CONTACT - Asolo Repertory Theatre

Immediate release; Oct 23, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT
Julia Guzman, (941) 351-9010 ext. 4800 or julia_guzman@asolo.org
High resolution images available by request.
ASOLO REP AND THE SARASOTA BALLET
SWING INTO A SIZZLING 09–10 SEASON WITH CONTACT
Running Oct. 23 through Nov. 22, this is the first collaboration of its kind in the United States to
produce Susan Stroman’s delicious, Tony-Award winning dance play.
(Sarasota, FL) Asolo Repertory Theatre announces the opening of the multiple Tony Award-winning dance musical
Contact, a major new production by Asolo Rep in collaboration with The Sarasota Ballet. This collaboration is the
first of its kind in the United States for Contact. Dubbed a “dance musical”, Contact is considered a breakthrough
production and challenging to produce because it relies so strongly on having a first-class company of dancers.
Stroman provided new notes for this production to address the theatre company/ballet company collaboration.
Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards: “Enjoying the exciting and inspired work of the
Sarasota Ballet is one of the great pleasures of living and working in Sarasota. Collaborating with Iain Webb and
his wonderful dancers is an even greater pleasure, as well as a great creative opportunity for our companies and
community.”
Director of The Sarasota Ballet, Iain Webb: “I am thrilled and honored to be working with Michael and Tomé,
and the dancers are excited to have this great opportunity of dancing Susan Stroman’s incredible choreography.”
Commissioned by New York's Lincoln Center Theater, Contact first opened at the Newhouse Theatre in September
of1999, and then transferred to the larger Vivan Beaumont Theater on Broadway in March of 2000. That year, it
won the Tony Award for Best Musical, where it was considered a breakthrough piece.
“Contact is a 'dance play,' but those words hardly capture how the show makes you feel…Contact is a
sustained endorphin rush of an evening, that rare entertainment that has you floating all the way home… a
new musical throbbing with wit and sex appeal, brimming with sophistication.” – The New York Times
Running from October 23–November 22, Contact performs on Asolo Rep’s mainstage – the Mertz Theatre.
Show times are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Previews
took place on October 21 and 22. Opening Night is on Friday, October 23 at 8 p.m. The performance is
followed by Asolo Rep’s mingle-with-the-stars champagne reception, which is sponsored by Jim Soda of Prudential
Palms Realty and catered by Morton’s Gourmet Market. Photography is NOT permitted during the performance;
however, press may photograph and interview the cast and creative team at the afterparty.
Tickets for Contact are priced from $22 to $60. Prices vary depending on date, time, seat location and method of
purchase; and a discount is available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to make a reservation,
please call the Asolo Rep box office at 941-351-8000, toll-free at 800-361-8388, or go to the website at
www.asolo.org.
The co-presenters are SNN Local News6, Sarasota Magazine, The Observer Group and The Sarasota Ballet.
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Page 1 of 12

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS AND MANAGING DIRECTOR LINDA DIGABRIELE
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SARASOTA BALLET
DIRECTOR IAIN WEBB
PROUDLY PRESENT
by Susan Stroman
and John Weidman
written by
John Weidman
choreography by
Susan Stroman
original direction recreated by
Tomé Cousin
original direction by
Susan Stroman
originally produced by
Lincoln Center Theatre, New York City, 1999
This is the first production of CONTACT IN THE Untied States to be produced through collaboration
between a theatre company and a ballet company.
Page 2 of 12

FACT SHEET
DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER Tomé Cousin
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER Leeanna Smith
SET DESIGNER Michael Essad
COSTUME DESIGNER William Ivey Long
LIGHTING DESIGNER Andrew Ostrowski
SOUND DESIGNER Matthew Parker
BASED ON THE BROADWAY SOUND DESIGN BY Scott Stauffer
COSTUME COORDINATOR Paula Ninestein
WIG/HAIR DESIGN Michelle Hart
STAGE MANAGER Marian Wallace*
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Libby Mickle*
STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERN Jessica Stopak
STUDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT Jeremy Sinicki
PART I: SWINGING
A forest glade, 1767
A Servant, an Aristocrat, a Girl on a Swing
Matt Baker* Sean Ewing* Ariel Shepley*
PART II: DID YOU MOVE?
An Italian Restaurant, Queens, 1954
A Wife, a Husband, a Headwaiter
Matt Baker* Rania Charalambidou James Clarke*
Rita Duclos Sean Ewing* Kate Honea
Nadine Isenegger* Logan Learned Octavio Martin
Wilson Mendieta* Ricardo Rhodes Ariel Shepley*
Steven Sofia* Tracey Tucci
Intermission (15 minutes)
PART III: CONTACT
New York City, 1999
An Advertising Executive, a Bartender, a Girl in a Yellow Dress
Matt Baker* Rania Charalambidou James Clarke*
Rita Duclos Sean Ewing* Kate Honea
Nadine Isenegger* Logan Learned Shannon Lewis*
Octavio Martin Fletcher McTaggart* Wilson Mendieta*
Ricardo Rhodes Ariel Shepley* Steven Sofia*
Tracey Tucci
Swings: Anais Blake, Eric Larson
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Page 3 of 12

SONG CREDITS
“My Heart Stood Still”
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
This selection is used by special arrangement with
The Rodgers and
Hammerstein Organization, www.rnh.com. All
Rights Reserved.
“Moondance”
By Van Morrison
© 1970 (Renewed) WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
AND CALEDONIA SOUL MUSIC (ASCAP)
All rights administered by WB Music Corp.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“My Heart Stood Still” o/b/o Hart
By Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
© 1927 (Renewed) WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
And Williamson Music, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Runaround Sue” o/b/o Maresca
By Erne Maresca and Dion Di Mucci
© 1961 (Renewed) Mijac Music (BMI)
And Bronx Soul Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
All rights on behalf of Mijac Music
Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing
Corp.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Simple Irresistible”
By Robert Allan Palmer
© Heavy Nova Music (ASCAP)
All rights administered by WB Music, Corp.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Beyond the Sea”
By Larsy Abraham, Lawrence Jack, and Trenet Louis
© France Music Corp.
And Range Road Music, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
Page 4 of 12
“Do You Wanna Dance?”
© Bobby Freeman Music
And Clockus Music, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Powerful Stuff”
By Field Stockton, Henderson James, and Wilson
Walter
© Colgems EMI Music, Inc.
And Touchstone Pictures Music and Songs, Inc.
And Universal Music Corporation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Put a Lid On It”
By Maxwell Thomas Edward
© Cherry Lane Music Publishing
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Sing Sing Sing”
By Prima Louis
© EMI Robbins Catalog, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Sweet Lorraine”
By Burwell Clifford and Parish Mitchell
© EMI Mills Music, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Topsy”
By Battle Edgar William and Durham Eddie
© Eddie Durham Swing Music
All rights administered by Bug Music, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
“Your Nobody Till Somebody Loves You”
Written by Cavanaugh James, Morgan Russ, and
Larry Stock
Owned and Administered by Southern Music
Publishing Co. Inc.,
Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Inc., and Larry Stock Music
Co.
SYNOPSIS
Contact’s three vignettes about the pursuit of love and human connection will inspire and delight you. First we are immersed
in a 18th century Fragonard painting come to life. Next we leap into a 1950's Italian restaurant where fantasies take on a
life of their own. Finally we are whisked away to contemporary Manhattan where making connections becomes a matter of
survival.
Total run time, including intermission: approximately two (2) hours

PRODUCTION NOTES
BY TOMÉ COUSIN
My connection to the project that would develop into the groundbreaking musical Contact began with a simple
audition in New York City. One of 17 actor/dancers hand-picked by director/choreographer Susan Stroman, I
knew from the first day of the creative workshops this show was something special. It utilized each artist’s
experience and full range of expression, depicting a full scope of emotions through text, music and dance.
Sometimes playful and humorous, and sometimes fearful and dangerous, but always interesting, Contact
changed many artistic perceptions of what was possible in a musical. The effect on its audiences was
wonderfully contagious, so why not continue? When the opportunity presented itself to stage the original concept
for Susan Stroman across the United States, and now internationally, I jumped at it. It is with great pride that this
new and exciting company here at Asolo Rep and Sarasota Ballet will introduce Contact to the Florida
performing arts community. Under Stroman’s direction, each original cast member invested elements of theatrical
expertise that were brought to life through the Tony Award nominated book by John Weidman. Rarely are the
theatrical disciplines blended in a musical as they are in Contact. Actors must think and react as dancers while
the dancers take on the responsibilities of presenting fully developed characters in movement text, however not
employing traditional classical ballet pantomime. There is always one moment in the rehearsal process, which I
now refer to as the “Ah Hah!” moment. It’s that brief second of enlightenment where the entire process strikes an
internal chord with each performer and they “get it.” It’s that memory I cherish most about the original workshops
with Susan and John. When I simply got it. I can’t wait for that to happen here.
BY IAIN WEBB
What a great and exciting start to the season!
Over a year ago, when Michael and I first started talking about this collaboration, neither of us knew what the
12 months ahead had in store for both our organizations. So in many ways these performances of Contact are
now an even stronger statement in that both companies survived at a time when many cancelled or closed. The
strength and artistic value that have come to be expected of our performances, together with your loyal support,
make it possible for the city to be proud of our achievements and for Sarasota to remain the cultural capital of
Florida.
In the two years that I have been here, Michael and I have become great friends and admire each other, and
our respective companies, enormously. We both feel that it is our mission to keep developing the cultural
standard, to bring recognized, world-class works here to Sarasota, and to push the boundaries of our
dancers/actors and audiences alike. I am thrilled and honored to be working with Michael and Tomé, and the
dancers are excited to have this great opportunity of dancing Susan Stroman’s incredible choreography.
BY MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS
We all love a good story. There is nothing quite like being in the theatre with hundreds of people all sharing the
same insight, the same joke, the same feeling, the same thrill. We are profoundly connected to the performer
and to each other in that essentially unrepeatable moment. Musical theatre at its best heightens this experience
further. When words become inadequate, music and song become necessary. But who would not dance a
thought, a feeling, a joke, if they could? For most of us who go through life fairly oblivious to our bodies till they
cause trouble, it is extraordinary to watch talented dancers make their bodies OBEY. Enjoying the exciting and
inspired work of the Sarasota Ballet is one of the great pleasures of living and working in Sarasota.
Collaborating with Iain Webb and his wonderful dancers is an even greater pleasure, as well as a great
creative opportunity for our companies and community. Contact is a unique show. A musical where no-one sings,
some speak, and everyone moves. And they move as if their lives depend on it. It turns out life is really only
worth living if we make contact.
Page 5 of 12

CAST BIOS
MATT BAKER*
(Aristocrat/Waiter/Club Goer) A native of Florida, Matt is happy to be returning to Asolo Rep where he was seen walking
the wire in the 2008 production of Barnum, and also to be doing his third Susan Stroman show. His New York credits
include A Christmas Carol (Madison Square Garden), Funny Feet (off-Broadway), Radio City, New York City Opera and the
Met Opera Ballet. He has alsotoured through Sarasota with Crazy for You and Annie Get Your Gun. Regional credits include
Carnival! At the Kennedy Center and various shows at the Goodspeed Opera House, The Ford’s, The Alliance and The
Great Lakes Theater Festival. He can also be seen as “the Target” in the video release of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam.
RANIA CHARALAMBIDOU
The Sarasota Ballet (Cigarette Girl/Club Goer) was born and raised in Nicosia, Cyprus. After dancing for the National
Theatre of Cyprus for a year she moved to the United States where she trained with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York
City. While in the United States, Rania has worked with Charleston Ballet Theatre, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Florida Ballet
and Freespace Dance. Rania joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2008 and performed in de Valois’ Checkmate and Rake’s
Progress, Cranko’s Pineapple Poll, Ashton’s Two Pigeons, Les Sylphides and Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina.
JAMES CLARKE*
(Husband/Bartender) is a resident artist in his fourteenth season. Last season: Purgeon, The Imaginary Invalid; Old
Shepherd/Gaoler, The Winter’s Tale; Major Swindon, The Devil’s Disciple. Past seasons: Mansky, The Play’s the Thing;
Jansenius, Smash; Dalton, Equus; Graham, Lady. Other Asolo Rep credits include Amadeus, Men of Tortuga, A Few Good
Men, Pride and Prejudice, Enchanted April, Anything to Declare?, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Rounding Third, Sherlock Holmes
& The West End Horror, The Front Page, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Crucible, The Millionairess, Murder by
Misadventure, The Diary of Anne Frank, Inherit the Wind, You Never Can Tell, Filumena, A Flea in Her Ear, Born Yesterday,
The Hollow and Twelfth Night. He has performed at Yale Rep, Pittsburgh Public, Geva, Circle in the Square and SoHo Rep.
He graduated from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory in the 1970s and spent a year with Asolo Rep after graduation. TV credits
include Ryan’s Hope (Pat Ryan), Search for Tomorrow, Guiding Light, Legwork (CBS series) and Saracen, a series in England.
RITA DUCLOS
The Sarasota Ballet (Engaged Woman/Club Goer) was born in California from Brazilian parents. She joined the School of
the Vienna Staasoper, and also studied at l’ Ecole de Dance Classique Princesse Grace. She performed with the Vienna
Staatsoper and was also engaged with L’opera National de Bordeaux and danced with the Vienna Festival Ballet. Rita
joined The Sarasota Ballet in the 2008. Since joining The Sarasota Ballet Rita has performed in Balanchine’s Divertimento
No. 15., De Valois’s Checkmate and The Rake’s Progress. She has also danced in Ashton’s Les Patineurs, The Two Pigeons
and Façade. She has also performed in Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina and Paquita and performed in Paroni’s Rococo
Variations.
SEAN EWING*
(Servant/Uncle Vinnie/Johnny) This marks Sean’s fourth production of Contact under the direction of Tomé Cousin. Previous
credits include Disney’s High School Musical with Papermill Playhouse, North Shore’s production of Bye Bye Birdie and
Contact, and the regional debut of Contact in Norfolk, VA. Other credits include the world premiere of Streets of America
(Billy), Thou Shalt Not (Flim Flam/u.s. Laurent) and West Side Story. Sean graduated from Point Park University with a B.F.A.
in musical theatre and a minor in dance. It is an honor to do another Susan Stroman masterpiece. He would like to thank
family and friends for their support. A special thanks to Mom, Dad, Tomé and Leeanne for their guidance. Here’s to my Liza
Ganooch.
KATE HONEA
The Sarasota Ballet (Photo Girl/Club Goer) was raised in Longboat Key, Florida, where she began her advanced training at
The Sarasota Ballet School. Kate continued her training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s. Kate joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2002
and has danced the company’s full repertoire. Her featured roles include Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Concerto Barocco
and Divertimento No. 15, Cranko’s Pineapple Poll, Les Sylphides, Les Corsaire Pas de Trois, Walsh’s Mozart Trilogy,
MacMillan’s Elite Syncopations, Ashton’s The Two Pigeons, Façade and Les Patineurs, de Valois’ Checkmate and The Rake’s
Progress, and Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina. Kate also performed in Bintley’s Scottish Dances, Tudor’s Lilac Garden, Bourne’s
The Infernal Galop and van Manen’s Grosse Fuge.
Page 6 of 12

NADINE ISENEGGER*
(Wife/Quirky Girl) Broadway: Pal Joey (Val), A Chorus Line (Cassie/Val), 42 nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Kiss Me Kate, Follies
and Cats (Victoria). Additional theatre: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes) Boston Co., 42 nd Street (Peggy Sawyer)
national tour, Titanic national tour, Fame (Iris) national tour, Fosse Workshop. Film: Every Little Step, Deconstructing Harry,
Cemetery Club, Bob Roberts, Sweet and Lowdown. Television: All My Children, Another World and Guiding Light. Thanks
and love to Greg, Mom and Dad, Eileen DeNobile and Noble Talent for their love and support.
LOGAN LEARNED
The Sarasota Ballet (Busboy/Club Goer) was born in Oakland, California. He trained at the San Francisco
Ballet. Upon graduation, Logan continued his training at the Orlando Ballet School, joining the Company as a member in
2007. Logan joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2008. While with The Sarasota Ballet he has performed as The Blue Boy in
Ashton’s Les Patinuers. He has also performed in Scottish in Ashton’s Façade and in The Two Pigeons. He performed as
Jasper in Cranko’s Pineapple Poll. He also danced in North’s Troy Games. He danced Russian in Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina
and The Man with Rope in De Valois’s The Rakes Progress. He also performed in Walsh’s Mozart Trilogy and Le Corsaire
Pas de Trois.
SHANNON LEWIS*
(Girl in Yellow Dress) just returned from the national tour of A Chorus Line as Sheila. Broadway: Curtains (Mona Page u/s
perf Bambi and Georgia); Sweet Charity (Ursula), The Look of Love (Principal); Contact (Standby/perf: Wife, Girl in the
Yellow Dress) Fosse (I Gotcha); Candide (u/s/perf Paquette) and Crazy for You (Vera). Encores! Damn Yankees (Lola
cover/Dance Captain) Sweet Adeline; and Tenderloin. Regional: World premiere Carmen (Juanita) at La Jolla Playhouse;
Pippin (Fastrada) at Goodspeed/national tour; Damn Yankees (Lola) at North Shore; A Chorus Line (Sheila) at TUTS. Film:
Beyond the Sea, The Stepford Wives, Across the Sea of Time, Anything But Love. Commercials: E-Bay; Mohegan Sun,
Trident.
OCTAVIO MARTIN
The Sarasota Ballet (Head Waiter/Jack) was born in Havana. He received his early training at the Alejo Carpentier School
and in 1994 joined the National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. During his 12 years at the National
Ballet of Cuba, Octavio performed in numerous galas, festivals and toured throughout Latin America, the United States,
Europe and Asia. Octavio joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2005 and was promoted to principal in 2008. Octavio has danced
in a wide variety of the company’s repertoire. His leading roles include Macmillan’s Las Hermanas and Elite Syncopations,
Ashton’s Façade and Two Pigeons, de Valois’ The Rake’s Progress and Checkmate, Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and
Concerto Barroco, Cranko’s Pineapple Poll, North’s Troy Game, Tudor’s Lilac Garden and van Manen’s Grosse Fuge.
FLETCHER McTAGGART*
(Michael Wiley) recent credits include Tony Wendice in Dial M for Murder (Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City,
Utah), Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Nights Dream and Buckingam in Richard III (Tahoe Shakespeare Theatre) and
Major Pike in Rocket City (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). He also appeared as Warick Wilson in Biography (Pearl
Theatre), Harrison in Homefront (La Mama), Michael Wiley in Contact (Virginia Stage Company), King Edward in Rose Rage
(Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Orlando in As You Like It (the Acting Company), MacBeth in MacBeth, and Petruchio in The
Taming of the Shrew (Utah Shakespearean Festival). TV credits include Law & Order, Six Degrees, Sex in the City, As the
World Turns and Guiding Light. Fletcher has a B.F.A. from Ithaca College and an M.F.A. from George Washington
University.
WILSON MENDIETA*
(Husband/Club Goer) B.F.A. in acting and a B.A. in dance from Montclair State University. Broadway: Jose in Man of La
Mancha, Salim in Bombay Dreams. Harry in Chicago, national tour. Off-Broadway: Nurse in (lead-us) Celia. Other credits:
Bernardo, West Side Story (TUTS/PCLO/Trinity Rep); Paul, A Chorus Line (Walnut Street-Critics’ Choice for a Barrymore
Award Nomination–Best Featured Actor in a Musical); Damon, All My Children opposite Susan Lucci; the face for Dr. Pepper
and the voice for Fleet Bank (Spanish market), and Law & Order (2009). Dance credits include working with Tony Stevens,
David Marquez, Shapiro & Smith Co., Kevin Wynn, Mark Dendy, Zvi Gothiener, Joy Kellman, Umoja Dance Co. and
others. Choreography credits include The Kennedy Center in D.C., and festivals in Venezuela and Australia. Associate
director/choreographer for Pippin at CAP21 (NYU’s Musical Theatre Conservatory). He’s taught at University of Minnesota,
Purchase, MSU, SUNY, Tisch School of the Arts, CAP21, Steps on Broadway and Dance New Amsterdam.
Page 7 of 12

RICARDO RHODES
The Sarasota Ballet (Engaged Man/Club Goer) was born in Boston Massachusetts and studied for eleven years at the Boston
Ballet School. Ricardo also attended summer intensive programs with Miami City Ballet and Walnut Hill School. Ricardo
joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2007 and has performed in Ashton’s The Two Pigeons, Façade and Les Patineurs, He has also
performed in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Bintley’s Scottish Dances, Prokovsky’s Vespri and Anna Karenina, MacMillan’s
Elite Syncopations, North’s Troy Game, De Valois’ Checkmate as the Black Knight, Paroni’s Rococo Variations, Cranko’s
Pineapple Poll and Swan Lake Act IIPas de Deux.
ARIEL SHEPLEY*
(Girl on Swing/Club Goer) trained on scholarship with Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet and The Ailey School. She
performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in Memoria, choreographed by Alvin Ailey. She toured internationally in
West Side Story to Italy, Lebanon, Japan and nationally in Contact as Girl on Swing and standby for Girl in the Yellow
Dress. She also revised her role as The Girl on the Swing in Norfolk, VA, and then in Beverly, MA. She has danced with
Ballet Hispanico, Ballet Noir, Opus Dance Theatre and Staten Island Ballet. She is currently an undergraduate at Columbia
University in NY.
STEVEN SOFIA*
(Waterboy/Joe) has been a Broadway performer and dance captain for the last 22 years. He has done four Broadway
shows and four Broadway national tours. He has been a teacher for the last 11 years, teaching at NYU’s cap21, Broadway
Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Steven is very excited to be part of this production. Love to Mom and Wilson.
TRACEY TUCCI
The Sarasota Ballet (Pregnant Woman/Club Goer), from Clarendon Hills, IL, Tracey started her ballet training at the Salt
Creek Ballet. In 2002, Tracey graduated from Butler University and joined the Louisville Ballet. Tracey joined The Sarasota
Ballet in 2004. Tracey’s repertoire with the company includes featured roles in Ashton’s Façade, Bourne’s The Infernal
Galop, and Bintley’s Scottish Dances. She has also performed in Cranko’s Pineapple Poll, Les Slyphide, Prokovsky’s Anna
Karenina, De Valois’s The Rakes Progress and Checkmate, and Ashton’s Les Patineurs and in his The Two Pigeons. She has
performed in Tudor’s Lilac Garden, Paroni’s Rococo Variations and Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 and in Paquita and in
Walsh’s Mozart Trilogy.
SWINGS
Anaïs Blake
Born in Chicago, Anaïs began her training at Chicago Ballet Arts and Ruth Page School of Dance, where she
was a member of Larry Long’s Civic Ballet of Chicago. She studied with Joffrey Ballet’s Calvin Kitten, and
attended numerous summer programs, including American Ballet Theater, Julliard, North Carolina School of the
Arts, and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Anaïs moved to Ft. Lauderdale to continue her training with Magaly Suarez,
while performing with The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. In 2007 she joined Richmond Ballet where she
worked with Malcolm Burn, Jerri Kumery and Jessica Lang, performing in Midsummers Night’s Dream and
DeMille’s A Rose for Miss Emily. Anaïs joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2008. While with Sarasota Ballet Anaïs
has performed in Paroni’s Rococo Variations, Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15, De Valois’s Checkmate & The
Rake’s Progress, Ashton’s Les Patineurs, The Two Pigeons, & Façade, Fokine’s Les Slyphides, Paquita and
Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina.
Cort Larson
Cort was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. He trained with the Sierra Nevada Ballet under Rosine
Bena. At 16, he was taken into the main company and was featured in many roles. Since leaving SNB, Cort
has danced with C: Motion Dance Ensemble and the Sacramento Ballet. While at the Sacramento Ballet Cort
danced in a wide variety of repertoire, including choreography by George Balanchine & Septime Weber. Cort
joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2009.
Page 8 of 12

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS (Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director) is in his fourth season as producing
artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre. He was previously the associate artistic director for Syracuse Stage
and served as artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz for six years. A Garland Award and Drama Logue
Award-winning director, Mr. Edwards has directed at Indiana Repertory Theatre; Geva Theatre; Syracuse Stage;
The Shakespeare Theatre; San Jose Rep; Opera San Jose; the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; the Old Globe in
San Diego; Virginia Stage Company; the Virginia Opera; the State Theatre of South Australia; Opera Australia;
Victoria State Opera; and the Metropolitan Opera. In previous seasons, Mr. Edwards has directed The Smell of
the Kill, Amadeus, Nobody Don’t Like Yogi, Darwin in Malibu, A Tale of Two Cities, Equus, The Winter’s Tale
and Perfect Mendacity for Asolo Rep. This year he is directing The Life of Galileo, The Last Five Years and pieces
in the Asolo Rep: Unplugged festival of new plays.
IAIN WEBB (The Sarasota Ballet Director) is in his third season as director of The Sarasota Ballet. During his
tenure he has expanded the repertoire to include ballets by Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Dame
Ninette de Valois, George Balanchine, John Cranko, Anthony Tudor, Hans van Manen, Christopher Wheeldon
and Dominic Walsh, and was the first Ballet company to have a Matthew Bourne ballet in its repertoire. Iain was
born in England and danced with both The Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet. During this time he
danced many major roles including Ashton’s Oberon in The Dream, Colas and Alain in La Fille mal Gardee, The
Young Boy in The Two Pigeons as well as the Prince in Swan Lake, Franz in Coppella the title role in Pertrushka
to name a few. He went on to be rehearsal director for Matthew Bourne, working on Swan Lake in the West
End and on Broadway, and Cinderella. He then spent eight years as Assistant Director to Tetsuya Kumakawa’s
K-Ballet, as well as producing many Gala performances with Adam Cooper and Johan Kobborg.
SUSAN STROMAN (Director/Choreographer) Ms. Stroman co-created, directed and choreographed the
groundbreaking musical Contact for Lincoln Center Theater, winning the 2000 Tony Award for Best
Choreography, as well as Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards and a 2003 Emmy
Award for Live at Lincoln Center. She directed and choreographed The Producers, winner of a record-making 12
Tony Awards including Best Direction and Best Choreography. Other Broadway credits include Young
Frankenstein, The Frogs, Oklahoma! (Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle, Olivier Awards), Thou Shalt Not, The
Music Man (Outer Critics’ Circle Award), Steel Pier, Big, Showboat (Tony, Outer Critics’ Circle Awards), Picnic
and Crazy for You (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle, Olivier Awards). Off-Broadway productions include
And The World Goes ‘Round (Outer Critics’ Circle Award), Flora the Red Menace, and Happiness for Lincoln
Center Theater. For ten years she choreographed Madison Square Garden’s annual spectacular event A
Christmas Carol (Outer Critics Circle Award), directed by Mike Ockrent. For New York City Opera: A Little
Night Music, 110 in the Shade and Don Giovanni. Ms. Stroman created Double Feature, a full-length ballet for
New York City Ballet featuring the music of Irving Berlin and Walter Donaldson. She has created the ballets
Blossom Got Kissed for New York City Ballet’s 50 th Anniversary season, But Not For Me for the Martha Graham
Company, and Take Five…More or Less for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her choreography received an Emmy
nomination for the HBO presentation Liza – Live from Radio City Music Hall, starring Liza Minnelli. Other TV
credits include co-conceiver/choreographer for PBS’s Sondheim – a Celebration at Carnegie Hall and An
Evening with the Boston Pops – a Tribute to Leonard Bernstein. She received the American Choreography Award
for her work in Columbia Pictures feature film Center Stage. Ms. Stroman directed and choreographed The
Producers: The Movie Musical, nominated for 4 Golden Globes. She is the recipient of the George Abbott
Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre and the winner of a record four Astaire Awards.
JOHN WEIDMAN has written the books for a wide variety of musicals, including Pacific Overtures (Tony
nomination, Best Book), Assassins (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival), and Road Show (Lucille Lortel nomination,
Best Musical), all with scores by Stephen Sondheim; Contact (Tony nomination, Best Book; Tony Award, Best
Musical), co-created with director/choreographer Susan Stroman; Happiness, score by Scott Frankel and
Michael Korie, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman; Take Flight and Big (Tony nomination, Best
Book), scores by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire; and the new book, co-authored with Timothy Crouse, for
the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival; Olivier
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Award, Best Musical Production). Since his children were pre-schoolers, Weidman has written for Sesame Street,
receiving more than a dozen Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Children’s Program. He is a graduate
of Harvard College and Yale Law School, and from 1999 to 2009 he served as President of the Dramatists
Guild of America.
TOMÉ COUSIN (Director and Choreographer) Debut. Elsewhere: Direction credits include five companies of
Contact and Thou Shalt Not for Susan Stroman Productions, with future companies planned for Seoul, Korea and
Lodz, Poland joining two current running companies in Budapest, Hungary. Ruthless, One Mo’ Time, A Day in
Hollywood a Night in the Ukraine, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance, Blues in the Night, Cole, Ain’t
Misbehavin. Broadway performance credits: Contact, Dreamgirls (dance capt.), Off-Broadway: Mabou Mines
(A Song for New York), Martha Clarke’s Belle Epoque (Chocolat), Ossie Davis’s Bingo Long (Red), Contact,
Village Wooing (X). National Tours: The Wiz, Dreamgirls, My One and Only, The Me Nobody Knows, A
Chorus Line. International: Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity (Big Daddy), The Who’s Tommy, La Cage Aux Folles
(Jacob), Tabaluga. Regional: Big River, Leader of the Pack, Chicago, Peter Pan, Swing, Evita, Godspell, The
Colored Museum. Dance: Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Co., Pina Bausch’s Tanztheatre Wuppertal, Physical
Theatre Project (founder), Bern Ballet (Switzerland), Meredith Monk and the House. Film: The Jacksons an
American Dream, Flashdance, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. TV: 9 seasons PBS Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
(Ragdoll Tomé), The Tonight Show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Today Show, The Tony Awards, Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway on Bravo. Two full evening cabaret vocal concerts: Some Kind of
Wonderful and Dance Swif Me’ both directed by Danny Herman. B.A.: Dance History and Choreography,
M.F.A.: New Media Art and Performance.Thanks to Stro, Weidman, Pappas, and Michael Edwards.
LEEANNA SMITH (Associate Choreographer) has served as associate choreographer of four productions of
Contact in the United States, including North Shore Music Theatre and Virginia Stage Company and most
recently, for the Hungarian premiere at the Madach Theatre. She earned her Equity card performing in
Oklahoma! (Dallas Summer Musicals) and spent four years as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas
Spectacular (Linda Haberman, dir). Leeanna made her Broadway debut in Lincoln Center Theater’s production of
Contact, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman before joining the North American tour, performing in
the Canadian premiere and in cities across the US. Television credits include Live from Lincoln Center (Cast of
Contact, PBS), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC). B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist
University (Dallas, TX).
MICHAEL THOMAS ESSAD (Scenic Designer) is a resident scenic designer and technical director for the
Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. Design credits include over 20 shows in the past four seasons- Hair;
Contact; The King of Hearts; Ragtime; The Frogs; Reefer Madness; Ah, Wilderness; Streets of America; Romeo
and Juliet; Can Can; Parade; Mojo; That Championship Season; and Carousel. His other recent credits include
three years as technical director at the Pittsburgh Public Theater and six years as technical director at the Coconut
Grove Playhouse in Miami Florida. Other technical credits include the Berkeley Repertory Theater, California
Shakespeare Festival and Actors Playhouse in Miami. He has been a set designer for over seventy shows in
Miami (Area Stage, Actor’s Playhouse, Dreamer’s Theater and The New Theater), Berkeley Shakespeare Festival
and the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Michael also designs and builds furniture for both theatrical productions and the
private sector.
WILLIAM IVEY LONG (Costume Designer) Mr. Long and Susan Stroman have collaborated on nine Broadway
productions including Young Frankenstein, The Frogs, Thou Shalt Not, The Producers (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer
Critics Circle Awards), The Music Man, Contact (Hewes Award), Steel Pier, Big, Picnic, Crazy for You (Tony,
Outer Critics Circle Awards), A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden, Double Feature at New York City
Ballet and The Producers: The Movie Musical (2005). Other Broadway credits include Nine to Five, Pal Joey,
Grey Gardens (Tony Award), Hairspray (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), Chicago, Sweet
Charity, La Cage aux Folles, The Boy From Oz, Swing, Guys and Dolls (Drama Desk Award), Lend Me a Tenor
(Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards), Nine (Tony, Drama Desk, Maharam Awards). Mr. Long also
designed costumes for the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour and for Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage Hotel. He
was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2005.
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ANDREW DAVID OSTROWSKI (Lighting Designer) is making his Asolo Rep debut. Credits include City Theatre
in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical, Playhouse Professional Repertory Company,
Arden Theatre, North Shore Music Theater, Virginia Stage, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Dallas Summer
Musicals, Theater of the Stars in Atlanta and Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. This is the fourth time Andy and
Tomé have worked together on this incredible show.
MATTHEW PARKER (Sound Design) Since 1993 Matt has designed sound for most of Asolo Rep’s productions.
He also wrote and performed the musical scores for Asolo Rep productions of The Count of Monte Cristo and
Nicholas Nickleby. Matt received his B.F.A. in theatre production design and technology from Ohio University,
where he designed Heartbreak House, Luann Hampton Laverty Oberlander, The Importance of Being Earnest
and The Hot L Baltimore. As resident sound designer at the Monomoy Theatre (Cape Cod), he designed South
Pacific, Dracula, Private Lives, Richard III and others. Sound and special effects credits at The Flat Rock Theatre
(North Carolina) include I Hate Hamlet, the world premiere of Gilligan’s Island: The Musical and others. He is
most proud of his sound and video designs for the 1992 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at Cumberland
County Playhouse (Tennessee).
PAULA PEASLEY NINESTEIN (Costume Coordinator) is making her Asolo Rep debut. Previous costume
coordinator credits: The Producers; Contact; Bye, Bye Birdie; The 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee;
Showboat; 42 nd Street; and High School Musical 2 at North Shore Music Theatre. The Pearl Fishers, La Traviata,
Margaret Gardner, I Pagliacci, La Vida Breve, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Die Fledermaus, Madame Butterfly
and The Pirates of Penzance at Opera Carolina. The Gondoliers and Carmen at Chautauqua Opera. Costume
shop manager: Opera Boston, Chautauqua Opera, College of Charleston. Costume design assistant: La Jolla
Playhouse. Thank you to Trenholm, Tripp, Mom and Dad for your support and to Tomé for the opportunity to
work on this production.
MICHELLE HART (Hair/Wig Design) a licensed cosmetologist and certified makeup artist, is in her eighth
season with Asolo Rep and designs for both Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory shows. Other credits: The
Sarasota Ballet, Last Call; Florida Studio Theatre, Ruthless the Musical and Lady with All the Answers; West
Coast Black Theatre Troupe, One Mo Time; four seasons with Banyan Theater; and Open Stage Theatre’s Ideal
Husband, Dorian Gray and Rumors (where she won the Opius Award for Best Hair). She has also done hair and
make-up for Joan Rivers, Doris Roberts, and Martin Short. She wants to express her gratitude and great respect to
all involved in every aspect of theatre.
SCOTT STAUFFER (Original Sound Designer) Broadway: The Rivals, Contact, Marie Christine, Twelfth Night,
Jekyll and Hyde. Children and Art- Steven Sondheims 75 th birthday celebration. Off Broadway: Seth’s Broadway
101, The Glorious Ones, Bernarda Alba, Third, Belle Epoque, Big Bill, Elegies, Hello Again, The Spitfire Grill,
Cowgirls, Pageant, Theda Bara, Hedwig, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook (last ten seasons), and Live From
Lincoln Center with Audra McDonald and The New York Philharmonic. Regional: Centerstage, Berkshire Theater
Festival, Chicago Shakespeare, Alley Theater as Sound Engineer: The Lion King, Juan Darien, Carousel, Once
on This Island, and Little Shop of Horrors.
MARIAN WALLACE* (Stage Manager) is retiring as production stage manager, a job she has held for 41
years, at the end of the 09–10 season. It’s been a great run and it’s time to let someone else share in the fun.
Marian and her husband, Brad Wallace (Associate Artist), celebrated their 44 th anniversary in September 2009.
Along the way they’ve purchased the same home twice, driven one Dodge van for 30 years, and raised three
wonderful daughters.
LIBBY MICKLE* (Assistant Stage Manager) is proud to be returning to Asolo Rep after being a part of Barnum
last season and Asolo Rep’s pre-Broadway run of A Tale of Two Cities. Libby is an Atlanta native but has also
worked regionally at Seaside Music Theatre and Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS, INC. (NY Casting) Currently: Bill T, Jones’ Fela! (Broadway) Francesca Zambello’s
Little House on the Prairie starring Melissa Gilbert (national tour); Recent tv/film: Nickelodeon; The Entertainer
(E!); Broadway/Off-Bwy: Ragtime, Fosse, Show Boat, Candide, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss of the Spiderwoman,
Joseph…, Jewtopia, Evil Dead The Musical; Marko The Prince, Richard Maltby’s Sixties Project; Disney: High
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School Musical; Lion King, Aladdin, When You Wish; Regionally: Trinity Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville;
Cleveland Playhouse; Pittsburgh CLO; North Shore Music Theatre; Member: Casting Society of America; Two
Artios Awards; CSAMedia Access Award. www.mungiolitheatricals.com
SPONSORS
CORPORATE MEDIA SEASON PRESENTER: COMCAST
CRYSTAL SOCIETY: Esther M. Mertz; Ulla R. Searing; Bob and Lee Peterson
MAJOR SEASON PRESENTERS: Florida State University & Florida State University Foundation; Virginia B.
Toulmin
SEASON PRESENTERS: Designing Women Boutique
PRESENTERS: Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild, Co-Presidents, Richard Cheski and Barbara Maier; Warren and
Margot Coville; Christine and John Currie; Joan Mendell; Jeanne and Bob Zabelle
CO-PRESENTERS: SNN 6, Sarasota Magazine, The Observer group, and Sarasota Ballet.
CO-PRODUCERS: Howard and Carol Phillips; The Huisking Foundation; Robbie and Mary Ann Robinson;
David Hagelstein and Ronald Tyra; David and Betty-Jean Bavar; Ron and Rita Greenbaum; Harold Libby and
Wanda Rayle-Libby; Orion and Lisa Marx, Atlas Financial; Stanley and Janet Kane; Elita Kane; Hillary Steele;
Sydney and Jerome Goldstein
SPECIAL EVENTS
Asolo Rep Theatre Guild presents “Saturdays at Asolo Rep,” Saturday, Oct 24
12pm Lunch catered by Word of Mouth (Lunch only $15)
2pm Matinee performance of Contact (Lunch and matinee performance ($62)
This is the first of five special Saturday lunch and matinee combos. Lunch is served prior to the matinee
performance on the mezzanine of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Special Orchestra seats are available
for this thrilling collaboration with the Sarasota Ballet; relevant panel discussion follows the performance.
For more information please call 941-504-4729 or 351-9010 ext. 4704.
OCTOBER 24 at 2 p.m. Contact Panel Discussion
OCTOBER 29 at 8 p.m. Contact Meet the Actors
Meet the Actors
Join members of the cast as they share stories of their journey from rehearsal to performance with a brief,
moderated question and answer period immediately following the performance on chosen Thursday evenings
and Sunday matinees.
Panel Discussions
Encounter members of the creative team and experts from the community as they investigate each play’s deeper
themes that connect us all. The facilitated discussions will take place on our mezzanine right after the Saturday
matinee on select dates.
Tuesday Talkbacks
Each Tuesday night after the performance, audience members are given the opportunity to engage in a
discussion about the play, moderated by an Asolo Rep staff member. The Talkbacks are a fun and enlightening
experience for everyone.
For more information about Education and Outreach call 941-351-9010 ext. 3306, or email
Leah_Page@asolo.org.
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