Winter 2011-2012
In this issue
Man of La Mancha Opens January 27

MCP's winter production is the soaring musical theater classic Man of La Mancha, written by Dale Wasserman, with lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. Man of La Mancha is based on the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of one of the world's greatest literary masterpieces, Don Quijote de la Mancha. The original production opened on Broadway in 1965 and won five Tony awards. Set in a prison in Seville, Spain, at the end of the seventeenth century, the show has a powerful blend of romance, comedy, adventure, and tragedy. It features such enduring songs as "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea."
Mike Baker, Jr as Quixote, Nathan Tatro as Sancho, and Janice Rivera as Dulcinea
Photos by Traci J. Brooks
Director Don Petersen says "What a privilege and responsibility it is to direct Man of La Mancha, a show admired by theatergoers for the power of its story, the humor in its dialogue, and the beauty of its music." He continues "In a world where many live by the saying 'it is what it is,' Don Quixote inspires us to believe that things should be better than they are and that one man can change a dark and indifferent world." Don, a veteran director, leads an award-winning cast, including Mike Baker, Jr. as Don Quixote, Nathan Tatro as Sancho Panza, and Janice Rivera as Aldonza. George and Cathy

Bobby McCoy, Rosemary Dyer, and Lori Roddy at rehearsal
Photo by Gerald Hoffmann
Farnsworth are producers. Bobby McCoy is Music Director, and Rosemary Dyer is Vocal Director. Lori Roddy is Music Coordinator.
The show opens January 27 and runs weekends through February 11 at the Alden Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $18 for seniors, students and McLean district residents. A group rate of $15 is available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available at the Alden Box Office, from OvationTix (1-866-811-4111), online (see website), or by mailing in an order form. See MCP's website for complete ticket information. With adult themes, this show is most suitable for ages 16 and older.
On behalf of SHARE, Inc., the players will be collecting donations of canned and non-perishable food throughout the run of Man of La Mancha.
Man of La Mancha is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.
Upcoming Events
MCP Announces Change to Current Season and Lineup for 2012-2013
MCP's summer 2012 production is now slated to be the hilarious musical comedy Legally Blonde, the Musical, with book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Neil Benjamin. This all-singing/all-dancing show opens July 13 and runs through July 28. It will be directed by Michael Replogle. Linda Stone and Annie O'Neill are producers.

We open our seventh season in October 2012 with What I Did Last Summer by A.R. Gurney, a memory play in which the main character looks back on the summer during World War II, when he was fourteen.

MCP's winter 2012-13 production will be the musical Next to Normal, which won three Tony awards when it debuted on Broadway in 2009. With book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, this show is not the standard feel-good musical, as it dramatizes the effects of a mother's manic depression on a suburban family.

In spring 2013, MCP will produce the hilarious Neal Simon farce Rumors, in which the Deputy Mayor of New York accidentally shoots himself, sustaining a minor injury, before a dinner party he is hosting to celebrate his tenth wedding anniversary. His wife and lawyer struggle to come up with an explanation before the guests arrive.

Our summer 2013 show is the classic musical comedy Damn Yankees, with book by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. This comedy is a modern version of the Faust legend and is set in the 1950s in Washington, D.C. when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. It features many tunes audiences will recognize, such as "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets."

Auditions for Deathtrap
Logo Auditions for MCP's Spring 2012 production of the thriller Deathtrap, by Ira Levin will be held Sunday, February 12, at 2:30 p.m. and Monday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. Jerry Bonnes is director for the show, and Bunny Bonnes and Abby Edwards are producers. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please fill out an online audition form and bring a headshot if you have one. The following characters will be cast:
  • Sidney Bruhl (late 50s). An accomplished writer who is suffering from writer's block.
  • Myra Bruhl (40s). Sidney's wife.
  • Clifford Anderson (mid-to-late 20s). A young playwright.
  • Helga Ten Dorp (mid 40s). A neighbor who is psychic.
  • Porter Milgrim (Mid 50s). Sidney's lawyer.
Please see the auditions page of MCP's websitefor more information.

Performances of Deathtrap will be April 20-May 5, 2012.
MCP Elects New Directors and Officers for 2011-2012
At the annual meeting of members on September 29, 2011, MCP elected two new board members: Alex Bhargava and Lynne Lawhead. At the meeting of the board of directors on October, 2011, board members elected the following slate of officers for the 2011-2012 season:
  • Chairperson:   Jennifer Levy
  • President:   Bill Glikbarg
  • First VP:   Brent Stone
  • VP, Artistic Committee:   Chris Hardy
  • VP, Marketing/Membership Committee:   Tula Pendergrast
  • VP, Logistics Committee:   Bob Zeigler
  • VP, Long-Range Planning Committee:   Terry Yates
  • Secretary:   Annie O'Neill
  • Asst. Secretary:   Cathy Farnsworth
  • Treasurer:   Alex Bhargava
  • Asst. Treasurer:   George Farnsworth
Volunteer Form Available on MCP's Website
The Membership and Marketing Committee has developed a form for volunteers to use to indicate what their areas of interest are. The form can be filled out and submitted online. We will be having orientation meetings from time to time. Please let us know what you think about the form.
Technical Training at the Alden
Volunteers who work in The Alden in a technical capacity are required to complete this training course. Technical Certification introduces students to all aspects of technical production, including safety issues, and is designed to assist local arts organizations with their productions. Volunteers may sign up for one or all of the sessions. Please wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement and closed-toe shoes with laces or velcro, or loafers. Instructor: The Alden staff. Volunteers ages 14 and older are eligible to participate. Each 4-hour session is free of charge. The schedule is shown below:
*Important Prerequisite: Shop I must be completed before attending Shop II.