Our license to produce this show strictly forbids the video-taping or other photographic, video or audio recording of

this production by audience members. You are welcome to photograph the facility before the show, but no recording of the performance, please. Thank you for your cooperation.

Wear Your Woodminster Gear Proudly!We have a great selection of quality Woodminster merchandise that can help keep you warm when the fog comes in. See what is available at the

merchandise booth at the top of the amphitheater -- sweatshirts, hats, blankets, flashlights, & more!

$2.50 of each Woodminster ticket sold goes to the city of oakland Parks & recreation dePartment.

Parking revenues go to the city of oakland general fund.

In case of emergency...In the unlikely event that we have to evacuate the amphitheater, our primary concern is for all our patrons to exit safely and as quickly as possible. Please follow these instructions:Box Seats and Rows A-F (any section): Move to the nearest aisle and go down the stairs, exiting into parking lot #1. This gives you access to all the parking lots as well as the path downhill by the cascades.Rows G-R (any section): Move to the end of your row and go up the stairs to the main gate exit.If we follow these directions everyone will be able to evacuate safely and expediently. Please be considerate at all times, but especially in an emer-gency. First Aid boxes are available in the control booth or in the upper concession booth if needed at any time. A trained Red Cross professional is present in the control booth during performances.

Woodminster Summer Musicals 50th anniversary logo designed by Joanne Romeo. Photos on cover: Top, Rod Voltaire Edora* as Donkey with Daniel Barrington Rubio as Shrek. Lower L, Claire Buchignani* as Princess Fiona. Lower R, Madison Jane Schlader as Gingy with Edward Hightower* as Lord Farquaad. *indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association.

The DrawingPlease purchase drawing tickets from board members before the show! The Drawing is a long-standing tradition at Woodminster that helps us keep ticket prices low. At the end of each intermission, young au-dience members come onstage and draw numbers, and winning tick-et-holders are awarded prizes ranging from dinners in local restau-rants to retail merchandise to tickets. (Don’t be late back to your seats — if we call your number and you don’t answer, we’ll give your prize to someone else!)This year, we have special Grand Prizes — two sets of roundtrip tick-ets for two, anywhere Southwest Airlines flies. Purchase $20 worth of drawing tickets and you’ll be entered in the grand prize drawing at the end of the season. Each $20 drawing ticket purchase gets you one chance at the Grand Prizes. You do not need to be present closing night to win a Grand Prize.Special thanks to the following local businesses that have donated prizes in 2016. (*indicates they donated multiple prizes)

Southwest Airlines* (Grand Prizes)Producers Associates* (2017 Season Tickets)

Bellanico Restaurant* on Park BoulevardCafé la Mediterranee on College Avenue

Gondola Servizio* at Lake MerrittGrand Lake Theater*, Lakeshore neighborhood

Holy Land Restaurant*, Lakeshore neighborhoodLa Farine Boulangerie Patisserie, Fruitvale Ave (benefits Kids Come Free)

Pelago, MontclairScott’s Restaurant*, Jack London Square

Trader Joe’s, RockridgeYou may also win one of the following gift certificates, donated by our generous board members: Amazon, Barney’s Gourmet Hamburg-ers, Bloomingdales, Denica’s Real Food Kitchen, Disney, Fandango (dinner & a movie), Macy’s, Peet’s Coffee, Picnic Lunch for 6 by the Romeo family, See’s Candies, S.F. Giants, Target, Trader Joe’s.

Let’s be green! If you do not wish to take this program home with you, please help us re-use and recycle by leaving it in one of the green bins at the top of the stairs or either exit. Thank you!

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William SteigSHREK THE MUSICAL

Book and Lyrics byDavid Lindsay-Abaire

Music byJeanine Tesori

Originally produced on Broadway byDreamworks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

“I’m A Believer” by Neil DiamondOriginal Production Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford

Directed by Joel SchladerMusic Direction by Daniel Thomas

Choreography by Jody Jaron

“I’m A Believer” (Neil Diamond) (c) 1966 Stonebridge Music, Foray Music. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (SESAC), on behalf of Stonebridge Music, and by Foray Music (SESAC). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Shrek The Musical Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

ACT ONEOVERTURESCENE 1: SWAMP Big Bright Beautiful World .............. Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre, ShrekSCENE 2: SWAMP Story of My Life .................................................. Fairytale CreaturesSCENE 3: FOREST Don’t Let Me Go ..................................................................... DonkeySCENE 4: FARQUAAD TORTURE CHAMBER Regiment #1 ............................................................................. GuardsSCENE 5: GATES OF TULOC What’s Up Duloc? .............................. Farquaad, Duloc PerformersSCENE 6: FIONA’S TOWER I Know It’s Today ........................... Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, FionaSCENE 7: SUNFLOWER FIELD Travel Song ........................................................... Shrek and DonkeySCENE 8: DRAGON’S KEEP Forever ............................................... Donkey, Knights and DragonSCENE 9: FIONA’S TOWER This Is How A Dream Comes True ............................................. FionaSCENE 10: CLIFF’S EDGE Who’d I Be ................................................ Shrek, Donkey and Fiona

ACT TWOENTR’ACTESCENE 1: THE BLUFF Morning Person ................................................................................. Fiona I Think I Got You Beat .................................................. Fiona and ShrekSCENE 2: TORTURE CHAMBER Ballad of Farquaad ......................................... Farquaad and EnsembleSCENE 3: OLD BARN Air Guitar Crossover ............................................................ Fiona, ShrekSCENE 4: OLD BARN Make A Move ............................................... Donkey and 3 Blind MiceSCENE 5: OLD BARN When Words Fail ............................................................................... ShrekSCENE 6: THE RED WOODS Morning Person Reprise ................................................................... Fiona Build a Wall ........................................................................................ ShrekSCENE 7: THE RED WOODS Freak Flag .................................................................. Fairytale CreaturesSCENE 8: SWAMPSCENE 9: CATHEDRAL Big Bright Beautiful World Reprise ................................................ Shrek

Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty ......................................................... Shrek

Finale ........................................ Fiona, Shrek, Donkey and Ensemble

BOWS I’m A Believer ....................................................................................... Cast

CASTIn Order of Appearance

Shrek ........................................................ Daniel Barrington RubioPapa Ogre ......................................................................... Eric CarlsonMama Ogre ................................................................... Jeffrie GivensLittle Shrek ................................................. Maya Martinez-KramsVillagers .............. Caitlin O’Leary, Claire Lentz, Irina Semenova,

Katherin Stein, Gavin Kaneshiro, Lorenzo WoodCaptain of the Guard ............................................... Todd Schlader*Pinocchio ..................................................... Burton Thomas WeaverBig Bad Wolf ................................................................... Eric CarlsonThree Pigs ............................ Tatianna Cordoba, Gavin Kaneshiro,

Oscar TsukayamaShoemaker’s Elf ............................................................. Rachel ChinFairy Godmother ...................................................... Katherine SteinPeter Pan ..................................................................... Lorenzo WoodUgly Duckling ............................................................... Cai FreemanSugar Plum Fairy .......................................................... Katie ElmanWitch .......................................................................... Caitlin O’LearyMad Hatter ................................................................ Irina SemenovaHumpty Dumpty ......................................................... Kelty MorashWhite Rabbit ............................................ Stanislav ShaposhnikovaLittle Red Riding Hood ............................... Maya Martinez-KramsBaby Bear ....................................................... Sonya ShaposhnikovaGoldilocks ....................................................................... Claire LentzCaptain Hook ................................................................... Sarah Stahl Cheshire Cat ........................................................... Kenji CostantiniPapa Bear ......................................................................... Ron ChismMama Bear ..................................................................... Jeffrie GivensDonkey .............................................................. Rod Voltaire Edora*Guards ......................................... Eric Carlson, Tatianna Cordoba,

Cai Freeman, Kelty Morash, Sarah Stahl, Stanislav Shaposhnikova, Oscar Tsukayama

Gingy ........................................................... Madison Jane SchladerLord Farquaad ................................................ Edward Hightower*Duloc Performers .............................................................. EnsembleYoung Fiona ................................................................... Claire LentzTeen Fiona ...................................................................... Katie ElmanFiona .................................................................... Claire Buchignani*Dragon (voice) ............................................................ Andrea DanielSkeletons .................................... Tatianna Cordoba, Cai Freeman,

Gavin Kaneshiro, Kelty Morash, Sarah Stahl, Oscar Tsukayama, Stanislav Shaposhnikova, Todd Schlader*

Thelonious ............................................................. Gavin KaneshiroPied Piper ............................................................. Oscar TsukayamaThree Blind Mice .............. Cai Freeman, Katie Elman, Sarah StahlBishop ............................................................................. Ron ChismDwarf ......................................................... Maya Martinez-KramsUnderstudies ................ Löej Daschler (Shrek), Oscar Tsukayama (Donkey), Eric Carlson (Farquaad), Gavin Kaneshiro (Captain of

the Guard), Lorenzo Wood (Pinocchio), Kelty Morash (Fiona)

*indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association

ORCHESTRAConductor ...................................................................... Daniel ThomasReed 1 ................................................................................... Dana BauerReed 2 ................................................................................ Nick DiScalaViolin 1 ......................................................................... Wakeford GongViolin 2 ............................................................................. Nicola GruenCello ................................................................................ Marcie BrownHorn ............................................................................... John ChapmanTrumpet 1 .............................................................................. Jason ParkTrombone ......................................................................... Kevin PorterDrums ............................................................................... Kelly FasmanPercussion ........................................................................... David DieniGuitar 1 ............................................................................... John ImholzGuitar 2 ................................................................. Schuyler McFaddenKeyboard 1 ...................................................................... Kevin RolandKeyboard 2 ................................................................... Jessica IgarashiBass ....................................................................................... Kyle Wong

PRODUCERS ASSOCIATES, INC.Corporate Officers

Harriet Schlader • PresidentJoel Schlader • Vice President

Jackie Hunt • TreasurerGary Rinehart • Secretary

Karen Fong • Director

Advisory Board of DirectorsEd Loss, President

Randy Burke, Vice PresidentJulie Kwan, Secretary

WE WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS!If you’d like to find out more, please call Harriet at 510-531-9597 or email harriet@woodminster.com.

WoodBackersBurt Amaral

Marsha AmaralLinda ChewJim Coniglio

Jim DespeauxLouie DespeauxFred DeVinney*

*Past Board Presidents

Bernadette Cowl* Ken Cowl

Regina Del Valle*David Flack*Jeffrey Fong*

Karen Fong*Sharon Heckel*

Merrilee Harter MitchellDebbie Naganuma

Denise NaylorTyler Pon*

Ken RossPeggy Stackable Irene ThompsonDiane WeilandAlice Youmans

Bob DisterLaurie Donaldson

Darlene FongPhil Joseph

Ron LewPriscilla Myers

Fred NaseSebastian Romeo

Wilma RyanDebbie Spangler

Alvin ThomaVivien Tuma

Nadia Wirolubowich

Honorary Board MembersGordon & Marge LavertyRichard* and Betty Wren

Musicians by arrangement with American Federation of Musicians, Local 6, San Francisco.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 professional actors and stage managers. Eq-uity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pen-sion included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. #EquityWorks.ACTORS’ EQUITY AS-SOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, working conditions and pro-viding a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. #EquityWorks.

Claire Buchignani* (Fiona) is so happy to be back at Woodminster! She was previously seen a few summers ago as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Having lived in NYC for five years she is now making a name for herself in LA! This is for Pappa and Grammy. For more check out clairebuchignani.comEric Carlson (Papa Ogre, Big Bad Wolf, Ensemble) is excited to return to Camp Woodminster for his fourth season. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support.Rachel Chin (Shoemaker’s Elf, Ensemble) Rachel’s first role was Cinderella (age 8, Creekside Kid’s Theater). Recent roles include: Dorothy (The Wiz-ard of Oz, ACMT) and Winthrop (The Music Man, Berkeley Playhouse).Ron Chism (Papa Bear, Bishop, Ensemble) debuted at Woodminster in 2011 with Finian’s Rainbow, followed by Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Legally Blonde, Catch Me if You Can, and Aida. Ron is excited to be returning.Tatianna Cordoba (Pig, Ensemble) is excited to take the stage for her 2nd season with Woodminster. She attends Oakland School for the Arts in the Vocal department.Kenji Costantini (Cheshire Cat, Ensemble) has performed in ECHS’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Iizuka’s Anon(ymous) as well as featured musical roles in CCCT and Kairos Youth Choir productions.Rod Voltaire Edora* (Donkey) is thrilled to start this 50th Anniversary season with amazing cast, crew & staff to bring this wonderful story to life. Woodminster fans will remember him as Robertson Ay in last season’s Mary Poppins, Scott in The Producers. Rod started working with Woodminster Summer Musicals in 2006, and he loves the fact that this company has become his family. Love to the Edora & Retzlaff Families + XB! Proud Member AEA.

Katie Elman (Sugar Plum Fairy, Teen Fiona, Ensem-ble) is so happy to be back at Woodminster after appearing in Mary Poppins last summer! Favorite roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Little Sally in Urinetown (YMTC). She is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at The Hartt School, and hopes you enjoy the show!Cai Freeman (Ugly Duckling, Ensemble), thank you OYC for giving me my voice, West Coast Performers for inspiring my love of dance, my church/family, and mom for their support.Jeffrie Givens (Mama Ogre, Mama Bear, Ensemble) has performed at Woodminster since 2009. In October, she’ll play Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Clayton Theatre Company.Edward Hightower* (Lord Farquaad) is delighted to be returning to Woodminster, where audiences may remember him as Franz Liebkind in The Producers. Local & Regional favorites: The 39 Steps (Clown 2), Cotton Patch Gospel (Storyteller), Assassins (Booth), Annie (Warbucks), Noises Off (Freddie/Philip), A Year With Frog and Toad (Frog), Oliver! (Fagin), Cabaret (Emcee), A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus). Film/TV: ewhightower.com/film B.F.A.: The Boston Conservatory. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Gavin Kaneshiro (Pig, Thelonius, Ensemble) is a graduate student at Holy Names University. Credits include You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Schroeder) and Lend Me a Tenor (Tito).Claire Lentz (Goldilocks, Young Fiona, Ensemble) is delighted to be in her first Woodminster production. Past roles include Brigitta The Sound of Music and Michael Peter Pan with The Mountain Play, as well as Molly Annie and Baby June Gypsy with Broadway by the Bay. Claire also enjoys drawing and writing stories.

MEET THE CAST

Cast bios continuedMaya Martinez-Krams (Lil Shrek, Red Riding Hood, Ensemble) is excited to be making her Woodminster debut. Recently Maya appeared as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden (CCCT) and Brigitta in The Sound of Music (CCCT). She is a rising seventh grader at Black Pine Circle and studies piano, voice, dance, acting, and plays competitive soccer.Kelty Morash (Humpty Dumpty, Ensemble) is elated to be performing on the Woodminster stage for her 7th season. Morash is pursuing a BFA in musical theatre.Caitlin O’Leary (Wicked Witch, Ensemble) Credits include: Sweet Charity (Hillbarn), Ragtime (CMTSJ), [title of show] (OMG! Productions), Into the Woods (Ray of Light), Chicago (CSUEB). Love to MDBKADaniel Barrington Rubio (Shrek) is excited to be making his Woodminster debut. Recent credits: The Wild Party (Ray of Light), Addams Family (Berkeley Playhouse), Ring of Fire (Altarena). He received his training from Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts. He would like to thank his friends and family.Madison Jane Schlader (Gingy) is happy to be back at Woodminster where she has previously performed in Les Mis and Mary Poppins. This year she will be going into 7th grade at Wood Middle School.Todd Schlader* (Capt. of the Guard, Ensemble) will celebrate his partici-pation as a dancer/singer in his 100th Woodminster show this summer with Shrek The Musical, and his 101st with La Cage aux Folles in September.Irina Semenova (Mad Hatter, Ensemble) was a prizewinner of National Dance Competitions back in Russia. Along with her husband she locally teaches Tap and Lindy Hop since 2010. LetsSwingAgain.comSonya Shaposhinikova (Baby Bear, Ensemble) age 9. It is her debut at Woodminster. She is a competitive tap and swing dancer, and a member of Swing Kids Dance Company.Stanislav Shaposhinikova (White Rabbit, Ensemble), age 13. A tap, ball-room, swing dancer, Stanislav is performing his second year at Wood-minster and he greatly enjoys it due to his love of dance!Sarah Stahl (Captain Hook, Ensemble) is so excited to be performing at Woodminster this summer! She holds a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance from the University of the Arts.Katherine Stein (Fairy Godmother, Ensemble) recently performed in Curtains and Jerry’s Girls. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from UC San Diego. Next up, she’ll be seen in Woodminster’s Chicago.Oscar Tsukayama (Pig, Pied Piper, Ensemble) is a UCLA World Arts and Culture/Dance Major. He is in HOOLIGAN Theatre Company. This is his 8th Woodminster Production.Burton Thomas Weaver (Pinocchio), this is Burton’s second show at Woodminster. You may have seen him last year as Herr Von Hustler in Mary Poppins. Burton holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal State Hayward, and will be studying in Tuscany, Italy this fall at the Accademia dell’Arte pursuing a Masters degree in Physical Theatre.Lorenzo Wood (Peter Pan, Walter, Ensemble) 14, is thrilled for his first show at Woodminster. Lorenzo plays guitar, bass, drums, and piano/keyboard (but not all at the same time). Congratulations,

Todd Schlader, performing in his 100th show at Woodminster!

Fairy tale characters, L to R: Caitlin O’Leary (Wicked Witch), Claire Lentz (Goldilocks), Todd Schlader* (Emperor With No Clothes), Eric Carlson (Big Bad Wolf), Katherine Stein (Fairy Godmother), Gavin Kaneshiro (Pig), Rachel Chin (Shoemaker’s Elf), Oscar Tsukayama (Pig), Tatianna Cordoba (Pig), Irina Semenova (Mad Hatter), Lorenzo Wood (Peter Pan), Kelty Morash (Humpty Dumpty), Kenji Costantini (Cheshire Cat), Sarah Stahl (Captain Hook), Bur-ton Thomas Weaver (Pinocchio), Stanislav Shaposhnikova (White Rabbit), Cai Freeman (Ugly Duckling), Maya Martinez-Krams (Little Red Riding Hood), Katie Elman (Sugar Plum Fairy). Inset: Ron Chism (Papa Bear), Sonya Shaposhnikova (Baby Bear), Jeffrie Givens (Mama Bear).

~ Shrek The Musical Behind the Scenes ~~ Artistic Staff ~

Director .................................................................................... Joel SchladerMusic Director/Vocal Director ................................... Daniel ThomasChoreographer ................................................................... Jody JaronSet Design ................................................................ Maggie LambLighting Design ..................................................................... Jon GourdineCostume Coordinator .................................................................... Alison MorrisProperties ................................................................................ Lisa M. DanzSound Design ............................................................................ Carole DavisPhotography ........................................................ Kathy Kahn, Stephen Woo

~ Production Staff ~Artistic Director/Co-Producer ............................................. Joel SchladerManaging Director/Co-Producer …...........................................… Harriet SchladerStage Manager ...................................................................... Lori Gourdine*Assistant Stage Manager ........................................................... Judy Boraas*Technical Director ............................................................. Löej DaschlerCarpenters ............................... Maggie Lamb, Billy Sander, Jon GourdineScenic Painter ................................................................... Chris WetterstenAssistant Scenic Painters .......................... Abigail Garcia, Erica HowlandProperties Assistant ....................................................... Robert WagnerLight Board Operator …......................................................… Jon GourdineSound Technician ….............................................................… Carole DavisSpotlight Operators ................................. Abigail Garcia, Josh RattoStage Crew ....................... Carly Becerra, Tao Beloney, Stacy Canzoneri,

Mari Dumas, Megan Erin, Lina Goggins-Rendon, Madeline Hale,Gabriel McHugh, Samantha Pettitt

~ Administrative Staff ~Box Office Manager ............................................................. Harriet SchladerBox Office Staff .............................................. Alyssa Proudfoot, Judy BoraasPublicity/Web, Graphic Design .................….........................… Kathy KahnConcessions Managers ................................... Anne Schlader, Vivien TumaUsher Coordinator ............................................................ Christine BurkeDoor Ticket Takers ................................... Joanne Romeo, Jessie ValverdeComputer Consultant ….........................................................… David Flack

~ Volunteer Staff ~Concessions Sales .... Sharon Djasaripour, Celeste Steward, Irene ThompsonBox Office Volunteers .............. David Flack, Laurie Donaldson, Jeff Fong,

Julie Kwan, Shelley Lawrence, Debbie Naganuma, Peggy Stackable, Irene Thompson

Merchandise Manager ......................................................... Randy BurkeMerchandise Sales ............................ Julie Kwan, Debbie Naganuma,

Dawn Graeme, Peggy StackableCommunity Liaisons ...................................................... Jeff Fong, Tyler PonDevelopment Co-Chairs ................................. Denise Naylor, Alice YoumansMarketing Chair ..................................................................... Sharon HeckelFix It Chairs .................................................................... Ken Cowl, Ed LossDrawing Committee ........................… Jeff Fong, Karen Fong, Fred deVinneyProgram Ad Sales ............................................. Tyler Pon, Merrilee Mitchell,

Regina Del Valle, Ken Ross50th Anniversary Co-Chairs ........................... Debbie Naganuma, Julie Kwan,

Regina Del Valle*indicates member of Actors Equity Association.

Special thanks to ....... Ken Cowl for taking the leadership role in building our new concession

booth/off-season storage unit... Ken Cowl, Joel Schlader, Billy Sander, Ed Loss, David Flack, Alvin

Thoma, Randy Burke, and Kim Schlader for the weekend hours spent building the new concession booth/off-season storage unit

... Peggy Stackable for taking over the care of the plants around the picnic tables and to her neighbor, Madeline Miller, for donating many new plants an dhelping Peggy plant them.

... Rod Edora for his many hours of volunteer service with wigs, makeup, and enthusiasm.

Judy Boraas* (Assistant Stage Manager) is glad to be back again at Woodminster with the Schlader family, doing what she really enjoys. This is her 10th year as ASM after 20+ years back East. Old friends to see, new ones to meet.Lisa M. Danz (Properties) Lisa works as a costumer, scenic painter and prop mas-ter for several bay area theater companies including Contra Costa Civic Theater, Tri Valley Rep and Role Players Ensemble. She has worked on 50 shows in the past 5 years! Lisa studied fashion and has a degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Thank you to Harriet and Joel for this opportunity.Carole Davis (Sound Designer) is owner and president of East Bay Music/Cue Productions LLC in Concord, CA. Has been designing and touring for 25 years. She is happy to be returning to Woodminster for her 18th season. She welcomes the challenge and joy of bringing the audio to the standard of excellence the venue and actors so deserve! Enjoy the show!Jon Gourdine (Lighting Designer) A former Principal Soloist with Garth Fagan Dance, Jon joined Woodminster in the summer of 2007 as a light board operator and follow spot coordinator. Over the years he has worn many hats including choreographer (Forum) and intermission drawing MC. He has collaborated with many of the Bay Area’s finest artists and won numerous awards for his designs.Lori Gourdine* (Stage Manager) This makes Lori’s 14th year here at Woodminster. The first four were performing (Beauty and the Beast and Kiss Me Kate being her favorites) and the last 10 she has been stage manager which she has been enjoying too. She looks forward to coming back to “Camp Woodminster” each year and working with her husband, Jon, Lighting Designer. Working with a great cast, crew and staff here, and the Schlader family, makes for incredible summertime memories. Here’s to another wonderful season!

Meet The Staff and Authors

... Ty Weichaart, Stephen Woo, Jody Jaron, Julie Kwan, Debbie Naganuma and Carl Danielsen for helping produce the 50 Year Pictorial DVD, and Sam Sacco for advising us.

... Jademe Deems and David, Costume World staff for their help with rentals.

... Diablo Theater Company for their generosity and reasonable rental of their SHREK costumes.

... Greg Blackburn for his invaluable help with the Phase II ADA improvements.

The dragon with Rod Voltaire Edora* as Donkey.

Bios continuedJody Jaron (Choreographer) This summer marks Jody’s 16th and 17th choreo-graphic assignments at Woodminster, but she began performing here in The Sound of Music in 1968 and danced in all the productions through 1978. She is now the Executive Director of the Garden State Ballet Schools in N.J. She heads a popular and active school program which exposes children throughout the state to a lecture/demonstration of Nutcracker.. Kathy Kahn (Publicity & Marketing) is enjoying her 14th season at Woodminster. She was a co-founder of Sierra Repertory Theatre in Tuolumne County before moving to Oakland over 30 years ago. She has taught at San Jose State for the last 10 years, and works to support arts education in public schools.David Lindsay-Abaire (Author/Lyricist) is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play, Ripcord, opens this fall at Manhattan Theatre Club. His previous play Good People premiered on Broadway, was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony nominations. His play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David also wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical, which was nominated for eight Tonys, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Ed Kleban Award as America’s most promis-ing musical theatre lyricist. David’s other plays include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David’s screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole, Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians, and the upcoming Family Fang, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken and Jason Bateman.Alison Morris (Costume Coordinator) previously costumed at Woodminster from 2005 through 2011, and is thrilled to be back for this year’s 50th Anniversary Season. When not costuming, she creates custom wedding gowns, and also sells items at her own Etsy shop, SFSeams. (www.etsy.com/shop/SFseams)Harriet Mason Schlader (Managing Director) has, with her late husband Jim, helped run every aspect of Woodminster Summer Musicals since 1967. In 2010, she and her youngest son Joel took over and have been successfully running things to date. As Harriet Mason, she performed with the Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet, the June Taylor Dancers, joined the Broadway production of The Most Happy Fella, where she met and subsequently married Jim. The two joined the cast of The Music Man and the first National Tour of that show for a total of three years. Jody was born, almost in a trunk, and spent no more than two weeks in one place for the first 18 months of her life. Harriet and Jim took over the operation

at Woodminster in 1967. In February of this year, Harriet was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oakland Heritage Alliance for 50 years of work at Woodminster. In June, she and members of the Advisory Board accepted an honorary proclamation from the Oakland City Council, for their efforts producing Woodminster Summer Musicals. Her four children (Jody, Kim, Todd, and Joel) have all participated in and contributed to the success of this Oakland tradition.

Joel Schlader (Director) was almost born on stage at Woodminster and has been performing on and off since he was 10 years old, and directing the last several years. Joel is a graduate of Holy Names University where he received Masters in Forensic Psychology and English, and where he now teaches a musical theater course and directs a production each semester.Jeanine Tesori (Composer) won the Tony Award for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for the musical Fun Home, which is currently playing on Broadway. She has also written Tony-nominated scores for Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center; Thoroughly Modern Millie (lyrics, Dick Scanlan); Caroline, or Change (lyrics, Tony Kushner); and Shrek The Musical (lyrics, David Lindsay-Abaire). The production of Caroline, or Change at the National Theatre in London received the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Her 1997 Off-Broadway musical Violet (lyrics, Brian Crawley) opened on Broadway in 2014 and garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Opera: A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (libretto, Tony Kush-ner; Glimmerglass) and The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me (libretto, J. D. McClatchy, Kennedy Center). Music for plays: Mother Courage (dir. George C. Wolfe, with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline), John Guare’s A Free Man of Color (Lincoln Center Theater, dir. George C. Wolfe), and Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Gala). Film scores: Nights in Rodanthe, Every Day, and You’re Not You. Ms. Tesori is a member of the Dramatists Guild and was cited by the ASCAP as the first female composer to have two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway. She is the founding artistic director of Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center, and is a lecturer in music at Yale University. Most of all, she is the proud parent of Siena Rafter, a senior at LaGuardia High School for the Arts. Daniel Thomas (Music Director) spent 20 years as a music director/conductor, performer and musician across Southern California, including Musical Theatre West, 3-D Theatricals, McCoy-Rigby Entertainment, Moonlight Amphitheatre, Cabrillo Music Theatre, the Santa Barbara, Fullerton and San Gabriel Civic Light Operas and six years as the resident musical director at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Much love and gratitude to his wife Rebecca and year-old son Joshua.

HISTORY OF WOODMINSTER SUMMER MUSICALS

High in the Oakland Hills, with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding cities, is the beautiful 500-acre Joaquin Miller Park. The park is home to one of the only urban second-growth red-wood groves in existence, as well as miles of trails, picnic grounds, and a WPA-era art deco construction that includes pools, cascades, and the Woodminster Amphitheater.

Designed by a team headed by Oakland Park Superintendent William Mott Jr and built as a WPA project, Woodminster Amphitheater and Cascades were dedicated in 1940 as a memorial to California writers. The trees and other vegetation along the Cascades, planted by horti-culturist and design team member Lionel Sprattling, are designated Writers Memorial Grove, and individual plantings are dedicated to California’s great authors, including Joaquin Miller as well as Bret Harte, Jack London, Mark Twain, Dashiell Hammet, Ina Coolbrith, and many others.

Woodminster Amphitheater is a city-owned venue, and from the be-ginning was used for a variety of concerts and other performances. In the 1950s, the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department began producing musicals and operettas in the amphitheater, and contin-ued into the mid-1960s, when the program ended for a variety of rea-sons. Around that time, Jim and Harriet Schlader moved to the area, after Broadway careers, to raise their growing family in California. They were approached about lending their expertise to reinvigorat-ing Oakland’s summer theater under the stars, and Producers Asso-ciates was born and produced its first shows in 1967. This nonprofit arts organization has now been presenting the Woodminster Summer Musicals continuously for 50 years. Producers Associates presents at least 3 big Broadway-style musicals in the facility each summer, with shows running in July, August, and September, and is Oakland’s lon-gest continually running live theater.

Oakland has been one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the coun-try for decades, but in the 1970s, racial segregation was still a fact of life in the city. The Schladers fought that attitude with art, producing shows that would challenge the status quo, such as No Strings (which dealt with an interracial romance) in 1970, and an Oklahoma with African Americans in leading roles in 1975.

A uniquely American art form, American musical theatre has evolved considerably over the decades. Producers Associates has always re-mained true to its mission of presenting big, entertaining musicals from various eras. For many Oaklanders, Woodminster was their first exposure to live theatre, and they remember being brought there as children for a picnic supper and the summertime magic of music under the stars. Some of these families have been sitting in the same seats for 3 generations, and evenings at Woodminster are an annual tradition.

Woodminster offers a Kids Come Free program, designed to make live theater affordable for families, and several thousand free tickets are given to children and teens each season. Half price group tickets have made the musicals an annual fundraiser and/or social outings for more than 100 Bay Area organizations, including the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Coast Guard Auxiliary, United Way, EDD, Rotary, Lions, and a number of other service organizations, church groups, neighborhood groups, etc. In 2016, the organization has inaugurated a half-price program for young theater-goers aged 16-30, as a friendly investment in the next 50 years.

Over the last 50 years, the organization has presented 157 produc-tions, entertaining about a million Woodminster Summer Musicals ticket holders. The shows have been performed by more than 5000 actors, over 20% of them members of Actors Equity Association, mak-ing the organization one of the Bay Area’s most reliable employers of professional actors. The musicals have always been performed with live professional orchestras, which have included 23 different conduc-tors and over 1800 members of Musicians Local #6. In addition, the organization has employed 25 professional set designers, 17 lighting designers, 24 costume designers, 6 sound technicians, 18 choreogra-phers, 6 directors, and over 1,500 young backstage interns.

Thanks To our Generous Donors!Producers Associates Inc. is able to make the Woodminster Summer Mu-sicals affordable for families in our community because of the support we receive from individual contributors as well as organizations. We grateful-ly thank those listed here for helping us to stage the musicals, provide free tickets for children and teens, support higher education for talented young people, and keep American Musical Theater alive for new audiences. Con-tributions of any amount are always welcome. Call 510-531-9597 or visit woodminster.com for more information. supporTinG CasT

DIRECTOR ($2000+)Ron & Sue BachmanLinda ChewRuby FongKatie Robben Fox/ Leonard Family FundBill Gage & Nancy BauerFaye SmithJeremy & Brenda WagnerGeorge & Lori Zimmer

LEADING PLAYER ($1000+)Regina Del ValleFrieda & Tony KingAnonymousGary & Margaret MillerMerrilee MitchellDavid & Judy Travers

DESIGNER ($500+)Michael & LeeAnne BakerDeborah & Gregory BlackburnTom & Gail BlalockLarry & Neda BrownRandal Burke & Dawn GraemeRobert Burkes & Son NguyenDavid Flack & Liz MullerJeff & Karen FongSharon HeckelPamela & Peter KappelhofStu KlitsnerJean MangelsKenneth Meeker & Marilyn Meeker-DiazLidia R. OwensGary & Sharon RinehartBarbara Robben Michael & Ruth Robinson

For more than 40 years, Jim Schlader produced the Woodminster Summer Musicals with a special interest in cultivating young talent in musical theater, and he advised many to get further education and training. In his memory, each year we award scholarships to young Woodminster performers. If you are one of the generous donors who has made this award a reality, thank you! Contributions may be made to Producers Associates, Inc., and designated for the fund.

The Jim Schlader Musical Theatre Education Award

We are especially grateful to our long-time donor, Uncommon Grounds Coffee. Enjoy a cup at our concessions stand!

www.uncommongrounds.net

Please help us produce musicals for 50 more years by making a tax-deductible contribution to Producers Associates, Inc. Tax ID #94-1688232.

DESIGNER ($500+) continuedWilliam Robison & Cynthia YoungSteven RochaTobey RolandChristine SchaafGeorge Steneberg, Jr.The Tichenor FamilyA.T. Weber Plumbing & Mechanical Services, Inc.Nan & William WestRichard & Betty Wren

ACTOR ($250+)Phil & Gretchen Arth AnonymousKen & Bernadette CowlLois De MariaJim & Dona DickieTom & Sue HolmesSherry & Ralph JohnsonEd & Jo LossTom, Debbie, Chelsea, & Jack MitchellCarol OrmondAgnes I. PerkinsCorwin PonTyler Pon & Alice YoumansBilly & Liz RayLarana Robinson & Jim McVayCatherine & Jeffrey SketchleyDebbie & Ward SpanglerPaul & Susan Sugarman Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the East BayAnonymousJ. Michael & Pamela WalfordRoy & Kathleen Whalin

SPONSOR ($100+)Darrell Davis & Sue Alexander Diane & Bill AndersonTodd & Christine AndersonJohn & Ginny BankerdLiz & Bob BathgateSharon & Norman BedellPeg BledsoeDavid & Barbara BradleyJesse & Lynelle BraggFrits & Rita BrevetHarvey & Susan ChinLucille V. DanielsenLaurence & Anne De BerryBill & Parry DentJim & Louie DespeauxGeorge & Mona DiamantineJohn & Sharon Du FraneKathleen FerryIn Loving Memory of John FingerDiane C. FullerMarian & Roger Gray

SPONSOR ($100+) continuedHerb & Judy GuidryNorm & Gayle HayashiRobert & Carolyn HeywoodAdrienne & Don HillebrandtThomas HirdMarilynn HodgsonEllen & Eric HolmgrenKaren HolzmeisterBen Janken & Paul HeinPatricia Iannucci Jerry & Claudia JohnsonLillian JohnsonMichael JonesColette & Donald KelseyBerthe & Jack KirschAl & Lynn KuglerDavid & Mari LeeLeister FamilyEd LewTed & Joanne LymanEvelyn MalinRichard & Valerie MatthewsBarry & Cindy McCoyBill MorrisSean O’BrienDeanna OsterbergFred Papendick & Liz LightChad & Jean PennebakerKen Pon CPARobert RognonRalph & Debbie SabielRoy & Jane SandstromDuane & Sue SchnittkerKathy ShadixVirginia & Wade SherwoodBetsy SmithAnonymousMelissa Vindelov SpragensKathleen & Terrance StatsMichael & Sheryl StellaMay Akiko TakashimaRose TaylorSylvia TedescoLouise TerrentineAlan ThroopThe Tsukayama FamilySharon Tyler & Terri HodgesVince & Bobbi VargasWanda VivianoJoe & Betty WatsonDiane WeilandEileen & Ron WestonNicole WhitePhil & Pat WilliamsLaverne WillitsPatricia WithamPamela WogsbergAnne & William Woodell

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