Nevermore Program 2012

N E V E R M O R E , E D G A R A L L A N P O E , T H E F I N A L M Y S T E R YC H A R L E S T O N S T A G E A T T H E H I S T O R I C D O C K S T R E E T T H E A T R E

3 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y S E A S O N • O C T O B E R 1 9 - N O V E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 2

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

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Julian Wiles, Founder and Producing Artistic DirectorMarybeth Clark, Associate Artistic Director

Written, Directed and Designed by Julian Wiles

Original Music Composed by Laura Turner Manning

New York Casting by Cindi Rush Casting

Lighting Design by Paul Hartmann • Sound Design by Sam Henderson

Costume Design by Barbara Young • Properties by J. Kenneth Barnett III

Technical Direction by Paul Hartmann

Production Stage Management by Chet Craft

TheatreWings Apprentice Assistant Stage Management by Eva McLaurin

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Charleston Stage is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre. Charleston Stage’s productions are made possible in part by grants from the South Carolina Arts Commission, a state agency which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Charleston; the County of Charleston; the City of North Charleston; the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; and contributions from friends like you.

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While Edgar Allan Poe is probably best known for his wild and fantastical tales, it was one of Poe’s poems that first caught my attention. I still remember daydreaming in my high school English class, bored by my teacher and thumbing through the anthology that was our textbook, when my eyes fell upon Poe’s poem, The Bells. With it’s alliteration and pounding repetitions (at times Poe repeats the word “bells” seven times in a row ), I was hooked. I loved his use of unusual words like the ringing “tintinnabulation”. My English teacher would have called this onomatopoeia. I called it cool. Soon I was reading Poe’s other poems on my own, A Dream Within A Dream, Annabel Lee, and I purchased my own complete works

(I still have it) and plowed through the stories, Tell Tale Heart, The Oblong Box, The Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum and more. I found that Poe was a favorite of mine and of many of my classmates as well, kind of the old school Stephen King.

So in 1994, when I began looking for a new Halloween play, I was quite familiar with Poe’s tales of the macabre. And since moving to Charleston, I’d learned Poe lived on Sullivans Island for a time when, as a young soldier, he was stationed at Ft. Moultrie. I thought this might make the making of a great play and headed to the library for a Poe biography. I quickly learned, however, that we know little of Poe’s stay on Sullivans, certainly not enough for a full play. As I read on, however, I was intrigued by the circumstances of Poe’s mysterious death, and the spark that would become Nevermore was ignited. I dashed off the first few scenes and cocky and confidently announced the premiere of Nevermore for the fall of 1996 (this was midsummer.) And then I ran into a wall — writer’s block. Nothing would come, and I thought I would have to cancel the production. In despair I thought I’d write a scene about writer’s block itself, and not to give away the plot, that scene provided a path for the plot and Poe’s descent into the darkness, and my way out of my writer’s block maelstrom.

My first cast got new pages right up until the last minute, but they rallied and embraced the show and Nevermore premiered to great acclaim in 1996. A few years later it was published and has been produced around the country. In subsequent productions here at the Dock Street Theatre the script has grown stronger, and indeed the terrific cast in this new production, have added numerous new insights of their own, and once again inspired the playwright to tweak the script. While not a major rewrite, this version of Nevermore does have it’s own new twists and turns.

Enjoy!

Julian Wiles,Founder and Producing Artistic Director

Playwright of Nevermore, Edgar Allan Poe, The Final Mystery

Notes From the Playwright



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Edgar Allan Poe, a short biography

Edgar Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. His parents were actors. Abandoned by his father, Edgar’s mother died when Poe was only 2-years-old. Edgar was taken in but never formerly adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John Allan, a wealthy Richmond couple. Poe and John Allan had a turbulent relationship, and when Poe went to the University of Virginia in 1826, he only gave Edgar about a third of what he needed and soon young Edgar had gambled that away and in despair had turned to drink.

With no more support from his benefactor, Poe took up the alias Edgar A. Perry and joined the army and was soon posted to Ft. Moultrie on Sullivans Island. Reportedly a good soldier and briefly later reconciled to John Allan, Poe managed an appointment to West Point, but soon after the relationship with Allan soured once again most believe Edgar deliberately

got himself expelled to spite Allan. Later when Allan died, having never formerly adopted Poe, he left his stepson nothing from his estate.

In 1831, Edgar Allan Poe moved to New York City. He submitted stories to a number of magazines, and they were all rejected. With no friends and no job, he was in financial trouble, but he struggled on. In 1835, Poe finally got a job as an editor of a newspaper because of a contest he won with his story, “The Manuscript Found in a Bottle”. In 1836, Poe married his cousin, Virginia. He was 27 and she was 13. In years following, he worked as an editor writing for a number of magazines. Though his poetry and stories were read widely and he was well known, he earned very little from his writing and was almost always short of funds. Poe only received $9 for The Raven.

But Poe certainly had a unique voice. Some say he invented the detective story with The Murders in the Rue Morgue. He was entranced with codes and ciphers and often challenged readers to send in cryptograms, which he always solved. He would use a cryptogram in his famous story The Gold Bug, set on Sullivans Island.

After his death, Poe’s writings were dismissed in America, but became a sensation in Europe, particularly in France where the French poet, Baudelaire translated Poe’s works into French. Abroad, Poe was acclaimed a genius, and in death, his literary fortunes soared. Eventually critics in his homeland began to recognize his unique position in the pantheon of American letters, as well.

Today Edgar Allen Poe is considered one of America’s greatest writers.


Edgar Allan Poe and His Mysterious Death

Edgar Allan Poe did disappear for five days prior to his death. His whereabouts and activities are completely unknown. It is believed he boarded a ship in Richmond bound for New York but turned up in Baltimore where he was found delirious, wandering the streets. Recognized by an acquaintance, he was taken to a nearby tavern and was moved to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Poe remained incoherent, delirious and delusional, calling out for someone named “Reynolds.” Three days later, at the age of 40, after fading in and out of consciousness, but without regaining coherence, Poe died. His enemies and literary rivals were quick to blame Poe’s drinking on his demise. There is no doubt, Poe had a problem with alcohol. He did make an effort to stop drinking, even joining the Richmond Sons of Temperance, but soon he was drinking again. Many believe this led to Poe’s madness, although he himself said “the drink didn’t make him mad, the madness made him drink.” Some scholars have suggested that Poe showed symptoms of hypo-glycemia, which would explain his low tolerance for alcohol and his delusional behavior at times. Other’s have speculated his erratic behavior on a brain tumor or perhaps even rabies. Perhaps it was simply depression, for after the death of his wife Virginia to tuberculosis; most agree, Poe was despondent and never the same again.

And who was the mysterious “Reynolds” to whom Poe called out for on his deathbed? Many believe he was Jeremiah Reynolds, an Antarctic explorer of the 19th century. Reynolds, like many during this last age of exploration, believed that somewhere in the Antarctic region there was an entrance to the center of the earth, where if one could penetrate the Antarctic ice one would find a tropical paradise. Poe, knew of Reynolds and used his theories and expeditions as the basis for The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym and Manuscript Found in the Bottle, both tales of ghostly, ghastly and ultimately ill-fated voyages to the Antarctic.

While the inspiration for Poe’s fascination with the Antarctic can be traced to Jeremiah Reynolds, there is little solid information as to the identity of Annabel Lee. Poe’s poem, Annabel Lee, was one of the last, perhaps the last poem Poe penned before his death. No one knows the identity of his beloved Annabel Lee. Most likely she was a creature of Poe’s vivid imagination. But Charleston author and publisher, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Verner Hamilton, speculated that perhaps Annabel Lee was a young Charleston belle who caught Poe’s eye and became his first love. Poe was after all, stationed at Sullivans Island when he was only 17, young, impressionable and adventurous. He had run away from home, joined the army under the alias Edgar A. Perry and found himself stationed at Ft. Moultrie on Sullivans Island. (Poe would later set two stories on Sullivans Island, The Gold Bug and The Great Balloon Hoax.) If indeed, Annabel Lee was a Charleston girl, this would of course make Charleston the fabled “kingdom by the sea.” This is all mere speculation, however, but wonderful speculation—so wonderful that I made Annabel Lee a Charleston girl , who Young Edgar meets on a Sullivans Island beach in Nevermore.

One final note, beginning in the 1940’s and for more than 60 years following Poe’s birthday, a mysterious figure, dressed in white, would appear at his grave at midnight. This mysterious visitor would leave a single white rose and a bottle of cognac on Poe’s grave. This tradition continued until 2010 when the mysterious visitor, never having been identified, failed to appear. Another mystery for a mysterious man.


Dock Street Theatre • America’s First Theatre

The Historic Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre, was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Originally constructed in 1736 on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now Queen Street), the original Dock Street Theatre was probably destroyed by the Great Fire of 1740.

In 1809, the elegant Planter’s Hotel was built on this site. After the Civil War, the Planter’s Hotel fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition. But in

1935, after Milton Pearlstine made the property available to the City of Charleston and at the urging of the mayor and other prominent citizens, the building was selected for a Depression Era WPA (Works Progress Administration) project. At that time, a new performance space modeled on 18th century London playhouses was constructed within the shell of the old Planters Hotel, the hotel’s lobby serving as the lobby of the new theatre. After being closed for two centuries, the Historic Dock Street Theatre re-opened in 1937 and quickly became the centerpiece of the Charleston arts scene. In 2010 following a three year $19 million dollar renovation by the City of Charleston, the Historic Dock Street Theatre once again re-opened to reclaim its place as the jewel in Charleston’s artistic crown. Today the Historic Dock Street Theatre hosts some of Charleston’s finest performing arts organizations, including Spoleto Festival USA.

Charleston Stage, which became the resident professional theatre at the Dock Street Theatre in 1978, produces over 120 performances here. Each season Charleston Stage plays to an audience of more than 42,000 patrons, including more than 20,000 South Carolina students who enjoy special school day performances throughout the year.


Grand Show Curtain

“Window of Wonder”, Charleston Stage’s Grand Show Curtain was created especially for Charleston Stage by nationally acclaimed Charleston artist Jonathan Green. “Window of Wonder” was commissioned by Barbara Burgess and John Dinkelspiel as a generous gift to Charleston Stage in 2010.

Jonathan Green’s “Window of Wonder” prints are for sale at the Box Office. Signed prints are $100.





Charleston Stage Leadership

Julian WilesFounder and Producing Artistic Director

Director, designer and playwright Julian Wiles founded Charleston Stage, Charleston’s resident professional theatre company in 1978. It has since grown into South Carolina’s largest professional theatre and one of the state’s largest arts institutions. Over the past 34 years Wiles has directed and designed more than 200 productions and penned 27 original plays and musicals for the company. Wiles continues to serve as the company’s Producing Artistic Director, heading a staff of 12 full-time theatre professionals.

Mr. Wiles, a South Carolina native, grew up on a cotton farm in Ft. Motte, South Carolina. He attended Clemson University, received a history

degree from the College of Charleston in 1974 and an MFA in Dramatic Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976.

Mr. Wiles has written or adapted 27 original plays and musicals for the company including The Boy Who Stole the Stars, Nevermore: Edgar Allen Poe, the Final Mystery, The Seat of Justice, Denmark Vesey: Insurrection, Gershwin at Folly, Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, Helium and most recently Inga Binga.

Julian Wiles is a recipient of the 2010 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award, the highest honor in the arts which is awarded by the South Carolina Arts Commission.Mr. Wiles is also a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Marybeth ClarkAssociate Artistic Director and Director of Education

Marybeth Clark, Charleston Stage’s Associate Artistic Director and Director of Education, is in her fifteenth season with Charleston Stage. Mrs. Clark has a degree in theatre/performance from the University of South Florida. She worked as an actor in professional theatres throughout the Southeast for ten years before settling in Charleston in 1994 where she was a member of the theatre faculty at Charleston County’s School of the Arts for middle and high school students.

As an actor for Charleston Stage, Mrs. Clark has appeared in Helium, Moon Over Buffalo, You Can’t Take It With You, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Steel Magnolias and A Christmas Carol. Each summer

Mrs. Clark directs Charleston Stage’s SummerStage Musical Theatre Camp for more than 60 young people. Productions have included Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical the Musical, Disney’s Aladdin, Disney’s High School Musical, Guys and Dolls Jr., Bugsy Malone Jr., Willy Wonka Jr. and Disney’s Alice In Wonderland Jr. Mrs. Clark has directed more than a dozen MainStage and Family Series shows for Charleston Stage, most recently Chicago, A Christmas Carol, Avenue Q, The Wiz and Legally Blonde the Musical.



aThe Cast (in alphabetical order)

CHARACTER ACTORMrs. Prothero, Mrs. O’Leary, Ensemble ............................................................... Cathy ArdreyAnnabel’s Father, Inspector Grimke, Bartender, Ensemble ............................... Sean BearRusty, Ensemble ..................................................................................................................Sam CassEdgar A. Perry (Young Poe), Ensemble ................................................................... Sam ChaseCaptain Jeremiah Reynolds ................................................................................... Scott Gibbs**Edgar Allan Poe ...................................................................................................... Andrew Gorell*Aaron Abrams, Inspector Ross, Prince Prospero, Ensemble .................Harrison Grant**Captain Amos Nimrod .............................................................................................. Josh Harris**Mrs. Reilly, Duchess Ulrica, Ensemble ........................................................Rachel HunsingerRelative, Mrs. Samuels, Lady Prospero, Barmaid, Ensemble ..................... Arielle Kook**Hannah, Ensemble ........................................................................................ Susanne McDonaldAnnabel Lee.................................................................................................Lauren Monteleone**Relative, Master of Ceremonies, Homer Walker, Viscount, Mr. Query, Priest,Ensemble ..........................................................................................................Devon A.A. Norris**Jake, Ensemble ...................................................................................................... Corey PopowskiCabin Boy, Ensemble ...............................................................................................Harrison ReedDrummer Boy, Cabin Boy, Ensemble ..................................................................Denver SmithMiguel, Legrand, Ensemble ................................................................... Michael David Wilson

* The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association,the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

** Member of Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company

The Production Staff

Director and Scenic Designer ................................................................................... Julian WilesLighting Designer ................................................................................................... Paul HartmannSound Designer .................................................................................................... Sam HendersonSound Coordinator .........................................................................................................Josh HastyOriginal Music Composer ......................................................................Laura Manning TurnerCostumer ....................................................................................................................Barbara YoungProperties by ................................................................................................. J. Kenneth Barnett IIITechnical Director .................................................................................................. Paul HartmannProduction Stage Manager ...........................................................................................Chet CraftTheatreWings Apprentice Assistant Stage Manager .....................................Eva McLaurinTheatreWings Apprentice Deck Crew ............................Stuart James and Aaron MorganTheatreWings Apprentice Wardrobe Assistant .......................................Maddie SeabrookTheatreWings Apprentice Sound Assistant .............................................. Emily Kahn PerryUnion Steward and Flymen .................................................................................Marty DurhamUnion Light Board Operator ............................................................................ Melissa JohnsonSupport Sound ................................................................................................................NBS Sound



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Scenes

Time: 1849Place: A ship bound from Richmond, Virginia to ?

Act 1Scene 1 ................................................................................................................................... MysteryScene 3 ........................................................................................I Was A Child, She Was A ChildScene 3 ............................................................................................................................Annabel LeeScene 4 ..............................................................................................................The Poetry LectureScene 5 ...............................................................................................We’ve Been Expecting YouScene 6 .............................................................................................................................. The RavenScene 7 ..................................................................................................................The Telltale HeartScene 8 ..........................................................................................The Masque Of The Red DeathScene 9 .....................................................................................................................The Oblong BoxScene 10 .......................................................................................................................The Gold BugScene 11 ................................................................................................A Dream Within A Dream

15 Minute Intermission

Act 2Scene 1 ................................................................................................. The Pit And The PendulumScene 2 ...............................................................................................................................PhantomsScene 3 ........................................................................................................The Power Of The PenScene 4 ..............................................................................Return To The Kingdom By The SeaScene 5 ..................................................................................................Descent Into A Maelstrom Scene 6 ...................................................................................................................................DeliriumScene 7 .........................................................................................The Bells/The Premature Burial

New York Guest Equity Actor

Andrew Gorell (Edgar Allan Poe) Andrew is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Regional: The Life of Galileo (Cleveland Play House); Pericles, Hamlet, The Duchess of Malfi, A Christmas Carol (American Shakespeare Center); Noises Off, (Milwaukee Rep); Romeo and Juliet (The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre); The Mines of Sulphur and The Good Soldier Schweik (Glimmerglass Opera). National tours: Richard III (as Richard III, American Shakespeare Center) and Cyrano de Bergerac (as Cyrano, National Theater of Arts and Education). He has acted

in Chicago with Bailiwick Rep; New York City with The Ensemble Studio Theatre and Collective Act; and in France with Les Compagnons Balladins. Film: The Tooth Fairy, Pretty All the Time, Five Points. Education: MFA, Case Western/Cleveland Play House; BA, University of Minnesota. www.andrewgorell.com


Cathy Ardrey (Mrs. Prothero, Mrs. O’Leary, Ensemble)Cathy is beginning her 12th season as a member of Charleston Stage’s acting ensemble. Past roles include Female Adult Authority Figure in Hairspray, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Widow Corney in Oliver!, and Maria/Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha. While not on stage, Cathy has also played woodwinds in the orchestra pit for Ragtime and West Side Story. A graduate of Furman University and The Southern Baptist Theological seminary, Cathy now teaches four year old kindergarten on James Island.

Sean Bear (Annabel’s Father, Inspector Grimke, Bartender, Ensemble)Sean is excited to be joining Charleston Stage for Season 35! Past roles include Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, Jack in Into the Woods, and Inspector Javert in Les Misérables. Sean has also enjoyed portraying Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Romeo in The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet in Canned Hamlet, a role for which he was named the SCISA Best Male Actor in State. Sean recently graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Biology and currently resides in Summerville, SC.

Sam Cass (Rusty, Ensemble)Sam is thrilled to be acting in another season with Charleston Stage! Currently a junior theatre major at School of the Arts, Sam is in rehearsal for Hairspray and is playing Edna Turnblad. Other roles Sam has portrayed are Marcellus in The Music Man, Jem Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tom Sawyer in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tweedle Dum in Alice In Wonderland Jr. and Pithaterous in The Birds. Sam would like to thank his friends and family for encouragement!

Sam Chase (Edgar A. Perry (Young Poe), Ensemble)Sam is from Charleston, South Carolina. He is 15 years old and is currently a sophomore at Charleston County School of The Arts. Sam has spent about six years with Charleston Stage. Some of his performances have included John Darling in The Original Peter Pan, Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird and many more. Outside of theatre Sam enjoys film photography, skateboarding and traveling.

Scott Gibbs (Captain Jeremiah Reynolds)Scott was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He is thrilled to be returning to the South after spending the last year working with the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, New York. Regionally, he has also worked with the Seaside Repertory Theatre and the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Scott is a proud graduate from Centenary College of Louisiana c/o 2011 with a BA in Theatre Arts. Some of his favorite past roles include: Mr. Bungee (A New Brain), Detective Fix (Around The World In 80 Days) and Macbeth (Macbeth). Scott would like to thank his family, friends and fellow

company members here at Charleston Stage. Scott is a member of Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 Professional Resident Acting Company. You may have recently seen Scott as Warner Huntington III in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Meet the Cast


Harrison Grant (Aaron Abrams, Inspector Ross, Prince Prospero, Ensemble)Harrison is from Titusville, Florida, and is a graduate from the University of Central Florida’s BFA Acting Program. Most recently he appeared in The Lost Colony in Manteo, North Carolina. Other past show credits include Antonio in Twelfth Night, Benny in Rent, Nat in From Sun to Sun and Kenickie in Grease. He has also appeared in shows such as Ragtime and The Pirates of Penzance. Harrison is a member of Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 Professional Resident Acting Company. You may have recently seen

Harrison as Kyle the UPS Man in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Josh Harris (Captain Amos Nimrod)Josh is thrilled to be returning as a 2nd Year Resident Actor for Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 season. Josh’s roles with Charleston Stage this past season included: Amos Hart (Chicago), Abram Von Helsing (Dracula), Bob Bradley (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Bob Cratchit (A Christmas Carol), Nick/Paul (Alexander...), Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear (Avenue Q), Skip (Inga Binga) and Ensemble (The Wiz). Josh attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Josh has two degrees in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing with a minor in Dance. You may have recently seen Josh in

multiple roles in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Rachel Hunsinger (Mrs. Reilly, Duchess Ulrica, Ensemble)Rachel Hunsinger is so excited to be working with Charleston Stage again. She is currently a junior at School of the Arts. Some of Rachel’s school credits include Osip (The Government Inspector), Princess (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Old Lady (The Music Man) and Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray) in this year’s upcoming school musical. She has been performing with Charleston Stage since 2nd grade and began in SummerStage’s Seussical the Musical. Other SummerStage credits include Martha (High School Musical), Radio Announcer (Bugsy Malone Jr.), Veruca Salt (Willy Wonka

Jr.), and Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland Jr.). Outside of SummerStage, Rachel has taken on various roles in Charleston Stage’s MainStage including Owl (Winnie-the-Pooh), and Fan/Betty Fezziwig/Martha Cratchit/Mayor’s Wife (A Christmas Carol). She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her in doing what she loves.

Arielle Kook (Relative, Mrs. Samuels, Lady Prospero, Barmaid,Ensemble)Arielle is originally from Columbia, Maryland, but has been a kind of a global nomad, living in Egypt, Israel and Maryland. Arielle recently graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre and Dance and a concentration in Musical Theatre. Her regional performances have included Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre by the Sea) and Brenda in Hairspray (Theatre by the Sea). Her favorite university performances have included Ado Annie in Oklahoma, Rachel in

Reckless, Clarice in Servant of Two Masters and Sarah in Falling for Eve. Arielle is a member of Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 Professional Resident Acting Company. You may have recently seen Arielle as Margot in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.



Susanne McDonald (Hannah, Ensemble)Susanne is proud to be from Charleston, South Carolina. She attends Ashley Hall High School, where she recently won the Drama award. Susanne has been with Charleston Stage for four seasons. In past productions with Charleston Stage she has played Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, been an ensemble member in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and portrayed a caroler in 2011’s A Christmas Carol. She is thrilled and honored to be a part of the cast of Nevermore for Charleston Stage’s thirty-fifth season.

Lauren Monteleone (Annabel Lee)Lauren was born and raised in Hamilton, New Jersey, and is thrilled to be joining Charleston Stage this season! She recently graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre where she performed Val (A Chorus Line), The Who’s Tommy, Ragtime and Comedy of Errors. She was also recently featured in Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre as Bambi (Curtains) and Bird Girl (Seussical). Lauren is a member of Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 Professional Resident Acting Company. You may have recently seen Lauren as Serena in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Devon A.A. Norris (Relative, Master of Ceremonies, Homer Walker, Viscount, Mr. Query, Priest, Ensemble)Devon is from Louisville, Kentucky, and is thrilled to be making his debut with Charleston Stage this season. Devon has just finished his BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Speech/Theatre Education at Lindenwood University this past May. Devon was just seen in the Regional Premier of Cry Baby as a Wiffle/Drape/Prisoner in St. Louis at New Line Theatre. Some of Devon’s past favorite roles have been: Danny in Baby (Citilites); Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (Rocky Mountain Rep); the Arbiter in

Chess (Rocky Mountain Rep); Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Lindenwood & Rocky Mountain Rep); Scarecrow/Hunk in The Wizard of Oz (Overdue Theatre Co.); Ferdinand in The Tempest (St. Charles Shakespeare); and many more. Devon is a member of Charleston Stage’s 2012-2013 Professional Resident Acting Company. You may have recently seen Devon as Emmett Forrest in Charleston Stage’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

Corey Popowski (Jake, Ensemble)Corey is thrilled to be a part of Nevermore. Corey attends School of the Arts as an 11th grade theatre major and has performed in numerous productions in the theatre department there. You may have seen Corey in past Charleston Stage productions such as The Original Peter Pan and A Christmas Carol. Corey would like to thank his family, friends, cast members and crew for their support throughout the production.

Harrison Reed (Cabin Boy, Ensemble)Harrison, 13, was born in St. Louis, MO, and made his stage debut at 5 with The Hurrah Players of Norfolk, VA. An 8th grade theater major at the School of the Arts, Harrison has been active with Charleston Stage since Summer 2009, and has loved every minute.

Denver Smith (Drummer Boy, Cabin Boy, Ensemble)Denver is a 7th grade theater major at the School of the Arts, and is excited to partake in Charleston Stage’s 35th season! Last year he played Boy Scrooge and Turkey Boy in A Christmas Carol. In the 2010 show he was Boy Scrooge and Bartholomew Cratchit. He would like to thank all of the past and present Charleston Stage Resident Actors for their teaching, experiences and open-mindedness.

Michael David Wilson (Miguel, Legrand, Ensemble)Michael is a recent graduate of the Charleston School of the Arts. He is extremely excited to be performing with Charleston Stage once more. He is currently attending the College of Charleston majoring in theater. Some of his past favorite roles include: Robert Renfield (Dracula), Hamlet (Hamlet) and Antipholus of Syracuse (Comedy of Errors). David would like to thank Julian Wiles for the patience and guidance he has given, this year and last, and to his cast mates for making him an all-around better artist.


November 30 - December 16, 2012Dock Street Theatre

The only thing little Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is a Daisy Brand Red Ryder BB rifle. The only things standing in his way are his no-nonsense “You’ll shoot your eye out” parents, a freezing flagpole and the mishaps and misadventures that plague poor ten-year-old Ralphie. This play contains mild language (the same as in the movie).

Adults: Seniors: Students:$34.50 - $48.50 $32.50 - $48.50 $22.50 - $48.50

By Philip GrecianBased On the Motion Picture A Christmas StoryDirected by Julian Wiles

Holiday Gift Ideas: Share the Magicof Live Theatre During the Holidays With a $50 or $100 Gift Certificate!

All Single Tickets Now On Sale!Madeline’s Christmas, Dec. 8 - 16, 2012The Secret Garden, Jan. 25 - Feb. 3, 2013A Woman Called Truth, Feb. 15 - Mar. 3, 2013

Boeing-Boeing, Mar. 8 - 24, 2013Anything Goes, Apr. 5 - 27, 2013A Year With Frog and Toad, Apr. 20 & 27, 2013

Coming Up Next!




Administrative StaffFounder and Producing Artistic DirectorJulian Wiles [email protected]

Associate Artistic Director &Director of EducationMarybeth [email protected]

Executive Assistant to the ProducingArtistic DirectorBrian J. [email protected]

Director of DevelopmentKerri [email protected]

Director of MarketingBeth [email protected]

Director of FinanceJudy [email protected]

Director of SalesAllison [email protected]

Resident Music Director andDirector of Music EducationSam [email protected]

Grants CoordinatorBetty [email protected]

Production StaffProduction ManagerJ. Kenneth Barnett [email protected]

Production Stage ManagerChet [email protected]

Technical Director/Lighting DesignerPaul [email protected]

Sound CoordinatorJosh HastyCostume AssistantEmma [email protected]

Costumer In ResidenceBarbara [email protected]


Contact Us

Classrooms and Rehearsal Studios The Plaza at East Cooper629 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 7Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464P: (843) 856-3822

Scene & Costume Shop19 Warren StreetCharleston, SC 29403 P: (843) 577-0868 F: (843) 577-9869

The Historic Dock Street Theatreand Administrative Offices135 Church StreetCharleston, SC 29401P: (843) 577-5967 F: (843) 577-5422

Mailing AddressCharleston StageP.O. Box 356Charleston, SC 29402

By Email: [email protected]

2012-13 Charleston Stage Board of Trustees

OfficersMrs. Jennifer MurraySouth Carolina Bankand Trust President

Mr. Dave MarleyWells Fargo Private Bank Vice President Mrs. Suzanne LynchLowcountry Housing Trust Treasurer Mr. Joshua WhitleySmyth Whitley, LLC Governance Chair / Secretary

TrusteesMrs. Natalie BluesteinBluestein & DouglasDirector’s Circle Co-chair

Mrs. Jeanne CondonMerrill Lynch

Mrs. Mary Pat DonnellonBlackbaud

Mrs. Melissa HazellWomble Carlyle Sandridgeand Rice PLLP

Mrs. Marie-Louise RamsdaleRamsdale Law FirmDirector’s Circle Co-chair

Ms. Rachael RoseTristan

Mr. Gregory C. RothschildThe Carolinas Financial Network Mr. Halsey SchreierSmith Moore Leatherwood LLP

Mr. Cece StricklinThe Real Buyer’s Agent

Mr. Chris SouthCommunity Volunteer

Mr. Gary WhiteFirst Citizens Bank



2012-13 Sponsors/Hosts/Business Members

Show SponsorsApartment & Corporate Relocation ServicesBlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaMrs. Katherine GlennMr. and Mrs. William B. HewittPublix Super Markets CharitiesWells FargoThe Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation

Media SponsorCharleston City Paper

Family Series SponsorPiggly Wiggly Carolina Company

Annual Gala SponsorsGala Sponsor: Corporate Table Sponsors:SCBT Bluestein & Douglas LLC Wells FargoFriends of the Gala:Tucker Payne Antiques/Piney Land Company

Next Stage DonorsMr. and Mrs. John and Jill ChalstyDr. Celeste and Mr. Charles PatrickMs. Susan Pearlstine and Mrs. Jan LipovThe Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation Inc.

Education SponsorsEnterprise HoldingsThe Mark Elliott Motley FoundationPearlstine Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SCThe Samuel Freeman Charitable TrustSouth Carolina Electric & Gas Company

Director’s Circle Reception HostsElliott Davis, LLCDixon Hughes Goodman LLPMarie-Louise Ramsdale

Actors FundThe Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial FundMrs. Courtney Eley Somers

Business MembersPlatinum Members: Appalachian SpringsJohn C. Dunnan GalleryEast Shore Athletic Club

Silver Members:CBRE Carmody, LLCDunes West Golf ClubDurlach AssociatesFirst Citizens BankTD Bank

Brooke Bazemore ..................School of the ArtsCody Beasenburg ..................School of the ArtsGrace Benigni ..........................School of the ArtsAnna Book ...............................Academic MagnetSam Book .................................Academic MagnetLydia Chadwick ..................Wando High SchoolSam Chase ................................School of the ArtsPrentice Clark ..........................School of the ArtsSarah Grace Cuthbert Wando High SchoolKatherine Fair ..................................... Porter GuadEleanor Harrison ....................School of the ArtsRachel Hunsinger ..................School of the ArtsStuart James ...........................School of the ArtsEmily Kahn-Perry ...................School of the ArtsAnna Kalik ................................School of the ArtsSophie Kendrick .....................School of the ArtsSydney Laribo .............................Pine Wood PrepEmily Leplante ........................School of the ArtsAbby LeRoy ..............................School of the ArtsAri Levine ..................................School of the ArtsSydney Mack ..........................School of the ArtsBen McCoy ...............................School of the ArtsEva McLaurin ....................................Home SchoolAaron Morgan.....................Wando High SchoolNikita Narodnitskiy ...............School of the ArtsPatsy Newitt.........................Wando High SchoolElizabeth Norton ............................... Porter GaudCooper Nugent.......................School of the ArtsRay Nugent ..............................School of the ArtsCorey Popowski......................School of the ArtsRylee Puckhaber ....................School of the ArtsMaddy Seabrook....................School of the ArtsTimothy Shaw .........................School of the ArtsCory Stegelin ...........................School of the ArtsVictor Swatzyna......................School of the Arts

2012-13 TheatreWings Apprentices

The TheatreWings High School Apprentice Programis a FREE intense, hands-on, pre-professionaltheatre training program for students in grades9-12. For more information contact Josh Harris, TheatreWings Coordinator, at (843) 856-3822 or [email protected].

Gold Members: East Bay Meeting HouseHandsome PropertiesPlastic Surgery of the Carolinas Southern Lumber and Millwork Corporation


Mr. and Mrs. Nico Berlijn Natalie and Scott BluesteinNancy BushDennis DrewMr. and Mrs. William B. Hewitt

Elizabeth and Spencer LynchMr. and Mrs. James Wesley Martin (Beatty)Joanne and Morgan MortonMr. and Mrs. Joseph Odierna

Anthony and Linda BakkerPaul Brzezienski, Red Apple Cheese, LLCJill and John ChalstyJoyce and Charlie DarbyTim and Libby Eble

Members as of October 7, 2012

Director’s Circle Platinum Members

Director’s Circle Gold Members

Director’s Circle is a group of Charlestonians who wish to promote the growing professionalism, creativity and excellence of Charleston Stage performances and arts education programs. Members provide support for professional actors and musicians from across the U.S. and underwrite its extensive arts education programs, which reach over 20,000 Lowcountry youth each season. For more information, please contact the Development Office at (843) 856-5316.

Lisa and Joe RiceRinne and Bob SadeDr. and Mrs. Chris TountasGary White, First Citizen Bank

Mr. Ned Ginsburg and Mrs. Jocelyn CateCecil and Pam KearseDave Marley, Wells FargoCeleste and Charles PatrickRed Apple Cheese LLC

Claire and Joe SchadyMichael Shewan and Pat PatrickTed and Susan SoderlundMrs. Maurice ThompsonTristan Restaurant

Nella G. BarkleyJoey and Shelly BeasenburgEd and Dorris BenzenbergSarah and Michael BookJean F. CarltonDrs. Jon and Hayley CarterMr. and Mrs. Stuart CassThomas and Alma ClymerJanis and Charlie CoeJeanne Condon; Merrill LynchCox IndustriesRandy and Elaine CuthbertsonBelk DaughtridgeDavid and Gail DiehlDixon Hughes Goodman LLPNancy and Ralph EdwardsElliott Davis, LLCJane and Don Furtado

Pete and Kathy GaynorKatherine GlennBrandon and Katherine GuestDr. Ann HanlonChristina S. HomerLeane KeyEd and Gina KozekElisabeth and Spencer LynchDanny Jones and Douglas McCoyGeorgette C. McKenzieValerie B. Morris, CofCJennifer and Sean MurrayBarb and Bob NicolaiD. NortonDr. and Mrs. John Palms

Director’s Circle Silver MembersMarie-Louise Ramsdale and Tom RossDorothy and Jack RhodesDebbie and Greg RothschildSonia and Jerry RothschildM. Lynn RutledgeHalsey and Meg SchreierRich and Patti SecristCatherine and Christopher SouthCecil and Charline StricklinFerdinand and Nancy TedescoTiger Lily FloristPaul and Jennifer VannattaSandra and Philip VineyardMary Ellen and Charlie WayJoshua and Cowles WhitleyMatt and Beth Yaun

Director’s Circle

Benefactors($25,000 +)City of CharlestonThe Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial FundPiggly Wiggly Carolina Company The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation Angels($10,000 - $24,999)The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley FoundationThe Samuel Freeman Charitable TrustMr. and Mrs. William B. HewittPearlstine Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SCFred Pittman Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SCSouth Carolina Arts CommissionWells FargoThe Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation Inc.

Grantors($5,000 - $9,999)Blue Cross Blue Shield of SCCharleston CountyKatherine GlennThe Mark Elliott Motley FoundationDave Marley, Wells FargoPublix Super Markets Charities Inc.

Executive Producer($2,500 - $4,999)Natalie and Scott BluesteinJean F. CarltonJeanne Condon; Merrill LynchDixon Hughes Goodman LLPMrs. Mary Pat DonnellonElliott Davis, LLCEnterprise Holdings FoundationMrs. Melissa HazellMr. Dave MarleyJennifer and Sean MurrayMarie-Louise Ramsdale and Tom RossMs. Rachael RoseDebbie and Greg RothschildSouth Carolina Electric & Gas CompanyHalsey and Meg SchreierCatherine and Christopher SouthSouth Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and TourismCecil and Charline StricklinGary White, First Citizens BankJoshua and Cowles Whitley

Producers($1,000 - $2,499)Anthony and Linda BakkerNella G. BarkleyMr. and Mrs. Nico Berlijn Joey and Shelly BeasenburgEd and Dorris BenzenbergSarah and Michael BookPaul Brzezienski, Red Apple Cheese, LLCNancy BushDrs. Jon and Hayley CarterMr. and Mrs. Stuart CassJill and John ChalstyThomas and Alma ClymerJanis and Charlie CoeCox IndustriesRandy and Elaine CuthbertsonJoyce and Charlie DarbyBelk DaughtridgeDavid and Gail DiehlDennis DrewDurlach AssociatesEast Bay Meeting HouseTim and Libby EbleNancy and Ralph EdwardsFirst Citizens Bank and TrustJane and Don FurtadoPete and Kathy GaynorMr. Ned Ginsburg and Mrs. Jocelyn CateBrandon and Katherine GuestHandsome PropertiesDr. Ann HanlonChristina S. HomerCecil and Pam KearseLeane KeyEd and Gina KozekLutheran Homes of South CarolinaPaul and Suzanne LynchElisabeth and Spencer LynchMr. and Mrs. James Wesley Martin (Beatty)Danny Jones and Douglas McCoyGeorgette C. McKenzieValerie B. Morris, CofCJoanne and Morgan MortonBarb and Bob NicolaiD. NortonMr. and Mrs. Joseph OdiernaDr. and Mrs. John PalmsCeleste and Charles Patrick Susan and Ned PaynePlastic Surgery of the CarolinasDorothy and Jack RhodesLisa and Joe RiceSonia and Jerry RothschildM. Lynn Rutledge

2012-13 Charleston Stage Contributors

Contributions to Charleston Stage directly support our vast arts education initiatives that reach over 20,000 Lowcountry youth annually. Year round, students participate in Charleston Stage’s in-school outreach enrichment workshops, TheatreWings Apprentice Program for high school students, after school acting classes, and low-cost and free special school-day matinees. This funding also provides scholarships for underprivileged youth. All contributions to Charleston Stage are fully tax-deductible. For more information, please contact the Development Office at (843) 856-5316.

The following contributors have made donations to Charleston Stage between May 1, 2012 - October 7, 2012:

(Producers continued)Rinne and Bob SadeClaire and Joe SchadyRich and Patti SecristMichael Shewan and Pat PatrickTed and Susan SoderlundSouthern Lumber and Millwork CorporationTD BankFerdinand and Nancy TedescoMrs. Maurice ThompsonTiger Lily FloristDr. and Mrs. Chris TountasTristan RestaurantPaul and Jennifer VannattaSandra and Philip VineyardMary Ellen and Charlie WayMr. Nicholas WilesMatt and Beth Yaun Supporting Players($500 - $999)Charleston Musical Heritage ProductionsCatherine Couch-CasascoCBRE Carmody, LLCDunes West Golf ClubBarb and Robert NicolaiCourtney and Thomas SomersSummit Place of Daniel IslandBarbara Young

Patrons($250 - $499)Sam and Pat GilnerMr. and Mrs. Harold JerveyIn Memory of John MahalaMichael and Barbara MoodyMorris Tax PlanningDavid and Nancy MorrowTrident United Way Friends(up to $249)Barry and Ann BlakeJames ConnollyJane DouglasDiane EttingerPatricia GatensRonald Ron HackerLynn HarringtonGeorge HaskinsJessica HazelMrs Phyllis McCoySarah Ellis McKayDavid MilliMarybeth MullaneyRobin Poliakoff

(Producers continued)Rinne and Bob SadeClaire and Joe SchadyRich and Patti SecristMichael Shewan and Pat PatrickTed and Susan SoderlundSouthern Lumber and Millwork CorporationTD BankFerdinand and Nancy TedescoMrs. Maurice ThompsonTiger Lily FloristDr. and Mrs. Chris TountasTristan RestaurantPaul and Jennifer VannattaSandra and Philip VineyardMary Ellen and Charlie WayMr. Nicholas WilesMatt and Beth Yaun Supporting Players($500 - $999)Charleston Musical Heritage ProductionsCatherine Couch-CasascoCBRE Carmody, LLCDunes West Golf ClubBarb and Robert NicolaiCourtney and Thomas SomersSummit Place of Daniel IslandBarbara Young

Patrons($250 - $499)Sam and Pat GilnerMr. and Mrs. Harold JerveyIn Memory of John MahalaMichael and Barbara MoodyMorris Tax PlanningDavid and Nancy MorrowTrident United Way Friends(up to $249)Barry and Ann BlakeJames ConnollyJane DouglasDiane EttingerPatricia GatensRonald Ron HackerLynn HarringtonGeorge HaskinsJessica HazelMrs Phyllis McCoySarah Ellis McKayDavid MilliMarybeth MullaneyRobin Poliakoff www.charlestonstage.com | (843) 577-7183 | 37

(Friends continued)Ms. Rebecca Y. PowellPeter SnidermanPatricia SteeleMr. and Mrs. Steven SwansonRon SweedaCameron White


Documents

Nevermore Program 2012