May 2013 - Fort Findlay Playhouse

Fort Findlay Playhouse
THE FORTELL
May 2013
Fort Findlay Playhouse
300 W Sandusky St
Findlay, Ohio 45840
419-423-7168
FFP Board of Trustees
President: Samantha Henry
samanthalynn882003@yahoo.com
V.President: Patrick Davis
sancho_43402@yahoo.com
Secretary: Alicia Creger
acreger@corpri.com
Treasurer: Georgia Durain
gdurain@yahoo.com
Vickie Lopez
vlopez@dtroh
George Rustemeyer gerustemeyer@sbcglobal.net
Wes Taylor
wataylor@marathonpetroleum.com
Mark Thomas
findlayref@woh.rr.com
Marty Williams
mgwillia@woh.rr.com
Other Contacts
FFP Patrons: ffppatrons@gmail.com
FFP Website: fortfindlayplayhouse.org
FFP Webmaster: jaysmith@fortfindlay.com
Fortell Editor: shirleynebergall@yahoo.com
Meetings
Board: 1st Wednesday of the month
General Membership: 4th Wednesday of the month
(If a meeting night falls on a final dress: Board meetings are
moved to the following Monday, GM meetings aren’t rescheduled)
Fortell Staff
Editor: Shirley Nebergall
Proofing: J.R. Smith
Photos (provided/taken from facebook): Kay Arico,
Dawn Rose, Shirley Nebergall
Contributors: Bill Rayle
NEXT ISSUE’S DEADLINE
5pm, Monday, July 15
Box Office
Fort Findlay Playhouse tickets can be
purchased through the Arts Partnership,
located at 618 S. Main St. in downtown
Findlay, or by calling the Arts Partnership
Box Office at (419) 422-4624.
Box Office hours are
Monday - Friday , 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(www.artspartnership.com)
OCTA Website: www.ohiocommunitytheatre.org
Shirley Nebergall, Editor
Have you heard? Auditions have
been announced!
FFP’S 2013-2014 season will start off with the comedy/
farce Rumors, written by Neil Simon and directed by Jim
Toth.
At a large, Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy
Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four
couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce. Gathering for their
tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife
is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife Chris, must get "the story" straight
before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount,
the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. The show, written by the
playwright of The Odd Couple and Brighton Beach Memoirs, opened on
Broadway in 1988 and ran for 535 performances.
Auditions will be held Sunday and Monday, June 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the
playhouse.
There are parts available for 10 adults (5m/5f). The characters in Rumors are the
four couples: Chris and Ken Gorman, Claire and Lenny Ganz, Cookie and Ernie
Cusack, Cassie and Glen Cooper. There are also two police officers, Officer
Welch and Officer Pudney.
If you would like more information, please contact Jim Toth at
jaytee060@gmail.com, or producer Barb Pace at angelbearhugs316@aol.com.
Presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., Rumors will run
August 8 - 11 & 15 -17 at the playhouse.
Annual Banquet Held May 22, 2013
Food, Fun, Entertainment and Awards
Page 2
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Fiddler on the Roof
Back Group L- R: Karis Brown, Abbie Distal, Alicia Creger, Barb Pace, Richelle Reynolds, Aeryn Williams, Carol Clark, Andy
Rutledge, Mark Thomas, Travis Ritter, Dennis Clark, Ron Dutton, Jerry Mathern, Pete Rose, Brad Schlumbohm, John Pace,
George Rustemeyer, Ryan Parker, Kyle Slagley, Jeff Opperman, Cathy Williams, Elizabeth Opperman, Kendra Anderson, Angie
Allen, Vickie Lopez, Lizzy Reynolds, Zachary Thomas
Middle Row (kneeling/seated middle of photo - R): Talyn Foust, m James Foust, Julie Lane, Marty Williams, Dawn Rose,
Devon Riddle, Amy Cox, Lily Rutledge, Sandra Krueger, Carly Powell, Golda Bishop
Front Row (downstage L-R): Laurie Dye, Mara Sansalone, Jenny Fleck, Josh Trimble, Gopal Krishnan, Nick Trimble, Andrew
Varney, Katelyn Rose, Maddie Keinbrink, Laine Shenise, Kennedy Garmong, Alisa Diller, Scott Edmondson, Roshan Thomas,
Samantha Henry, Desra Dabney, Linda England
Special Thanks to the FFP Annual Banquet Prize Donors
Thank you to the following businesses for donating prizes for our Annual Banquet winners. Please be sure to
patronize these businesses. (A very special thanks to Brit Rutledge for procuring the donations):
Ali’s Alley
Archies
Arts Partnership
Bellacino’s
Biggby Coffee
Bread Kneads
Brinkman’s Country Corner
Café Marie
Carriage House Gifts
Cedar Valley
City Laundry
Decorations Plus
DeHaven’s
Dietsch’s
Doranna’s
Eliesa Escabedo – potter
Flag City Auto Wash
Fort Findlay Coffee and Donut Shop
Garden Central
Great Scot Supermarket
Greek Garden
Henna by Kendra
Jaqua’s Monogramming
Joey Fratello’s
John Maguire – photographer
Kan Du Studio
Lee’s Chicken
Logan’s Irish Pub
Main Street Deli
Muddy River Bike Shop
Oak Mallett Golf Course
Papillon Boutique
Penn Station
Perennial Plant Peddler
Pizza Hut
Port Regal Cigar Shop
R & R Law Offices
Richard Ruehle – woodworker
Rossilli’s
Scarborough’s Pharmacy
Shady Grove Golf Course
The Healthy Spot
Twisted Sister Jewelry
We Service Coffee
West End Tavern
Wine Merchant
Wolfie’s
Schedule for NW OCTAFest
Saturday, June 8
Sunday, June 9
9:00 a.m. Harlequins, Inc. - Moonlight and Magnolias
10:00 a.m. Williams County Community Theatre Dial "M" For Murder
11:00 a.m. 3B Productions - Urinetown, the Musical
9:00 a.m. Fremont Community Theatre - Love Letters
10:00 a.m. Black Swamp Players - A Little Murder Never
Hurt Anybody
11:00 a.m. Lion Face Productions - I Will Never Play
Hamlet
Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. Jay County Civic Theater - Little Women
3:00 p.m. Village Players - The Dinner Party
4:00 p.m. Fort Findlay Playhouse - On Golden Pond
5:00 p.m. Van Wert Civic Theatre - Driving Miss Daisy
Lunch Break
7:30 p.m. Banquet at Memorial Hall
Awards
2:00 p.m. Jesters Roving Players - Do Black Patent
Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
3:00 p.m. Oregon Community Theatre - Are We There Yet?
Page 3
Presenting the Fort Findlay Playhouse 2013-2014 Season
This year’s productions will be directed by Jim Toth (Rumors and Leaving Iowa), Marty Williams (Jekyll & Hyde,
The Musical and The Music Man), Cathy Williams (Cheaper by the Dozen), and Elizabeth Opperman (Moonlight
and Magnolias). Please note, the production of Leaving Iowa is part of our Second Stage Productions and not
part of the Patron program.
Become a Fort Findlay Playhouse Supporter
We’d like to invite you to consider becoming a Single Patron ($90-$164), Patron ($165-$198), Angel
($199 - $479) or Benefactor ($480 & up). If you would like to become a Playhouse supporter, simply fill
out the application form found in the season brochure. If you didn’t get a brochure in the mail, stop by the
playhouse some evening, leave a message on the playhouse answering machine (419-423-7168), or
email the patron chairs, Lindsay Taylor and Betty Hipp at ffppatrons@gmail.com, they will be happy to
send you a patron packet.
Tickets may be reserved through the Arts Partnership, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday – Friday (419-422-4624). General ticket
sales begin on Monday the week prior to opening night. Single Patrons, Patrons, Angels and Benefactors can make
reservations 5-7 days prior to general sales, based on level of support.
Tickets are $12 for regular productions and $15 for musicals. Please note that Second Stage productions are not
included as part of the patron package.
Page 4
2013 Region III
AACTFest Awards
For the Ohio Excerpt:
Excellence in Performance
Bonnie Emmer - Beth Finnegan
Jerry Finnegan's Sister - The Drama Workshop
Proceeding to National AACTFest which will be held in
Carmel, Indiana, June 17-23.:
Cradle and All
Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre - Wisconsin Rapids,
Wisconsin
and
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Elkhart Civic Theatre - Elkhart, Indiana
The alternate to Nationals:
Some Things You Need to Know
Before the World Ends (A Final
Evening With the Illuminati)
Players de Noc - Escanaba, Michigan
2013-2014 FFP Board of Trustees
What to see in the Northwest
Region and other local theaters
The Wedding Singer
May 31 - June 8
Towne & Country Players, Inc. – Versailles
www.towne-and-country-players.com
937-526-5570
The Drowsy Chaperone
June 7 – 23
Toledo Repertoire Theatre (Main Stage) – Toledo
www.toledorep.org
419-243-9277
Into the Woods
July 12 – 20
Bellevue Society for the Arts – Bellevue
www.bellevuearts.net
419-484-2787
A Tale of Two Cities
July 12 – 21
Amil Tellers of Dramatics – Lima
www.amiltellers.org
800-944-1441
Shrek the Musical
July 12 – 21
Archbold Community Theatre, Inc. - Archbold
www.archboldcommunitytheatre.com
419-264-5717
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
July 12 – 21
Ritz Players – Tiffin
www.ritztheatre.org
419-448-8544
Four Horse Parlay of Casper Munch
July 12 – 21
Williams County Community Theatre – Bryan
www.williamscountycommunitytheatre.com
888-569-9228
(Seated L-R:) Vickie Lopez, Samantha Henry (President),
Wes Taylor, Marty Williams; (Standing L-R:) Patrick Davis
(Vice-president), George Rustemeyer, Georgia Durain
(Treasurer), Alicia Creger (Secretary), Mark Thomas
Congratulations to Samantha Henry
Samantha with cast mate Jamie Wellerstein
Samantha played
Catherine Hiatt in
Van Wert Civic
Theatre’s production
of The Last 5 Years,
written and
composed by Jason
Robert Brown.
OCTA 2013
OCTA JUBILEE
A 60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION!
August 30 - September 2
Miamisburg, OH
Hosted by the West Region
Co-Conference Chairs:
John Falkenbach and
Christi Thomas
Page 5
FFP Says Goodbye to Bob Balcomb
(edited obituary)
Fort Findlay Playhouse lost an actor and long-time Angel on May 22 when Robert Beecher
Balcomb (88) died of congestive heart failure.
Bob was born on July 22, 1924, in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Aurora West High
School in Illinois, then spent three years in the 8th Air Force, serving in the 30th Photo
Reconnaissance unit in Europe during World War II. In 1949, he graduated from Ohio
Wesleyan University and married Ruth Dewar on June 21.
Bob and Ruth lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Dayton, Ohio, before moving to Findlay in 1968. Bob
headed the Graphic Arts Dept. at Marathon Oil Company from 1968 until his retirement in 1986.
Bob led a very active life, but was most renowned for his bicycling activities. He participated in parades and
special events throughout the country and overseas, wearing period garb while riding his Victorian high wheel
bicycle. He loved to ride both high wheel and standard bicycles, and he traveled the world on
both. His travels included rides in all 50 states, seven provinces in Canada and multiple
countries in Europe and the Pacific. Though he didn't keep track of the miles, it's estimated
he rode about 90,000 miles in his lifetime.
Bob founded the popular Hancock Horizontal Hundred annual bike ride
and was its director for 13 years. Thanks to his efforts, the HHH was the
first one-day 100-mile bicycle tour in America to attract more than a
thousand riders. Among his other bicycle achievements, Bob led a team
of more than a hundred people in mapping out "ride-tested" routes all
over Ohio, which were then incorporated into a set of three published
maps (West, Central and East). He advised and volunteered for the
Hancock Parks District on bicycle developments and activities, and he
served on the Ohio Governor's Bicycle Advisory Commission. In 1991, Bob brought the
world of antique bicycling to Findlay. For three days in June, cyclists from the League of
American Wheelman and the International Veteran Cycling Association rode Victorian
bikes all over Hancock County. WBGU-TV made a 30-minute TV special on the event.
The Wheelmen returned to Findlay in the Summer of 2012 to give a final salute to their
friend and leader.
1776, Bob is 2nd from left
Craig and Bob in
Arsenic and Old Lace
As an artist, sculptor, and photographer
himself, Bob was a great patron of The
Arts. He was a Trustee of The Findlay
Art League and an Angel of the Fort Findlay Playhouse (for over 40 years),
where he had roles in two stage performances (Mckean in 1776 (1981) and
Rev. Dr. Harpster in Arsenic and Old Lace (1986)). He also worked on publicity,
programs, set construction and props for 1776 and did the program cover
design and posters for The Runner Stumbles (1981). He was active in The Arts
Partnership, the Toledo Arts Museum, and was a founding member of
FAMTAM, The Findlay Area Members of the Toledo Arts Museum. Bob served
as a judge of photo contests for The Courier and the Hancock Park District for
many years.
Over the years, his civic activities included serving as a Trustee of the Findlay
Hancock County Public Library, donating exhibit materials to the Hancock
County Historical Museum, and serving on the Advisory Council for the
Hancock County Home Health Agency. He was active in Boy Scouts of
America as a youth and a leader. He was a member of and served as an
editor for Sigma Chi.
Bob has donated his body to OSU Medical School for educational and
research purposes. Gifts in his memory may be made to Bridge Home Health
& Hospice, whose staff and volunteers became close friends while helping
comfort and care for him in his final years.
Our condolences to family and friends, especially to his son and fellow FFP
alumni Craig Balcomb.
Bob and Ruth, with 1893 G&J High Wheel & Ruth's "Autumn
Leaves" painting in background.
Page 6
Congratulations to Cathy Williams
2012-2013 Annual Recognition Award Recipient
Cathy’s first show at the playhouse was Lost in
Yonkers in October of 2005. Since then she has
appeared in two shows and worked on a technical
crew for 19 productions. She did double duty by
appearing on stage and working tech for 16 shows.
Cathy has served as a member of the Board of
Trustees for three years (‘07-‘08, ‘08-‘09, ‘09-’10),
serving as Secretary for one season (’09-’10).
Here are Cathy’s FFP accomplishments:
ON STAGE
Over the Tavern (Ellen Pazinski)
An Evening of Old Time Radio (Mary Morris)
TECH CREW
Honk - spotlight operator, costumes
Agnes of God - costumes
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change - costume design
That Championship Season - costumes
The Curious Savage - costumes
Death and the Maiden - producer, costumes, house
The Queen of Bingo - costumes
Hooray for Hollywood - costumes
House of Frankenstein - costumes, props
The Odd Couple - producer, costumes
Arsenic and Old Lace - director, costumes, set
dressing
The Sunshine Boys - set dressing design, set dressing
crew, costume design
Escanaba in da Moonlight - costume design
Harvey - set dressing, costume design
Leading Ladies - costume design
Back Street - costume design
I Hate Hamlet - costume design
Titanic - producer, costume design
On Golden Pond - producer, costumes
ON STAGE AND TECH CREW
Lost in Yonkers (Grandma Kurnitz) - set dressing, costume coordinator, make-up
Scrooge (Mrs Ethel Cratchet/partygoer/street scenes) - costume design, costumes
Little Shop of Horrors (Bag Lady) - producer, costume design, costume crew
The Best Man (Mrs Gamadge) - costumes
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Lacey) - producer, costumes, programs
A Traveling Travesty in Two Acts (Mrs. Cordelia ffolietffolkes-ffortescue Woods - costumes
Urinetown, The Musical (Josephine Stong) - costumes
Pump Boys & Dinettes (Prudie Cupp) - costumes
The Wizard of Oz (Aunt Em/Glinda) - costumes
It’s A Wonderful Life (Mrs. Martini) - costumes design and
construction, set dressing
Once Upon a Mattress (chorus) - costume design
Annie (Miss Hannigan) - costumes
The King and I (Anna) - costume design
The Silver Whistle (Mrs Sampler) - costumes
Nuncrackers (Sister Mary Regina) - costumes
Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma-Sarah) - costumes
Page 7
Congratulations to the 2012 - 2013
Award Recipients
Outstanding in Set Dressing Concept:
Sandra Krueger - Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Set Dressing:
Vickie Lopez and Brit Rutledge On Golden Pond
Outstanding in Special Prop:
Barb Pace for Omar, the Rooster The Silver Whistle
Outstanding in Special Effects:
Coy Schlumbohm for Fruma-Sarah - Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Musical Direction:
Zach Thomas - Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Acting – Leading Role:
Marty Williams as Tevye – Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Acting – Supporting Role:
Brad Schlumbohm as Lazar Wolf - Fiddler on the Roof
Daphne Bower as Amnesia - Nuncrackers
Sandra Krueger as Diane Shrewsberry - The Ghost of
Rhodes Manor
Outstanding in Cameo Performance:
Carly Powell as Grandma Tzeitel - Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Musical Performance:
Dawn Rose for ‘Far From the Home’ - Fiddler on the Roof
Outstanding in Musical Ensemble:
Zach Thomas, Roshan Thomas, Kendra Anderson, Lizzie
Reynolds, Desra Dabney, Golda Bishop, Alisa Diller, and
Scott Edmunson - The Orchestra - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Set Decoration:
Val Escobedo - Let’s Fall in Love
Excellence in Light Design:
Aeryn Williams - shadow lighting Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Set Dressing:
Brit Rutledge - Nuncrackers
Excellence in Sound Design:
Dennis Rodrigues - The Ghost of
Rhodes Manor
Excellence in Costume Design:
Cathy Williams - Fruma-Sarah - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Set Piece:
Fireplace - On Golden Pond
Excellence in Set Design:
Marty Williams - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Choreography:
Tara Laciano - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Light Design:
Marty Williams, Julie Lane - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Props:
Vickie Lopez, Brit Rutledge, Sandra Kureger - Fiddler on the
Roof
Excellence in Directing:
Aeryn Williams - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Acting - Leading Role:
Betty Hipp as Ethel Thayer - On Golden Pond
Julie Lane as Golde - Fiddler on the Roof
Rick Workman as Norman Thayer - On Golden Pond
Excellence in Acting - Supporting Role:
Linda England as Miss Hoadley - The Silver Whistle
Shirley Nebergall as Mrs Hamner - The Silver Whistle
Jim Toth as Mr. Beebe - The Silver Whistle
Dennis Clark as Emmett - The Silver Whistle
Excellence in Acting - Cameo Performance:
Cathy Williams as Fruma-Sarah - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Musical Performance:
Daphne Bower as Amnesia - Nuncrackers
Elizabeth Opperman - Let’s Fall in Love
Kyle Slagley - Let’s Fall in Love
Jeff Opperman - Let’s Fall in Love
Ryan Parker for ‘Now I Have Everything’ - Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Special Performance:
Jeff Opperman and Travis Ritter for The Bottle Dance Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Ensemble:
Mark Thomas, John Pace, George Rustemeyer, Dennis
Clark, Ron Dutton, Andy Rutledge, Pete Rose, m James
Foust, Andrew Varney, Gopal Krishana, Talyn Foust, Jeff
Opperman, Travis Ritter, Marty Williams, and Brad
Schlumbohm for The Inn Scene Fiddler on the Roof
Excellence in Musical Ensemble:
Devon Riddle, Dawn Rose, Amy
Cox, Lily Rutledge, and
Kennedy Garmong for ‘Matchmaker’
- Fiddler on the Roof
Daphne Bower, Julie Lane, Cathy
Williams, Laurie Dye, Brit Rutledge,
and Dennis Clark - Nuncrackers
Excellence in Musical Performance by a Duet:
Julie Lane and Marty Williams for ‘Do You Love Me?’ Fiddler on the Roof
Honorable Mention in Acting:
Dennis Clark as Sister Julia - Nuncrackers
Honorable Mention in Acting –
Supporting Role:
m James Foust as Buddy Haggerty The Ghost of Rhodes Manor
Honorable Mention in Musical
Performance:
Andrew Varney as Lachiem - Fiddler
on the Roof
Honorable Mention in Ensemble:
Laurie Dye, Vickie Lopez, Samantha Henry, Aeryn Williams,
Lori Foster, Sandra Krueger, Linda England, m James Foust,
Alicia Creger, and Barb Pace - The Ghost of Rhodes Manor
Merit in Ensemble:
Lily Rutledge, Gracie Foster, Nick Trimble, Evan Barth, and
Josh Trimble for ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ - Nuncrackers
The Production of the Year was awarded to Fiddler on the
Roof, Aeryn Williams, director; Zach Thomas, music director;
Vickie Lopez and Samantha Henry co-producers; and Tara
Laciano, choreographer.
Guest presenters for the evening
were: Samantha Henry, Pete Rose,
Lori Foster, Gracie Foster, Jim Toth,
Julie Lane, Dawn Rose, Betty Hipp,
Sandra Krueger, and Alicia Creger.
Congratulations to everyone who
made this past season possible.
Page 8
Page 9
SOLD OUT
The hotel is taking a waiting list in case of cancellations (which
they have had). You will need to book a hotel in Van Wert.
Page 10
Page 11
LOOKING AHEAD
(all events take place at FFP unless otherwise noted)
Board Meeting
Wed., June 5
7:30 p.m.
NW OCTA Regional Weekend
(see pages 2 & 9 for details)
Fri. - Sun., June 7-9
Rumors Auditions (see article page 1)
Mon. - Tue., June 23-24
7:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., June 26
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., July 3
7:30 p.m.
Fortell Deadline
Mon., July 15
5:00 p.m.
Tickets for Rumors
Benefactors
Angels
Patrons
General Public
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Wed., July 24
Mon., July 29
Arts Partnership Box Office
419-422-4624
Mon. - Fri.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., July 24
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting (new date T.B.D.)
Wed., August 7
7:30 p.m.
Rumors
Thu. - Sat., August 8-10, 15-17
Sun., August 11
8:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical Auditions
Mon. - Tue., August 12-13
7:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., August 28
7:30 p.m.
OCTA State Conference
Fri. - Mon., August 30 - September 2
Board Meeting
Wed., September 4
7:30 p.m.
Fortell Deadline
Sun., September 15
5:00 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., September 25
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., October 2
7:30 p.m.
Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical
Thu. - Sat., October 10-12, 17-19, 24-26
Sun., October 13, 20, 27
8:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Fort Jennings, OH
Miamisburg, OH
2012-2013 NW Regional Reps and FFP OCTA Delegate
J.J. Aiello: jjilo57@yahoo.com
Dan Basinger: basingerd@ag.noacsc.org
Jesse Bernal: Jesse.BernalJr@jm.com
Cathy Williams: cathycostumer@gmail.com
Jerry Zimmerman: fortfoodfun@bright.net
Jim Toth, Delegate: jaytee060@gmail.com