Meet the Cast "High Society" 09/2008

It is always a terrific experience working with talented people; from Alexis and her never-ending patience to the outstanding and dedicated cast whom I am proud to work with, to the impeccable prop team of Ro and Thom and the always fabulous orchestra, most of whom I have worked with for many years. The design team of Jim Demetrius, Stacey Lehmann and Colleen Boylan have taken the ideas and pictures in my head and transferred them to the stage and made them beautiful.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Stefanie, who more many hats during this production and assisted with costumes, ran dance rehearsals and made me smile. I am always lost without Colleen who keeps me organized and keeps backstage running smoothly, not to mention has taken over the job of Lighting Designer with ease and eagerness…a true professional.

This is a personal show for me as “The Philadelphia Story” was the first show I worked on when moving to Florida twenty-two years ago, and it has always had a special place in my heart. I hope you leave here today/tonight humming the unforgettable Porter tunes and taking with you a bit of that “swell-egant” feeling I felt twenty-two years ago. Enjoy!

Meet the Directors

Grenelle, James (Director) - James is thrilled to be back at Francis Wilson Playhouse, directing another show. Past FWP directing credits include: Sweet Charity, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Anything Goes, Oliver!, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Onstage, James has been lucky to play roles like Bobby in Crazy For You, The Emcee in Cabaret, Benjy in My Favorite Year, Bobby in A Chorus Line, Bud in How to Succeed, Smudge in Forever Plaid, and Charlie in Tintypes. High Society holds a special place for James as The Philadelphia Story was the first production he was a part of when he moved here over 20 years ago. He would like to thank his wonderful cast and crew, Lexy, Dianna, his mom, Colleen, and his loving and patient fiancé, Brian.

Roberts, Alexis (Music Director) - A newcomer to FWP, Alexis has filled a variety of roles in local theatre: music directing, keyboards, acting, stage managing, costumes, props and crew! Recent shows include Wait Until Dark, Little Shop of Horrors, Standing on the Corner, Two by Two, Cinderella, The Rocky Horror Show, Come Blow Your Horn, Fawlty Towers, and various shows with Whacky Tales. She also teaches piano and music lessons. She sends a HUGE thank you to the cast and crew for doing such a great job, a giant thank you to James, with whom it has been a pleasure to work, and thanks to Jason and her family and friends, who are continually supportive.

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance)

The Servants

Peg, the upstairs maid---------------------------------------- Ellie LeVine

Arthur, a butler---------------------------------------------------- Colin Taylor

Polly, the downstairs maid----------------------------------- Erin Clauer

Sunny, a scullery maid------------------------------------- Katie DeHetre

Stanley, the house boy-------------------------------- Cengiz Dokumaci

Patsy, the cook----------------------------------------------- Karen Cameron

Margaret Lord----------------------------------------------------- Elaine Coffin

Dinah Lord-------------------------------------------------------- Aubrey Cheek

Tracy Samantha Lord---------------------------------- Stefanie Lehmann

Uncle Willie----------------------------------------------------- Mitchell LeVine

C. K. Dexter Haven------------------------------------------ James Grenelle

Mike Connor-------------------------------------------------------- Craig Ruska

Liz Imbrie--------------------------------------------------------- Stephanie Fox

George Kittredge------------------------------------------------- Paul Gibson

Seth Lord-------------------------------------------------------- David Middleton

Production Staff

Director/Choreographer---------------------------------- James Grenelle

Musical Director----------------------------------------------- Alexis Roberts

Stage Manager------------------------------------------------ Colleen Boylan

Producer---------------------------------------------------------- Dianna Hanger

Dance Captain--------------------------------------------- Stefanie Lehmann

Costumes------------------------- Stefanie Lehmann & Stacie Lehmann

Set Design, Artistry & Construction--------------- James Demetrius

Props----------------------------------------------- Ro Grenelle & Thom Duke

Lighting Design----------------------------------------------- Colleen Boylan

Lighting/Sound Technician------------------------------ Dianna Hanger

First Nighters

Patti Baldwin – Chairperson

Synopsis

The entire action takes place in and around Seth Lord’s waterfront estate in Oyster Bay, Long Island on a glorious Saturday in June, 1938

ACT ONE

Scene One: Outside the Lord’s house; early morning

High Society................................................................ Servants

Scene Two: Tracy’s bedroom; after her morning ride

Ridin’ High....................................................... Tracy & Servants

Scene Three: The Veranda; breakfast

Throwing a Ball Tonight........ Tracy, Dinah, Uncle Willie, Mrs. Lord

Scene Four: Dinah’s Nursery; later the same day

Little One........................................................... Dexter & Dinah

Little One (Reprise)......................... Dexter

Scene Five: The South Parlor, the sort of rooms where treaties are signed

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.................... Liz, Mike & Servants

I Love Paris.......................................................... Dinah & Tracy

Tennis......................................................................... Servants

Scene Six: The Lord’s swimming pool

She’s Got That Thing.................. Dexter, Uncle Willie, & Servants

She’s Got That Thing (Reprise)...................................... Servants

Scene Seven: The same; later.

Once Upon a Time.......................................................... Dexter

I Worship You................................................................ George

Finale Act One/True Love............... Dexter, Tracy & Servants

ACT TWO

Scene One: Outside Uncle Willie’s House; four a.m.

Opening, Act Two......................................................... Servants

Scene Two: Uncle Willie’s House; immediately following

Let’s Misbehave.................................. Tracy, George, & Servants

I’m Getting Myself Ready For You......................Liz & Uncle Willie

Servants Misbehave..................................................... Servants

Scene Three: Dexter’s House,
Across an inlet from Willie’s; a little later

Just One of Those Things................................................ Dexter

Scene Four: Wooded Grounds of Uncle Willie’s House;
near five a.m.

Well Did You Evah?............... Tracy, Liz, Uncle Willie & Servants

Scene Five: the same; moments later

You’re Sensational............................................................ Mike

Say it With Gin....................................................... Uncle Willie

Ridin’ High (Reprise).....................................Margaret & Servants

It’s All Right With Me........................................................ Tracy

Let’s Misbehave (Reprise)............................................. Servants

Scene Six: Rear Terrace of the Lord’s Mansion; very late

He’s a Right Guy.................................................................. Liz

Scene Seven: The Terrace; the next morning

Wedding Bells............................................................. Servants

Finale Act Two.............................. Tracy, Dexter & the Company

Cameron, Karen (Patsy) is thrilled to be back at FWP in High Society. She has been seen in Hello Dolly (CCP), Bells Are Ringing (FWP), as Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie (FWP) and Mame (EOT). Thanks to James and the wonderful cast and crew for a fun experience. My love and appreciation to my family, especially my children - Courtney, Catherine and Ryan, my wonderful friends, and Matthew.

Cheek, Aubrey (Dinah Lord) - A 14 year old from Safety Harbor, Aubrey has had a great time working with this terrific cast. Favorite credits include: The Sound of Music (Marta-EOT), Oliver! (FWP, Lary Award), Francis Wilson, The Musical (Margalo-FWP), and Fiddler on the Roof (Shprintze-TSPAC). When not acting, she also enjoys dancing, reading, crafting, and going to school. Thanks to James, Alexis, and Colleen for a swellegant time!

Clauer, Erin (Polly) is glad to be back at FWP where she was last seen in Sweet Charity as the Good Fairy/Elaine. Other credits include: Pippin (Catherine), The Fantasticks (The Mute), and It’s a Wonderful Life (Cousin Tilly). At FSU she was in the Women’s Glee Club and AcaBelles, a female a cappella group. A former Disney Cast Member, she sang in Epcot’s Candlelight Processional. Much love and thanks to her family, friends and especially Craig for all the support.

Coffin, Elaine (Margaret Lord) first met director James Grenelle when he was in high school and played her son in an FWP production of Second Time Around. And, as a good son and director, he has been casting her as “mom” in productions ever since! Thanks James! Elaine sends her love to Mario and to her favorite girls, Wendy, Ella, Wini, and Genevieve.

DeHetre, Katie (Sunny) is a 20 year old Clearwater native. She is very happy to be back on stage. She was recently in the backstage crew for Sweet Charity. Other recent acting credits include Anne Frank at SPLT, and Narrator for Joseph and Technicolor Dreamcoat at Tarpon Springs. She would like to thank the cast and crew for a wonderful time! Love to my daddy and wonderful Keith. Most love to James and Colleen who are superheroes.

Dokumaci, Cengiz (Stanley) – Cengiz is glad to be back at FWP. He appeared last in Sweet Charity (Charlie), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Bun-Foo) and Bells Are Ringing. He would like to thank James for letting him be the houseboy again.

Fox, Stephanie (Elizabeth Imbrie) – Stephanie is happy to be back again at FWP after performing in last season’s Sweet Charity. She hopes to be involved in many more shows here.

Gibson, Paul (George Kittredge) – Paul is thrilled to be making his FWP debut. Recent roles include South Pacific (Captain Brockett) with Clearwater City Players, Chess (Anatoly) and Man of La Mancha (Cervantes/Don Quixote) with Richey Suncoast Theater, Pajama Tops (George) with Early Bird Dinner Theater, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? (George) and Death of a Salesman (Charley) with Stage West.

Lehmann, Stefanie (Tracy Samantha Lord) - Stefanie is a senior in the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School and is excited to be back at FWP after performing in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Recent productions include EOT's The Fantasticks and Gaslight; PCCA's Hello Dolly, Stagedoor, and The Crucible; and SPLT's City of Angels and My Way. She is thrilled to be working with such a "swellegant" group of individuals, and sends a big kiss to James, her parents, the cast, crew, and all of her angels.

LeVine, Ellie (Peg) – Ellie was last seen at FWP as the grumpy, cane-toting old lady on the subway in Bells Are Ringing. She is happy to be sharing the stage once again with real life hubby, Mitchell; having played wife Ester to his Noah, in SPLT’s Two By Two. She and Mitchell wish to thank the entire theatre community for their love and support during their recent difficult times. Because of all of you, WE’RE BAAAAACK!

LeVine, Mitchell (Uncle Willie) – Mitch is reprising his role as a drunk from Rose Marie. He recently was seen in SPLT’s Two By Two where he played Noah, known again for his tendency to imbibe. He is clearly in a rut, but he seems to be capturing all these roles, so if you happen to need a drunk, he can be contacted through the Grapevine!

Middleton, David (Seth Lord) – This is David’s third appearance as an actor on the FWP stage. He has also directed several productions for our theatre, as well as for SPLT, Island Community Theatre and the former Oakhurst Theatre Company. David is semi-retired and thoroughly enjoys his active participation in Community Theater.

Ruska, Craig (Mike Connor) – Craig is thrilled to be back with FWP after his recent performance as Oscar in Sweet Charity. He has performed with numerous theater companies in the Bay area. Other favorite roles include Sid in The Pajama Game, Man 1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Bobby in Company. He would like to thank James, Alexis, Emi, his family, the wonderful cast, crew and especially Erin.

Taylor, Colin (Arthur) - Colin is excited to be returning to the FWP stage. He was last seen in the ensemble of both Thoroughly Modern Millie and Sweet Charity. He has also been busy doing tech for shows at SPLT, EOT, and West Coast Players. He would like to thank James and Alexis for giving him the opportunity, and his parents for always being so supportive.

Boylan, Colleen (Stage Manager) - This is Colleen’s 14^th show at FWP! She most recently worked backstage on Sweet Charity, Bells Are Ringing and Thoroughly Modern Millie, and was seen onstage as Laura in The Glass Menagerie at WCP. Special thanks to Chris, David and James for helping her deal with her crazy schedule!

Lehmann, Stacie (Costumer) - Stacie is pleased to be costuming this talented cast. She has been involved with costuming for Gypsy, Diary of Anne Frank, and Red Hot & Cole at SPLT in addition to being on the Board of Directors, Executive Board, Apprentice Coordinator, and Costume Chair. Recently she co-produced Diary of Anne Frank and Wait Until Dark; and costumed EOT’s The Fantasticks. Thank you to Stefanie who is “my style and period consultant.”

AUDITIONS

Auditions are open to the community and volunteers are welcome in all areas of theater production.

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