FLOODLIGHT Page 1

June 2019

Music and Lyrics by

Mel Brooks

Produced by

Mary Beth Smith-Toomey

Directed by

Kristina Freidgen

Musical Direction by

Colin Taylor

Choreographed by

Stefan Sittig

Order Your

Tickets Now!

Call the Box Office

703-683-0496

FEATURED PRODUCTION

Come see The Producers this summer! To paraphrase the show’s tune, do

you “wanna be a producer”? Follow Max and Leo as they try to produce a

flop on Broadway and end up creating the hit Springtime for Hitler! Co-

Producers David Correia and Mary Beth Smith-Toomey bring you this

blockbuster show along with the creative team of Director Kristina

Friedgen, Music Director Colin Taylor, and Choreographer Stefan Sittig.

Our assistant director is Hayley Dandreaux. Our most able co-stage

managers are Nick Friedlander and Rob Cork. Designing the complicated

set is Dan Remmers, with set construction by Tom O’Reilly. Set painting

will be done by De Nicholson-Lamb, and the set will be lit by the lighting

design team of Ken and Patti Crowley. Our co-master electricians are Pam

Leonowich and Samantha Jensen, and our sound designer is Alan Wray,

assisted by David Correia to ensure proper balance for the orchestra. The

team of Kit Sibley and Jean Schlichting will design the many costumes

worn throughout the show. Working closely with them to coordinate all the

quick changes will be Susan Boyd, our hair and wig designer, and Robin

Worthington, our wardrobe mistress. Make-up for the performers will be

designed by Larissa Norris. Kirstin Apker will design and collect the

many props, and Russell Wyland will handle the very involved set dressing

and rigging. Our show photographer is Matthew Randall. The double tech

dinner will be served by a fantastic crew led by Carolyn Winters, and the

opening night party will be catered by Becky’s Pixie Kitchens.

Our cast has some faces familiar to LTA audiences along with many new

ones. Their voices are outstanding and their dancing is wonderful, so come

join us and be dazzled! Our leading performers include Steve Cairns as Max

Bialystock, Ryan Phillips as Leo Bloom, Chad Ramsey as Franz Liebkind,

Brian Lyons-Burke as Roger de Bris, Timothy King as Carmen Ghia, and

(continued on page 2)

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Russell Wyland, President

Brendan Quinn, Governor for

Membership

Kirstin Apker, Floodlight Coordinator

Linda Wells, Floodlight Editor

Next Floodlight August 5th

Inside This Issue

President’s Column Page 2

Auditions Page 3

Thank You Page 4

Annual Meeting Page 4

Governors at Work Page 5

Governor’s Message Page 6

Council Corner Page 7

FLOODLIGHT Page 2

President’s

Column

Russell

Wyland

In Praise of Those Who Act

Regular readers of this column will know that I often highlight the high quality and immense quantity of work done

by production designers, stage managers, backstage techies, teachers, and front of house and box office volunteers.

For the last two months, I have been co-producing Ken Ludwig’s A Fox on the Fairway with Luana Bossolo, and I

have been reminded how much work goes into being an actor, too. In Fox, the six actors each spent, conservatively,

102 hours in rehearsal and another 60 hours in performance. That’s a serious commitment! Of course, actors spend

much of their time away from LTA learning their lines, trying to maintain their “real” lives, and smiling at the office

when they are exhausted from a late rehearsal the previous evening. In return, they work for the applause and cheers

of the audience.

To be in a show at LTA, an actor must become a member. Most become temporary members for only the production

in which they are cast. A few, however, have such a good experience that they become full members and support our

operation by volunteering beyond the stage. Richard Isaacs, a familiar face on stage, serves as a member of the

nominating committee and has been on the play selection committee. Janice Rivera, an award-winning actress, is

also an award-winning sound designer; with her actor-husband, Peter Halverson, she also caters. Matt Liptak, a

favorite on stage, has made a mark as a designer and photographer. The list could go on.

Why dwell on the actors? I have two reasons: 1) I think it is good for those of us who sit in the audience to know

how much work goes into their craft. When you applaud them, you acknowledge not only their performance that

evening, but their intense dedication to LTA. 2) It is the responsibility of all LTA members to welcome actors into

our theatre. When they feel welcome, they stay around and contribute in many other ways. So, clap those hands and

then encourage them to stay.

Thanks, actors, for making LTA such a great place.

Russell Wyland, President

(continued from page 1)

Sirena Dib as Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson. Our female ensemble members are

Cheryl Bolt, Courtney Caliendo, Taegan Chirinos, Rachel Hogan, Colleen Kleveno, Anne McPherson, Erin

Pugh, Shannon Robichaud, and Kathleen West, and our male ensemble members are Brian Delp, Chad

Friedman, Drake Leach, Derek Marsh, Mike Sarisky, and Brandon Steele.

FLOODLIGHT Page 3

Written by

Aaron Sorkin

Produced by

Robert Kraus

Directed by

Kathleen Barth

Audition Dates

Saturday, July 6, 2019

2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

7:00 p.m.

Callbacks

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Auditions This riveting courtroom drama tells the story of military lawyers at a court-

martial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their

clients, two U.S. Marines accused of murder. Based on events that took place

at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in July 1986, the play investigates both the

nature of our military mentality and the Marine code of honor.

For the Audition

We are looking for a few great men and some wonderful women (one named

part plus ensemble) ages 18 to 60. Auditions will consist of cold readings

from the script. Please bring a headshot and résumé, if possible, and be ready

to list all conflicts during the rehearsal and performance period of July

through September on the calendar provided. Three to five rehearsals per

week will be scheduled on weeknights and midday weekends around the

cast’s conflicts.

Character Descriptions

LT. CMDR. Joanne (Jo) Galloway: Late 20s or early 30s, a JAG lawyer. A

woman navigating the male-centric world of the U.S. Navy and Marines, she

is the only woman in the play. Extremely intelligent and worked hard to

ascend to the rank she is in. Her determination and impeccable work ethic are

often met with scorn.

LT. J.G. Daniel Kaffee: Late 20s or early 30s. The son of a legendary

lawyer who reluctantly resides in his father’s shadow. Kaffee is a JAG

lawyer who is infamous for settling his cases outside of court. He bides his

time until he can leave the JAG corps and become a corporate lawyer.

LT. J.G. Sam Weinberg: Late 20s or 30s. JAG lawyer and Kaffee’s friend.

Often tasked with keeping Kaffee in line.

LT. COL. Nathan Jessep: 40s. The highest-ranked character at GITMO.

Believes in the importance of the code and the corps.

LT. Jack Ross: Late 30s or 40s. JAG attorney and prosecutor in the Santiago

murder case. Very experienced and held in high regard.

Lance CPL. Harold W. Dawson: Early 20s. Marine who attacks Santiago.

Believes in the importance of the code and the corps. Downey’s superior.

PFC Louden Downey: Early 20s. Marine who attacks Santiago. Believes in

the importance of the code and the corps.

CAPT. Matthew A. Markinson: 40s. Marine with strong feelings about

what happened to Santiago.

LT. Jonathan James Kendrick: 30s or 40s. Marine at GITMO and superior

of Dawson and Downey. Believes in the importance of the code and the

corps. Believes God is always watching.

PFC. William Santiago: Early 20s. Marine murdered at GITMO by Dawson

and Downey. Desperately sought a way to leave GITMO before he was

killed.

CAPT. Isaac Whitaker: Late 30s or 40s. JAG attorney, Kaffee’s and Sam’s

superior, who is generally hassled. (continued on page 4)

FLOODLIGHT Page 4

Planning Your Gift

Have you considered including The

Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA)

as a beneficiary of your estate? LTA

can suggest tools that will assist you

in making plans that will support

the artistic and education programs

of the theatre in the future, as well

as provide your estate with tax

benefits. Supporters of LTA who

make planned gifts are invited to be

members of The LTA Legacy Society.

The LTA Legacy Society recognizes

those who have demonstrated their

concern for the long-term well-being

of LTA by notifying us of their

bequest or other planned gift. For

additional information, please call

Tina McCrea at 703-683-5778 ext. 2

or email Tina@thelittletheatre.com.

Annual Meeting Highlights

At LTA’s annual meeting on June 10th, President Russell Wyland

reported on the successful completion of both the update to the

building’s fire alarm system and the rewiring of its light system.

He also gave special recognition to Barbara Helsing, who is

stepping down as the theatre’s archivist after many years of

dedicated service, and to Heather Sanderson for creating and

implementing LTA’s new Young Ambassadors (YA) program.

Governor for Development Sarah Holt then announced Maggie

Landis (technical) as the recipient of this year’s LTA Scholarship.

While the election results were being tallied, the members who

were present voted overwhelmingly to eliminate the category of

“supporting member” from the theatre’s by-laws.

Six individuals were elected to serve on the Board of Governors,

including Russell Wyland, President; Ira Forstater, Box Office;

Robert Kraus, Front of House; Brendan Quinn, Membership;

Ashley Amidon, Seasonal Planning; and Ken Crowley, Technical

Support.

Thank You from The Savannah Disputation

We drank all the sweet iced tea. The dishes have been washed. The 30+ bottles of Glenlivet

Scotch have been distributed.

On behalf of ourselves and our director, Will Jarred, we want to express our sincere thanks

to the cast, designers, crew members, and other volunteers who helped make The Savannah

Disputation a success. A special thanks goes to our stage managers, Kira Hogan and Donna

Reynolds, for their hard work and their good counsel to a director new to LTA. So, with the

final curtain, all of us, including Margaret and Mary, say, “Thanks, y’all. May Saint Genesius

(the patron saint of actors, musicians, dancers, lawyers, and victims of torture) be with each

of you until we meet again.”

Lynn O’Connell and Kevin O’Dowd, Co-Producers

(continued from page 3)

Lance CPL. Jeffery Howard: 20s. A key witness to the orders that were (or were not) given regarding the treatment

of Santiago at GITMO.

CAPT. Julius Alexander Randolph: 40s or 50s. The judge at the trial. Tough but fair.

CMDR. Walter Stone: Late 30s to 50s. Doctor on-site at GITMO who examines Santiago’s body.

ENSEMBLE: Sentries, guards, officers on the jury, and lawyers. Some have lines. All ensemble members create a

solid visual and character piece for the overall look and feel of the show.

FLOODLIGHT Page 5

Wrapping Up Unfinished Business

In the last month, the Board of Governors has sought to wrap

up business before the new Board convenes in July. The three

chief projects that the Board approved include the purchase of

new sound microphones and a new stage intercom system; the

installation of new carpet in the auditorium, lobby, and

classroom; and the conversion of our membership database into

our box office database, which will allow members to renew

their memberships and reserve their tickets online. Many thanks to sound department chair David Correia,

Governor for Production Alan Wray, and Governor for Technical Support Robert Kraus for coordinating the

sound project. Thank you to the Building Committee – Governor for Building Frank Shutts, Mary Hutzler, and

Myke Taister, among others – for soliciting bids and choosing the carpet. It looks great! Finally, we owe a debt of

gratitude to Governor for Membership Maria Ciarrocchi, Governor for Box Office David Hale, Business Manager

Tina McCrea, and Box Office Manager Crissy Wilke for doing the careful work required to sync up the Vendini

database with the membership database. The tedious work took planning and commitment, and we are very grateful.

The Board also thanks those governors who are leaving the Board as of July. David Hale will remain as Treasurer,

but he will step down as Governor for Box Office. Maria Ciarrocchi will vacate her position as Governor for

Membership after two terms. Lastly, Robert Kraus will complete his tenure as the Governor for Technical Support.

Thank you all for your dedication to the Board of Governors and to LTA.

Russell Wyland, President

Your Board

of Governors

at Work

(continued from page 6)

Spring will be ushered in by the historical drama Blue Stockings, written by Jessica

Swale. Directed by Marzanne Claiborne and running April 25 to May 16, 2020, this

play asks the question: What does it take to accomplish social change? The drama,

which premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London in 2013, follows the story

of four women fighting for an education against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage

movement. In 1896, Cambridge University has become the first college in Britain to

admit women, but the female students still aren’t equal. While the men graduate with

degrees and prospects, the women leave with nothing but the stigma of being a “blue

stocking” – a derogatory term for an educated woman. Conflicts abound as

generations, social classes, and genders clash. Follow the men and women of

Cambridge University as they shatter prevailing traditions.

The season will end with a good laugh! Rumors, written by Neil Simon and directed by

Matthew Randall, will run June 6 to June 27, 2020. This first-rate farce has plenty of

physical comedy and high-octane energy and is loaded with classic Neil Simon wit.

Three unsuspecting couples arrive at an upper-crust Manhattan anniversary party to

discover that their host (the Deputy Mayor of New York) has accidentally maimed

himself. Watch as the couples go to outrageous lengths to keep the police and the press

from finding out the truth. Don’t miss this gem of a comedy!

Rachel Alberts

Governor for Public Relations

(continued from page 7)

For all those Council

members who have

renewed their membership

for the upcoming year, we

thank you. Be sure to

attend the meetings and

enjoy great social time

with other members of the

Council. Our next dinner/

business meeting will be

on Sunday, July 7th, at

3:30 p.m. at Tempo

Restaurant in Alexandria.

If you have questions or

are interested in being a

member of the Council,

please feel free to contact

any one of our officers.

Lloyd Bittinger

LTA Council Financial

Officer

All for Love of Theatre!

FLOODLIGHT Page 6

Governor’s Message

Public Relations

As we get ready to wrap up our last production of the season (don’t forget to get your tickets to A Fox on the

Fairway, running through June 29th!), we would like to announce our new season. Get ready to be entertained,

spooked, riveted, and amused.

We start the season with the summer musical The Producers, directed by Kristina Friedgen. Written by Mel Brooks

and Thomas Meehan and running from July 27 to August 17, 2019, this winner of 12 Tony Awards features Max

Bialystock, the onetime king of Broadway producers, who is hungry to strike it rich. He is joined by Leo Bloom, an

accountant with dreams of someday becoming a theater producer, who discovers that they could get rich together by

producing a flop instead of a hit. They start by finding the worst show, worst director, and worst actors. When their

new production, Springtime for Hitler, turns out to be a smash success, the plan is thrown off and the partners’ lives

are thrown into chaos.

Next up in the fall slot, we will stage Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men. Directed by Kathleen Barth and running

from September 7 to September 28, 2019, this play was first produced on Broadway in 1989 and was the inspiration

for the Academy Award-nominated film of the same name. This riveting courtroom drama tells the story of military

lawyers at a court-martial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, two U.S.

Marines accused of murder. Based on events that took place at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in July 1986, this play

investigates both the nature of our military mentality and the Marine code of honor.

The Halloween season production will be The Haunting of Hill House, running October 19 to November 9, 2019,

and directed by Maggie Mumford. Based on the 1959 gothic horror novel by Shirley Jackson, this play was adapted

for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie. Join us at Hill House, where no one ever visits, especially after dark. When three

strangers are invited to join the mysterious Dr. Montague at the eerie house on the hill, not even their darkest dreams

could have prepared them for what awaits. Considered one of the best ghost stories of our time, this story is a chilling

and mystifying study in mounting terror. Come see it – if you dare.

Everyone’s holiday favorite, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, will be presented from December 6 to 22, 2019,

and directed by Kelsey Yudice. LTA rings in the season with this classic tale. Complete with special effects,

Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol is a must for the entire family.

The beginning of 2020 will see us stage the contemporary musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,

written by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak. Directed by Frank D. Shutts II and running from January 18 to

February 8, 2020, this musical tells the story of a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to speed up the line of

succession by using a great deal of charm – and a dash of murder. This Tony Award-winning musical comedy is a

murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs, and show-stopping performances.

We will continue with Moonlight and Magnolias, written by Ron Hutchinson, with performance dates running from

February 29 to March 21, 2020. This comedy, directed by Juli Tarabek Blacker, is set in Hollywood 1939.

Legendary film producer David O. Selznick is five weeks into shooting Gone with the Wind when he realizes the

script is awful and the director doesn’t have a clue. He has a few short days to replace them and restart shooting, or

the production will shut down. Over the course of five days, three writers frantically craft (and act out all of the

parts!) of one of the most beloved screenplays of all time. This funny and affectionate romp takes us behind the

scenes of an iconic story.

(continued on page 5)

FLOODLIGHT Page 7

People often ask, “What is the Council and what do they do?” I’m going to take

this opportunity to answer that question as well as to tell you a little bit more

about some of our newest members.

The Council of The Little Theatre of Alexandria is a group formed in 1961 for the

primary purpose of providing support to the theatre through special projects and

to offer some social events for members. Membership in the Council is separate

and above that for theatre membership. We usually maintain a membership roster

of about 80 members. Over the years, we have provided numerous major

contributions to the theatre, the most recent significant project being the

establishment and ongoing maintenance of the Shakespeare Garden. Benefits of

membership are:

At least three social events per year in the form of a dinner/business meeting

Belonging to a select group in support of theatre-related projects

A complimentary ticket for each show in the regular season.

The Council has four elected officers: director, vice director, secretary, and

financial officer.

We have four new Council members who were welcomed in the last issue of the Floodlight. I want to tell you

a little bit more about each so that when you run into them in the theatre or at a Council meeting, you’ll know

who they are and what their contributions to our success are. Jay Bartol has been a member of the theatre for

many years and has worked on the light crew, helping with hanging lights, doing the focus for every show,

and running the light board and/or follow spot. He has also provided some special support for theatre activities

related to lighting, projection, and filming. Charlotte Corneliusen is a fairly new member of the theatre. Her

most recent claim to fame is that she was a co-producer for our recent production of Dracula. She has also

been working in film since 1998. Susan Devine most recently directed August: Osage County. At LTA she

has also been the director for West Side Story, Proof, and Chicago (WATCH award for best director of a

musical). Brendan Quinn has been with the theatre for several years now and has contributed in numerous

ways backstage, as well as acting in several of our productions, including Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol,

The Odd Couple (Female Version), and most recently, Harvey. One of his significant contributions to the

theatre is serving as the inventory coordinator for the Governor for Front of House. In this capacity, he shops

all over town and regularly schleps in all those supplies, drinks, candies, and treats provided for each show

intermission, opening night parties, and other special events.

(continued on page 5)

Council

Corner

Did you know that in case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs

(automated external defibrillators)?

They are located as follows:

1) in the lobby, near the Council (Green) Room

2) in the cast entrance hallway, near the backstage door

3) in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor

In Case of Emergency

FLOODLIGHT Page 8

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

600 Wolfe Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Box Office: 703-683-0496

Business Office: 703-683-5778 x2

Fax: 703-683-1378

www.thelittletheatre.com

Mark Your Calendars

7/6 - 7/7 A Few Good Men

auditions

7/7 LTA Council meeting

7/27 The Producers opens

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors, under the direction of the President, is

responsible for managing the affairs and operations of The Little

Theatre of Alexandria.

The Governors for the 2019 – 2020 season are:

President.................................................................................Russell Wyland Governor for Artistic Support......................................................Susan Boyd Governor for Box Office..............................................................Ira Forstater Governor for Building........................................................Frank D. Shutts II Governor for Development.............................................................Sarah Holt Governor for Education...................................................Michael J. Baker, Jr. Governor for Front of House..............................................Robert Kraus Governor for Membership....................................................Brendan Quinn Governor for Production................................................................Alan Wray Governor for Public Relations.................................................Rachel Alberts Governor for Seasonal Planning..............................................Ashley Amidon Governor for Technical Support.................................................Ken Crowley

Additional officers are:

President Pro-Tem....................................................................Rachel Alberts Treasurer........................................................................................David Hale Board Secretary.....................................................................Carolyn Winters Executive Secretary……………………………………………Jamie Blake LTA Council Director……………………………………...Carolyn Winters

Volunteer Info

Did you know that it takes the time and talent of nearly 150 volunteers to stage each

production?

For more information on volunteering at LTA, please

contact:

Brendan Quinn, Governor for Membership

brquinn@optonline.net

Thank you for your service!