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Rave Reviews for a Remarkable Season at the Village Players.

From the President...

Welcome Village Players Family,

I had hoped by the time I wrote this letter I wouldn’t have to think of things like unemployment, recession, war, or disasters (natural or man-made). But the truth is that our region is still struggling to find jobs, we wrestle with the idea of loosening purse strings, and the news never seems to want for stories of tragedy. The pulse of America is metered, we make decisions for our families cautiously, our hearts ache for our men and women who fight so far from home, and we hope our leaders make decisions that are right and just, not merely popular.

This isn’t the first time that our country has faced crises; it’s not even the worst crisis we’ve encountered. But these are our times, and these are our problems. However, in times of trouble it is the arts that lift the spirit and the soul. The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Mamas and the Papas were inspired by Vietnam. The movies of Cecil B. DeMille, and the music of the Big Bands were born from the World Wars. Pal Joey, Porgy and Bess, Oklahoma!, Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, Carousel, and Showboat (just to name a few) made their Broadway debuts during WWII!

Music, television, cinema, and theatre can be a window on a different time and place, or a mirror of reality and stark truth. They give us the opportunity to momentarily escape or challenge us to gain new perspectives. They are subtle and they are blatant. And theatre, I believe, is unique among them because of the vital and integral part that you, our audience, play in the story. Radio, television, and movies can and do play to empty rooms, but theatre requires an audience’s participation. The script gives the actor words and lyrics, the character gives the actor motivation, but you by your presence give the actor purpose.

I invite you not to sit back and relax, but to sit up and pay heed as our actors and their crew work their magic. Together we can challenge the laws of physics and bring a different space and time here and now in this little theatre. Perhaps we’ll escape from the worries of our world, or maybe, just maybe, we will be inspired to stand against them. Because if art can create a different world inside these walls, what wonders will manifest when we unleash it upon our world?

Welcome to The Village Players Theatre,

Jake GordyPresident

2011-2012 SeaSon Board MeMBerSJake Gordy .................................................PresidentAndrew Todd ..............................................V. Pres. ProductionBrenda Sweeney.........................................V. Pres. PublicityOpen .........................................................V. Pres. DevelopmentDan Finkel..................................................TreasurerKara Ayers .................................................Secretary

Rich Chesko ...............................................Board Member Patrick Drummond ......................................Board MemberDerek Hansen ............................................Board Member Laura Hansen .............................................Board MemberMarc Malley ................................................Board MemberJean Mills ...................................................Board MemberPaul Palmisano ...........................................Board MemberBrad Riker ..................................................Board MemberSara Speelman ...........................................Board MemberAnn Veasey ................................................Board MemberJudy Wiederhold .........................................Board Member

Volunteer StaffLaura Hansen .............................................NewsletterKate Argow & Laurie Mix .............................Volunteer CoordinatorAnn Veasey ................................................Box Office and House Mgr. Debbie Marinik ...........................................Casting DirectorJake Gordy .................................................ProgramsJudy Wiederhold .........................................Sold HousesLarry Farley ................................................LegalLaurie Mix ..................................................Season SubscriptionsLaura Hansen .............................................Season Ticket MarketingDerek Hansen ............................................EducationLarry Janney & Norb Mills ............................Building & GroundsOpen .........................................................OCTA DelegatePam Kelso ..................................................Costume ManagerDon Weber.................................................Data EntryElizabeth Black ...........................................Playreading CommitteeJake Gordy .................................................WebMasterOpen .........................................................Props Manager

A Brief History of tHe VillAge PlAyers tHeAtre

The Village Players Theatre presented its first play, The Great Sebastians, starring Rosemary Kahle and Edward C. Ames in 1957, in the Ottawa Hills High School. The original group performed in schools, churches and even in tents. The first musical, The Village Player’s fifth production was Plain and Fancy, which opened on February 25, 1958, in the Lincoln Hall at Collingwood Presbyterian Church. The show was directed by Arthur Lithgow, father of the television and movie star John Lithgow, and starred a whole cast of who’s who in Toledo.

The Theatre stopped moving from site to site in 1960. We put down roots when we purchased this building and converted it from a church to a theater. That Theatre Board took a leap of faith when they agreed to pay $45,000 for the church. However, because of their faith in the future of the theatre and the city of Toledo, literally hundreds of plays and thousands of actors have crossed these boards.

In thankful recognition of the continuing support of our members and volunteers, The Village Players Theatre culminated its 50th season celebration with the successful Rhinestone Ball held at the Toledo Botanical Gardens on June 29, 2007. In the 51st season, the Board was pleased to provide new seating for our patrons. In our 52nd season we installed a new stage for our actors. The summer of 2009 we were able to waterproof the basement, and rebuild the exterior stairwell which used to be a source of flooding. These projects are the direct result of responsible management of monies earned through Sold Houses and special donations over the years.

The Village Players Theatre has no paid year-round staff — volunteers keep it running. We take great pride in this and invite you to join us as we continue to add to the history of an organization making a significant cultural difference to our community.

2011-2012 VillAge PlAyers BoArd of directors

Back Row: Andrew Todd, Patrick Drummond, Laura Hansen, Judy Wiederhold, Derek Hansen, Jake Gordy, Laurie Mix, Brad Riker, Sara Speelman, Kara Ayers

Front Row: Dan Finkel, Ann Veasey, Jean Mills, Brenda Sweeney, Marc Malley

L0709050094[exp0111][OH]Thank You!!

Voted “Best Local Theatre Group” by readers of The Toledo City Paper for THREE years in a row!

Monroe Street DinerCarry-Out Menu

Call Ahead

419-472-08884514 Monroe St. (across from Kroger), Toledo, Ohio

Hours: Monday - Saturday 6:00am - 3:00pmSunday 7:00am - 3:00pm

Breakfast Anytime!

2011 | 2012 PERFORMANCES:Murder by Indecision Oct 21-22, 2011The Legend of Pocahontas Dec 1-4, 2011The Red Velvet Cake Wars Feb 24-25, 2012The Princess King Apr 12-15, 2012Rad: The Musical May 18-19, 2012

Children’s Theatre WorkshopTHEATRE BY CHILDREN, FOR CHILDREN SINCE 1954

For more details, call 419.244.5061 or “Like” us on Facebook: Children’s Theatre Workshop (Toledo)

Open the door to your child’s creativity.

CTW offers fun theatre classes that encourage imagination, teamwork,

creative characterization, concentration, and confidence.

Classes for children ages 5-18. All CTW students are encouraged and invited to participate in CTW’s

productions.

Save the Date! Winter 2012 Class Registration date is Jan 7, 2012

Directed by

Derek Hansen

Produced byLaura Hansen

Set Design by

Judson Lohman

There will be one 15-minute intermissionNote: Please set all cell phones and pagers to “off” or “vibrate.”

Light Design by

Andrew Todd

Sound Design byDerek Hansen

Produced by special arrangement withSamuel French, Inc.

Written by

Sam Shepard

Friends - $25 (cont.)Richard & Charlotte LauerMaryruth MabbittJane MillerPhilip & Rebecca MillerNancy MorningstarBarb MyersThomas & Dottie NortzMr. & Mrs. James OlejownikJudy PfaffenbergerMark & Jo Lyn PhilippiBob & Judy RankHerbert Hoskins & Deborah RasmussonBev Rideout

Mae Jo RitchieJames & Mary RooneyCatherine SamsenHarry P. SchulmanBob & Barb SkinnerLouis & Jean SnyderSally SussmanRobert & Patricia SuttleJim & Georgia SzczublewskiLinda TippettChristopher & Laurie TowlesDeforest & Judy Lee TrautmanGerald Westphal

the Village PlayerS theatre2740 Upton Ave.

Toledo Ohiohttp://www.thevillageplayers.org

presents

Assistant Director

Laurie Mix

GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR ALL OCCASIONS

JON McINTEE

MCINTEEJ@GMAIL.COM740.815.0838

www.JONMCINTEE.com

LetterheadBusiness CardsLogo DesignAdvertisementsMailersWedding Invitations

cAst

Austin ...........................................................................J. Heath HuberLee ............................................................................. Ben LumbrezerSaul ........................................................................James MacFarlaneMom ............................................................................... Dianna West

timeLate 1980’s

PlAceA southern California suburb west of Los Angeles

contriButions

The Estate of John W Hallauer

Producer’s Circle - $500Rich & Becky CheskoJean & Norb MillsTom & Kristen Shook

Sponsors - $125Curtis & Marilyn BlackMarlene & Ray BrinkerJohn & Cathy CarleMarge DembowskiRuss & Vicky GriggsEarnest & Nancy HatfieldMadge LevinsonJohn & Joan MalakWillard E. MisfeldtJim & Cheryl RechelLarry Von Kuster & Teresa RothKathleen Simon

Patrons - $50Harvard ArmusRaymond & Marlene BableJohn & Nancy BurtonThomas & Gisela CainCharles & Jane CaseRichard Chesko, Sr.Robert & Darlene CookDeborah Peters & Steven CotnerAlvenia CrawfordCecilia DionisioLarry FarleySally FergusonCarole & John ForteWanda FosterZac GilleyRobert J Gosling, MDLaura HanzlLina HazleRoy & Joan HeinzDavid & Shelly HopsonColis Hudgens

Nancy & Larry JanneyShirley JustenTom KovacsSandra LaasTed & Janice LangSam & Anna LovalentiJack & Sally MalhoitRuth Ann & Larry MartinCarol MatthewsJan & Bill MeyerSuzanne MoesserMarvin & Margaret MuellerJohn J. & Virginia MyersBill & Dorothy NunemakerCarl & Judy PohlCharles & Barbara RolanderMark & Corrine SattlerDean & Kathy SellRobert & Joan ShreveBob & Marian SmithRalph & Susan SmithClaus & Suzanne StangJim & Barbara SullivanBrenda SweeneyTom & Emily ThayerBrigitte WagenerElbert J WellerDavid & Carol Zenk

Friends - $25Ethel BaerGeorge & Karyl BoosLaverne BussdiekerRobert ConleyTerry & Barbara CooperTed & Billie DennisonJim & Monique DrotarJoe A DuerringerNorm & Charlotte DymarkowskiDuane Dewey HallDon & Lynn HarterDr. Hugh & Kay HenleyGail Odneal & Mel HonigWinifred Kuk

Patrons - $50 (cont.)

Special ThanksZac Gilley

Jordan KotzThe Toledo Repertoire Theatre

Production stAffDirector: ........................................................................ Derek HansenAssistant Director: ................................................................Laurie MixProducer: .......................................................................Laura HansenStage Manager: ......................................... Laura Hansen & Megan RayLighting Design: ............................................................... Andrew Todd Light Crew: ........................................................ Amanda Lockwood Sound Design: ................................................................ Derek Hansen Sound Crew: ............................................................Allen WilkinsonCostume Design: ........................................................................... CastProps Gatherers: ...................................................................Brad RikerStage Crew: .......................................... Kara Ayers, Elizabeth Piel Black,

Joyce Calmes, Rich Chesko, Patrick DrummondSet Design: ...................................................................Judson LohmanSet Dressing: ........................................................................Brad RikerSet Construction: ................................................................... Brad Ray Assistant: ........................................................... James MacFarlanePainters & Dutchers ........ Patrick Drummond, Jake Gordy, Derek Hansen,

Laura Hansen, Jordan Kotz, Judson Lohman, Laurie Mix, Brad Riker, & Sara Speelman

House Manager: .................................................................Ann VeaseyBox Office Manager: ...........................................................Ann VeaseyBox Office Staff: .............. Kimberley Bruggemann, Pam Engle, Sandy Fry,

Darlene Hatfield, Barbara Heindel, Sue Holliger, Debbie Krieger, Dianne Nowakowski, Jinny Patterson, Susan Rice, & Judy Wiederhold

Publicity: ....................................................................Brenda SweeneyProgram: ............................................................................Jake GordyProgram Art & Cover Design: ...........................................Laura HansenProduction Logo: .............................................................Laura HansenProgram Printing: ....................................................... The Copy CenterMarquee Sign: ............................................................... Derek HansenHousekeeping: ............................................................Judy WiederholdTheatre Photographer: ......................................................Frank Venda

tHe director

D. Nicholas Hansen (Director) For over 16 years, Derek has acted, directed and produced a number of shows in and around the Toledo area. Here at The Village he has directed Third, Much Ado About Nothing and co-directed Wrong Turn at Lungfish (with John Henry), as well as The Spitfire Grill at the Toledo Repertoire Theater and Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas

Binge at the former Harvest Theater. His favorite acting roles include Owen in The Melville Boys, Rudy in Wrong for Each Other, Silvio in Pvt. Wars, and Mickey in Greetings. Derek’s numerous accomplishments include receiving three acting awards from the Ohio Community Theater Association, assistant directing the independent film In the Company of Strangers, being a member of Toledo’s only Improv comedy troupe, the Around the Bend Players, and receiving a BA in Theatre from The University of Toledo. Derek would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication, and his wife Laura for her constant support.

Laurie Mix (Assistant Director) is a first-time director, but no stranger to the theatre. She is most often found backstage during a production, calling cues and keeping the pace as Stage Manager; her most recent productions serving in this capacity include Bell, Book and Candle and Light Up the Sky at The Toledo Rep, and Adrift in Macao, Third, and Murder Among

Friends here at The Village. She would like to thank her cast for making her directing debut so enjoyable — their talent and dedication has made this an amazing experience! In addition she would like to thank Derek, Laura and Jake and the rest of the Tuesday Night Crew for inviting her into the fray and believing in her and her family for always supporting her, both onstage and off.

tHe cAst

J. Heath Huber (Austin) When Heath was in college, his first real acting teacher suggested that he read the works of Sam Shepard. Heath didn’t understand a word, but something about the imagery and characters of these plays started a passion for trying to understand Sam Shepard that has lasted unto this day. He hopes he does Dr. Renee Vincent proud with this production!

It’s truly a dream role. Heath is often seen at the Toledo Rep where he just finished playing Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. He has also appeared at The Rep in Chapter Two, The Foreigner, Dog Sees God, The Crucible (John Proctor), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Nick), Spitfire Grille, and To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus). Thanks to mom and dad, his biggest fans!

The Village Players’2011–2012 55th Season

True West (Dramedy)Author: Sam ShepardDates: January 6-21, 2012

Recently revived at New York’s Circle in the Square, where Phillip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly alternated playing the roles of the brothers, this American classic explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale.

School for Husbands (Farcical Comedy)Author: MoliereDates: March 9-24, 2012

Here is classical theater at it’s funniest, wisest, and most engaging ever. In the battle of the sexes, who trains who? Brothers, Sganarelle and Ariste are guardians to two sisters, Isabelle and Léonor. The brothers have two very different theories of how to school their wards. The stern and repressive upbringing that Sganarelle imposes on his charge is in direct contrast to the loving treatment his brother, Ariste gives to his own young ward. Molière deliciously shows us that Sganarelle’s folly is no match for a woman’s resourcefulness.

[title of show] (Musical Comedy)Book by: Hunter Bell,Music & Lyrics by: Jeff BowenDates: May 11-26, 2012

“A musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical.” The deadline for the musical-theater festival is only three weeks away and Jeff and Hunter are set on writing a hit. Just how many musical theatre references can you find in this delightful comedy? “Delectable entertainment” - New York Times

“Sly, sassy, inspired” - Entertainment Weekly

Ben Lumbrezer (Lee) is thrilled to be returning to The Village Players stage. He has been involved in Toledo theatre for several years and was last seen in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure at the Toledo Rep’. He has also appeared in The Mercy Seat, Dog Sees God, and Chapter Two at the Toledo Rep as well as The Shape of Things, Much Ado About Nothing, and

Of Mice and Men at The Village Players and The Glass Menagerie at Harvest Theatre of Toledo. Ben would like to thank his fiancée, Jenna, for her love and support.

James MacFarlane (Saul) had appeared in several shows this last year, including The Underpants (Versati/King of Germany), Inventing Van Gogh (Patrick Stone), and most recently in Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Sherlock Holmes). He is pleased to be back working at The Village Players with Joyce, Laurie Mix, Derek, and Laura Hansen, with whom he previously

worked on Third. “This is like being back with family, sometimes it’s a little stressful, but it’s always fun.”

Diana West (Mom) is thrilled to be back on The Village stage and working with such an exceptional cast and director. Most recently she has been seen in Let’s Murder Marsha and The Best Man at The Village. Diana has been active in community theater for over 40 years having appeared on stages in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio. A recipient of an excellence in acting award

from the Ohio Community Theater Association for Sylvia, some of her other favorite roles include Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Chloe in Lips Together, Teeth Apart and Gabby in Not Waving. When not on stage, she keeps busy as an office manager at American Tool and Die. She would like to thank director Derek Hansen for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful production.

Would you like information on “Sold-House” opportunities at The Village Players Theatre: how your group, church, or other organization can purchase a performance and raise money through ticket sales?

Musical “Sold-Houses” are $800.00 per show; other productions are $700.00 per show. The theater seats 165 patrons. You determine the ticket price for your show and how much profit you make! A punch reception is provided at no additional cost. Show dates are limited.

Please call Judy at (734) 847-7746 for more information on “Sold Houses.”

fund-rAising oPPortunities At tHe VillAge