ME AND MY GIRL
ME AND MY GIRL
May 2-20, 2018
Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco 94111
Wednesday-Thursday 7:00; Friday 8:00; Saturday 6:00; Sunday 3:00
Saturday Matinee May 12 at 1:00 PM
Book & Lyrics by by L. Arthur Rose & Douglas Furber
Revised by Stephen Fry with Contributions by Mike Ockrent
Music by Noel Gay
Director/Choreographer Mindy Cooper
Music Director Dave Dobrusky
Associate Choreographer Nicole Helfer
Scenic Designer/Artist Brian Watson
Costume Designer Liz Martin
Lighting Designer David Lam
Stage Manager Alicia Lerner*
Assistant Stage Manager Lauren Howry
“GO SEE” (recommended production) – San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics’ Circle
At once both sidesplittingly funny and charmingly romantic, ME AND MY GIRL was a major hit on the West End in 1937, but was largely unknown in the United States until a Broadway production in 1986, where it also became a major success. This fish-out-of-water comedy is the story of a roustabout Cockney lad who learns he’s actually an Earl and must try to adjust to his new upper-class life. Several of the songs from the show became major hits of the day, including “Leaning On a Lamppost,” “The Lambeth Walk” and the title song.
ME AND MY GIRL runs about two hours and fifteen minutes, including one intermission.
PRESS REVIEWS
(Click on links for full reviews)
“Maybe the best show 42nd Street Moon has done in years!” Eddy Reynolds, Theatre Eddys
“Upbeat, feel-good fun.” – Ilana Walder-Biesanz, Stark Insider
“42nd Street Moon’s production shines” – George Heymont, Medium.com
“A delightful romp” – Alexandra Garfield, Theatre By The Bay
Click on pictures for full-size images
Melissa WolfKlain and Keith Pinto
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
The Company
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Scott Hayes, Michael Barrett Austin, Keith Pinto, Michael Patrick Gaffney, Elise Youssef, Daniel Thomas, and Milissa Carey
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Keith Pinto, Michael Patrick Gaffney, and Colin Thomson
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Keith Pinto
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Keith Pinto and Melissa WolfKlain
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Elise Youssef with Andrew Mondello and Nicholas Yenson
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Lee Ann Payne, Andrew Mondello, Brittney Monroe, Nicholas Yenson, Nicole Helfer, and Michael Barrett Austin
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Keith Pinto and Michael Patrick Gaffney
Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
MEET THE CAST
MICHAEL BARRETT AUSTIN* Hebert Parchester/Ensemble
Michael is thrilled to return for his thirteenth show with 42nd Street Moon. Most recently, he appeared as Dr. Frederick Treves in The Elephant Man (Hillbarn Theatre), Gus in the staged reading of Babes in Arms and Professor Moriarty in Baker Street here at Moon. Recent performances also include Boeing Boeing (San Jose Stage), Red Hot Patriot with Kathleen Turner (Berkeley Rep) and the world premiere of Manic Pixie Dream Girl (New York International Fringe Festival). Other favorite outings are Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (SF Playhouse), Dracula (Center Rep) and The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Berkeley Rep). Michael has also worked with SF Shakespeare Festival, The Aurora, TheatreWorks, CalShakes, Pac Rep, San Jose Stage and others, and appeared on television, on film and in countless commercials. He is a member of Just Theater and PlayGround and proud husband of Emily and father to Lucille.
MILISSA CAREY* Maria, Duchess of Dene
Milissa is thrilled to return to 42nd Street Moon after having previously appeared in Nymph Errant and Lady, Be Good! In addition to acting, Milissa is a theater director and educator. Recent directing credits include 9 to 5 the Musical; Shrek; Side Show; Kiss Me, Kate; Sunday in The Park with George; South Pacific and Spring Awakening. Milissa is on the faculty at A.C.T. in the MFA program, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Foothill College. As an actor, she has appeared with many Bay Area companies and on the National Tour of Evita under the supervising direction of Hal Prince.
MICHAEL PATRICK GAFFNEY* Sir John Tremayne
Michael is very grateful to be back performing with 42nd Street Moon, where he was last seen in last season’s No, No, Nanette as Uncle Jimmy. Some of his other favorite roles with the company include The King in Jubilee, Charles in High Spirits, and Finian in Finian’s Rainbow. Other regional theatre companies he has worked with include: Shotgun Players, Aurora Theatre Company, Center Rep, San Jose Stage Company, Word for Word, and Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Michael is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
SCOTT HAYES Sir Jasper Tring
Scott happily returns to 42nd Street Moon after having recently appeared in their production of The Secret Garden as Ben, Lady Bracknell in the Firescape Theatre’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Cloud 9 Theatricals/Ray of Light’s production of Silence! The Musical. Other Moon credits include Where’s Charley? and Sugar. Other credits include Christmas with the Crawfords (Lincoln Theater, Napa), Women Behind Bars (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater), and in Provincetown, The SantaLand Diaries (Art House), The Wild Party (CTEK Arts), Times Square Angel (Provincetown Theatre Company), and Working, Take Me Out and Wonder of the World with Counter Productions. As his alter ego “Norman Vane” (cabaret artiste & bon vivant) he’s played clubs on both coasts and was acclaimed “Best Comedic Cabaret Performer” by Martuni’s in 2013.
NICOLE HELFER Pearly Queen/Ensemble
Nicole is a full-time theatre faculty member at Oakland School for the Arts, a director, award-winning choreographer and performing artist. Choreography credits include No, No, Nanette (TBA Award nominee) with 42nd Street Moon; The Producers, Miss Saigon, Kiss Me, Kate (SFBATCC nominee), West Side Story (TBA Award winner), and In the Heights (TBA Award winner) with Broadway By The Bay; West Side Story (TBA and SFBATCC nominee), Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast and the upcoming production of Mamma Mia! with The Mountain Play; Lizzie with Ray of Light (SFBATCC nominee); and Tarzan with Contra Costa Musical Theater (Shellie Award nominee). Featured performance credits include: Marian in The Music Man, Fantine in Les Misérables (Shellie Award winner), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Shellie nominee), Val in A Chorus Line, Velma Kelly in Chicago (SFBATCC nominee), and Kate Monster/Lucy T. Slut in the regional premiere of Avenue Q. Nicole also has directed several productions including Good Kids, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, The Little Mermaid, Snow White: A Holiday Panto, Electra and, most recently, The Music Man, which she also choreographed.
ANDREW MONDELLO Bob Barking/Ensemble
Andrew is simply over the moon (get it?) to be joining 42nd Street Moon on another adventure. You may also remember him from last years productions of Baker Street (Wiggins) and No, No, Nanette (Tom Trainor). Most recently he was seen as Billy Lawlor in PCRT’s 42nd Street and as Pig in a Car in BACT’s Beautiful Oops. Andrew graduated from UCI with his degree in acting two years ago and has thankfully been able to call the Bay home ever since. Some other favorites are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Guildenstern), Sweet Smell of Success (J.J. Hunsecker), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). www.AndrewMondello.com
BRITTNEY MONROE May Miles/Ensemble
Brittney is happy to be returning to 42nd Street Moon. She was last seen in Urinetown (Little Sally) and in Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly Aster) at Berkeley Playhouse. Brittney is a recent graduate from The Pacific Conservatory Theatre. Brittney has also performed in The Wild Party (Nadine) and The Addams Family (Flapper/Cousin It) at San Jose Stage Company, The Little Mermaid (Alana/Dance Captain) at Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, Scrooge in Love! (Martha Crachit) at 42nd Street Moon, Charlotte’s Web (Fern/Goose) at Marin Theatre Company and The Tempest (Ariel) at California Theatre Center. For more information, you can check out her website at www.brittneymonroe.com
LEE ANN PAYNE* Mrs. Brown/Ensemble
Lee Ann is returning to the 42nd Street Moon stage to keep on tapping! Lee Ann was last seen at Moon as Sue Smith in No, No, Nanette and as Ninotchka in Silk Stockings. Recent credits include Jacqueline in La Cage aux Folles (SF Playhouse), Mrs. Weston in Jane Austen’s Emma (Theatreworks), The Witch in The Snow Queen (San Jose Rep/NYMF) and Diane Goodman in Next to Normal (Jewel Theatre Company). Also a local choreographer and director, Lee Ann earned her MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.
KEITH PINTO* Bill Snibson
Keith is excited to return to Moon after appearing in The Secret Garden. You may also have seen him in Where’s Charley and Snoopy!! He recently received TBA awards for his choreography of Altar Boyz (Center Rep) as well as his role as the Emcee in Cabaret (Hillbarn Theater). Other favorites include: 1776, Scapin (American Conservatory Theater), Fly By Night (TheatreWorks) Into the Woods, Company (San Francisco Playhouse), The 39 Steps, Hand To God, Sweeney Todd (San Jose Stage), Sweet Charity, The Underpants, Lucky Stiff (Center Rep). Pinto is co-founder of the award-winning hip-hop band and theater company, Felonious. Felonious theater pieces, which Pinto appeared in as well as choreographed include: Beatbox: A Raparetta, Angry Black White Boy and Stateless: A Hip-Hop Vaudeville Experience.
DANIEL THOMAS* The Hon. Gerald Bolingbroke
Daniel is pleased to make his Moon onstage debut in one of his favorite shows. Over nearly two decades Daniel worked as an actor, musical director and musician for nearly every regional theater in Southern California, including Musical Theatre West, 3-D Theatricals, McCoy-Rigby Productions, Moonlight Amphitheatre, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Candlelight Pavilion and the Santa Barbara, Fullerton and San Gabriel Civic Light Operas. Favorite performance credits include Jinx (Forever Plaid), Baker (Into the Woods), Cornelius (Hello, Dolly!), Prez (The Pajama Game), Tom (No, No, Nanette), Fodor (Crazy for You), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), Man 2 (As Thousands Cheer) and the Dapper Dans of Disneyland. Since returning to his native Bay Area Daniel has been active as a musical director at 42nd Street Moon, Woodminster Amphitheatre and Lyric Theatre of San Jose. Daniel is blessed to have the love and support of his wife Rebecca and son Joshua.
COLIN THOMSON* Heathersett/Ensemble
Colin has appeared at A.C.T. in A Christmas Carol, 1776 (directed by Frank Galati) and Happy End where he also contributed to the production’s cast recording. Performances at Center REPertory Company include Anything Goes, Lucky Stiff, All Shook Up, All in the Timing, and The Voice of the Prairie. Film and television work includes NBC’s “Trauma” and “Blue Jasmine.” He has performed with TheatreWorks, San Jose Stage Company, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and many more. Career favorites include Dirty Blonde with Portland Center Stage, Company with Marin Theatre Company, All My Sons with TheatreWorks, Center REP’s Sisters Matsumoto, and PCPA’s Yours, Anne. Mr. Thomson’s hobbies include volunteering with MoveOn.org, being a marginal homemaker to his lovely wife Karen, and finding ways to use his privilege for good. He has been a member of Actors’ Equity Association for nearly 22 years. This marks his 42nd Street Moon debut.
MELISSA WOLFKLAIN* Sally Smith
Melissa most recently played Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Hillbarn Theatre in her hometown of Foster City. She has appeared in the national tours of 42nd Street and White Christmas, both choreographed by Randy Skinner. Some of her favorite Bay Area appearances are Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (TBA nomination), Peter Pan in Peter Pan, and Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain (SFBATCC Award). In Los Angeles, Melissa played Ginger Rogers in the West Coast premiere of Backwards in High Heels, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (Garland Award Honorable Mention) and Princess Fiona in Shrek (Scenie Award). Melissa is so excited to step into a new role as “the fun aunt” this year! Follow her on instagram for a boat load of gym selfies and heavily-filtered pictures of her grandparents – @melissawolfklain and visit www.melissawolfklain.com to see what’s next!
NICHOLAS YENSON* Pearly King/Ensemble
Nicholas marks his tenth anniversary since his Moon debut in Girl Crazy, followed two years later by Lady, Be Good! Other recent theater credits include La Cage aux Folles at San Francisco Playhouse, Port City at American Conservatory Theater, The Taming of the Shrew at the Shakespeare Theater Company, and The House of Blue Leaves at Wellesley Repertory Theatre. Nicholas has performed in concert at the Kennedy Center Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, São Paulo’s Espaço das Américas, and the West End’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Nicholas first donned tap shoes at the tender age of five at Miss Sparks’s School of Dance in Arlington, Virginia and later trained in music and dance at the Irish World Academy, in dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and in acting at American Conservatory Theater. @nicholasyenson
ELISE YOUSSEF* Lady Jaqueline Carstone
Elise is thrilled to be back at Moon after most recently appearing as Lalume in the staged concert of Kismet, Lily in New Girl in Town, and as the Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooge in Love! (both times!). She was also seen as Sherry in Rock of Ages at Center REPertory, Alice Beineke in The Addams Family at San Jose Stage Company and as Mom in the world premiere of the musical Max Understood at the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. She got her B.A. at UC Santa Cruz in Theater Arts, and spent four years in New York City where she attended CAP21’s 2 Year Professional Musical Theater program. She is happy to be back home in the Bay Area and performing, and is also engaged to be married!
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
EXPERIENCE A FULLER MOON
Opening Night Receptions
Join the cast and crew as we celebrate the opening of each new production. Savor champagne, wine, and delectable delights from our Opening Night sponsor. The best part? It’s on us!
Opening Night date for Me and My Girl: Saturday, May 5, 6:00 PM
Discussion Sundays
Get all your burning questions answered about the show you’ve just seen during our fun and informative post-performance discussions with the audience, cast, and crew. Hosted by Executive Directors Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, who will share the history of the original production as well as our current incarnation! Learn more about the composers, lyricists, and book writers, as well as your favorite Moonie cast members. Discussion Sundays happen on the first and second Sunday of each show in our regular season offerings.
Discussion Sunday dates for Me and My Girl: May 6 & 13, 3:00 PM
Family & Student Matinees
The best deal in town for kids, parents, and students of all ages. Young people under 18 and college students with a valid student ID can see the show for just $10! Younger students receive a family activity guide, get to participate in an intermission contest (with prizes!), and can join in on a post-show discussion and visit with the actors that includes autographs and pictures. This is a great way to introduce the next generation to the heritage of American musical theatre. This is also a great idea for a kid’s birthday party. Please contact Education Director Dyan McBride for further details or if you have a large group wishing to attend.
42nd Street Moon created the Family Matinee to make musical theatre affordable and accessible for young people along with their parents and to provide families the opportunity to experience classic Broadway. Relevant, fun activities and fascinating discussion guides enable families to rediscover how theatre has served an important function in our nation’s cultural landscape and been a way for families to come together. We have expanded the matinee to be a Family and Student Matinee, so that college-aged students can also take advantage of the generous discount.
Family and Student Matinee date for Me and My Girl: May 12, 1:00 PM