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"Stepping Out"
A
Comedy
By Richard Harris
Apr 20-30, 2006
About the Play
I remember sitting at home in the early 90's and watching a tape of this
quirky little comedy called "Stepping Out". At the time, many of the
stars of the film were just starting out. Andrea Martin hadn't kept
audiences laughing on both stage and screen; Julie Walters was
well-known in London and had made a hit in the US with Educating Rita,
but hadn't appeared in any of the Harry Potter films; and Jane Krakowski
wasn't the popular Broadway star she is today. However, big names like
Ellen Greene (of The Little Shop of Horrors fame), Shelley Winters and
of course, Liza Minnelli in the role of Mavis held box office draw.
Other big names were also called in; Kander and Ebb were brought in to
write the title song for Liza...a song you'll hear in our show. When I
first saw the film, I was swept up in the lives of these 10 people.
Their stories were so real and honest. It's really like an older, adult
version of A Chorus Line. I guess that's why the transition from stage
to musical to motion picture seemed so logical. And now, fasten your
tap shoes and straighten your tie. The curtain is about to come up on
10 loveable people "stepping out". - The Director
Meet the Director/Choreographer
 JAMES GRENELLE - James is thrilled to be directing Stepping Out,
one of his favorite shows. He has just completed co-directing our
production of Oliver! with Jason Fortner and amongst his other many
other credits are: As director - The Man Who Came to Dinner (FWP), Sex
and Sensibility (GCP), Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (SPLT) and last
season's Anything Goes (FWP) for which he won a Lary; As choreographer -
The Sound of Music (EOT), The Fantasticks (FWP), Music Man (FWP), My
Favorite Year (EOT) and as an actor - Crazy For You (SPLT), My Favorite
Year (EOT), How To Succeed In Business (FWP), Chorus Line (EOT) and
Forever Plaid (FL. Tour). He has garnered many Lary Awards from these
and other fine productions. In addition he is resident Lighting
Designer for FWP and has traveled extensively in England, Spain, Puerto
Rico and the US working as a comic actor for Wizard Studios. He is
currently employed as a substitute teacher with the Pinellas County
Schools. Look for him as the Director of our original production,
Francis Wilson: the Musical--The Man and His Theatre to be presented
this June. As always, a big thanks to his mom (I love you!), JT, Pooky,
and Colleen. He dedicates this show to Eddie, beloved friend.
A Special Note from the Director
This has been a wonderful experience. I was lucky to get 10 extremely
talented (and patient) individuals who excelled in every challenge and
worked feverishly on each production number. (It's not easy to make good
tappers look bad!) Each rehearsal has been a blast and a joy. I want
to thank the tireless group of people that I simply could not do
without. First of all, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my stage
manager, Ro (and I mean literally!). She's my mom, my rock, my
cheerleader, my sounding board, and the one who's keeping the show
together. Also, I've come to know Colleen Boylan as a fantastic stage
manager and a great friend and I rely on her expertise and attention to
detail. Jim Demetrius' creative designs always astound and
fascinate me, Dianna Hanger has become THE wiz at the light board and
Catherine Fowles is my right arm when it comes to dance (or is that
leg?). I'd be lost without the assistance of Anne Fowles, Mary Lou
Montgomery, CJ Rosemire, Nate Porter, Anthony Sheldon's dancewear help,
and the orchestral marvels of my good friend Jason Tucker. Yvonne
Bernard at The House of Make Believe stepped in when I lost my costumer,
so I was completely confident the costumes were in good hands and I
can't forget to
mention
Ray, Sharon and the wonderfully supportive people at FWP - my second
home.
Meet the Cast
 CHERIE B. ALBURY (Sylvia) - A Florida native, Cherie has been
performing on Pinellas County stages since elementary school. Her last
performance at FWP was as Lizette in Naughty Marietta. Some of her
favorite roles have been in Nunsense (EOT) (Lary Award), Oklahoma (CCP)
(Lary Award), Cabaret (EOT) and Sweet Charity (Seminole Players).
 SHAWNA BYRD (Mavis)
- Shawna last appeared at FWP 15 (!) years ago
before life took her to N. Carolina. She returned to Clearwater in 1999
and took some time off to enjoy being "mommy" to baby Carly. Recently,
she has appeared in Steel Magnolias (Angel Cabaret), and Much Ado About
Nothing (American Stage). Shawna thanks Greg and Carly for their love
and director James for awesome choreography and endless patience.
 CATHERINE FOWLES (Lynne) - Catherine is pleased to be back at FWP. She
last appeared here in Anything Goes and La Cage aux Folles. Other
credits include; Chorus Line (EOT), Best Little Whorehouse (EOT) and
Crazy For You (SPLT) (Lary Award). She would like to thank Maman, Boo,
Guiseppe, Herbert and the cast for their love and support. "For you
always."
 MARIA GERAKIOS (Dorothy) - Maria sends much love and thanks to
her mom, Esther, her sister, Anna, her brother, Manuel and the rest of
her family and students. To her Sweet P, James Demetrius, for another
incredible set and continued support in every production - lots of love,
thanks and admiration. To a wonderful director, cast and crew - thanks
for the total team effort - it's been a blast.
 KATHLEEN GOELZ-EDWARDS (Andy) - Kathleen is very happy to
be working with this fun and talented bunch at FWP. She last appeared
here as the nasty Mrs. Sowerberry in Oliver!. Recent performances
include My Fair Lady (TSPAC), Best Little Whorehouse (EOT) Music Man
(FWP) and Brigadoon (FWP)(Lary Award). Many thanks to James G. for his
enormous patience! Love and Kisses to my husband, David.
Catherine...who's Marvin? GINGER KING (Vera) - Ginger is thrilled to be
back on stage at FWP. She has performed on stages in the Bay Area in
such favorites as The Women (Masque), The Glass Menagerie (Carrollwood)
M.A.S.H. (FWP), and Wild Dust (FWP). Ginger is a member of the Screen
Actors Guild and has performed in commercials and feature films. She
thanks her granddaughter Amanda for helping her remember her tap steps.
 PATRICIA MAHAN (Rose) - While working as a paralegal analyst for
the government, Patricia performed for many years with a Dynamic Gospel
Chorus in Virginia, including a peformance at the Pentagon. Now retired
from Federal Service she has the opportunity to pursue other interests
such as performing in I Hate Hamlet (GCP). She sends thanks to her
husband, Steve and her granddaughter, Taylor, for their support.
 DEBORAH NYKIEL (Maxine) - This is Deborah's debut at FWP. She
appeared in George M! (RST). She has been Dance Captain and contributing
choreographer for The Suncoast Ballet and the New York School of Ballet
of New Port Richey and Clearwater. "Thank you" to her fiance, Jeff Oles,
his son Jeffrey for their undeniable love and support and to her late
parents, Stan and Lorraine, who are always watching!
 GEORGETTE RASMUSSEN (Mrs. Fraser) - Of the many roles Georgette
has performed on the FWP stage including a murderous femme fatale, a
benighted spinster, a German housekeeper, an Irish maid, an Italian
Grandmother and a French courtesan, she has never been a piano player.
This performance is her debut "tickling the ivories"!
 ANTHONY SHELDON (Geoffrey) - Not only new to FWP, Anthony is
making his acting debut in Community Theatre. He has performed in the
ballets, Cinderella and Nutcracker and now his love for the stage is
rubbing off on his boys who both appeared in Oliver! (FWP). Thank you to
James for giving him this opportunity and all my love to my soulmate and
life partner, Mark!
 RO GRENELLE (Stage Manager) - Ro is right at home at FWP, serving
as Prop Mistress for many of our shows including; Oliver, Dames At Sea,
Anything Goes, and more over the last 11 years. She has loved working
in the theatre for the past 20 years with James, her son. Love and
thanks to this wonderful cast and crew, her son, the supportive staff at
FWP, and to Jimmy and Idea Miliano for their eternal support and love.
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