The Guilder Newsletter

Guild Board of Directors2013-2014PresidentPatricia Anderson 504-4729 patordickanderson@ gmail com

1st Vice President Arthur Levin 364-9354 thisartofwine@aol com

2nd Vice President Glo Reber 355-3928 glolreber@aol com

Past PresidentJoe Grande 358-0769 fourjogran@yahoo com

Recording Secretary Carole Lieving 724-4111 carolelieving@yahoo com

Corresponding Secretary Jennifer Meinert 203/561-0295 rotaryjen@comcast net

TreasurerAndrew Dixon 323-2222 aldxon@juno com

Special EventsGlo Reber 355-3928 glolreber@aol com PublicityDavid Lionel 310/795-4910 lioneltv@aol com Volunteer CoordinatorBarbara Amato 739-2370 Bda404@gmail com Committee ChairsHospitality Ann Forwand 923-8101Janet Masonis 312-9592

Guilder Newsletter David Meyersburg 993-9756 theguilder dm@gmail com

Play Readers Jan Zipper 387-0516

Tour Guides Dick Pell 320-3782

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS

MANAGING DIRECTOR LINDA DIGABRIELEASOLO REPERTORY THEATREENTERTAIN ENGAGE INSPIRE

President’s Message“Showboat” swept into Sarasota on the might and mystery of the Mississippi River and The Guild was there to welcome it! First, at our November Guild Meeting, we were joined by Director, Rob Ruggiero and Music Director, Wade Russo, who described the evolution of the show from its 1927 opening with 96 actors – to this production, which was sized to fit the confines of the Godspeed Opera house in Connecticut.

Prior to staging the show Mr. Ruggiero had to present his vision of the production to the fearsome literary heirs of the estates ; Alice Hammerstein, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II, and Julie Gilbert, niece of author Edna Ferber. After seeing the production, Miss Hammerstein roared out her approval with, “I love it”. This production joins the original and the 1994 Hal Prince production as the only officially recognized versions.

Mr. Russo, a self-described “Showboat” geek, has used eight musicians and two electronic keyboards to replicate sounds and orchestration of the original production. He has “...tried to infuse the story and characters into the music”.

Author Edna Ferber, known for her strong female characters, created Magnolia, “...a woman who embodies the struggle and beauty of the river,” said Director Ruggiero. He summed up his feelings with the observation that, “Great theater is great story,” and that “Showboat” is “...entertaining, funny, moving, and rich”.

Our second up-close encounter with “Showboat” occurred when about 150 Guild Members, cast and crew enjoyed getting together at our Pot Luck Dinner. As is tradition, Guild Members generously provided a veritable feast. Many, many thanks to all of you who participated – with special thanks to Glo Reber and her committee, Lynn Kopman and Stephanie Shaw for all their work in making the evening such a fun filled event! The “Showboat” cast and crew sent The Guild a Thank You card with heavy emphasis on how great the food was.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, December 5th at 12:30 PM, for our Holiday Party !

Volume 10December 2013

Patricia Anderson

By Special Events Charperson Glo Reber

The Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild “Welcome Back Pot-luck and Feed the Actors” was a great kick-off to an exciting theatre season! The serving tables were teeming with delicious foods of every kind! The performers, crew members and many other members of the “Show Boat” team were our guests to enjoy a brief respite from their 12 hour rehearsal day and taste the delicious treats generously provided by Guild members. Everyone had a chance to relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy the camaraderie. Rob Ruggiero, Director of “Showboat”, spoke about the musical production, introduced by Linda DiGabriele,

Managing Director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Natalie Gundrum (left) was the lucky winner of the drawing for the gift basket.

A BIG THANk YOU goes out to everyone who brought food, all

the volunteers from the Guild, and the Asolo staff and interns who assisted in making our event a special evening for all !

left to right and from the top... actorsBrittany Proia and Dan kennett, Sandi Cooper and intern Daniel kelly.

Lois Lucek, actors Michael James Leslie and E. Fay Butler, John Cairns.

Arthur Boyce, actor katie Weidmar, and Louis DeCongelio

Welcome Back Pot-Luck and “Feed the Actors” Dinner

Meet Carole Lieving ••• The Honor Role •••

Peggy & Kenneth Abt

Cece Dwyer

Nancy Hanks

Marcella & Arthur Levin

Ann Whitford

Jan & Paul Zipper

Joan Kindred

Carole Scutt

Patron Members

Sustaining Members

Welcome New Members!Neil Levine, Joan Fox, Peggy & Kenneth Abt,

Domenic Baldino, Gale Midwood, Elisabeth Noone, Kaye Newman,

and Dixie Lee

“I grew up in central Illinois (yes, a farmer’s daughter) and attended Illinois Wesleyan University where I graduated with a degree in Music Education. After teaching for a year, I went to the University of Hawaii for graduate studies, where

I met my husband, Larry. We lived on Maui for two years before returning to Larry’s home state of West Virginia. We both attended West Virginia University, where I received my Masters in Music, and Larry finished his bachelor’s degree. Larry’s YMCA career took us to Massachusetts, Texas, West Virginia, Illinois and, of course, Florida. Along the way, we “produced” four daughters. When our girls were growing up, I spent 10 summers at a girls’ camp in Maine directing the music and drama program, which gave my girls the privilege of attending this very fine girls’ camp. They have since become a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, and an actress, and in turn, given us 9 grandchildren... 8 boys, and 1 girl! I retired after 22 years of public school music teaching, but still substitute at a school for children with special needs. I have long been interested in community theater, and have played Anna in “The King and I” and Miss Hannigan in “Annie”. The Guild has given me many new and interesting friends. I love the Playreaders activities, and certainly believe in the value of the Guild’s work with the Asolo.”

Carole has been a member of the Guild for three years. She currently serves on the Guild Board of Directors as recording secretary.

Glamor, Excitement, Fun!The Guild is looking for a few good people

who would like to take record photographs at our functions and meetings. Attend Guild events free and document what you see for use in publications and in The Guilder. The successful

candidates will possess a keen eye, an ability to be in the right place at the right time, and a decent digital camera. (Cell phone images won’t cut it folks.) Interested?Please contact David Meyersburg at theguilder.dm@gmail.com

2014 Dues Are Dueindividual $35, couples $50

Sustaining add $75 Patron add $100

Thursday, December 5th at 12:30 PMHoliday Celebration - Cook TheatreBring your favorite holiday treats and see “Miracle on 34th Street,” performed by the Theatre Guild Playreaders.

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014General Meeting - Theatre LobbyCoffee and Conversation at 10:00 AMGuest Speaker at 11:00 in the Cook Theatre will be Tony Award Winning Director Frank Galati gives us an overview of “Philadelphia, Here I Come”, by the Irish dramatist, Brian Friel. The action centers on Gar, a young man about to leave Ireland for Philadelphia.

Wednesday, February 5th, at 10:00 AMNew Members Event at the Koski Center -(Tallevast Road, opposite the airport). Tour of The Asolo’s impressive set fabrication facility.

Wednesday, February 26th General Meeting -Theatre LobbyCoffee and Conversation - 10:00 AMGuest Speakers at 11:00 in the Cook Theatre will be Asolo Director, Michael Donald Edwards and actor Tim Grimm discussing their production of “The Grapes Of Wrath.”

Tuesday, March 11thCast Dinner at 5:00 PM - Theatre MezzanineWe will host and feed the actors and crew of “The Grapes Of Wrath” and have a wonderful opportunity to get to know them on a more personal basis.

Wednesday, March 26thGeneral Meeting - Theatre LobbyCoffee and Conversation at 10:00 AMGuest Speaker at 11:00 on the Mezzanine will be Tea Alagic, Director of “4,000 Miles,” a 2012 Obie Award Winner that the New York Times called “a funny, moving, altogether wonderful drama”.

Friday, April 25thCast Dinner at 5:00 PM - Theatre MezzanineWe will host the cast and crew of “HERO.”

Wednesday, April 30th at 11:30 AMEnd of Season Luncheon

• •Upcoming Monthly Play Readings

* Dec. 5 Miracle on 34th Street/Bill Bordy Dec. 9 Ten Short Plays/David Meyersburg Jan. 13 Mother and Sons/Dianne Brin Feb. 10 Till Beth Do Us Part/Miriam Ring Mar. 10 Bedroom Farce/Addie Rosen Apr. 14 Enchanted April/Kathryn Chesley May 12 Potpourri (member participation meeting)

* a special holiday season performance!

The Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild Calendar of Events for the 2013–14 Season

Your Guilder Is Morphing !We may not be able to be all things to all people, but we are aiming to be more things to more people! What would you like to see?

-more content -more features -more things you’d like to know about the Asolo Repertory Theatre and what’s happening?

We want your feedback!theguilder.dm@gmail.com

Photographs in this month’s Guilder provided by Glo Reber, Pat Anderson, & Art Levin. Thank you for your submissions!

PLAYREADERS’ CORNERBy Dianne Brin Second Monday, October Through May

Happy, healthy and safe holidays to all ! Last month’s reading of the play, “The Heiress” was most enjoyable and offered an abundance of roles. Thanks go to Verna Safran who led this reading.

Our meetings are held in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. We gather in the Asolo Repertory Theatre Main Lobby from 9:30 AM to

10:00 AM for socializing and coffee. Meetings begin promptly at 10:00 AM.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013This month’s reading will be held in the Cook Theatre. We have a unique treat in store for you! David Meyersburg will be leading the reading of up to eleven short-length plays. Of the plays on his short list, we will be performing at least two that were penned by members of the Asolo Theatre Guild Playreaders! This is your chance to join in and read... there are over 30 parts to be cast! Arranged in no particular order, here is the list:

“Chef Salad”, by Connie Schindewolf • “Best Laid Plans”, by Dianne Brin

“Dick & Jane Watch the Fireworks”, by Verna Safran

“A Guess At Sunrise”, by Martin Tucker • The Curtain Speech”, by Larry Parr

“Justice Here... Justice There (Justice, Justice Everywhere)”, by Bernard Yanelli

“A Line of Malarky”, by Larry Parr • “I Remember You”, by Marvin Albert

“Two Halves”, by M. John Bohane • “Just Fooling”, by Verna Safran“

a scene from “Moon Over Buffalo”, by ken Ludwig

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION EVENT - Thursday, Dec. 5th at 12:30 PMAsolo Repertory Guild Playreaders present

The Lux Radio Theater Version of

“Miracle on 34th Street” directed by Bill Bordy

Admission: $10 – children freeRefreshments will be served on the mezzanine after the show.

This is a marvelous opportunity to invite your friends and relatives to seethe Asolo Guild up close and personal. We can build Membership working together!

Readers Addie Rosen, David Meyersburg, Carole Scutt, Jan Zipper, and Leneé Owens.

Readers David Lionel, Barbara Knode, and Nancy Hanks.

There is a full-page inviTaTion aTTached To The guilder suiTable for emailing To your friends and relaTives... download iT and aTTach iT To your emails!

Tours

Backstage tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Asolo Rep shows evolve from script to stage. In an hour, you will visit the backstage area of the Mertz theatre and learn the fascinating history of this beautiful former opera house from Dunfermline, Scotland. You will enter the expansive costume shop where costumes are expertly tailored, fabrics dyed and wigs constructed, and explore the rehearsal rooms where company members prepare for performances. Tours are available by appointment by calling 941-351-9010 ext. 3000 or emailing asolotours@asololorg.

Abbreviated 20-minute tours are offered each Monday between noon and 2 PM,

November through April. All tours are free and open to the public.

So, you’d like to be a tour guide?

Call or email Dick Pell at 941-320-3782, or pelltwo@gmail.com.

Hospitality

By Ann Forwand

Our first General Meeting of the season was held on Wednesday, Oct. 30th. Thanks to Glo Reber for her help in my absence! The Open House held on Monday, Nov. 18th also served as our second monthly meeting. There wasn’t an opportunity during either meeting, to acknowledge by name, the volunteers who brought refreshments. So, to rectify that omission, here they are: Jan Zipper, Carole Lieving, Sandi Cooper, Art Levin, Leneé Owens, Jennifer Meinert, Pat Anderson, Glo Reber, Kathryn Chesley, Cheryl MacLauchlan, Joe Grande and Connie McManus. Many thanks for your efforts. This season we continue to aim for fewer sweets and healthier fare at our monthly meetings. I encourage you to think in those terms when you contribute snacks. Just think how happy you would make your mother! The Guild Holiday Party is Thursday, December 5th. Everyone loves this event! We ask that members and guests consider bringing sweets that reflect either their own or chosen ethnicity. Don’t be intimidated. Of course we will welcome whatever dessert you want to bring. We provide drinks that usually include a delicious eggnog, wine, coffee and a variety of soft drinks. Entertainment is by our very own Guild Playreaders. This year “Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed. I hope to see you there!

Access To The Arts“Put A Kid In A Seat” raffles to raise funds for our outreach program at Asolo Rep performances will be held during the week of December 10th.

Volunteers are needed to sell raffle tickets at every performance. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Meinart at 203/561-0295 or rotaryjen@comcast.net

our new Monday Mini-tour sandwich board poster.

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Please check off your interests: ❑tour guide/docent ❑telephone committee ❑play reader ❑Put A kid In A Seat program ❑community outreach ❑shepherding school groups ❑hospitality ❑fundraising activities ❑luncheon table discussion leader ❑event planning ❑membership

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Annual dues are $35 for an individual and $50 per couple.* *add $75 for Sustaining Member recognition *add $100 for Patron Member recognition

Please complete this form and send it with your check, payable to Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild, to: Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild Attn: Membership Chair 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34243

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