theater major: Karl Sandys/George Pepper. Sean Anthony Jackson is glad to be in the Studio Theater once again. Sean’s last

performance in the Studio was Quiet in the Land. He is excited to be performing in this amazing space once again. Sean’s more memorable roles have been on the main stage, the Nancy Kendall Theater. Some of these were Sherlock Holmes, Gangster in The Drowsy Chaperone, and the Wolf in Into the Woods. Sean plans to graduate this December and move on to a new exciting world wherever the wind takes him.

Natasha Laws – Freshman Musical Theater major: Lily Pepper. This is Natasha’s second production at Cardinal Stritch, having played Minnowmaid in

The Little Mermaid. Previous shows include Seussical (Cat in the Hat), Hairspray (Penny Pingleton), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy Brown), and Curious Savage (Mrs.


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Ethel P. Savage). Natasha would like to thank the Theater Department for giving her this wonderful opportunity, her parents for their support, the cast for being amazing people, and her friends for dealing with her busy schedule. She hopes that you enjoy the songs, dances, and corny jokes heading your way.

Robert J. Liebhauser – Costume Designer: Robert is an Assistant Professor of Theater, has been on the theater faculty of Stritch since 1992, and has served as department costume designer since 1989. He is also an accomplished actor and director and currently is Director of Theater for Young Audiences at Stritch. Prior to Stritch, he received his B.A. in Theater Arts from Marquette University and his M.F.A. from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also taught at Marquette University and has worked extensively throughout the Milwaukee area as a costume designer and as a stage and commercial actor. Credits include work with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Northern Stage Theatre, and the Bay View Players.

Olivia Ludwiczak - Junior Musical Theater major: Clara Bethel/Mabel Grace. Olivia is a Junior and excited to participate in this year’s studio show, An Evening

With Noel Coward. She is a Musical Theater major and has played many roles in the past including the Little Gingerbread Boy in The Little Gingerbread Boy, Princess Gabrielle in Rumpelstiltskin, and most recently, Fanke Silberman in Cardinal Stritch’s and Renaissance Theaterwork’s co-production of Irena’s Vow. She hopes you enjoy the show tonight, and would like to thank her parents for all their love and support.

Alyssa Roberson – Junior Art/English major: Stage Manager. Alyssa worked on Into the Woods as a stage crew member, Charlotte’s Web and The

Little Mermaid as house manager, and Quiet in the Land as assistant stage manager. She is grateful for the opportunity to try her hand as stage manager and hopes you enjoy the show!

Phillip J. Roeder – Waiter/Alf. Phillip has been in Flash Theater, and helped back stage on Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, Irena’s Vow, and The Little Mer-

maid. He is excited to be a part of this show, too.

Sam Shircel – Senior English/Psychology major: Major Blake/Mr. Edwards. Sam was most recently Turt in The Little Mermaid and over the summer, he

performed as Curly in Lakeshore Production’s Oklahoma!. Other CSU roles include Mysterious Man in Into the Woods and Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Sam thanks his family and Olivia for their love and support.

Shaina Summerville – Senior Musical Theater/Communications major: Doris Gow. This is Shaina’s 11th show at Stritch. She was seen

most recently as Tort in the Little Mermaid. Favorite roles have included Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Little Becky in


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Urinetown. She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support throughout the past four years. Break a leg all!

Izetta Voss – Sophomore Musical Theater/Communications major: Louise Charteris. Previous Stritch roles include Lucinda in Into

the Woods, Edith Zuckerman in Charlotte’s Web, Martha in Quiet in the Land, Ida Hallar in Irena’s Vow, and The Little Mermaid in The Little Mermaid. Izetta feels very grateful for all of the amazing opportunities Stritch has given her and she is looking forward to the next two years filled with fun productions and getting to work with such inspiring directors, professors and peers, not just in theater but in many other activities on campus. A special thanks to all of Izzy’s loved ones for supporting her and building her up with encouragement and love. Enjoy the show!

Scott Wirtz-Olsen – Designer/Technical Director: Scott joined the faculty at Cardinal Stritch University as Designer and Technical Director in 2011. He has spent the last 15 years working professionally in the Milwaukee Theater community as a free-lance designer and production manager. Past design work includes The Rakes Progress at The Music Academy of the West, Barber of Seville and King and I for Ash Lawn Opera in VA, West Side Story for Opera Illinois, Werther for Bowen Park Opera, Spinning Into Butter for Renaissance Theaterworks, Apt 3A, The Good Doctor, What the Night is For and Ha! for In Tandem Theatre, and no fewer than 20 productions for First Stage Children’s Theatre and the First Stage Theater Academy. He would like to extend a big thank you to everyone at Cardinal Stritch University, as well as to his wife Peg, daughter Maddie, and son Garrett for their love and continued support as he ventures down another path in this long theatrical journey.

Mark yourCalendars

for our nextperformance!

Apr. 19 - 28Nancy Kendall Theater

6801 N. Yates Rd.Milwaukee, WI 53217

Tickets (414) 410-4171


2013 cardiNal str itch uNivers it y music eveNts

Clarus Trio Saturday, February 23, 2013 2:00 pm

*Spring Choral Concert Sunday, May 5, 2013 2:00 pm

Piano Showcase Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:00 pm

New Music Concert Friday, May 10, 2013 7:00 pm

*Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, alumni, and students. Current Stritch students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with a valid University ID card. To order tickets, call (414) 410-4171.

For information on all Stritch music events contact Dennis King, Music Department Chair, (414) 410-4349.

cardiNal stritch NorthwesterN mutual art gallery exhibits

“LEAGUE OF MILWAUKEE ARTISTS”February 22-March 17 (closed March 3-10 for Spring Break). Opening reception: Friday, February 22, 5-8 pm with live music, wine, and food. A tasty sampling of works by League of Milwaukee Artists members.

“SANITARY LANDFILLS aka dumps”February 22-March 17. Photographs by Minnesota Photographer Gina Dabrowski. April 5-28. Opening reception, Gallery Night, Friday, April 19, 5-8 pm with live music and food. Gina Dabrowski was awarded the 2010 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Photographers to continue an examination of the big business of trash and the evolution of landfills from the open pit dumps of the 1970s. Gina’s portfolio of large-format (Type C prints) is an exceptional example of current “landscape photography’ in an environmentally sensitive time and place.

The taking of photographs or electronic recording during any performance is strictly prohibited. Please be sure cell phones, beepers, and pagers are turned off.

Please enjoy your snacks outside the theater. Only bottled water is permitted inside.

In an attempt to conserve our natural resources, we are asking patrons to returnprograms in the boxes provided outside of the entrance to the theater.

Documents

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