September 27-October 20, 2019
ASSASSINS
Book by John Weidman
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr.
Playwrights Horizons, Inc. New York City produced ASSASSINS Off-Broadway in 1990
Assassins lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in this historical musical that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, writers, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. Photos by Michael Brunk | NWlens.com
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
Erin Kristan Dorn (Sara Jane Moore) is thrilled to make her on-stage debut at SSR. She has previously stage managed Reefer Madness, The Taming of the Shrew, A Streetcar Named Desire, Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. She would like to thank the cast, the Squolf, John, and Alicia for this amazing opportunity to return to performing in one of her favorite shows.
Eric Hartley (Sam Byck) was last seen at SSR as earthling Otis and alien Grig in The Last Starfighter. Since then he’s appeared as Prof. Callahan in Legally Blonde (SMT), Juror No. 7 in Twelve Angry Men (RCT), and as the Bandleader and Edsel Mackey in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (SMT). Twenty-five years ago Eric was a Bystander in Assassins at MTW directed by Tammis Doyle and Kim Douglass! Eric dedicates his work in memory of his parents Hal and Jo, who always supported his theatrical pursuits. They are missed.
David Naber (Charles Guiteau) David is a Seattle-based performer, and is thrilled to be diving headfirst into his first Sondheim musical. He was most recently seen in the SSR production of Reefer Madness, wearing considerably fewer articles of clothing. Other favorite roles include Billy Flynn in Chicago, Roger in Rent, Orin the Sadistic Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Princeton in Avenue Q, Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Gabe in Next to Normal, for which he was nominated for BroadwayWorld Seattle Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role. When he's not on stage, he enjoys twiddling his thumbs vigorously, burning the roof of his mouth on oven-baked pizza, & helping his army of houseplants develop a sentient hivemind.
Matt McFadden (Gerald Ford/James Garfield/Ensemble) is beyond excited to make his debut with SSR! He was seen most recently on stage at Seattle Musical Theatre (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat & Aida.) Thanks to the cast and crew for making this such a memorable experience!
Matt Langenhop (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald) is returning to the SecondStory stage after playing the drug-crazed Jimmy Harper in last season’s musical comedy Reefer Madness. Originally a Cleveland native, Matt has been featured in Great Lakes Theater, the Kenny Rogers Christmas Special, and even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in our nation’s capitol. Favorite performances include Jesus in Godspell (Mapleside Barn Theater), Dan in Next to Normal (Columbia Entertainment Co.), and working with Chip in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Huntington Playhouse).
Britt Boyd (Emma Goldman/Ensemble) Assassins marks Britt's third Sondheim collaboration with SecondStory Repertory, where audiences will recognize her from numerous productions over the last six seasons. Other favorite local credits include The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Seattle Musical Theatre), Martha in The Secret Garden (Kitsap Forest Theater) and Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense (Renton Civic Theatre). She has also performed locally with Village Theatre, ACT and Seattle Public Theater. Cheers!
Savannah Lynn (Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme) earned her BFA in Musical Theater from Central Washington University in 2017. Most recently you’ve seen her as Sally in SSR’s production of Reefer Madness. Savannah thanks her loved ones for the never ending support.
Tyler Harr (John Hinckley) is a Seattle-based actor and director, happy to return to SecondStory Rep, most recently appearing as Zanna in Zanna Don't!. Other credits include [title of show] (Jeff) with SecondStory, Annie (Ens.) with Seattle Musical Theatre, and The Pillowman (Katurian), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Satan), and Under Milk Wood (Ens.) with the Penny Dreadful Players.
Dane Vance Creek (Proprietor) is incredibly happy to be returning to SSR, where he was last seen as Pedro in Man of La Mancha. In addition to acting, he is also a solo artist, as well as the lead vocalist for rock band Rain Light Fade. All the love in the world to Jen, Nyah, and Aislynne. Special thanks to his godson, Mike.
Claire Idstrom (Billy/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her SSR debut with one of her all time favorite shows. Recently she was an ensemble member in Dacha Theatre’s Shakespeare Dice: As You Like It, and the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at SMT. She also writes original music and has two singles available on Spotify. Love to her sweet Dylan and Klaus, and to her parents for all their love and support.
Sebastian Floyd Hulburt (Leon Czolgosz) is thrilled to be returning to SecondStory Repertory for one of his dream shows. Recent SSR credits include Lecturer (Reefer Madness), Dr. Carrasco (Man of La Mancha) and Toad (Frog and Toad). He'd like to thank Karin for her eternal friendship and everyone who's ever given him a ride ever. Enjoy the show!
Graham Arthur Blair (Giuseppe Zangara) is filled with excitement to be back at SecondStory Repertory, having most recently appeared here in Reefer Madness, and as Robert in Boeing Boeing earlier this year. Past favorite credits include Emmett in Legally Blondewith Twelfth Night Productions, as well as The Producers and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Seattle Musical Theatre. When he’s not too busy juggling theater and work, he spends his time brewing beer in his garage, and singing until closing time at late-night karaoke bars.
BAND BIOGRAPHIES (as provided)
Kelly Paletta (Percussion) is delighted to add crashes, bangs, and booms to Assassins. Past favorite shows inlcude "Next to Normal" "Little Shop of Horrors" "Man of La Mancha" at SSR, "Bridges of Madison County" (Showtunes), "A Year with Frog and Toad" (Youth Theater Northwest) and "The Who's TOMMY" (Seattle Musical Theatre.) Thanks and love to Gretchen, Jake, and Maya.
Cody Clark (Reeds) is a Seattle-based woodwind doubler from the cornfields of Ohio. Although he daylights as a technical writer, Cody has performed in pits for Reboot Theatre Company and Woodland Park Players; is a member of the Washington Wind Symphony and Northwest Clarinet Choir; and serves as a woodwind teaching artist with Seattle Music Partners. When he's not making music or documenting Kubernetes, Cody enjoys visiting used book stores, smiling at dogs and arbitrarily leaving out serial commas.
Jim Graham (Bass) is a professional bassist and has performed for over 30 years in numerous bands, ensembles, film scores, CDs and cruise ship tours. Jim especially enjoys musical theater and has played over 100 runs throughout the Pacific NW
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES (as provided)
Alicia Mendez (Director) is incredibly thankful to be directing Assassins. This show has been on her bucket list for years, and she is excited to bring her vision to the stage. Alicia is not a stranger to the SSR stage; this will be the 15th show she has worked either on stage as a performer or in a production role. Alicia would like to thank the amazing cast for all their hard work. John Allman for his help as a collaborator and a very special thanks goes out to Mark and Jen for giving her this opportunity and making SSR feel like home.
John Allman (Music Director) is over the moon to be back at SSR! Since 2015, John has written music and/or lyrics for 4 musicals in SecondStory’s ‘Theater for Young Audiences’ seasons: The Snow Queen, The Fluffy Tale of Adventure, Alice in Wonderland, and Sparkle Fairy’s School for Formerly Vile Villains (look for a new version of “Fluffy Tale” coming to SSR in February 2020!) John was Music Director for a reading of his full-length musical “Fur Pajamas” at Seattle Playwrights Salon last July, with book and lyrics by David Ceci. He also MD’d his original 20-minute musical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher” with SPS in 2017. John has been Music Director for many productions around the region, including SecondStory’s Little Shop of Horrors; Man of La Mancha, and Tommy for Seattle Musical Theatre; Camelot and The King and I for Lyric Light Opera. Other favorites include The Last Starfighter for Village Theatre Originals. Huge thanks to Alicia, Val, Mark and Jen, Jocelyne, our fabulous cast, and great musicians for the memorable experience of doing justice to this most “Strange and Wondrous” show!
Jocelyne Fowler (Costume Designer) has designed for Seattle Shakespeare Company (Arms and the Man, Timon of Athens, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Titus Andronicus, Richard II), Taproot Theatre (Arsenic and Old Lace, Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Civil War Christmas), Book-It Repertory Theatre (Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, Anna Karenina, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet), Harlequin Productions, Seattle Musical Theatre, Vashon Opera, Youth Theatre Northwest, SecondStory Repertory, Bellevue College, Overlake School and others. She is the recipient for the 2016 Gregory Award in Outstanding Costume Design.
Valerie Reid (Stage Manager) is excited to be working on her first show with SecondStory Rep! Though Valerie loves theater you will never see her on stage; her passion lies in the technical side including stage managing, prop design and set design. Most recently Valerie has stage managed All That Glitters: a Village Kidstage Original along with Once on this Island and Legally Blonde: The Musical with Twelfth Night Productions.
Jen Chenovick (Light Design) Jen's theatrical career began in 2002 when she was asked to assistant stage manage The Importance of Being Ernest right here at SSR. Following her passion for theater Jen moved to Hollywood in 2005 where she stage managed for The Blank Theatre including the oddly satisfying Lobster Alice starring Noah Wylie and Nicholas Brendon. While in California, she also worked with Syzygy Theatre Group and the World Premiere of Tender, Abi Morgan’s trenchant drama of the human hunger for connection. Jen moved back to Redmond in 2007 and jumped right back into her work with SSR. During her eighteen plus years at SSR Jen has worn many hats, from stage manager to production manager to managing director and now light design. Special thanks to my parents, they’re pretty cool.
Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director) has been designing, building, and painting sets since the mid-eighties. Having the fortune to begin his theatrical career under the tutelage of Don McLaughlin in his hometown of Helena Montana, Mark continued his training at the University of Washington where he was accepted into the Graduate Design Seminar his sophomore year. With subsequent degrees in Art History and Drama, Mark went on to serve as technical director/designer for multiple organizations including: Virginia Musical Theatre, Fort Peck Summer Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Little Theater of the Rockies, and the Norfolk Governor’s School for the Arts. As Technical Director/Production Manager of the national tour of Anything Goes (starring Gloria Loring) Mark travelled around the United States and Canada realizing that there is no place quite as wonderful as the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, and following a brief stint as a carpenter at The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C., he moved back to Seattle. Locally he has worked behind the scenes for the Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Redwood Theatre, and, of course, SecondStory Repertory.
Mark Chenovick (Sound Design) I began my sound design journey splicing reel-to-reel tape together in the basement of the original Penthouse Theater on the University of Washington campus but it was my brief time in the MFA program at Utah State University, where I learned the joys of digital sound design, and subsequently, became hooked on sound design for life. Having provided composed and curated underscoring and soundscaping, original and sourced sound effects, and performance amplification services for multiple theaters across the US, I have felt the most at home at SSR. Special thanks to Squolfie, ‘lil Squolf, and my extended family. You are the music of my life. #bandistoohot #sorrynotsorry
Mark Chenovick (Projection Design) has designed projections for over 100 shows in the last ten years. Prior to that he worked with CJS design, a website design and hosting company, developing custom websites for clients ranging from Draper Valley Farms to Seattle Film Group. He also co-created and ran the now defunct SeattleActor.com, a website focused on Seattle area theater, featuring audition listings, helpful articles, and show reviews. In addition to projections, Mark also designs all of the marketing materials you see at SSR including; posters, show graphics, and website. All my love to Jen. Enjoy the show!