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A fast-paced song and dance revue that brings mid-life to life with all of its inherent aches and pains. There's no cure for the condition, but the premise of this show is that it's easily managed with a healthy dose of therapeutic laughter. Allenberry has pulled together a veteran professional cast for this production and together they'll keep the audience laughing non-stop from beginning to end. Please be advised that this show contains adult material and is for mature audiences.

Managing Artistic Director Briggan "Jack" O’Bryan Production Stage Manager Michelle Rux Choreography Michelle O’Bryan Scenic Design Robert Shoquist Lighting Design Tom Naran Music Director Nolan Bonvouloir Sound/Audio Design Erik Champion Costume Design Bob Miller     Director - Michelle O’Bryan

There will be one 15 minute intermission

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

Musical Numbers

ACT I ACT II 1.Welcome To Mid-Life 1. What Did I Come In Here For? 2. Lies! 2. Turning 50 3. Turning 40 3. The Long Goodbye 4. Biological Clock 4. Boys Night In 5. Weekend Warriors 5. He Got What He Deserves 6. When He Laughs 6. Another Trip To The Doctor 7. A Trip To The Doctor 7. Classical Menopause 8. Side Effects 8. The Long Goodbye 9. My Lost Love 9. I'm Not Ready 10. Some Kids 10. Welcome To Mid-Life Finale 11. I Quit!

MID-LIFE! The Crisis Musical is presented through special arrangements with Rogers and Hammerstein Theatricals All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Rogers and Hammerstein. 229 West 28th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10001 Phone: (212)-541-6600 Fax:(212) 586-6155

CAST OF CHARACTERS
Jill Stapleton Bergeron
MJJ Cashman
Matthew Foster
Peter Tamm
April Uzarski
Diana B. Wilde
2010 Allenberry Interns - Click to view larger

WHO'S WHO: CAST

JILL STAPLETON BERGERON Jill grew up in Virginia but currently resides near Knoxville, TN. She is thrilled to be making her Allenberry debut. Jill has acted and directed in every theatre venue (professional, university, college, community) and also works in photography, jewelry design, and teaching. Her most recent regional credits include Vivian in Church Basement Ladies (Top Hat Productions, MI), Clairee in Steel Magnolias (Maples Repertory Theatre, MO), and Gertie in Fuddy Meers (Seaside Repertory Theatre, FL). She would like to thank her family for their enduring love and support.

MJJ CASHMAN MJJ was last seen as Max in last season's The Producers. On his drive home he was hired to play Grandpa in Meet Me In St. Louis for the Mac-Haydn Theatre. He was also Mr. Macy in Miracle On 34th Street at Atlantic City's Tropicana. News is still to come on other work, but MJ counts on St. Anthony to keep helping him find ways to avoid honest work.

MATTHEW FOSTER Originally from Australia, Matthew's many theatre credits include Lend Me a Tenor, Noises Off, True West, Miss Julie, 12 Angry Men, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, A Midsummer Night's Dream and a vast array of improv comedy shows. Since relocating to New York in 2009, Matthew has performed in The Merchant of Venice and The Jew of Malta for the York Shakespeare Company. He has appeared on television in Home and Away, All Saints, and White Collar Blue, plus the upcoming HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce. Matthew thanks his beautiful wife Kathleen for her unconditional love and support.

PETER TAMM Peter is a holistic health practitioner in Asheville, NC. He’s been performing since 1975 in Theatre, Cabaret, Radio, TV & Film. His regional credits since 2001 include A Little Night Music, I Am My Own Wife, Funny Girl, Miracle In Bedford Falls, Ruthless, Little Women, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Fantastics, Oleanna, Rough Crossing, Gilgamesh, Cinderella, Hank Williams:Lost Highway, Putting It Together, Woody Guthrie’s American Song, All I really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, Welcome To Our City, Dracula, Kiss Me Kate, You Can’t Take It With You, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, Othello, Clue, and A Doll’s House. This is Peter’s first show at Allenberry, but he’s a Pennsylvania native with family in York & Harrisburg.

APRIL LEE UZARSKI April is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and now resides in NYC. Past Allenberry productions include Nunsense, Smoke on the Mountain, The Boyfriend, Tale of the Allergist Wife, Into the Woods, Til' Death Do Us Part, Anything Goes , and Murder on the Nile. NYC credits include an Off Broadway run of The Repeat Offenders, The Four Stop Tour, Ready!, and Single and Proud. Regional credits include Sanders Family Christmas, Smoke on the Mountain, Grand Hotel, Grease!, Pirates of Penzance, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Noises Off.

DIANA B. WILDE Diana makes her debut with Allenberry Playhouse in "Midlife…" following a great run with Wichita's Crown Uptown Theatre in as Mavis in Church Basement Ladies 2. Favorite past roles include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Mrs. Vitale in Tony'N'Tina's Wedding, Queen Aggravain in Once Upon A Mattress, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, and Veta Louise in Harvey. Later this fall Diana appears in Over The River and Through The Woods here at Allenberry. Diana lives in Minneapolis with her husband Phil, three cats, and one dog…Thanks to Jack, Michelle and to everyone at Allenberry.

 

WHO'S WHO: Technical Staff

NOLAN BONVOULOIR (Musical Director) Nolan, a New Hampshire native and proud New York transplant, is delighted to be back after making his Allenberry debut earlier this season with Anything Goes.  Favorite recent credits include the national tour of Altar Boyz and regional productions of Sisters of Swing, Nuncrackers, and Thoroughly Modern Millie in California, Illinois, and Maine respectively.  When not behind the piano, Nolan spends time composing, reading, and doodling on himself with felt-tip pens, and has occasionally been known to invent fattening desserts.

ERIK CHAMPION (Sound Designer) Erik Champion earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater Design and Technology at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Before the Allenberry Playhouse, he was the Sound Engineer for the Pocono Playhouse in Mountainhome, PA during their summer 2009 season.  He moved on to the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA during Fall of 2009 as their Master Carpenter and then became their Technical Director in early Spring of 2010.  He is happy to join the Allenberry team for the remainder of their 2010 season.

AUDREY HOPE FRANK (Executive Administrative Assistant) Audrey is originally from Hudson Massachusetts, but currently calls St. Cloud, Florida home. Audrey holds a B.A. in both Theatre and Communication, as well as a minor in Art from Bethany College, West Virginia. Some of her favorite credits include Royal Caribbean Cruise Line; Stars at Sea (Walter Fields Academy of Dance), Element Incantation (OCSA) , 1940’s Radio Hour and Jungle Fever (Bethany College) . As always thanks to her friends and family for the constant support of her adventures and to the Allenberry brigade for all of their hard work and determination!

CAROLYN FAST (Assistant Stage Manager) Originally from Rockaway, NJ, Carolyn is excited to be living and working at the Allenberry Playhouse. Carolyn recently graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA with a BA in English and Theatre where some of her favorite stage management credits include The Jungle Book, Once On This Island, Little Women, Caligula, Urinetown, and The Shape of Things.

PETER KORYZNO (Costume Shop Intern) Peter is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a B.F.A. in Fashion Design. He is excited to be working under Bob Miller as the costume shop intern at Allenberry. Peter was selected among many to be able to showcase his work in Fashion Columbia, and was chosen for Rock the Runway.

JONATHAN MAAG (Sound/Lighting Intern) Jonathan just graduated from Miami University in Oxford Ohio with a B.A. in Theatre. Originally from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Jonathan is stoked to be at Allenberry . Some of his favorite credits include Arabian Nights, Urientown: the Musical, Hedda Gabler, Taming of the Shrew, and The Insanity of Mary Girard. He would like to thank Allenberry for the opportunity to be a part of the team!

JAMES MAREK (Technical Intern) James is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, with a B.F.A. in Scenic Design and Painting. There he designed sets for Stuart Little : Small Cast Touring Edition, Wait Until Dark, and The Skin of Our Teeth. He designed lights for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged; and scenic painting for Dr. Scary’s Haunted House at Jellystone Park Camping Ground: Fort Atkinson, WI. Being his first professional experience out side of college, he looks forward to aiding Allenberry during his time here.

BOB MILLER (Costume Designer) This is Bob’s first season at Allenberry. His previous work has led to an Ovation Award Nomination in Los Angeles, a Lucille Lortel Nomination for Off Broadway in New York and a total of 5 Emmys for his work in television.   Every year he coordinates Dick Clark’s The American Music Awards. Among the favorite actors he has dressed are Vanessa Marcil, Frenchie Davis, Rebecca Luker, Brent Barrett, Rachel  York, Ricky Martin, Eva Gabor, Sally Struthers, Angela Bassett, Wendy Malick, David Bowie, and Tom Beringer.

TOM NARAN (Lighting Designer) Tom Naran has been designing lights for concerts, musicals, dances, and more for over 8 years. His venues include the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, Broadway Palm West, Allenberry Playhouse, Pullo Performing Arts Center, and the Prestigous Founders Hall.

MICHELLE O'BRYAN (Director/Choreographer) is excited to back at the Berry for her 5th season.  Audiences have seen her in many productions in the past, including Vicki in The Full Monty, Miss Sandra in All Shook Up, and Lady Thiang in The King & I.  Michelle has also been the Resident Choreographer the past 4 seasons as well as a guest director.  She has had, and will have, the pleasure of directing such shows here as The Taffetas, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Forever Plaid, and this season's My Fair Lady and Midlife! The Crisis Musical.  Ms. O'Bryan is also an active participant in the Murder Mystery Weekends here, as well as APTC.  Michelle would not be able to do any of this without the love and support of her friends, family, and most importantly, her husband, Briggan.

MICHELLE RUX (Production Stage Manager) Michelle is excited to be returning to her Allenberry family for the 2nd season. She has spent the last 10 years stage managing all around the country. Her favorite shows include Aida at The Round Barn Theatre in Indiana; The First Baptist of Ivy Gap, Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming at The Cumberland County Playhouse in Tennessee; Hairspray, and Will Rogers Follies at the MacHaydn Theatre in New York. Michelle sends all her love to her husband of one year and her globe-trotting mother, wherever she may be.

ROBERT SHOQUIST (Scenic Designer/Technical Director) Robert received his MFA in Stage Design from Northwestern University and his undergraduate degree from Boise State University. Robert hails from Chicago, where his design credits include: Lucid (Diamante Productions), Murder in Green Meadows (Citadel Theatre) and Ghetto, Sweeney Todd, Burn This, & Charlotte's Web (Northwestern University). Previous designs include: Proof, Life is a Dream, The Medium, and No Exit. In May 2009, Robert was honored to present at Ming Cho Lee's "Clambake" Stage Design Portfolio Review at the New York Public Library for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

MICHELLE TUITE (Assistant Stage Manager) Michelle is a junior theatre major at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania. She is very excited to have the opportunity to intern at Allenberry. Some shows she has previously worked on are As You Like It, Polaroid Stories, Beauty, Dandelion, and The Hobbit.

ALICE WALENCIAK (Props Master) Alice is excited to be on board with Allenberry Playhouse this season. Alice attended Pace University for a few years and holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Production from Montclair State University. Some of her favorite gigs include The Producers and Will Roger's Follies (Surflight Theatre).  She is from the Garden State and would like to give a shout out to the "Jersey Shore".

DAVID WESTON (Master Carpenter) David is a professional stage technician and designer from Rochester, NY, and is delighted to join the Allenberry Playhouse team this season.  Past technical credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Noises Off, Parade, Metamorphoses (University of Memphis), Bark! The Musical (Theatre Memphis), Nunsense, Don't Hug Me (Heritage Repertory Theater), and Key West Nutcracker (Tennessee Williams Theater).  David holds an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Memphis and a BA in Theater Production from SUNY Geneseo.

DAVE ZYGMUNT (Drums) Dave is back for his fifth season at Allenberry where he has performed in a wide range of musicals from Nunsense to Anything Goes and beyond. A native of Central Pennsylvania, he performed in and led many dynamic ensembles both as a career military musician and as a freelance artist. His Performances with the United States Navy Bands have spanned the globe from South America to the to South Pacific, from the Pacific Northwest to West Africa, and from the British Columbia to the Caribbean. He is a versatile percussionist, performing in all musical idioms. Dave is currently teaching percussion at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Continually in demand throughout the Central Pennsylvania region, he has performed at such venues as Totem Pole Playhouse, Rosa Rosa, The Press Room, Harrisburg Hilton, and Hotel Hershey, to name a few. He can also be heard on the recently released CD, Divas of Jazz.

 

FROM THE DIRECTOR

"Wouldn't it be nice if life gave you rehearsals for Mid-Life?"

These were the first words out of my mouth when we started working on this production. I have to admit, I didn't quite know what I was in for...then I read the script. This show really captures a lot of the issues of getting older. Whether it's dealing with a yearly physical, empty nest syndrome, forgetting our keys and friends names, or turning into our parents. These are the fears and joys that come along with the journey, and Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical covers almost all of them.

One thing that I am grateful for on this journey is having such a talented cast and crew to keep me company. They have all brought so much to this production and really bring a sense of truth to the material; even with jazz hands. I'm sure they'd admit that they never thought they'd be dancing with basketballs, singing about lasik surgery and balding, or having to dance with a martini in their hand, at least on stage that is. And again, doing all of that with a smile, and jazz hands!

We've all been through, or are preparing for, the life lessons that appear on this stage. I guarantee that at least once during this performance there will be a character going through the same things you, or someone you know, have been through. This show, with it's musical theatre magic, teaches us to laugh and cope with the roller coaster that is life.

So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride of Mid-Life!

Michelle O'Bryan
Director/Choreographer

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Welcome back to Allenberry Playhouse! As always, thank you for joining us, and I hope you have a fantastically fun time with Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical. I know its been my pleasure working with my wife Michelle who has directed and choreographed this show, as well as our recent smash production of My Fair Lady. It's such a thrill to see what fantastic work she does, as a choreographer, director, or performer. Kudos to all the cast; our returning company members, Matt Foster, recently playing Pickering in My Fair Lady, and April Uzarski, who has been with us all season since Anything Goes, starring as Reno Sweeny. I'm delighted to welcome back M.J.J. Cashman, who played Max in last year's The Producers, and also to welcome Peter, Diana, and Jill to the Allenberry family. These new artists bring a lot to the table and I look forward to their continued work here this season, and hopefully beyond. Mid-Life! is a very funny show, at times both revering and irreverent of the trials we all go through as we get older. The common well of experience we all have to draw upon as we see our youth get farther away in the rearview mirror, and the summer and fall of our lives take on new and unexpected meaning to us all. I hope you laugh out loud, and maybe cry a bit, at the hilarity of the experience and the tenderness of the unexpected hurdles we all face.

Our next show, Not Now, Darling is all about hurdles as the owners of a furrier business try to get around each other's wives and mistresses to hilarious effect in this terrific British farce by Ray Cooney. It will be a joy to play opposite my wife Michelle one last time this season at Allenberry, as a suitor trying to make her my mistress, for the cost of a new fur coat, promised to many, oh so very many, different women. After that we have the touching and lovely Over the River and Through the Woods, the heartwarming comedy of four grandparents trying to keep their grandson from moving too far away, starring our own Jill Stapleton Bergeron and Diana B. Wilde. After that we wrap up our 2010 season with the family friendly, holiday celebration, Becoming Santa, as well as our newest Murder Mystery Weekend, The Fame Game, running from October 22nd through April 24th. We look forward to seeing you the rest of this season, and thanks again for making an escape to Allenberry part of your life, whether it be young-life, long-life, or Mid-Life!

Cheers!
Briggan "Jack" O'Bryan
Managing Artistic Director