Torch Song - Northern Kentucky University

Torch SongBy Harvey FiersteinSept. 29 – Oct. 9, 2021 // Stauss Theatrenku.edu/sotatickets

Artwork by Garrett Harrison-Marcum

POLICIES

Management reserves the right to refuse admission or remove any person whose conduct is deemed to be disorderly or who fails to comply with established policies.

• ETIQUETTE: Due to the intimate nature of our performances, almost any noise may be disruptive for other patrons, as well as the performers. Out of courtesy, we insist that all electronic devices (cell phones, watch alarms, etc.) be turned off and any lozenges or cough drops be opened before the start of the performance. Conversation must be kept to a minimum and text messaging is prohibited.

• EXCHANGES: We will try to accommodate ticket exchanges up to 48 hours before the earlier performance.• FOOD & BEVERAGE: No food or drinks are permitted in any performance venue in the Fine Arts Center. With safety in mind,

concessions will not be available until further notice.• HANDICAP SEATING: All performance venues have handicap accessible seating. Please see a House Manager or Usher for

assistance. Patrons requiring special seating consideration due to a medical condition should contact the Box Office to make advance arrangements with a minimum of 48 hours notice. Availability depends on the performance venue.

• MAILING LIST: If you wish to be added to our mailing list, visit nku.edu/sotamail or stop by the Box Office.• PHOTOGRAPHY & RECORDING: Videotaping or other video or audio recording is strictly prohibited. Photos are strictly

prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones with cameras, video cameras, and audio recording devices. Management reserves the right to confiscate any and all devices in non-compliance to this policy.

• REFUNDS: All sales are final. In the event of a cancellation for which there is no rescheduled date, a refund may be issued at the option of the management. There are no refunds on processing fees for phone or online orders. Unfortunately, refunds are not possible more than 90 days past the date of the order. We will be glad to exchange your tickets to a different performance of the same production if seats are available.

NKU SOTA wishes to thank the following individuals and foundationsfor their generous financial support.

The Corbett FoundationHenry Konstantinow

Tom & Christine Neyer FamilyLois & Richard Rosenthal

Robert & Rosemary Stauss

STAFF

SCHOOL OF THE ARTSDirector ..............................................................................................................................................Matthew AlbrittonAssociate Director .................................................................................................................................. Ronald A. ShawEvents and Publicity Manager ..................................................................................................................... Rick EndresBox Office Manager ................................................................................................................................ Spenser Smith

THEATRE + DANCEProgram Head .................................................................................................................................. Michael W. HattonTechnical Director ...........................................................................................................................................Rob KerbyScene Shop Foreman ..................................................................................................................................Kevin HavlinScene Shop Student Assistant .................................................................................................................Liam SweeneySet Construction ............................................................................................................................ Production StudentsCostume Shop Supervisor .............................................................................................................. Cat Schmeal-Swope

CONNECT WITH US

nku.edu/sota • nku.edu/tad

Harvey Fierstein’s

Torch SongSept. 29-Oct. 9, 2021NKU Stauss Theatre

Directed byMichael Hatton

Music Directed byDamon Stevens

Special ThanksJamey Strawn

Jeff Monroe, Group Effort Sound StudiosJo Sanburg, composer/arranger “Stand by Your Man” Fugue

“Torch Song (2018)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

“TORCH SONG” was initially produced by Second Stage Theater in New York, October 2017, and then in November 2018 at the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway by Richie Jackson, Eric

Kuhn & Justin Mikita, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ken Fakler, David Mirvish, Lassen Blume/Karmen Boyz Productions, CJC & Priest/Judith Ann Abrams, Burnt Umber/True Love Productions, Caiola

Productions/Torchbearers and Jujamcyn Theaters, Second Stage Theater. and Donald Tick.

WARNINGTHE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER

AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY

MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE

UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

CastJayvon Shack ..................................................................... Arnold BeckhoffEvan Rogers ...................................................................................Ed ReissGabriela Barbosa Paul ........................................................... Mrs. BeckhoffNick Rohr .............................................................................David BeckhoffAlec Harrison ........................................................................................AlanEmily Hilbrecht ...................................................................................LaurelLinnzie Hays .....................Mrs. Beckhoff Understudy (Oct. 6 performance)Chris Monell ................................ Male Swing (Alan - Oct. 6 performance)Elizabeth McClure ....................... Laurel Understudy (Oct. 6 performance)

SettingsACT ONE

The International Stud - June 1974Fugue in a Nursery - Summer 1975

Intermission

ACT TWOWidows and Children First - June 1980

BandDamon Stevens, keyboard

Matt Wiles, bassBrian Malone, drums

Production CrewStage Manager ........................................................................Alyssa TaylorAssistant Stage Manager ............................. Julie Fellinger, Savanah ScottLighting Designer .......................................................... Chanelle Dau PinoSound Designer .........................................................................Jo SanburgMusic Director ....................................................................Damon StevensVoice Artist ..........................................................................Peter AmbroseCostume Designer ......................................................Cat Schmeal-SwopeProperties Designer ............................................................Michael HattonTechnical Director ....................................................................... Rob KerbyScene Shop Foreman .............................................................. Kevin HavlinCostume Shop Manager .............................................Cat Schmeal-SwopeProduction Manager .............................................................. Scott SlucherScenic Painter .............................................................................. Ron ShawLight Board Operator ..............................................................Kelly MesserSound Board Operator............................................................. Dylan PerezProduction Crew ............................................. Aubry Hall, Sebastian BlackWardrobe Head .................................................................... Jessica ArcherWardrobe Crew ...................................................... Kiley Ernst, Anna BerryHair/Makeup Designer ................................................Cat Schmeal-SwopeWig Master ..................................................................Ronnie ChamberlainWig Assistants .................................................Brayden Glass, Jillian SharpWig Crew ................................................................................Sabrina Mack

Cast & Crew ProfilesHARVEY FIERSTEIN is the author of the Tony-winning hit, Kinky Boots, as well as Torch Song Trilogy (Tony, Drama Desk and Obie Awards), La Cage aux Folles (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), Newsies (Tony nominated), Casa Valentina (Tony nominated), A Catered Affair (12 Drama Desk nominations), Safe Sex (Ace Award), Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, Common Ground and more. He has recently rewritten The Wiz for live TV broadcast, and penned a revised book for Funny Girl, currently running in London. His political editorials have been published in the New York Times, TV Guide and the Huffington Post and broadcast on PBS’s “In the Life.” His children’s book, The Sissy Duckling (Humanitas Award), is now in its fifth printing. As an actor, Mr. Fierstein is known worldwide for his performances in films including Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, and Bullets Over Broadway, on stage in Hairspray (Tony Award), Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy (Tony Award), and on TV shows such as “Smash,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Good Wife,” “Cheers” (Emmy nomination), “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” and “Nurse Jackie.”

Michael Hatton (Director) is an Associate Professor in the Theatre & Dance Program at Northern Kentucky University, teaching courses in theatre history and literature, dramatic theory and criticism, and study abroad programming. When not in the classroom he works as a freelance director and stage manager.

Favorite credits include: A Pioneer Tale (Lincoln Amphitheatre); The Sandman, Carousel (The Carnegie); The Rocky Horror Show, The Farnsworth Invention, The Oresteia, Peter Pan, (NKU); The Santaland Diaries (New Edgecliff Theatre); Eastbound Jungle (Cincinnati Fringe Festival); Good Evening, Pigtown (Performance Gallery); and Corpus Christi (VCU).

Mr. Hatton has also worked with several local, regional and international organizations including The Carnegie, the Lincoln Amphitheatre, the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Overture Awards, Showstoppers/Belterra Casino, Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, Professional Concepts, Commonwealth Theatre, and The Performance Gallery. Mr. Hatton is also the NKU coordinator for the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Uptown Arts Scholar internship program.

Ronnie Chamberlain (Wig Master) is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance in Costume Design, Technology and Makeup. Ronnie Chamberlain is actively involved in United States Institute for Theater Technology serving on the Conference Committee for many years. Ms. Chamberlain serves as Vice Chair of Operations for the Ohio Valley Section of USITT. She is also active in Southeastern Theatre Conference and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. As a costume designer, her work has been seen in productions the Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival, Haricake Productions, The University of Alabama, Relevance Productions, Open Stage Theatre and The Blackhills Playhouse. Some of her favorite past designs include Pride and Prejudice, Cabaret, Godspell, Disney’s Beauty and Beast and As You Like It.

Kevin Havlin (Scene Shop Foreman), an alumnus of NKU, is proud to continue working with his alma mater, where he is the Scene Shop Foreman. Favorite production credits at NKU include: Lés Miserables, The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, A...My Name is Alice, South Pacific, My Favorite Year, The Rocky Horror Show, Titanic: the Musical, Bye Bye Birdie, and Cinderella and CTC’s productions of Route 66, Make Someone Happy, Church Girls: The Musical, and The Taffetas. A few other favorite local credits include O.I.N.K.’s productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Once Upon A Mattress, and Seven Brides

for Seven Brothers. Also, Voices of Indiana’s productions of Godspell, Hoosierville to Hollywood, and their annual Christmas Spectacular.

Rob Kerby (Technical Director) is a 1987 alumni of the Theatre & Dance Program with a BFA in Theatre Technology and also received his MFA in 2001 from the University of Illinois in Theatre Technology. He has worked at various educational and professional settings including Walt Disney World, The Ohio State University, Indiana State University and The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. Along with being the technical director for the productions, Rob has also designed scenery for many productions including Love and Communication (Y.E.S. Production) and Les Misérables for the Theatre & Dance Program and The Star Spangled Girl for The Commonwealth Theatre Company.

Jo Sanburg (Sound Designer), Assistant Professor in Lighting and Sound, is a lighting and sound designer for theatre, pyrotechnics, and multimedia, and a composer. Jo’s lighting design credits include Cosi Fan Tutte, The Sparrow, The Servant of Two Masters, and the world premiere of Kenley Smith’s Empires of Eternal Void. Her sound designs include Henry V, The Comedy of Errors, The 39 Steps, The Secret in the Wings, As You Like It, and Anon(ymous).

As resident sound designer for Victory Pyrotechnics, she is developing new ways to use sound and music to tell stories with pyrotechnics. As a lighting designer, Jo works to explore unique technologies and approaches to theatrical lighting, and her designs employ her musical background through an instinctive understanding of pattern, rhythm, tempo, and beat. Jo has won numerous awards for her design work, including the John T. Spiegel Award for Excellence in Design, Ostrander Award for Excellence in Sound Design, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference’s Award for Excellence in Sound Design. She has designed lights for the American College Dance Association, and her sound design work was exhibited at the 2019 Prague Quadrennial.

Cat Schmeal-Swope (Costume Designer) is a Costume Designer and Costume Technician based in the Greater Cincinnati area. She is Costume Shop Manager for Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts, Theatre and Dance Program. Various show credits include: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Costume Designer, The Human Race Theatre Company), SWING! (Costume Designer, The Carnegie), DADDY LONG LEGS (Costume Designer, CATCO), OTHELLO (Costume Designer, Ohio St. U. in collaboration w. Royal Shakespeare Co.), A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY (Over-hire Draper, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), TALES OF HOFFMAN (Buyer, The Opera Theatre of St. Louis), TRUE WEST (Costume Designer, Minnesota St. U.). Cat is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a MFA in Theatre Design.

Damon Stevens (Music Director) serves as a music director for Northern Kentucky University’s Mainstage Production Season and director of NKU’s freshman Broadway Chorus. Recent musical directing credits include NKU’s HMS Pinafore, Big Fish, Kiss Me, Kate, Into the Woods, The Wedding Singer, A…My Name is Alice, South Pacific, and Legally Blonde, and Some Enchanted Evening with NKU’s Commonwealth Theatre Company. He is also a frequent music director for the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre where he musical directed the critically-acclaimed productions of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Once On This Island, The Drowsy Chaperone, and the grand opening production of The Producers. Additional music directing credits include the critically-acclaimed production of Chicago at The Carnegie. Dr. Stevens previously served on faculty at the University of Nevada (UNR) for nearly a decade. There he directed the University’s award-winning Nevada Chamber Opera and musical directed for the Nevada Repertory Company. Among his many musical directing credits with UNR include the musicals, Footloose, Grease, Godspell, and The Threepenny Opera, and the operas, Die Zauberflöte, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and Die Fledermaus. He is also the composer and librettist for his musical for children, It’s

All Greek to Me, which has received performances in Tennessee and Nevada as part of Reno’s Artown season. In addition to musical directing, Dr. Stevens has served the greater Cincinnati community as a vocal coach for Artswave’s CincySings competition and as a regular adjudicator for the Overture Awards. He holds degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music where he also served on the teaching faculty. Dr. Stevens has performed both as soloist and collaborative pianist throughout the United States and Europe in such diverse venues as radio, television, and concert halls.

Gabriela Barbosa Paul (Mrs. Beckhoff) // Senior BFA ActingNKU: The Black Boy in Pink (Sullestine), Three Sisters (Natalia Ivanovna), Buried Child (Halie), Falling and Loving (Stephen)

Chanelle Dau Pino (Lighting Designer) // Senior BFA Lighting DesignNKU: Dance ’21 (Master Electrician), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Master Electrician), Dance ’20 (Master Electrician) // The Carnegie: Silent Scream (Lighting Designer) // Dance Centre of Elizabethtown: The Nutcracker (Lighting Designer) // Brevard Music Center: Gianni Schicchi (Electrician)

Julie Fellinger (Assistant Stage Manager) // Senior BA TheatreNKU: Toasted (Margeaux), Girl Scout Difference (Girl Scout)

Alec Harrison (Alan) // Junior BFA Acting

Linnzie Hays (Mrs. Beckhoff Understudy) // Senior BFA Musical TheatreNKU: Elegies: A Song Cycle (Betty), Dance ‘20 (Company) // Youth Theatre of the Bluegrass: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Lucy), Shrek (Fiona) // Leeds Center for the Arts: Into the Woods (Florinda)

Emily Hilbrecht (Laurel) // Sophomore BFA Musical TheatreNKU: Stumbling Blocks (Actress), Clue (Andie), Left Out (Allison) // ACT Louisville Productions: The Wizard of Oz (Featured Dancer/Swing)

Elizabeth J. McClure (Laurel Understudy) // Senior BA TheatreNKU: Tribes (Beth), The African Company Presents Richard III (Ancestor/Puppeteer), Secret in the Wings (The Princess Who Wouldn’t Laugh)

Chris Monell (Male Swing) // Junior BFA Musical TheatreNKU: Falling and Loving (Conrad), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Lips) // Trinity High School: Tarzan (Tarzan), Rock of Ages (Drew), 1984 (Winston) // Colony Four Pictures: Such a Good Life (Bully)

Evan Rogers (Ed Reiss) // Senior BFA ActingNKU: 26 Pebbles (Actor 2/Various Characters), Dog Sees God (CB), Godspell (“We Beseech Thee”/Ensemble), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Brad Majors) // Merit Theatre Company: A Long Way Off (Jim), Horizons of Gold (William Thomas) // Simon Kenton Pioneer Theatre: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), Beauty and The Beast (Beast/Prince)

Nick Rohr (David Beckhoff) // Junior BFA Musical TheatreNKU: Tada!/First Year Show 2019 (Carver, Legal Rep. 2, Girl Scout) // Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Potiphar)

Savanah Scott (Assistant Stage Manager) // Sophomore BFA Stage ManagementNKU: Dance ‘21 (Assistant Stage Manager) // WC Wolves Theatre: West Side Story (Stage Manager), Romeo and Juliet (Stage Manager), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage Manager) // AVES Theatre: Mamma Mia (Assistant Stage Manager)

Jayvon Shack (Arnold Beckhoff) // Senior BFA Acting

Alyssa Taylor (Stage Manager) // Senior BA TheatreNKU: Dance ‘21 (Assistant Stage Manager), Dance ‘20 (Production Assistant), TADA!/First Year Show (Assistant Director) // The Carnegie: Silent Scream (Production Assistant)

Save the Dates!

Beyond the Labyrinth: The Dance Legacy of Martha Grahamwith William Charles Crowley

Oct. 10, 6-8:30 p.m. // Health Innovations 125nku.edu/graham

Noises OffOct. 14-24, 2021 // NKU Corbett Theatre

nku.edu/sotatickets

Theatre & Dance Costume SaleOct. 26-27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Corbett Amphitheater (outdoors)

The Mystery of Edwin DroodNov. 12-21, 2021 // NKU Corbett Theatre

nku.edu/sotatickets

Emerging Choreographers ShowcaseNov. 15, 6 p.m. // NKU Greaves Concert Hall

Free admission

Ally Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Please consider donating to the Ally Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund for Musical Theatre Majors. Dedicated to our beloved student whose

love for musical theatre will endure forever through this scholarship.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please contact:

Sandy Davis, Budget and Programs Managerdavissa@nku.edu • (859) 572-5935

Love NKU Theatre & Dance?

Want to help out but not sure how?

Interested in making a small donationbut don’t think it could help?

Your small donation to the Theatre & Dance Angel Fund is incredibly powerful and helps our students in tangible ways. Your tax-deductible

gift can provide small items used by our students on a daily basis, including hand tools, fabric, lighting equipment, paint, craft supplies, and even gaffer’s tape. No gift is too small in helping us train the next

generation of amazing theatre and dance artists!

For more information, please contact:

Sandy Davis, Budget and Programs Managerdavissa@nku.edu • (859) 572-5935