Meet The Cast

A Grand Night for Singing
A Musical Revue

Conceived by Walter Bobbie

Music by Oscar Hammerstein II

Lyrics by Richard Rodgers

January 8 - 18, 2009

Director:  James Grenelle

Note from the Director

All the sounds of the earth are like music

When Tony Award-winning director Walter Bobbie was formulating his concept of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revue, he chose a carefully selected list of songs to be included. By choosing rarely heard and lesser well-known songs and combining them with re-conceived classics, he created a fresh take on some old standards. During the performance, we will take a look at the highs and lows of relationships from first love and dating to parenthood to finally, everlasting love all recreated through the harmonious music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

From beginning to end, this has been an amazing process. I am in awe of the sounds of the Fab Five. They are not only extremely talented performers individually, but also a powerful ensemble of singers. But they are not the only ones who have made this production work. The set designs of Jim Demetrius and costume assistance by Cherie Albury made my job significantly easier. My Stage Manager, Colleen Boylan, continues to keep me organized as well as proving herself to be an extremely talented and creative Lighting Designer.  Last, but not least, my immense thanks to Emi Stefanov for her brilliance, skill, and laughter, and to the band who create beautiful music each night. Because of each of these fantastically talented people, this has been one of the most enjoyable and meaningful shows I have had the pleasure to work on.

So relax and let yourself get swept up in the melodious magic of A Grand Night For Singing as these five terrific people take you on a journey through love and music.

 A Special thank you to:

Don Short
Ro Grenelle
 

SYNOPSIS

ACT ONE

The Carousel Waltz (Carousel)----------------------------------------------- The Cast

So Far (Allegro)------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephanie

It's a Grand Night for Singing (State Fair)--------------------------------- The Cast

The Surrey with the Fringe on Top (Oklahoma!)------------------------------ Joey

Stepsisters' Lament (Cinderella)-------------------------------- Stephanie & Mara

We Kiss in a Shadow (The King and I)-------------------------------------- Michael

Hello, Young Lovers (The King and I)--------------------------------------- The Cast

A Wonderful Guy (South Pacific)-------------------------------------------- Carolyne

Cain't Say No (Oklahoma!)----------------------------------------------------------- Mara

Maria (The Sound of Music)---------------------------------------------------------- Joey

Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?------------- (Cinderella).Stephanie

Honey Bun (South Pacific)-------------------------------------- Michael & the Cast

The Gentleman is a Dope (Allegro)------------------------------------------ Carolyne

Don't Marry Me (Flower Drum Song)-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------Michael, Joey, Stephanie & Mara

Many A New Day (Oklahoma!)-------------------- Carolyne, Stephanie & Mara

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair (South Pacific)-------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------Carolyne, Stephanie & Mara

If I Loved You (Carousel)-------------------------------------------------------------- Mara

Shall We Dance? (The King and I)------------------------------ Joey & Stephanie

That's The Way It Happens (Me and Juliet)------------------- Joey & Carolyne

All at Once You Love Her (Pipe Dream)------------------------- Michael & Joey

Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific)-------------------------------- The Cast

ACT TWO

Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' (Oklahoma!)-------------------------------- Michael

It Might as Well Be Spring (State Fair)---------------------------------- Stephanie

Kansas City (Oklahoma!)------------------------------------------------------- The Cast

A Hundred Million Miracles (Flower Drum Song)----------------------- Carolyne

When The Children Are Asleep (Carousel)-------------------------- Mara & Joey

I Know It Can Happen Again (Allegro)------------------------------------ Stephanie

My Little Girl (Carousel)----------------------------------------------------------- Michael

It's Me (Me and Juliet)----------------------------------- Carolyne, Joey & Michael

Love, Look Away (Flower Drum Song)------------------------------------------- Joey

When You're Driving Through the Moonlight (Cinderella)------------------ Mara

A Lovely Night (Cinderella)-------------------- Mara, Michael, Carolyne & Joey

Something Wonderful (The King and I)----------------------------------- Stephanie

This Nearly Was Mine (South Pacific)--------------------------------------- Michael

Impossible (Cinderella)------------------------------------------ Carolyne & the Cast

I Have Dreamed (The King and I)--------------------------------------------- The Cast

 MEET THE DIRECTORS

James Grenelle (Director/Choreographer) - For over 20 years, James has appeared on stage in such shows as A Chorus Line (Bobby), My Favorite Year (Benjy), Cabaret (The Emcee, 2008 Lary Award), Lend Me a Tenor (Max), How To Succeed (Bud), and Crazy For You (Bobby).  Locally as a director: Anything Goes; The Man Who Came to Dinner; Stepping Out; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and last season Sweet Charity and Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as FWP’s September production of High Society.  He sends a thank you to Colleen, to his wonderful mom and always loving and patient fiancé Brian.

 Emi Stefanov (Music Director) - This is Emi’s third show at the Playhouse.  Credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie (FWP), Sweet Charity (FWP), Cabaret (EOT), Urinetown (EOT), My Fair Lady (EOT), Pajama Game, Smokey Joes’ Café, Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress, Jekyll and Hyde, She Loves Me, and more.  Emi has worked with performers such as Anne Reinking, Ben Vereen, John Kander, the late Gregory Hines and Gwen Verdon.  Thanks to James, cast, crew and the orchestra.  As always endless thanks to friends and family, especially my boys.

The Cast

Stephanie Fox
Mara Martin
Michael Raabe
Joey Sarlo
Carolyne Weber

 Meet the Cast

 Stephanie Fox - Stephanie has wanted to do this show since she first saw it 10 years ago.  She was last seen at the Playhouse as Liz in High Society.  She also just completed The Pajama Game at EOT.  Stephanie would like to thank her extremely talented gang of pirates, elves and gangsters.

Mara Martin - Mara is pleased to be in her first production with Francis Wilson Playhouse and would like to thank James, Emi and the cast and crew for this wonderful opportunity! Starting out as a pianist and violinist, vocals came later as a singing waitress.  Mara was last seen as Agnes Gooch in EOT’s Mame.  Special thanks go to my husband and Mom & Dad for telling me to “go for it!” A big hello to TISKK and the Sunset Flyers!

 Michael Raabe - Michael LOVES Rodgers and Hammerstein, and he loves working with two of his “Plaid Brothers” (and Plaid Sister).  Throw in some wonderful ladies, a duet with Dominick, and you have a truly GRAND experience!  Here at the Playhouse, Michael appeared in Bells Are Ringing and music directed The Full Monty.  Favorite roles include “Frankie” in Forever Plaid – Florida Tour, and “The Beast” in EOT’s Beauty and The Beast.  ….for JW….my HONEY Bun (78 inches high!)

 Joey Sarlo - Joey is so excited to be a part of such a wonderful cast and show.  He was last seen speaking Chinese as Ching Ho in the Playhouse’s wildly successful Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell, Pippin in Pippin, Finch in How to Succeed and Sparky in Forever Plaid.  Thanks to Water Lily, Dean, Kix, Crush, Rah, Pookie, and Emi & Petar.  Lots of love to his love.

 Carolyne Weber - Carolyne is very excited to be in her third show at the Playhouse.  Previously she could be seen in our critically acclaimed musical The Full Monty and Bells Are Ringing, EOT’s Urinetown, The Musical and Salerno Theater’s Don’t Hug Me.  She can also be seen during the holidays as part of Vocal Inc.’s Dickens’ Carolers.  She would like to thank James and Emi for their wonderful direction and her fellow pirates for making this show such a joyous experience.  As always she would like to thank her family and her “Wonderful Guy,” Frank, for all of their support.

 Colleen Boylan (Stage Manager) - Colleen is happy to be working on her 18^th show at the Playhouse.  She recently stage managed High Society and ran spot for The Full Monty in addition to being the new lighting designer here at FWP.  She also recently stage managed for Summer Nights and Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens.  Colleen would like to thank this great cast and special thanks to James.

 Production Staff

Director..................................................................... James Grenelle

Musical Director............................................................ Emi Stefanov

Stage Manger............................................................ Colleen Boylan

Costume Design........................................................ James Grenelle

Producer.................................................................... Dianna Hanger

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

Lighting Design.......................................................... Colleen Boylan

Lighting /Sound........................................................... Dianna Hanger

 Produced through special arrangement with
Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals.