2024 SEASON SPONSORS
THE CASTRICHARD III
King Richard
ROB RICHNAVSKY Lady Anne TORI RICHNAVSKY Sir William Catesby ARIC CALABRESE Duke of Buckingham CHRISTOPHER GUERTIN Earl of Richmond FRANK BEAUDRY Queen Elizabeth GRETCHEN ZIEGLER Dutchess of York KC ROSS Queen Margaret LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ James Tyrell TIM PHILLIPS • • • • • •
TWELFTH NIGHT
Sebastian
ARIC CALABRESE Viola CAROLINE AHLMAN Sir Toby CHRISTOPHER GUERTIN Orsino FRANK BEAUDRY Feste GRETCHEN ZIEGLER Olivia LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ Captian TIM PHILLIPS BEHIND THE SCENESPlaywright
William Shakespeare Director / Adapter John Long Stage Manager Teresa Alexandru Fight Choreographer/ Director Rob Richnavsky Music Lyrics William Shakespeare Musical Arrangements Gretchen Ziegler Costumes Ed Bassett Props Master Lori Poulin Set Crew Tim Phillips, Rob Richnavsky, Tori Richnavsky, Michael Calabrese, Aric Calabrese, Killian Meehan, Chad Celini, Tim Cleary, KC Ross, Ed Bassett, Lori Poulin Lighting Design Al Hathway Sound Design John Long Booth Pirates Lori Poulin & KC Ross
PHOENIX STAGE COMPANYExecutive Producer - Ed Bassett
Production Manager - Lori Poulin Facilities Manager - Tim Phillips Marketing Coordinator - Agnes M. Dann Social Media Coordinator - Shanelle Dupree Volunteer Coordinator - Laurie Phillips Community Outreach Coordinator- KC Ross Playbill/Website - Sharon W. Houk Photographer - Paula Murphy Meehan Videography - Jeffrey Barber Schlichter 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Sharon W.Houk Agnes M.Dann Ed Bassett BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Lori Poulin (Chair) Tim Phillips (Vice-Chair) Al Hathway Michael P.M.Calabrese Laurie Phillips Shanelle Dupre Laura Sturges-Cortez THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 ANNUAL FUND DONORS!Lesli Anderson
Frances Barth Mrs. Susan C. Beatty Regina & Joseph Cillizza Daisy Decker Mary L. Dooley Sheila & Mike Elser Eileen Russo & Michael Frenis Christopher & Theresa Guertin Karl & Jeanine Gallmeyer Melanie Hilpert James & Barbara Juhas Betty Lamay Paul Leduc John Magnesi Bonita A. Mazzaferro And to all of those who chose to remain anonymous! |
DIRECTOR'S NOTEWelcome to the third annual Pocket Shakespeare production. It takes dedication by many people to keep this series going over years. I particularly want to thank our stage manager, Teresa Alexandru, who has kept us organized and focused for three years. We would not be as successful without her skills and wisdom.
Some of the actors have performed for all three years while others join us in different years, but everyone shares the collective spirit of theater. Every year I find joy in the way our company works together to form a true ensemble. They participate fully in the collaborative process and contributions from each person make our productions richer, stronger and more entertaining. I think this is a special group of actors: some tackle performing a tragedy and a comedy in one performance, others perform in one play and then are stagehands in the second one. I thank them all for their enthusiasm and dedication to this project. Shakespeare always provides the best descriptions for the workings of theater, as illustrated by Viola/Cesario in Twelfth Night: “... it is excellently well penned, and I have taken great pains to con it.” I also want to thank Phoenix Stage Company staff, board and volunteers who have encouraged and supported us each year. A special thank you to Ed Basset who, despite a serious back injury, has made this production not only possible, but also beautiful. --John Long WHO'S WHOCAROLINE AHLMAN (Viloa – Twelfth Night) returns to the Phoenix after appearing in last year’s Pocket Shakespeare production of HAMLET. Past stage credits include THE REVOLUTIONISTS (Charlotte Corday) with PSC, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Logainne Schwartziandgrubenierre) with Warner Theatre PLAB, MOTHERHOOD (Joanne) with Warner Theater and THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Ethel Savage) & SHE KILLS MONSTERS (Tilly Evans) both with Torrington High School. All my love to my parents for nurturing my desire to perform with their unwavering support, and just for loving me. A huge thank you to my PSC family for welcoming me so warmly from the beginning and for making this place feel like home. Thank you all for coming to see Pocket Shakes Pt. 3!
FRANK BEAUDRY (Earl of Richmond - Richard III / Orsino; Twelfth Night) returns to the Phoenix stage after appearing in last year’s Pocket Shakespeare productions of HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Other stage credits include ALL IS CALM (Actor 6) and SOMETHING ROTTEN (Nick Bottom) Thanks to Mrs. Davenport, Sayler B., Mom & Dad, Amy, Kevyn and Charlize. ARIC CALABRESE (Sir William Catesby – Richard III; Sebastian – Twelfth Night) is back on the PSC stage, having appeared in, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THEATER ABRDIGED, KILL ME DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, NEVERLAND CHRISTMAS, MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, ANY BODY HOME?, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, LADY PARTS, FARCE OF NATURE, THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY, and MACBETH. He has also done Makeup for THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY and MACBETH. Other stage credits include GODSPELL, WE WILL ROCK YOU and ELF THE MUSICAL with Landmark Community Theater. Thank you to Michael Calabrese, for his unending and likely poorly conceived support, to my family (both biological and found), and my mother, who is also family. CHRISTOPHER GUERTIN (Duke of Buckingham – Richard III: Sir Toby – Twelfth Night) is thrilled to be back at Phoenix Stage Company in his first foray into Shakespeare. This is Chris’ third time here at Phoenix, having previously appeared in FARCE OF HABIT (Jock McNair) and THE MEMORY BOX (Mitch). Chris appeared most recently at Goshen Players in 9 to 5 (Dwayne) and has also been onstage at Landmark Community Theatre in BEAUTY IN THE BEAST (Lumiere), IT’S ONLY A PLAY (Frank Finger), LOVE, SEX AND THE IRS (Jon), and ELF (Macy’s Manager) at Seven Angels Theatre. Thank you to my supportive theater family, and to my lovely and intelligent wife who always writes my bios for me. TIM PHILLIPS - (Tyrrell - Richard III; Captain - Twelfth Night) After more than 25 years in community theatre, Tim is finally taking the plunge into the world of the Bard. He is extremely grateful to John and Teresa for giving him this chance! He also thanks his extremely talented castmates for making him feel welcome in this new world. Tim is a board member of Phoenix Stage Company and co-hosts a podcast “Take Flight Live with Phoenix Stage Company” with Ed Bassett. Thanks as always to his one true love, Laurie, and their cats, Dash and Oliver. ROB RICHNAVSKY – (King Richard; Richard III) While Rob is thrilled to return to the Phoenix stage, he is also way too forgetful to write his own bio, so his beautiful, charming, smart wife is doing it for him. As a founding member of Pocket Shakespeare, Rob is very happy to trod the boards once more with this very talented cast and crew (including aforementioned wife). A few favorite past shows include: COPS, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD and SHERWOOD (at least those are some that he didn’t complain about too much to his wife while he was in rehearsal). He would like to thank John, Teresa and Ed for making this happen and of course his incredible daughter and amazingly funny wife for all the joy they bring him. TORI RICHNAVSKY - (Lady Anne; Richard III) Tori is honored to return for the third year of Pocket Shakespeare! Favorite past roles include Sybil in COVER OF LIFE, M’Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Mary in DEAD RINGER and Marie Antoinette in THE REVOLUTIONIST. She adores performing with this brilliant group of performers who know how to have fun! She is eternally thankful to John for his incredible talent in cutting and directing the plays, and the strong guidance of Teresa, and Ed for all the production help he provides as well as the stage in which to do it! Enjoy the show. KC ROSS (Dutchess of York – Richard III) KC is the new Community Outreach Coordinator for PSC! This is her second leap into Pocket Shakespeare; after appearing as Nurse in ROMEO & Juliet, other stage credits include Jane in the world premiere of THE CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS, Mrs. Barrymore and Mrs. Hudson (among others) in BASKERVILLE and Ann in THE OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB. A big THANK YOU to the amazing cast, director and stage manager of Pocket Shakespeare! My heartfelt thanks to everyone at PSC! Phoenix Stage Company is a vital part of the local community and its commitment to fostering local talent, while keeping the arts thriving in Northwestern Connecticut, is truly inspiring. I am so proud to be a part of this family! LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Queen Maragaret – Richard III; Olivia – Twelfth Night) most recently appeared in IF THE SHOE FITS as Esperanza! Other credits include VARNEY THE VAMPIRE, POCKET SHAKESPEARE, KILL ME, DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, FOOLS, JEKYLL & HYDE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, FEMALE TRANS¬PORT, MOON OVER BUFFALO AND ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST with Phoenix Stage Company after a long absence from theater. Thank you Carlos, Jessa and Serenity for your love and support! GRETCHEN ZIEGLER (Queen Elizabeth – Richard III; Feste – Twelfth Night) returns after making her Phoenix Stage Company debut in FARNDALE AVENUE XMAS CAROL as Mrs. Reece (and her dream role of Tiny Tim). Recent credits include THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL (Karen the Computer) and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME (Voice One) at the Warner, and IT’S ONLY A PLAY (Julia Budder) and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Alice Beineke) with Landmark Community Theatre. She extends many thanks to the cast and crew for all their hard work, and to her friends and family for their continued support. BEHIND THE SCENESJOHN LONG (Director/Adapter) returns to the Phoenix stage this year after adapting and directing last year’s Pocket Shakespeare productions of HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. John had previously directed MACBETH and THE THREE MUSKETEERS for PSC and THE MIRACLE WORKER for Landmark Community Theater, among MANY more! Winner at the 2024 National Baseball Poetry Festival, John’s poem “Peck Stowe Factory Baseball Team” can be read at baseballbard.com.
TERESA ALEXANDRU (Stage Manager) is a familiar face at Phoenix Stage Company. Credits include stage manager for THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THEATER (abridged), POCKET SHAKESPEARE, THE REVOLUTIONISTS and DEAD RINGER. Acting credits include THE MEMORY BOX (Fanny), THE CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS (Eliza), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Anelle), THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE (Rachel), OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB (Nora), MRS. BOB CRATCHITS WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE (Ghost of Christmas Past, Present & Future), DEATH BY FATAL MURDER (Ginny), FEMALE TRANSPORT (Pitty), COVER OF LIFE (Weetsie), THE BUTLER DID IT (Charity Haze) and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (Elaine), all with Phoenix Stage Company!
TWELFTH NIGHT - A SYNOPSISViola and her twin brother Sebastian have been shipwrecked; each believes the other to be drowned. Viola disguises herself as a young man and, under the name of Cesario, gets a job as a servant for the Duke, Orsino.
Orsino is in love with Olivia, but she’s mourning for her dead brother, so has rejected all his advances so far. He sends Cesario (who is really Viola) with love letters to woo Olivia on his behalf. Unfortunately for the Duke, Olivia is taken in by Cesario’s disguise and falls in love with him. Viola has secretly fallen in love with Orsino, and Orsino is confused by his feelings for his new ‘male’ servant. So, Viola loves Orsino, Orsino loves Olivia and Olivia loves Cesario/Viola. 
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