February 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.February 15 at 2 p.m.

Governors State University Center for Performing Arts and Southland Area Theatre Ensemble present

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Book by CRAIG LUCAS

Music and Lyrics by ADAM GUETTEL Produced by arrangement with Turner Entertainment Co. Owner of the original motion picture “Light In The Piazza”

Based on the Novel by Elizabeth Spencer

Original Broadway Production by Lincoln Center Theater, New York City, 2005 The World Premiere of The Light In The Piazza was

produced by the Intiman Theatre, Seattle, Washington Opening Night: June 14, 2003

Bartlett Sher, Artistic Director - Laura Penn, Managing Director

and The Goodman Theatre, Chicago, Illinois Opening Night: January 20, 2004

Robert Falls, Artistic Director - Roche Schulfer, Executive Director Developed with the Assistance of the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

CastMargaret Johnson.........Rosalind Hurwitz

Clara Johnson.........Lindsay ForemanFabrizio Naccarelli.........Iah Bearden-Vrai

Signor Naccarelli / Roy Johnson.........John HillmanSignora Naccarelli.........Mary Kooy Pniewski

Giuseppe Naccarelli.........Nate KrugFranca Naccarelli.........Nicole Hager

Young Girl, Ensemble.........Jayde Al-AngaryTour Guide, Ensemble.........Courtney Edwards

Priest, Ensemble.........Kevin Kohn

Production TeamDirector.........Scott Sowinski

Stage Manager.........Jordan FlemingMusic Director.........Brad SenffnerChoreographer.........Nicole Bowles

Rehearsal Accompanist.........Matt PietCostume Designer.........Billy Vitucci

Lighting Design / Board Operator........Michael Krull Hair / Makeup Designer.........Keith Ryan

Dressers.........April Al-Angary, Keith RyanAudio Technician.........Kevin Rosenhagen

Stage Technician.........Tracey OffetS.L.A.T.E. Artistic Director.........J.R. Rose

OrchestraConductor.........Brad Senffner

Piano.........Matt PietHarp.........Tija MujaisBass.........Brett Lewis

Violin.........Rebecca HanniganCello.........Christopher Ferrer

Developed with the Assistance of the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory Italian Lyrics for "Il Mondo Era Vuoto" by Judith Blazer

Italian Translation by Judith Blazer & Maria Vèrnole Blazer Orchestrations by Adam Guettel

Additional Orchestrations by Ted Sperling Music Consultant - Andy Einhorn

R&H Theatricals (Licensor) represents the stage performance rights to over 100 musicals by more than 200 writers. These include works by Rodgers & Hammerstein (including OKLAHOMA!, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC), Rodgers & Hart (PAL JOEY, BABES IN ARMS), and Kern & Hammerstein (SHOW BOAT), as well as musicals by Irving Berlin (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, WHITE CHRISTMAS), Andrew Lloyd Webber (CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Adam Guettel (THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, FLOYD COLLINS), Kurt Weill (THE THREEPENNY OPERA, LADY IN THE DARK), such perennials as BIG RIVER, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and FOOTLOOSE, and the longest-running revues in the history of Broadway -- SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ -- and Off-Broadway -- I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Recently added titles include IN THE HEIGHTS, A CATERED AFFAIR, IT’S ONLY LIFE, [title of show], LOVE MUSIK, FACE THE MUSIC, REEFER MADNESS, ALTAR BOYZ, BERNARDA ALBA, MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, and BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY. R&H Theatricals is an Imagem company: www.rnh.com.

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Act IOVERTURE

Scene 1: Piazza della Signoria, Florence—Summer, 1953 STATUES AND STORIES........Margaret, Clara and Full CompanyScene 2: The Uffi zi THE BEAUTY IS........ClaraScene 3: The Naccarelli Shop IL MONDO ERA VUOTO........Fabrizio AMERICAN DANCING........InstrumentalScene 4: The DuomoScene 5: Piazzale Michelangelo PASSEGGIATA........FabrizioScene 6: The Naccarelli Home THE JOY YOU FEEL........FrancaScene 7: Margaret and Clara’s Hotel Room DIVIDING DAY........MargaretScene 8: On the Street HYSTERIA........Clara, Fabrizio, and Full CompanyScene 9: The Hotel Room LULLABY........MargaretScene 10: The Hotel Room SAY IT SOMEHOW........Clara and Fabrizio

Act IIENTR’ACTE

Scene 1: Rome, the RuinsScene 2: The Naccarelli Home

AIUTAMI........Signora Naccarelli, Full CompanyScene 3: Rome, the Ruins THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA........ClaraScene 4: FlorenceScene 5: The Naccarelli Home OCTET........Full Company CLARA’S TIRADE........ClaraScene 6: The Church—The Wedding Rehearsal OCTET PART II........Full Company THE BEAUTY IS (REPRISE)........MargaretScene 7: The Naccarelli ShopScene 8: Florentine Street LET’S WALK........Margaret and Signor NaccarelliScene 9: The Hotel RoomScene 10: The Church CLARA’S INTERLUDE........Clara LOVE TO ME........FabrizioScene 11: The Wedding FABLE........Margaret

numerous productions with roles such as Commander Harbison in South Pacifi c with the Oak Lawn Park District, Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance with Opening Night Arts Group, Lily in The Secret Garden and Aunt March in Little Women with 99th Street Summer Theatre as well as Clairee in Steel Magnolias and Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank with ArtCraft Productions. This spring, she will be music directing Say It with Music, a show her husband conceived and has written for production with the newly formed Evergreen Park Candlelight Theatre. Mary has also performed in various shows with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Hyde Park, the Savoy-Aires, and Beverly Theatre Guild. She has directed various church choirs in the area, and has sung with Bethany Union Church choir, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Choral Ensemble of Chicago, and the New Classic Singers. Mary attended both DePaul University School of Music and Trinity Christian College, where she obtained her Vocal Performance degree. She and her husband, Glenn, and their 2 children, Michelle and Kevin are also avid thespians, and reside in Evergreen Park.

Nicole Bowles (Choreographer) Nicole is honored to work with SLATE for her second year! She graduated with a BA Theatre Arts from Catawba College in 2009 (Salisbury, NC). Recent Chicago appearances include Helen in Musical of the Living Dead (Stage 773), Sally in Reefer Madness (Mayne Stage), Texas in Cabaret (Citadel), and Susan in Company (SLATE). She sends her love back to her family in NC. Keepin’ it strange for Ira since 2011.

Jordan Fleming (Stage Manager) Jordan is thrilled to be working on The Light in the Piazza. Favorite Credits include Tony ‘n Timmy’s Wedding, #show, Jersey Shore: The Musical (4 Days Late); Tea and Sympathy (The Artistic Home Home); Copperhead, Volpone (City Lit); Resurrection Blues (Eclipse); Nutcracker (Carolina Ballet); Hairspray, Man of La Mancha, Cabaret (Interlakes Summer Theater), Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, Chicago, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (STMV); Peter Pan, The Tempest, 8 Track: The Sounds of the 70s (Blowing Rock Stage Company); Some Girls, An Ideal Husband, and two tours with Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (Appalachian State University). Jordan serves as Production Stage Manager and Director of Production at 4 Days Late Productions.

Brad Senffner (Music Director / Conductor) Brad Senffner is thrilled to be returning to SLATE. for a third time as the music director and conductor for Light in the Piazza. Audiences will remember him as Peter in Company and Leon Czolgoz in Assassins! both with SLATE. Additionally, Brad is a professional actor, performer, musician, clinician and director in Chicago. He has directed and music directed over sixteen (16) productions over the last ten (10) years and served on the Board of Directors for Kankakee Valley Theatre Association where he was elected as one of the youngest board members in the organization’s history. He holds a B.S. in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University and a Masters of Theatrical Studies in Production and Design from Southern Oregon University. When he isn’t working on the stage, he maintains an active voice studio both in Chicago and Naperville. He would like to thank the cast for their hard work and Scott for bringing him onboard. Toi, Toi, Toi

Scott Sowinski (Director) is most grateful for this amazing cast and crew, and hopes you all enjoy the show! Scott recently completed a run as Bob Wallace in White Christmas in Honolulu, Hawaii. An active performer and director, Scott recently assisted directed Sweeney Todd with Porchlight Music Theatre in Chicago. NYC Directing: Merrily We Roll Along, The Wild Party, Rupunzel, Ovation & Oration, The Magician. Regional: Die Fledermaus, Amahl, HONK!, Les Miserables, Charlie Brown, Last Five Years, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Passion Play. Visit scottsowinski.com for more information.

Jayde Al-Angary (Ensemble) St. John, IN. Making her community theater debut, Jayde is ecstatic to be a part of this beautiful production as a member of the ensemble. She is a junior at Illinois Lutheran High School in Crete, IL and would like to thank her family as well as her teacher Mr. Nate Krug for supporting her in her endeavors in the arts.

Iah Bearden-Vrai (Fabrizio) holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of South Dakota. New York Credits include: Emilio in New York Musical Theatre Festival’s Reading of Marina, Ensemble in Bound for Broadway, Rich in Wrong Move with Dark Fame Productions (fi lm). Regional; Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, Wreck in My Sister Eileen, Icarus in Flight (Chicago Reading), Gypsy Man in The Solstice Ball (Chicago Reading) and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Iah sends his love to his supportive family and friends! www.iahbeardenvrai.com

Courtney Edwards (Ensemble) was born in Chicago,IL on May 12, 1990. She started in theater and dance at the tender age of 5 and it was then she realized her love for the arts. When she was 16 years of age, she joined her high school’s Show Choir performance team. She credits that time as being very infl uential to her future in music theater. Courtney went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Central State University. She believes that obtaining an education was the greatest gift she could give herself. Throughout college Courtney gained notoriety for her creativity and business skills by becoming the president over the student operated radio station and creating and hosting various on-campus events. Currently Courtney is obtaining a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing and Communications and has ambitions of using her education and experience to grow her career in music theater and entertainment. She is cast as a member of the ensemble in The Light in The Piazza and resides in Crete, IL.

Lindsay Foreman (Clara Johnson) Lindsay is happy to be making her debut with SLATE! She is honored to have the chance to bring Clara’s beautiful spirit to life while working with such a talented group of people. Since she was 9 years old, Lindsay has been performing in theaters around the Chicagoland area and around the country. When not on stage, you can fi nd Lindsay teaching private voice and piano lessons and writing songs on her ukulele. Check it out at www.lindsayforeman.com. Many thanks to the entire artistic staff, especially to Scott!

Nicole Elizabeth Hager (Franca Naccarelli) Hailing from Logan Square, Nicole is a Chicago based dramatic soprano primarily known for her operatic repertoire. Her favorite roles have included Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte), Clorinda (La Cenerentola), and Ida (Die Fledermaus). Recently, she has been an active soloist and choral section leader in Chicago with KAM Isaiah Israel Temple in Hyde Park, Logan Chamber Players and Church of the Atonement. In 2013 Nicole received honorable mention in the NATS Central Region Competition and in 2014 she was awarded 1st place at the Grandquist Competition for her interpretation of the Marschallin in the fi nal trio of Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. She holds a Masters of Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and maintains an active studio of piano and voice students.

THE SOUTHLAND AREA THEATRE ENSEMBLECAST AND CREW FOR “THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA”

John Hillman (Signor Naccarelli / Roy) John Hillman is playing the role of Signor Naccarelli and Roy in this production. As a confi dent singer, John accepted this role to expand his acting skills, and has found it most challenging. John most recently played Jean Valjean in Kankakee Valley Theater Association’s production of Les Miserables. John’s other leading roles include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (four times), Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Curly in Oklahoma, Pippin in Pippin, and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls. John has been a church cantor for many years and is currently cantoring at St Linus Church in Oak Lawn. John also sings many weddings and funerals, and too often can be found singing karaoke online. John also has worked backstage on various productions as a sound designer and runs a small Video Production Company called “The Video Department” where he creates corporate and event video productions for various clients. John would like to thank his wife Carol and his family for their continued support throughout the production of this musical.

Rosalind Hurwitz (Margaret Johnson) is thrilled to work with such talented artists on this beautiful show. Career highlights include the title role in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Fulton Opera House; Julie Jordan in Carousel for the Grand Rapids Symphony SummerFest; Roxane in Cyrano de Bergerac at Renaissance Repertory Theatre; a European tour of Show Boat with the NY Harlem Opera; Cloud Nine and Misalliance with NYC’s Pulse Ensemble Theatre; Lusia in A Shayna Maidel and a grown-up Helen Keller in Monday After the Miracle at Florida Repertory Theatre; and A Christmas Carol at Syracuse Stage. Chicago-area credits include The Hypocrites’ acclaimed production of Our Town; the world premieres of Adding Machine: A Musical at Next Theatre and Queen Lucia (A Musical Romp) at Lifeline Theatre; and Death Takes a Holiday for Circle Theatre. Opera and operetta performances include Lo frate ‘nnamorato with OperaNow! in Rome, Italy; Lilli in Music in the Air with Music by the Lake, and Katisha in The Mikado with The Savoyaires. Rosalind studies voice with Janice Pantazelos. She is married to photographer and life coach Dan Lewis. On weekdays she is a speech-language pathologist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment.

Kevin Kohn (Ensemble) Kevin recently graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor’s in Music Business. He currently lives in Clifton, IL. Favorite roles and shows include Curly in Oklahoma!, Duntless in Once Upon a Mattress, Lon Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis and Anthony in And Then There Were None. I’ve also performed at the Center for Performing Arts with Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway and Dance Fusion: Fall Dance Festival 2014. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Ann and Neil!

Nathan Krug (Giueseppe Naccarelli). Nathan is happy to be back onstage with SLATE. Some of his favorite roles include In the Heights (Kevin), Company (Bobby), Assassins (Booth), [Title of Show] (Jeff), and Ragtime (Father). In the area, he has also performed with the Chicago Heights Drama Group. By day, he teaches 5th and 6th Grade at Illinois Lutheran School in Crete and directs theatre at ILHS. He has also served as a vocal director for several area musicals, and teaches a few voice and piano lessons on the side. Nathan is excited to be working with this great group of talented people, and he’s especially thankful to work with Scott as a director for the fi rst time. He would like to thank you, the audience, for continuing support of live theater!

Mary Kooy Pniewski (Signora Naccarelli) Mary is thrilled to be working with this great cast in her fi rst production with SLATE. Mary’s theatre experience includes

Act IOVERTURE

Scene 1: Piazza della Signoria, Florence—Summer, 1953 STATUES AND STORIES........Margaret, Clara and Full CompanyScene 2: The Uffi zi THE BEAUTY IS........ClaraScene 3: The Naccarelli Shop IL MONDO ERA VUOTO........Fabrizio AMERICAN DANCING........InstrumentalScene 4: The DuomoScene 5: Piazzale Michelangelo PASSEGGIATA........FabrizioScene 6: The Naccarelli Home THE JOY YOU FEEL........FrancaScene 7: Margaret and Clara’s Hotel Room DIVIDING DAY........MargaretScene 8: On the Street HYSTERIA........Clara, Fabrizio, and Full CompanyScene 9: The Hotel Room LULLABY........MargaretScene 10: The Hotel Room SAY IT SOMEHOW........Clara and Fabrizio

Act IIENTR’ACTE

Scene 1: Rome, the RuinsScene 2: The Naccarelli Home

AIUTAMI........Signora Naccarelli, Full CompanyScene 3: Rome, the Ruins THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA........ClaraScene 4: FlorenceScene 5: The Naccarelli Home OCTET........Full Company CLARA’S TIRADE........ClaraScene 6: The Church—The Wedding Rehearsal OCTET PART II........Full Company THE BEAUTY IS (REPRISE)........MargaretScene 7: The Naccarelli ShopScene 8: Florentine Street LET’S WALK........Margaret and Signor NaccarelliScene 9: The Hotel RoomScene 10: The Church CLARA’S INTERLUDE........Clara LOVE TO ME........FabrizioScene 11: The Wedding FABLE........Margaret

numerous productions with roles such as Commander Harbison in South Pacifi c with the Oak Lawn Park District, Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance with Opening Night Arts Group, Lily in The Secret Garden and Aunt March in Little Women with 99th Street Summer Theatre as well as Clairee in Steel Magnolias and Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank with ArtCraft Productions. This spring, she will be music directing Say It with Music, a show her husband conceived and has written for production with the newly formed Evergreen Park Candlelight Theatre. Mary has also performed in various shows with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Hyde Park, the Savoy-Aires, and Beverly Theatre Guild. She has directed various church choirs in the area, and has sung with Bethany Union Church choir, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Choral Ensemble of Chicago, and the New Classic Singers. Mary attended both DePaul University School of Music and Trinity Christian College, where she obtained her Vocal Performance degree. She and her husband, Glenn, and their 2 children, Michelle and Kevin are also avid thespians, and reside in Evergreen Park.

Nicole Bowles (Choreographer) Nicole is honored to work with SLATE for her second year! She graduated with a BA Theatre Arts from Catawba College in 2009 (Salisbury, NC). Recent Chicago appearances include Helen in Musical of the Living Dead (Stage 773), Sally in Reefer Madness (Mayne Stage), Texas in Cabaret (Citadel), and Susan in Company (SLATE). She sends her love back to her family in NC. Keepin’ it strange for Ira since 2011.

Jordan Fleming (Stage Manager) Jordan is thrilled to be working on The Light in the Piazza. Favorite Credits include Tony ‘n Timmy’s Wedding, #show, Jersey Shore: The Musical (4 Days Late); Tea and Sympathy (The Artistic Home Home); Copperhead, Volpone (City Lit); Resurrection Blues (Eclipse); Nutcracker (Carolina Ballet); Hairspray, Man of La Mancha, Cabaret (Interlakes Summer Theater), Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, Chicago, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (STMV); Peter Pan, The Tempest, 8 Track: The Sounds of the 70s (Blowing Rock Stage Company); Some Girls, An Ideal Husband, and two tours with Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (Appalachian State University). Jordan serves as Production Stage Manager and Director of Production at 4 Days Late Productions.

Brad Senffner (Music Director / Conductor) Brad Senffner is thrilled to be returning to SLATE. for a third time as the music director and conductor for Light in the Piazza. Audiences will remember him as Peter in Company and Leon Czolgoz in Assassins! both with SLATE. Additionally, Brad is a professional actor, performer, musician, clinician and director in Chicago. He has directed and music directed over sixteen (16) productions over the last ten (10) years and served on the Board of Directors for Kankakee Valley Theatre Association where he was elected as one of the youngest board members in the organization’s history. He holds a B.S. in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University and a Masters of Theatrical Studies in Production and Design from Southern Oregon University. When he isn’t working on the stage, he maintains an active voice studio both in Chicago and Naperville. He would like to thank the cast for their hard work and Scott for bringing him onboard. Toi, Toi, Toi

Scott Sowinski (Director) is most grateful for this amazing cast and crew, and hopes you all enjoy the show! Scott recently completed a run as Bob Wallace in White Christmas in Honolulu, Hawaii. An active performer and director, Scott recently assisted directed Sweeney Todd with Porchlight Music Theatre in Chicago. NYC Directing: Merrily We Roll Along, The Wild Party, Rupunzel, Ovation & Oration, The Magician. Regional: Die Fledermaus, Amahl, HONK!, Les Miserables, Charlie Brown, Last Five Years, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Passion Play. Visit scottsowinski.com for more information.

CastMargaret Johnson.........Rosalind Hurwitz

Clara Johnson.........Lindsay ForemanFabrizio Naccarelli.........Iah Bearden-Vrai

Signor Naccarelli / Roy Johnson.........John HillmanSignora Naccarelli.........Mary Kooy Pniewski

Giuseppe Naccarelli.........Nate KrugFranca Naccarelli.........Nicole Hager

Young Girl, Ensemble.........Jayde Al-AngaryTour Guide, Ensemble.........Courtney Edwards

Priest, Ensemble.........Kevin Kohn

Production TeamDirector.........Scott Sowinski

Stage Manager.........Jordan FlemingMusic Director.........Brad SenffnerChoreographer.........Nicole Bowles

Rehearsal Accompanist.........Matt PietCostume Designer.........Billy Vitucci

Lighting Design / Board Operator........Michael Krull Hair / Makeup Designer.........Keith Ryan

Dressers.........April Al-Angary, Keith RyanAudio Technician.........Kevin Rosenhagen

Stage Technician.........Tracey OffetS.L.A.T.E. Artistic Director.........J.R. Rose

OrchestraConductor.........Brad Senffner

Piano.........Matt PietHarp.........Tija MujaisBass.........Brett Lewis

Violin.........Rebecca HanniganCello.........Christopher Ferrer

Developed with the Assistance of the Sundance Institute Theatre Laboratory Italian Lyrics for "Il Mondo Era Vuoto" by Judith Blazer

Italian Translation by Judith Blazer & Maria Vèrnole Blazer Orchestrations by Adam Guettel

Additional Orchestrations by Ted Sperling Music Consultant - Andy Einhorn

R&H Theatricals (Licensor) represents the stage performance rights to over 100 musicals by more than 200 writers. These include works by Rodgers & Hammerstein (including OKLAHOMA!, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC), Rodgers & Hart (PAL JOEY, BABES IN ARMS), and Kern & Hammerstein (SHOW BOAT), as well as musicals by Irving Berlin (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, WHITE CHRISTMAS), Andrew Lloyd Webber (CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Adam Guettel (THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, FLOYD COLLINS), Kurt Weill (THE THREEPENNY OPERA, LADY IN THE DARK), such perennials as BIG RIVER, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and FOOTLOOSE, and the longest-running revues in the history of Broadway -- SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ -- and Off-Broadway -- I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Recently added titles include IN THE HEIGHTS, A CATERED AFFAIR, IT’S ONLY LIFE, [title of show], LOVE MUSIK, FACE THE MUSIC, REEFER MADNESS, ALTAR BOYZ, BERNARDA ALBA, MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, and BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY. R&H Theatricals is an Imagem company: www.rnh.com.

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