The Community Players of Salisbury
President’s Message
Good evening and welcome to the second production of our 65th season!
Little Women is a classic story, beloved by many through the years. It continues to be a favorite among young readers everywhere. The novel, written by Louisa May Alcott, has lent itself to film and stage adaptations that delight audiences young and old. We are sure that you will enjoy our production of Little Women as we bring the story of the March sisters, their family, and friends to life for you.
We would like to thank those of you who joined us for A Christmas Carol, our first-time joint venture with the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. This dinner theatre in the round proved to be a great success.
Make plans now to join us in June for the Neil Simon comedy The Sunshine Boys! This promises to be a terrific end to an outstanding season for Players and our audience.
Rusty Mumford
Officers
President.................................................................................................................... Rusty Mumford
Vice-President.................................................................................................................... Carol Alex
Corresponding Secretary............................................................................................. Becky Mumford
Recording Secretary.................................................................................................. Ernest Matthews
Treasurer...................................................................................................................... Charles Linton
Immediate Past President................................................................................................... David Allen
Board of Directors
Jana Davis Debbie Dawson Lester Huss
Joanne Little Sherri Trader-Hynes Kristi Toadvine
Standing Committees
Advertising......................................................................................................................... David Allen
Box Office............................................................................................................................ John Alex
Concessions.................................................................................................................... Brenda Allen
Fund Raising................................................................................................................ Rusty Mumford
Historical....................................................................................................................... Bonnie Bosies
Hospitality.................................................................................................................... Debbie Dawson
House................................................................................................................................. Carol Alex
Maintenance..................................................................................................................... Lester Huss
Membership..................................................................................................................... Brenda Allen
Patrons..................................................................................................................... Ernest Matthews
Program....................................................................................................... David and Pat Oberholtzer
Production........................................................................................................................... Carol Alex
Publicity........................................................................................................................ Kristi Toadvine
Scholarship.................................................................................................................. Rusty Mumford
Season Tickets........................................................................................................... Ernest Matthews
194thProduction 65th Year
Community Players of Salisbury, Inc.
Presents
Louisa May Alcott’s
Little Women
Adapted for the Stage by
Thomas Hischak
Directed by
Cindy Gore
Guerrieri Hall Auditorium at Wor-Wic Community College
February 20, 21 and 22, 2003 at 8:00 p.m.
February 23, 2003 at 2:00 p.m.
Presented by arrangement with I. E. Clark, Publisher, Schulenburg, TX 78956
This production was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts
Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Act I
Scene 1: The March House, Christmas Eve, 1863
Scene 2: The March House, Christmas
Scene 3: The March House, Christmas Evening
Scene 4: The Laurence Mansion, The Next Day
Scene 5: The March House, New Year’s Eve
Scene 6: The Laurence Mansion, New Year’s Eve
Scene 7: The March House, New Year’s Day
Scene 8: On the Way Home from School, The Watson House,
Aunt March’s House, and The March House,
All during the Winter of 1864
Scene 9: The March House, Spring of 1864
Scene 10: Aunt March’s House, Spring
Scene 11: The March House, Autumn
Scene 12: The March House, Christmas Eve and Christmas
15 Minute Intermission
You’re invited to visit the refreshment stand in the lobby during intermission.
Act II
Scene 1: The March House, Spring, 1865
Scene 2: The March House, Summer, 1866
Scene 3: Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, New York, Summer, 1866
Scene 4: Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, Autumn, 1866
Scene 5: Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House, Time Has Passed
Scene 6: Amy in Paris then Mrs. Kirke’s Boarding House,
Meg at Home, Later
Scene 7: The March House,,February, 1868
Scene 8: A Street in Rome, Summer, 1868
Scene 9: The March House, A Few Weeks Later
Scene 10: The March House, A Few Months Later
Please: Do not take flash photographs during our performance
And turn all cell phones and pagers off.
CAST
(In order of appearance)
Jo March........................................................................................................ Kristi Toadvine
Meg March.................................................................................................... Monica Shores
Amy March........................................................................................................... Erin Twilley
Beth March...................................................................................................... Jenny Bratten
Mrs. March (called Marmee)................................................................................... Ann Allen
Mr. March............................................................................................................ Matt Bogdan
Hannah, (their housekeeper)............................................................................... Mary Veise
Aunt March (a rich relative)................................................................................ Geri Wiberg
Theodore Laurence (called Laurie)................................................................. Chase Wulff
Mr. Laurence (Laurie’s Grandfather)............................................................. Bob Connelly
John Brooke (a tutor)....................................................................................... James Spahn
Mrs. Moffett......................................................................................................... Robin Finley
Clara (her daughter) ......................................................................................... Emily Shoop
Jenny (a schoolgirl)................................................................................................ Kate Allen
Mary (a schoolgirl)............................................................................................ Kelly Derosa
Sarah (Meg’s pupil)........................................................................... Casey Mason-Foley
Katy (Meg’s pupil).......................................................................................... Mollie Deimer
Mrs. Kirke....................................................................................................... Kimberly Blair
Professor Friedrich Bhaer........................................................................ Santiljano Keca
Kitty........................................................................................................................ Karli Boog
Minnie.............................................................................................................. Katy Likovich
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director............................................................................................ Cindy Gore
Assistant Director....................................................................... Mary Starnes
Producer............................................................................................ Carol Alex
Stage Manager............................................................................................
Set Designer............................................................................. Ernie Matthews
Lighting Design......................................... Sharon Benchoff and Gary Finley
Sound.................................................................................................... Bill Gore
Props Coordinators..................................... Joanne Little and Mary Starnes
Costumes.............................................................. Becky Mumford, Carol Alex,
Sally Ridgeway and Geri Wiberg
Make-up and Hair...................................................................... Rusty Mumford
Set Construction................................................. Ernie Matthews, David Allen
and Alan Perry
Set Decorating.......................................................... Carol Alex, Mary Starnes
Publicity............................ Kristi Toadvine, Judy Ferrand and Susan Likovich
Poster and Cover............................................................................... Scott Alex
Programs..................... David & Pat Oberholtzer and Di’s Laser Express, Inc.
WHO’S WHO
Cindy Gore (Director) has been a member of Community Players for more than 30 years. She first directed The Pleasure of His Company. Other directorial credits include Night of January 16th, Never Too Late and Blithe Spirit. Memorable credits include Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Stepmother in Cinderella, Ella in Bells Are Ringing, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, Mrs. Sauerbury in Oliver!, Mother Superior in Nunsense, Mama in I Remember Mama, Myra in Deathtrap, M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Lizzie in The Rainmaker, Margo in Dial ‘M’ for Murder, and Madame Parole in last season’s My Three Angels. Cindy is a two-time Past President of Players. She has taught theatre arts in Wicomico and Worcester county public schools and is currently chairing the Steering Committee of the Boulevard Theater Renovation Project.
Ann Allen (Marmee) appeared in the chorus of The Music Man and The Wizard of Oz. She played Mrs. Greer and one of the Boylan sisters in Annie. She was the Mother in The Eastern Shore Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Kate Allen (Jenny) has appeared in the Players productions of The Music Man and The Wizard of Oz. She played Annie and July in Annie. She has appeared in several seasons’ productions of The Nutcracker with the Eastern Shore Ballet. She played the Queen of Hearts in Kaleidoscope’s Alice in Wonderland.
Kimberly Blair (Mrs. Kirke) appeared as Marie Louise in last season’s My Three Angels. Kim says, “This is my second show and I am thrilled to work with Cindy Gore, for a second time. Angels was fun. Women will be fabulous!”
Jenny Bratten (Beth) has been performing in Players shows since she was a teenager. She played Bet in Oliver! and appeared in Godspell and The Wizard of Oz.
Matt Bogdan (Mr. March) has been involved with Community Players for almost 20 years. He directed The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Twelve Angry Men, Lend Me a Tenor and The Impossible Years. Recently he played the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Other roles include Bill Sykes in Oliver!, Jud in Oklahoma!, and Benny in Guys and Dolls.
Karli Boog (Kitty) recently appeared as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. Karli has been involved in her school choir, cheerleading, gymnastics and dance.
Bob Connelly (Mr. Laurence) is a veteran Community Players member and has appeared in Dial “M” for Murder, Rainmaker, I Remember Mama, Ten Little Indians, Cinderella and My Fair Lady, in which he played Professor Henry Higgins.
Kelly Derosa (Mary) makes her Players debut with Little Women. She appeared in Kaleidoscope’s productions of Snow White and A Christmas Carol.
Molly Diemel (Katy) appears with Players for the first time. She plays the violin and piano and sings in the Wicomico High School concert choir. She has sung with Barry Manilow and in Magi.
Robin Finley (Mrs. Moffett) has appeared in several dessert theatre productions for WorWic Community College including Oklahoma!, Merry Regiment, Trifles, and Sylvia. Also for Wor-Wic she directed Empty Space. She also has experience as a choreographer and dancer. This is Robin’s first appearance with Community Players.
Santiljano Keca (Prof. Bhaer) is making his stage debut. A native of Albania, Mr. Keca is a student at Wor-Wic Community College.
Katy Likovich (Minnie) appeared as Helen in A Christmas Carol. She recently played a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. She has also appeared with Kaleidoscope CYP.
Casey Mason-Foley (Sarah) appears with Community Players for the first time. She performed several roles in the St. Francis deSales School’s production of Guys and Dolls. She participates in her school choir, and is a student of dance and gymnastics.
Emily Shoop (Clara) is also appearing with Players for the first time. She is a former student of the Glen Burnie Academy of Fine Arts and the Spotlight Studio of Dance. She appeared in Bye-Bye Birdie with the Prince George’s Teen Theatre and with Merely Players in Little Women, How to Eat Like a Child and The Hobbit.
Monica Shores (Meg) performed in the Players chorus in Music Man and Bye-Bye Birdie. Before that she played the role of Martha in Salisbury School’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Monica is a student at Salisbury University.
James Spahn (John Brooks) makes his debut with Community Players, last appeared in productions at Laurel High School. He describes himself as a “dashing young Ne’er-Do-Well, who fancies himself a Post Modern Knight. He is an overly dramatic man who enjoys music, acting, and storytelling. He remains lost somewhere in his ‘20’s.”
Kristi Toadvine (Jo) does publicity for Players. She was last seen in the chorus of “Wizard of Oz”, as Pam in “Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect”, and as a dancing waiter in “Hello Dolly”. Other roles include the Star to Be in “Annie” and Ethel Toffelmier in “Music Man”. She works as an administrator in the Office of Continuing Education at Wor-Wic Community College and is proud to have the opportunity to play such an imaginative character as Jo March.
Erin Twilley (Amy) played one of the orphans in Annie and was a member of the ensembles in Hello, Dolly and The Wizard of Oz.
Mary Veise (Hannah) most recently appeared in this season’s production of The Wizard of Oz. She has been a member of the chorus in several of our other musical productions and played the role of Sophie in Social Security. At Salisbury University she played Bertha in Pippin and performed in several shows for Parker Productions.
Geri Wiberg (Aunt March) has played several roles in Community Players productions including Mother Gilbreth in Cheaper By the Dozen, Vivian Trachtman in Love, Sex and the IRS and Violet Bradman in Blithe Spirit. Geri teaches English and French at Colonel Richardson High School.
Chase Wulff (Laurie) is a student at WiHi, where he is a member of the concert choir. He has sung with Barry Manilow and is appearing in the school’s production of Bang, Bang You’re Dead. This is his first show with Community Players.
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
When the Production Committee first approached me about directing Little Women, I knew that the task would be daunting. Not only had local audiences recently fallen in love again with Louisa May Alcott’s story of growing up and letting go with a new screen version starring Susan Sarandon and Winona Rider, among others, but some of us remember those movies which featured June Allyson or Kate Hepburn as Jo.
Of course, who hasn’t read Little Women? Yet, I was intrigued by the challenge of taking a novel which had been adapted to the stage in the early nineteen hundreds, to the screen in the 30’s and 40’s then back to the stage in recent decades and even into an opera which is being performed in New York this season. So I said “sure” and my friend and assistant, Mary Starnes, set out on an adventure that took us through seven stage adaptations and four intensive nights of auditioning a record 83 people for the cast and story which you will enjoy seeing in our performance. It has been a labor of love and I thank everyone who has made it possible for us to present it here for you. We have endeavored to bring to you the highlights of this children’s classic which cover Alcott’s novel, Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and its first sequel, The Good Wives. Travel with us as we visit the March family on Christmas Eve, 1863, to post-war New York City, to Europe and back home again to New England. Christopher Columbus, we’re having a capital time!
Cindy Gore
Director
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Joe Andrews – Sign-Age
The Costume Loft
Jones and Dryden Truck and Car Rental
Mitchell’s Interiors
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.
Salisbury – Wicomico Arts Council
Wor-Wic Community College
Access 26
The Daily Times
Mike and Sandi at Q105
WBOC-TV
WMDT-TV
WICO – Cat Country
As in every production, there are individuals who have come to our aid and unfortunately are not mentioned in the program. We take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this production possible.
2002-2003 SHOW Remaining
Sunshine Boys
Directed by Ken Johnson
At Guerrieri Hall, Wor-Wic Community College
June 19, 20, 21 and 22
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Children’s Theatre Workshop
We are planning a session for this summer. Please look for announcements if you are interested in your children participating
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PATRONS 2002-2003
Guardians
Kel and Debbie Nagel Tom and Susan Robinson
In Memory of Mary E. Spencer MSC/ Mail Movers
Benefactors
Barbara S. Hanson - Dance Unlimited Fred G. and Clara S. Livingood
Mrs. Harry L. Palmer
Angels
Diane M. Collins Mary Sue and. Gordon Gladden
Holloway Funeral Home, P.A Paul Klaverweiden and Michale Williams
Regina Montagna Lillian & Lester Simpson
John and Ann Suthowski Barry P. Wilson In Memory of Mary Lou H. Wilson
Donors
Nancy and Fred Althaus Jane W. Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bloodsworth Gerry Dashiell
Nancy Davies and Bob Culver Alan and Mollie Dickerson
Nina S. Downs Robert and Evelyn Fishman
Lloyd and Alice Foard Betsy Hancock and Ed Fooks
Alan and Debbie Goodman William A. and Dr. Carolyn S. Johnston
Adrianne and Lew Kadushin Ruth Langeler
Rod and Pat Layton Eloise D.J. Lowry
Elinor H. Lynch Mary Frances Macon
Mark N. Maselli Dr. Kay Myers and Dr. Ben Bogia
Rick and Melody Nelson David and Mildred Pines
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Plotts Mr. and Mrs. A. James Smith
Bill and Jane Speide Mary and Stephanie Taylor
Shirley Thomas Taylor M. William and Frances Tilghman
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd F. Tweedy Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woodward
Anonymous
Sponsors
Marge and Jack Bredin Dr. and Mrs. William J. Doyle
Doris V. Hammond Mary‑Alice S. Hawkins
Mr. Alfred C. Huffer, Jr. Virginia B. Layfield
Vernon E. Tompkins Dick and Sally Work
Friends
Jessie M. Calloway Tim and Susan Johnson
Terry and Mary Beth Lindsay John and Vickie Pick
Holly and Miles Riggin Alan and Debra Yentsch
Anonymous
Thank You