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The Topeka Civic Theatre Newsletter

ON THE MAINSTAGE...

Five-Star Entertainment

Member mail in deadline: September 29, 2014 Member phone lines open: October 7, 2014

General public phone lines open: October 14, 2014Box office (785) 357-5211 or TopekaCivicTheatre.com

Media Sponsors:Country Legends 106.9WIBW TV & wibw.com

Associate Co-Producers:Hall Commerical Printing

Vol. 30 : No. 2: October / November 2014 3028 SW 8th Ave. Topeka, KS 66606 TopekaCivicTheatre.com | 785.357.5211

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

19 20 21 22 23 24 6pm dinner 8pm show

25 6pm dinner 8pm show

26 27 28 29 30 *7pm show Volunteer Night

31 6pm dinner 8pm show

1 6pm dinner 8pm show

2 12:30pm brunch 2pm show

3 4 5 6 7pm show

7 6pm dinner 8pm show

8 6pm dinner 8pm show

Murder is Announced October/November 2014

A Murder Mystery by Agatha Christie; Adapted for the stage by Leslie DarbonProduced through special arrangement with Samuel French Play Service

An announcement in the local paper states the time and place when a murder is to occur in Miss Blacklock’s Victorian house. The victim is not one of the house’s several occupants, but an unexpected and unknown visitor. What follows is a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death, a determined Inspector grimly following the twists and turns, and Miss Marple on hand to provide the final solution at some risk to herself in a dramatic confrontation just before the final curtain.

October 24 - November 8, 2014

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Greetings once again from Topeka Civic Theatre and happy Fall! We just launched our 79th season with Catch Me If You Can and I hope you all caught this amazing musical. Kudos to our wonderful cast, crew and orchestra. Another hearty congratulations to the spooky cast and crew of Night of the Living Dead at our sister theatre, Helen Hocker. You did a great job scaring the daylights out of me. Our volunteers are amazing from musicals to dramas and everything in between.

The exciting thing about launching a new season is that we immediately go into the planning process for the next season. Which means that TCT’s Play Reading Committee has reconvened and is busy reading, researching and seeking out the hottest and best titles available for the 2015-16 season.

Our Play Reading Committee is one of the hardest working and dedicated committees at TCT. From September to December, literally hundreds of plays and musicals are devoured by the group who meet once a week to share their thoughts, bounce off new ideas and sculpt the new season for both TCT and Helen Hocker Theater.

It’s a monumental job. One we take quite seriously. And as we pour over stacks and stacks of scripts and librettos, we always keep one ultimate goal in mind; building a well balanced, artistically rewarding and ultimately satisfying season for the theatre community of northeast Kansas.

Chaired by Board of Trustee Member, June Keith, this nineteen-member committee is now seeking input from you. After all, we can’t build the perfect season for you, if we don’t ask you what you may be looking for. So each fall I use this column to ask you, “Seen any good shows recently?”

Perhaps you were on a trip and caught a funny show. Or you have friends in another community who raved about a particular production. Or maybe you saw a show here at TCT years ago that you are dying for us to bring back. Let us know!

Some of the best ideas have come from people who just let us know about something they have seen and enjoyed in other communities. Your willingness to share with us helps us build a truly remarkable season.

Please email me your suggestions at Shannon@TopekaCivicTheatre.com. Or call me at (785) 357-5213. We really would love to hear from you. Or you can connect with anyone on our artistic staff or please feel free to contact our CEO, Vickie Brokke at Vickie@TopekaCivicTheatre.com.

We’d love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

{staff}

Vickie Brokke, President & CEOShannon Reilly, Artistic Director

Administrative StaffCasey Cain, PT Box Office AssociateChelle Decker, Director of Corporate DevelopmentKim Hart, PT Box Office AssociatePatricia Homan, Maintenance SupervisorThomas J. Hughes, Jr., Administrative DirectorKerrice Mapes, Marketing DirectorShirley Price, Finance DirectorCathy Kready Smith, Box Office ManagerKathy Smith, Director of Donor Development

Production StaffBethany Dunham, Education DirectorSara Myer, Resident Designer & Technical

Director/ Oldfather TheatreRebecca Radziejeski, Volunteer CoordinatorTed Shonka, Resident Designer & Technical

Director/ Sheffel TheatreKate Stires, Resident Costume Designer

Helen Hocker Theater StaffLynda Denton, Office ManagerAdam Jenks, Resident Designer & Technical DirectorJoanna Lassley, Associate Artistic/Education DirectorLaurie Uhler, Resident Costume Designer

Theatre Club of Topeka StaffEddie Shirron, Club ManagerLouAnne Maddox, Assistant Club Manager

{board of trustees}

CHAIR Shawn LeisingerVICE CHAIR June KeithSECRETARY Jeri HansenTREASURER John P. OlsenPAST CHAIR Jim Ogle

{endowment board}

PRESIDENT Scott NellisVICE PRESIDENT Don SchepkerSECRETARY/TREASURER Steve Briman Vickie Brokke, Austin Nothern, John P. Olsen, Rick Ryan, Bryon Schlosser

{affiliations}

American Association of Community TheatreAmerican Association for Theatre in Education

Community Resource CouncilGreater Topeka Chamber of Commerce

Topeka Tourism AllianceTheatre for Young Audiences/USA

Mark BakerTanya Dorf BrunnerJeff ChanayDoug ExlineLinessa FrazierKathleen HeitJared Holroyd

Jeri HansenGrace MorrisonBrenda Musil-UnruhDavid PennMartha Bartlett PilandCandace Williams

artistic directorfrom the

{Shannon Reilly}

Julia Simmons - ERIN MCGINNISLetitia Blacklock - SUE WINEDora Bunner - PENNI HANSEN*Patrick Simmons - DUSTY NICHOLSMitzi - CRISTIN BELNAYMiss Marple - CAROLE RIESPhillipa Haymes - BETHANY DUNHAMMrs. Swettenham - LISA BISEL*

Edmund Swettenham - RYAN BROKKERudi Scherz - BLAKE HUBERInspector Craddock - GARY LUKE FOILESSergeant Mellors - DAVID TIMPANY *TCT Mainstage Debut

Shannon Reilly - Artistic Director

Cast of A Murder is Announced

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Unique haunted experience tailored for kids and teens/adults. *Special kids showings from 4 to 6:30pm. Scary spooks for teens and adults begin at 6:30pm.

For full schedule and ticket information, go to: TopekaCivicTheatre.com/HHT

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LAUGHTER brought to you by Topeka Civic Theatre

An all-youth version of Laugh Lines, The Freshman Class perform family-friendly improv comedy. Kids love shouting out suggestions and adults enjoy the quick-wit of our young actors.

Saturday, November 1 Doors open at 6pm / Show at 7pm / Tickets $6 (plus tax)

Our senior improv company is made up entirely of 55+ year old actors. They define life in the golden years as a terrifically fun-

filled trip. It’s a great Sunday afternoon event.

Sunday, November 2Doors open at 1pm / Show at 2pm / Tickets $6 (plus tax)

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Greg Myer

Greg is not a new face to Topeka Civic Theatre, having volunteered at the theatre since the summer of 2002 and most recently playing leading con-man Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can. When asked how many shows he has performed Greg said, “I always lose count....but in the past 12 years, I would guess 15 to 20.”

Other stand-out roles for Greg have included Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Bobby Strong in Urinetown and Lord Farquaad in Shrek, The Musical.

Having been so involved with TCT for the past 12 years, it is no wondered that Greg “found a home at TCT. It’s my living room and my playground. A place where I’ve made a ton of friends, and a place where I’ve really focused my craft,” said Greg. He added, “I enjoy seeing the new volunteers and helping to make them feel welcome, just like so many did for me so long ago.”

Greg is a huge supporter of TCT and if asked “I would tell them [potential volunteer] all the possible roles they could fill from on-stage to off, hosting, helping with props or sets and more. And I would warn them that there’s a strong chance they’ll get hooked, like so many do.”

Outside of theatre, Greg’s time is consumed by work and his two children. “I just can’t get enough of watching their curiosities and seeing them figure things out, and become proud of themselves and each other. I also have a pretty amazing wife [Sara Myer] that I do so enjoy spending time with – when we can get that time.”

“I encourage just about everybody I know to volunteer. TCT has attracted some of the best of the best, who humbly accept any challenge they are given, and do so with a smile. It’s a great place to be for play, work or just to be with great people.” Interested in Volunteering?Opportunities are available on stage, back stage, and front of house at Topeka Civic Theatre. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Rebecca Radziejeski at Rebecca@TopekaCivicTheatre.com or by phone at (785) 357-5213.

notable

Congratulations...

To board member STEVE BRIMAN for being inducted into the Junior Achievement of Kansas Business Hall of Fame.

To Helen Hocker Associate Artist / Education Director JOANNA LASSLEY for being awarded the Women’s Initiative award in Education. This innaurgal award is presented by Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development for GO Topeka.

To Skyler Dykes, TCT Club Staff, who won the Mayor’s Award at the annual Topeka Youth Recognition Dinner sponsored by Jobs for Young Adults. The TCT Club nominated Skyler and the Mayor’s Award is the highest honor of all. Congrats!

To Box Office Associate Casey Cain Malone and her husband Ahmadd on the birth of their son Ronin on August 31. Mom and son are doing well. Condolences...

To board member JARED HOLROYD and his wife DEB on the passing of her parents, JOHN and ZONA BERBERICH. They passed away within an hour of each other on July 18, 2014.

To contributing members JIM & LINDA IRELAND and season member JANET BEFFORT on the passing of Janet and Jim’s mother, VIOLA IRELAND on July 20, 2014.

To season ticket holder JENALEA RANDALL and family on the death of her husband, TONY RANDALL on July 20, 2014.

To friends and family of season ticket holder KAREN GODFREY, who passed away on July 22, 2014.

To longtime contributing members DR. DENNIS and ANNIE TIETZE on the passing of his mother, ELEANOR TIETZE on July 24, 2014.

To family and friends of longtime season ticket holder MARY SNYDER, who passed away July 27, 2014.

To longtime donor and member JIM LAGERBERG, to TCT Box Office Manager CATHY KREADY SMITH and to volunteer BRUCE SMITH on the death of beloved wife and mother MARY LAGERBERG on August 12, 2014.

To longtime TCT volunteer and family member MELINDA COOPER on the passing of her mother BETTE ENGLER on August 15, 2014.

To TCT volunteers and family members ANDY & KELLY HUFF on the passing of his mother, HOPE HINKLE, on August 23, 2014.

To longtime donor and member CARL NUZMAN and family on the passing of his wife JANET on August 27, 2014.

To longtime donor and member JIM RINGELMAN on the passing of his wife MARGARET on Friday September 12, 2014.

volunteer spotlightin our thoughts & in the news

VOLUNTEER NIGHTVolunteer Night for A Murder is Announced will be Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 pm. Current TCTA volunteers can purchase up to 2 tickets for $12.50 (plus tax + facility fee) each instead of the full price of $25 (plus tax + fee). To schedule your tickets for this performance, just call the Box Office at 357-5211!

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volunteers needed for:callboard {various roles}

upcoming auditions for:

SHEFFEL THEATRELaugh Lines – October 10 & 11 Hosts, House ManagersA Murder is Announced – October 24 – November 8 Hosts, House Managers, Box Office, Ambassadors, Buffet Wing VolunteersLaugh Lines – November 14 & 15 Hosts, House Managers

HELEN HOCKER THEATERTheatre of the Dead: A Haunted ExperienceOctober 16 - November 1Call Lynda Denton at Helen Hocker Theater for more information, 251-5990.

OLDFATHER THEATREHarriet’s Halloween Candy – October 10 – 19 Hosts, House ManagersFreshman Class – November 1 Hosts, House ManagersSenior Class – November 2 Hosts, House Managers

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

A touching holiday classic adapted by Mountain Community TheatreDirected by Shannon ReillyAuditions October 25 & 26, 2014Running November 28 – December 21, 2014Roles available for 14 men, 8 women, 8 boys, and 8 girls

This is a tale that we want to believe in! What we want Christmas to really be all about. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and in the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by a Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

A newly released classic holiday musicalDirected by Bethany DunhamAuditions October 18 & 19, 2014Running December 12 - 21, 2014Roles available for 5 men, 2 women, and 1 boy

The classic holiday special featuring the entire Peanuts gang has been released for the first time and TCT has it. This faithful TYA contains the entire story of the famed television special with all of the music, lovable characters, and even the tiny “Charlie Brown” tree. ”It’s Christmas Time Again”and this time, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and Charlie Brown himself are all live and on our stage! Join us for A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Little House on the Prairie

Based on the Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderDirected by Joanna LassleyAuditions October 27 & 28, 2014Running December 5 - 14, 2014Roles available for boys and girls ages 6 and up

Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved “Little House” books, this touching and spirited play chronicles the families move to Kansas and “Indian Territory”. Ma, Pa, Laura and Mary face a new world against the backdrop of untamed territory.

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Ashley Young - Mary PoppinsLead Role by a Female (Musical)

Matt Briden - Young FrankensteinLead Role by a Male (Musical)

Robin Bonsall - Lost in YonkersLead Role by a Female (Play)

Daniel Kooser - Kill Me, DeadlyLead Role by a Male (Play)

Erin Fox - Young FrankensteinSupporting Role by a Female (Musical)

Les Smith - Young FrankensteinSupporting Role by a Male (Musical)

Amber Dickinson - Inspecting CarolSupporting Role by a Female (Play)

Dané Shobe - Inspecting CarolSupporting Role by a Male (Play)

Sarah Hazen - Lost in YonkersMinor Role (Musical or Play, Male or Female)

Grace Morrison - Young FrankensteinNewcomer (Musical or Play, Male or Female)

Logan Matzke - Lost in YonkersYouth (Musical or Play, Male or Female)

Patsy Patterson - August: Osage CountyStudio Production by a Female (Musical or Play)

Noah Lindquist - Reefer MadnessStudio Production by a Male (Musical or Play)

Abigail Musick - Cat in the HatTYA Production by a Female (Musical or Play)

Dan Decker - Jingle Aargh the WayTYA Production by a Male (Musical or Play)

Amanda McCoy - The Cover of LifeHelen Hocker Production by a Female (Musical or Play)

Dané Shobe - Shrek: the MusicalHelen Hocker Production by a Male (Musical or Play)

Jingle Aargh the Way: A Christmas Pirate AdventureFavorite TYA Production

Reefer MadnessFavorite Studio Production

Shrek: the MusicalFavorite Helen Hocker Production

Young FrankensteinFavorite Mainstage Production

Capitol Federal Savings Bank and Capitol Federal Foundation TNT Award

Mark Pudwill Waldo B Heywood Award

Jim Ogle & Steve Briman Marge Selby Workhorse Award

Helen Hocker Staff (Lynda Denton, Adam Jenks, Joanna Lassley, Laurie Uhler) Theatre in the Park Award

Carolyn Edwards & Ted Shonka Hall of Fame

John Cummings Frances McKenna Award

Shannon Oldham Carmie Wolfe Volunteer of the Year

October 10 - 19

Harriet loves Halloween. She loves dressing up; she loves hanging out with her friends; and she loves getting all that delicious, gooey, chewy, chocolaty sweet candy. What she does not love is having to share with her baby brother, Walter, even when her parents make her. To keep her stash safe, Harriet tries hiding it, but what will she do when she has to go to school? When her friends find out she’s been hoarding all the goodies for herself, they turn their backs on her selfish ways. Her obsession has landed her in a sticky mess. But with the help of her mother, Harriet proves that she knows nothing is sweeter than a true friend.

BRAVO TO THE CAST! Harriet the dog - JOSIE HOGGATT, Luanne the pig/Annabelle the dinosaur - BEBE REILLY, Tina the beaver/Annabelle’s Mother - KELLI KYCHIK, Walter the dog - NOAH GOODALL, George the rabbit - AUSTIN BRAMLETT, Ed the rat - FINNEGAN REILLY, Mom/Mrs. Hoozit/Mrs. Bellringer - LARISSA GOODWIN, Dad/Mr. Widget/Mr. Wackertacker - GREYSON WALTMIRE

YOUTH productions - Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy

Thanks to all our Volunteers and Congrats to the 2013-2014 Volunteer & Renna Hunter Award Recipients.

3028 SW 8th AvenueTopeka, Kansas 66606

Non-profitorganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit #383

66606

upcoming events - mark your calendars now!

Laugh Lines* - Oct 10 & 11Harriet’s Halloween Candy - Oct 10 - 19Helen Hocker’s Theatre of the Dead: A Haunted House Experience - Oct 16 - November 1AUDITIONS A Charlie Brown Christmas - Oct 18 & 19A Murder is Announced - Oct 24 - Nov 8AUDITIONS Miracle on 24th Street - Oct 25 & 26AUDITIONS Little House on the Prairie - Oct 27 & 28The Freshman Class - Nov 1The Senior Class - Nov 2Laugh Lines* - Nov 14 & 15

*Content not suitable for all audiences.

To view our full season calendar, visit TopekaCivicTheatre.com.

Have you renewed your season membership?

If you haven’t renewed your season membership, then don’t delay. Help us celebrate our 79th season at TCT. Remember, your tickets are flexible, meaning you can use more than one on any show. Plus, if you purchased tickets to Catch Me If You Can, we can credit your season membership. Enjoy Five Star Entertainment - call the box office today at [785] 357-5211 or visit TopekaCivicTheatre.com for more information.