Merrily We Roll Along

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MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based On the Original Play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

Director Dennis Lickteig
Music Director Tania Johnson
Choreographer Ashley Cowl

MARCH 23-APRIL 9, 2023
Gateway Theatre, San Francisco

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“Glorious” and “Heartbreaking”, with songs rich in melody and brilliant, witty lyrics, Stephen Sondheim’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is an emotional rollercoaster, a fable about friendship told in reverse. With an ingenious, heart-rousing score, and plenty of classical Broadway flair, the show follows three middle-aged best friends, Mary, Frank, and Charley, on their wayward search to recapture the hope and idealism of their youth. Featuring such musical gems as “Not a Day Goes By”, “Our Time”, and “Like It Was”, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG explores the cost of success, and the sacrifices we make along the way.

Stage Manager Genevieve Pabón* • Assistant Stage Manager Emma Gifford*
Scenic Designer Kuo-Hao Lo • Lighting Designer Brittany Mellerson
Costume Designer Brooke Jennings • Projection Designer DC Scarpelli

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MEET THE CAST • Click on names for bios

SOPHIA ALAWI*
Ensemble

Sophia (she, her, hers) is thrilled to return to 42nd Street Moon! She won the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Featured Actress – Musical in 2019 for GROUNDHOG DAY THE MUSICAL and was named one of “five standout performances” in 2019 by the Houston Chronicle for the role of Wendla in SPRING AWAKENING. Regional credits include FUN HOME (42nd Street Moon), AS YOU LIKE IT, TWELFTH NIGHT and GROUNDHOG DAY THE MUSICAL (San Francisco Playhouse), SPRING AWAKENING (Theater Under the Stars), and IN THE HEIGHTS (Playhouse on Park). New York credits include FAT KID RULES THE WORLD, and EMERSON LOSES HER MIND. TV credits include “Law & Order: SVU.” Sophia earned a BFA from Rider University and also studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and The Barrow Group in New York. @sophiaintronaalawi

PETER BUDINGER
Ensemble

Peter (he/him) was last seen as Baron Van Swieten in The Other Other Theatre Company’s AMADEUS and as Dale Harding in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST at Lucky Penny. Peter also co-created and starred in DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL: DC AND PETER’S GLORIOUS ROMP THROUGH THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV THEME SONGS, created for 42nd Street Moon with his husband, DC Scarpelli (Charley), with whom he is a frequent collaborator—they’ve directed, written, and co-starred in numerous shows together, including THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, for which they were both nominated for BATCC Awards.

CHRISTINE CAPSUTO-SHULMAN*
Gussie Carnegie

Christine is a multi-faceted performing artist in opera and musical theater. Some regional credits include: A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Sibella), INTO THE WOODS (Witch/Rapunzel), MAMMA MIA! (Tanya), JEKYLL & HYDE (Emma), THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (Chiara), CHICAGO (Velma), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Miss Nordstrom), WEST SIDE STORY (Maria/Rosalia), ALADDIN! A DISNEYLAND SPECTACULAR (Jasmine), LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Franca), LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (Contessa), CARMEN (Frasquita/Micaëla), RIGOLETTO (Gilda), LA BOHÉME (Musetta), and DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (Queen). She is also an esteemed concert soloist, educator, advocate of the arts and animals, and a proud mom/wife. Mrs. Shulman earned her degrees from AMDA and SJSU (Cum Launde). Offstage, she loves directing/choreographing, design, laughing, cooking, playing board games and being with her family and friends. See her next at Center Repertory Theater in IN THE HEIGHTS! christinecapsuto.com

JENNIFER EKMAN
Ensemble

Jennifer is psyched to be performing on the 42nd Street Moon stage once again! Favorite roles include April in COMPANY and Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS with Altarena Playhouse, Cathy in THE LAST 5 YEARS with Masquers Playhouse, and Rebecca in PARTY OF TWO with AWAT Productions (a role she originated). She also sings with a jazz ensemble at the St. Francis Yacht Club, the High Seas, and performs local cabaret shows. Jennifer just completed her second 200hr Yoga Teaching Training at HaumSF and is excited to guide others through the beautiful and life changing practice of yoga. She is certified in Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga For All and Accessible Yoga. Many thanks to her incredible support system: Magnus, Sebastian and Sofia. She is eternally grateful for this opportunity.

MCKAY ELWOOD
Ensemble

McKay (he/him) is excited to make his 42nd Street Moon debut and perform his first Sondheim show! Recent Bay Area roles include Narrator in RUMPELSTILTSKIN (East Bay Children’s Theatre), Sergei in MATILDA (Berkeley Playhouse), and Tenor in ENCORE! (New Conservatory Theatre Center). Other favorite productions include AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and PHANTOM (Hale Center Theatre), ANYTHING GOES! (Hale Center Theater Orem), FOOTLOOSE (West Valley Arts) and JOSEPH (Parker Theatre). McKay holds a BM in Vocal Performance with a minor in Dance from Brigham Young University. Offstage, he stays busy teaching private voice lessons, as well as teaching classes with Musical Theatre Works. “Love you Luke! Thanks for the endless support!” https://mckayelwood.wixsite.com/vocals

WILL GIAMMONA
Franklin Shepard

Will was honored with the 2014 Theatre Bay Area Award for Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role in a Musical for playing Frank Shepard in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and is thrilled to be revisiting the role here at 42nd Street Moon. He has recently been seen in other Moon productions as Herbie in GYPSY, Carl-Magnus Malcolm in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Ivan Molokov in CHESS, and Tommy Albright in BRIGADOON. Other Sondheim roles include: Robert in COMPANY (Altarena), Napoleon the Solider & Alex in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (SF Playhouse), Eddie Yaeger in DO I HEAR A WALTZ? (Masquers), J. Bowden Hapgood in ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (Masquers), and The Younger Man in PUTTING IT TOGETHER (Role Players). He is looking forward to playing Steven Kodaly in SHE LOVES ME here at Moon later this season. Find out more at www.williamgiammona.com. And yes, he is really playing the piano.

LAUREN JIANG
Ensemble

Lauren is thrilled to return to 42nd Street Moon for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, her third project here (DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL and CHESS IN CONCERT). Recent credits include April in COMPANY (South Bay Musical Theatre), PEAR SLICES (Pear Theatre), ALL TOGETHER NOW! (Palo Alto Players). Additionally, Lauren is a K-pop aficionado who has flexed her knowledge as a local TV and YouTube host.

JULIANA LUSTENADER
Beth Spencer/Ensemble

Juliana is not only performing with 42nd Street Moon for the first time, but MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is also her first musical production in 3 years! Her most recent roles were Maria in SOUND OF MUSIC, Baker’s Wife in INTO THE WOODS, Clara in PASSION (BATCC Finalist), and the title role in VIOLET (TBA and BATCC Finalist). She is a Bay Area native and proud graduate of SFSU’s Theatre Arts Department. Though she recently moved to the LA area, Juliana is enjoying working across the state of California as an actor and singer-songwriter. She is also an avid knitter who designs knitwear patterns for other crafters to enjoy around the world.
www.JulianaLustenader.com
@photogenicjules, @knitbyjules

RUSSELL MANGAN
Ensemble

Russell is thrilled to make his debut with 42nd Street Moon and finally perform in a Sondheim show! Favorite recent roles include Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Richard Henry Lee in 1776, and Bill Austin in MAMMA MIA! When not on stage, Russell is employed as a Deputy Public Defender. Russell would like to thank all those who have supported him both in theatre and in his legal career.

KEENAN MORAN
Franklin Shepard, Jr.

Keenan is a 5th grader at St. Perpetua School in Lafayette. He is thrilled to be making his second appearance at Moon! Last season he played John in FUN HOME. Most recently Keenan was seen in Berkeley Playhouse’s production of MATILDA (Eric) and Tri- Valley Repertory Theatre’s production of NEWSIES (Les). Other favorite roles include: Jojo (SEUSSICAL), Sebastian (THE LITTLE MERMAID), Charlie Bucket (WILLY WONKA) and Mayor Shinn (THE MUSIC MAN). Keenan can be seen playing Sam in the upcoming feature film No Address. He would like to thank his family and his mom for teaching him so many theater skills. @keenanthomasmoran

JON-DAVID RANDLE*
Ensemble

Jon-David is thrilled to be a part of this production and to be on Moon stage once again. He’s been in several other Moon productions in the past including TITANIC in Concert, HOT MIKADO, and SCROOGE IN LOVE! This is the first Sondheim show he has performed in and he is honored to take on the challenge. Some of his other credits include MAN OF LA MANCHA, SOMETHING ROTTEN (Woodminster Summer Musicals) TwELFTH NIGHT (SF Playhouse), MEMPHIS (Berkeley Playhouse), VIOLET (Bay Area Musicals). National Tour: MEMPHIS.

CHRIS REBER*
Joe Josephson

Chris earned his MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School in NYC. 42nd Street Moon: THREE SISTERS (dir. Greg MacKellan); Other Bay Area credits: RAGS, CYRANO and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (TheatreWorks); A CHRISTMAS STORY, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, COMPANY, and JERUSALEM (San Francisco Playhouse); ANYTHING GOES, IT’S ONLY A PLAY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE FULL MONTY (Hillbarn Theatre); FOREVER PLAID, ME AND MY GIRL, NEXT TO NORMAL, TALLEY’S FOLLY, GUYS AND DOLLS, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, ARCADIA, and GUNMETAL BLUES (Jewel Theatre Company); A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2.0 (San Jose Repertory Theatre); THE PRODUCERS (Cabrillo Stage). New York credits include BETTY AND THE BELRAYS at Theater for a New City and THE TIME OF MENDEL’S TROUBLE at the Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. Chris is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

DC SCARPELLI
Charley Kringas

DC (he/him) is so very happy to be on a San Francisco stage again, and deliriously happy to be back playing Charley opposite his quondam-Frank, Will Giammona! He was last seen on stage as Herbie in GYPSY at the Mountain Play, and for an all-too-brief engagement as Antonio Salieri in AMADEUS with The Other Other Theatre Company. His last outing with this company was as the balder half of the egregiously-titled DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL: DC AND PETER’S GLORIOUS ROMP THROUGH THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV THEME SONGS, Moon’s highest-selling streaming show ever. He created that piece with his husband, Peter Budinger (Ensemble), with whom he’s written and directed some plays, won some awards, and appeared in many productions over the past thirty years. DC has been a recipient of the Theatre Bay Area, Shellie, and Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Lead Actor.

DONNA JEANNE TURNER
Ensemble

Donna has been performing in Bay Area theatres all her life, and is thrilled to return to 42nd Street Moon, where she was previously seen in TITANIC in Concert and 110 IN THE SHADE. Donna’s stage credits include THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Margaret), GYPSY (Madame Rose), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Aldonza), URINETOWN (Pennywise), BLOOD BROTHERS (Mrs. Johnstone), GUSY & DOLLS (Adelaide), CITY OF ANGELS (Alaura and Mallory), SWEENEY TODD (Beggar Woman), ME AND MY GIRL (Lady Jacqueline), NUNSENSE (Sr. Robert Anne), ANNIE (Grace), and CHICAGO (Roxy). She spent seven years in the murder mystery improv group, Entree to Murder, and another seven in comedy troupes Wigged Out and Reel Blondes. Donna works for The Clorox Company Foundation, is a Martial Arts Black Belt, and has a Drama Degree from San Francisco State University. She recently moved to the North Bay with her hubby Stewart Lyle, and their precocious cockatoo, Boo.

MELISSA WOLFKLAIN*
Mary Flynn/Dance Captain

Melissa is thrilled to be back at 42nd Street Moon! Previously she was seen in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, DAMES AT SEA (Theatre Bay Area Award) and ME & MY GIRL. She broke her Covid fast appearing in STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW at San Francisco Playhouse and most recently played Evelyn Nesbit in RAGTIME at Theatreworks. She has appeared in the National Tours of 42ND STREET and WHITE CHRISTMAS, both choreographed by Randy Skinner. In Northern and Southern California, Melissa has performed with Theatreworks (TINYARD HILL, PRIDE & PREJUDICE, SENSE & SENSIBILITY), Hillbarn (CABARET, FUNNY GIRL), 3D Theatricals (SHREK), Mountain Play (PETER PAN) and others. Up next: INTO THE WOODS at Mountain Play and A CHORUS LINE at SF Playhouse. Follow her on Instagram! @melissawolfklain “Thanks Mom, Dad, Isaiah, Nicole and all the sibs for your continued support!” www.melissawolfklain.com

PHOTOS
by Ben Krantz Studio – click on image for larger version