Gatesinger Company, Ltd.

www.gateshall.com (315) 589-3326

Gates Hall, home to community

theatre since 1867.

News from the Hall Summer 2018

Gatesinger 2018-19 Season Starts With

Gilbert & Sullivan Fun!

A Prince. A Princess. Two Kings. Three Brothers. Some best friends. A ladies-only university. Princess Ida is a hilarious twist on a traditional medieval fairy tale. Ida abandons her commitment to her marriage (in infancy) to the Prince of a neighboring kingdom to establish a women's university where the cardinal rule is NO MEN ALLOWED. Prince Hilarion (Sam Wersinger), who has been waiting twenty years for his wedding day, is about to meet his “infant” bride. Unfortunately, Princess Ida (Karen Karnisky) has no intention of honoring that commitment, but Hilarion does not give up hope! Vowing to woo her, Hilarion and his two friends, Cyril and Florian (Abram Collier, Jacob Lindberg}, dress up as maidens and sneak into the women's compound. Once the "maidens" are on the grounds, various students discover their secret. These girls attempt to keep their discovery from Ida, but eventually she discovers and apprehends the intruders. It looks like violence is sure to erupt, but Ida finally relinquishes and agrees to marry Hilarion after a battle between the women and Ida's warrior brothers, led by her “odd” father King Gama (Don Kelley), ensues.

Continued on p. 2

President’s Message:

Reason to Celebrate! John L’Hommedieu, President Gatesinger Board of Directors

As we end our 57th year as a provider of live theater in Northern Wayne County, let’s celebrate the wonderful years we’ve had with some highlights: The Gatesinger Company now proudly owns energy efficient LED stage lights and spotlight. These new lights allow us to change colors as needed throughout the productions and allows for greater stage surface lighting than our previous lights. They are a HUGE upgrade and we’re grateful for the knowledge and expertise of Rob Marshall (with help from Anne Vander Byl) in procuring this equipment to improve the quality of our product. What a truly wonderful season of theater we produced this past year, starting with The Gondoliers (Directed by Nan Hanna - Paquin), Seussical (Directed by the youngest director in Gatesinger history, Autumn Pollock), and Pippin (Directed by Karen Nail). Our season was also strengthened by the once-in-a-generation production of Burned Over (Directed by Lindsey Warren Baker). Nearly 1,500 tickets were sold during this season. THAT’S AWESOME!! Our upcoming season holds great excitement as well, with productions of Princess Ida, No, No, Nanette, and Curtains.

Continued on p. 3

Page 2 Gatesinger Company, Ltd., News

Pippin Delights Gates Hall Audiences

The Gatesinger Spring production of Pippin brought a wonderful combination of new and familiar faces to the Gates Hall stage- and won accolades from audience members! Thanks to the production team of Karen Nail, Director; Jon Wright, Music Director; and Nan Hanna Paquin, choreographer; as well as the entire cast and crew for a great show!

YouTHeatre 2018: No, No, Nanette Auditions Announced!

This season's YouTHeatre production is NO, NO, NANETTE - a bright and bubbly musical comedy extravaganza filled to the brim with irresistibly infectious songs and snappy dances! Join Nanette as she ditches her aunt and uncle's Manhattan mansion for a weekend getaway on the beach with her flapper friends in Atlantic City. Will she get in trouble? Who knows, but one thing is for certain - chaos and shenanigans WILL ensue! No, No, Nanette features roles for 7 women including Nanette, her grumpy maid, her stiff aunt, her aunt's fashionable friend, and three money-hungry ladies who just want to be happy! The show also features roles for 3 men including Nanette's dopey boyfriend, her goofy uncle, and her uncle's suave business partner. The heavily featured ensemble is a gaggle of Nanette's friends who accompany her to Atlantic City for a fun weekend in the sun - without adults! Auditions for No, No, Nanette will take place at Gates Hall on Sunday, August 12. There will be a brief meeting for parents at 2:00 PM (students must have a guardian present at this meeting), and then students will learn a song and dance from the show as their audition. All who audition will be cast in the production, and there is no fee to participate. Students age 12 through 12th grade are eligible to participate. Newcomers are especially welcome! Rehearsals will take place Sundays from 2:00-6:00pm for full cast and one evening a week, typically for small group rehearsals. Performance dates are November 16-18 and 23-25. No, No, Nanette will be directed by Greg Maddock with musical direction by Eric Thompson and choreography by Jaime Akerley. For more information or questions, please email NoNoNanette2018@gmail.com.

Princess Ida, con’t from page 1

Rounding out leading roles are Karen Nail (Lady Blanche), Emma Vos (Lady Psyche), Alandra Kunz (Melissa), Audrone Gecas (Ada) and Schuyler Kelley (King Hildebrand). Princess Ida's “warrior” brothers are played by Cirrus Hanna (Arac), Ian McKay (Scynthius), and Justin Karnisky (Guron). A talented group of singers/dancers/actors round out the ensemble. Directed by John Gaehring, Princess Ida performances are Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21, at 8 pm; and Sunday, July 22 at 3 pm. Tickets are available online at gateshall.com, or by reserving them at the box office, 315.589.3326 . You may also fill out the ticket form included in this newsletter. See you there!

Photos: Pippin cast members bring the magic!

Gatesinger Company, Ltd., News Page 3

President’s message, con’t from p. 1

The 2017-2018 Season saw a slight increase in ticket pricing as we work to continue to provide an exceptional product for our audience’s entertainment dollar. We are also faced with a new obstacle of limited seating in our auditorium due to new town Fire Codes. And, as discussed in our last newsletter, the Gatesinger Co. is embracing the reality which theater companies around the world face: paying stipends to volunteers from skilled disciplines. Rising fees from licensing companies, increasing production costs and reduced seating are financial realities the Board of Directors will be facing in the coming year. The Gatesinger Co. continues to benefit from the hard work of Anne Vander Byl and Ann Rhody in applying for and managing grants that help offset some of our production and operating costs. We again were awarded the Palma Grant and a grant from the Allstate Insurance Company. Ann, Anne and members of our Finance Committee are examining ways to increase Patron and Corporate sponsorships to continue to ensure our financial sustainability. Anyone interested in becoming involved in helping to secure the company’s financial wellbeing is welcome to join! Contact any Board member for information. The Board has decided that our primary areas of focus for the 2018-2019 season will be improving production quality and addressing financial sustainability. We welcome any ideas/thoughts you have and are ALWAYS looking for energetic people to help make our goals become realities. We are excited to be entering our 58th year as a company that consistently produces high quality live entertainment in a historic building, with lovely, energetic, and talented people! Thank you for all the hard work, dedication and continued support of the Gatesinger Company, Ltd.

Connecting with Community: Gatesinger Company and

Williamson-Pultneyville Historical Society Members of Gatesinger Company volunteered with W-PHS

on the May 10 Day of Caring, sprucing up Gates Hall. Gatesingers will be a part of the newly redesigned

Pultneyville Homecoming Celebration July 20-22. Come see us in the parade on Saturday, July 21 at 2:00 PM!

Check out Homecoming events and other news at w-phs.org

Nathan Martin, of Allstate, and Ann Rhody volunteer at Gates Hall on May 10

Gatesinger Company, Ltd. 2018-19 Season

Princess Ida Music by Arthur Sullivan

Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert Directed by John Gaehring

July 20-22, 2018

YouTheatre 2018

No, No, Nanette Directed by Gregory Maddock

November 16-25, 2018

Curtains Directed by Lois Fiegl

April 5-13, 2019

Book by Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel Music by Vincent Youmans

Lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach Adapted and Directed by Burt Shevelove

Book by Rupert Holmes, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb Original Book and Concept by Peter Stone

Additional Lyrics by John Kander and Rupert Holmes Originally Produced on Broadway by Roger Berlind, Roger Horchow,

Daryl Roth, Jane Bergere, Ted Hartley and Center Theatre Group American Premiere Produced at The Ahmanson Theatre,

by Center Theatre Group, LA’s Theatre Company

Page 4 Gatesinger Company, Ltd., News

Not everyone whose love of theatre began at Gates Hall went on to careers as performing artists. Steve Zygo, along with his wife Maggie, are making the difference in the lives of thousands of eager young theatre students with their Acting Academy for Kids (AA4K). The school offers classes, workshops, camps and private lessons for youth throughout South Orange County, CA*.

“As a family owned and operated youth performing arts academy, Maggie and I believe that not only is every child unique and special, but that it is our gift and privilege to bring out the very best in each child and share these talents with others,” says Stephen. Today, the once fledgling professional musical theater has emerged as a leader in the performing arts community for Orange County youth. During the past several years, AA4K has expanded to meet growing demand, but has never lost its personal touch that makes every show, every relationship, feel like family.

Both Stephen and Maggie hold Master’s Degrees in teaching, and Stephen has a degree in Musical Theatre Performance as well. From the very beginning, their focus has been on teaching kids about every aspect of the performing arts, from teamwork and technical skills to choreography and costume design. The applause, while always welcome, is what comes after the hard work is done. Stephen, like his brother J Michael Zygo (starring on Broadway in School of Rock), began his love of theatre and his journey into a career in the arts as a member of Gatesinger Company’s YouTHeatre. His challenges have included supporting his wife and partner, Maggie, through a difficult battle with cancer while helping to care for their two active sons, Julian and Jesse. “We all are given the gift of making a difference in our own, special way,” says Stephen. “We’ve learned this more than anyone can imagine during the past two years. For us, that means helping kids connect to others and the world around them through the arts. When you help kids bring joy to others, they discover new things about themselves. And that’s an incredible privilege to have.” *some of the quotes were taken from a feature article on Stephen and Maggie's AA4K by Rose Wright, which appeared in the April 2018 issue of “Southcoast Magazine”

Steve Zygo “We all are given the gift of making a difference in our

own, special way.......for us, that means helping kids

connect to others and the world around them through

the arts.”

Making a Difference Through the Arts

Princess Ida

TICKET ORDER & PATRON DONATION FORM All performances at Gates Hall, Pultneyville, NY

ADULTS $14.00 STUDENTS/SENIORS (65 and over) $12.00

Fri., July 20th @ 8:00pm: # Adults = _____ # Seniors = _____ # Students = _____

Sat. July 21st @ 8:00pm: # Adults = _____ # Seniors = _____ # Students = _____

Sun. July 22nd @ 3:00pm: # Adults = _____ # Seniors = _____ # Students = _____

(The Gatesinger Company, Ltd. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.)

Amount of Patron Donation: _________ Amount for Tickets: _________

Total Amount Enclosed: _________

Name to appear in patron section of program: ____________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: ___________ Zip: _________

Email Address: ___________________________________________

Phone: _______________________

(All mail orders will be confirmed by phone upon receipt.)

Make checks payable to: Gatesinger Company, Ltd.

Send to: Gatesinger Company, Ltd., PO Box 95, Pultneyville, NY 14538

You can also pay by credit card by calling the box office at

315-589-3326 or online at www.gateshall.com

Stage Door Johnny/Jenny

Up to $25

Starstruck $25 - $99

In the Spotlight $100 - $249

Center Stage $250 & over

Gatesinger Patron Donations: Become an In the Spotlight contributor—you’ll receive two

complimentary tickets to the show of your choice.

If you plan to see our entire season of shows, become a Center

Stage contributor and receive two complimentary tickets to a year of Gatesinger shows

Theatre Located at: Gates Hall,

Corner of Rt. 21 & Lake Rd. Pultneyville

Mailing Address: PO Box 95

Pultneyville, NY 14538

Phone: 315-589-3326

Visit us at:

www.gateshall.com

and on Facebook

2017-18 Board of Directors President: John L’Hommedieu

Vice President: Christine Nagel

Secretary: Mackenzie Wood

Treasurer: Anne Vander Byl

Members: Gregory Maddock Steve Mullin

Karen Nail

YouTHeatre Liaison: Alandra Kunz

The Gatesinger Company, Ltd.

P.O. Box 95

Pultneyville, N.Y. 14538

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 27 Williamson, N.Y. 14589

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Inside:

Tickets on Sale Now! Plus

YouTHeatre Audition Information See page 2