March 28-April 15, 2018
Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco 94111
Wednesday-Thursday 7:00; Friday 8:00; Saturday 6:00; Sunday 3:00
Family Matinee Saturday, April 7 at 1:00 PM
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim • Book by Julius J. Epstein
Based on the Play “Front Porch in Flatbush” by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein
Director Ryan Weible
Music Director Daniel Thomas
Choreographer Allison Paraiso
Scenic Designer/Artist Brian Watson
Costume Designer Bethany Deal
Lighting Designer Ryan Weible
Stage Manager Kris Vecere*
Assistant Stage Manager Lauren Howry
In 1955, a new musical featuring an up-and-coming composer/lyricist’s Broadway debut was set to open when the lead producer suddenly died and the show was scrapped. That show was SATURDAY NIGHT, and the composer/lyricist—Stephen Sondheim—has become one of the most important figures in musical theatre history. The show was finally produced in 1997, and we are pleased to be presenting its Bay Area professional premiere. A lighthearted story of lovers and friends in 1929 Brooklyn, Saturday Night’s score features some lovely songs and many flashes of the genius that Mr. Sondheim was soon to become.
SATURDAY NIGHT runs about two hours and fifteen minutes, including one intermission.
MEET THE CAST
MIKE BIRR (Artie)
Mike is excited to be returning to 42nd Street Moon! Mike has acted at theatres across both coasts and his most recent credits include 42nd Street (Andy), The Wild Party (Eddie), West Side Story (Action), The 39 Steps, and Shakespeare’s The Tempest (Ferdinand). Mike has been an actor and/or choreographer at theatres including San Francisco Playhouse, San Jose Stage Company, and The Northern Sky Theatre. Mike graduated from Viterbo University with a B.F.A. in Acting. Mike is thrilled to be working on another piece by his favorite composer, Stephen Sondheim. www.mikebirr.com.
JOHN BROWN (Crooner/Mr. Fisher/Lieutenant)
This is John’s first mainstage Moon production, having previously appeared in our concerts of Kismet and South Pacific (Luther Billis). He has been performing with companies around the Bay Area since he moved from Oregon to San Francisco in 2001, most frequently with Lamplighters Music Theatre and Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Some of his favorite past roles include The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair), Assassins (Samuel Byck – TBA Award Finalist), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis) and several roles within the Gilbert & Sullivan cannon. Performing has brought about many memorable experiences in his life, including singing with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, acting in productions with the San Francisco Opera, appearing in several seasons of The Bracebridge Dinner in snow-blanketed Yosemite, and collaborating with many great artists (including Rita Moreno, George Hearn, Marin Mazzie, Geoff Hoyle, and all involved in this production of Saturday Night). John is especially proud to perform the role of the Prince each holiday season in Sing You A Merry Christmas at Grace Cathedral. His regular day gig is as a clinical psychologist.
NIKITA BURSHTEYN* (Gene)
Nikita is honored to be returning to 42nd Street Moon. An award-winning Bay Area actor, Nikita has had the honor of performing some of his favorite musical theatre roles all around the Bay. Recent credits include: Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (Bay Area Musicals), Jean Michel in La Cage aux Folles (San Francisco Playhouse), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Berkeley Playhouse; TBA Award Finalist), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre), Drew Boley in the Regional Premiere of Rock of Ages (Center REPertory Company), Tony in West Side Story (Broadway by the Bay; TBA Award Finalist and San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle nominee), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage 1 Theatre, TBA Award Winner), and Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can (Woodminster Summer Musicals). You can also catch Nikita in the 2009 indie film “The Hush,” and “The Age of Adaline” starring Blake Lively. www.nikitaburshteyn.com
KATHERINE COOPER* (Florence/Dakota Doran)
Katherine is delighted to return to 42nd Street Moon, and so excited to share this amazing piece in one of her very favorite cities!! Moon audiences may remember Kate from Babes in Arms (Baby Rose), The Boy Friend (Hortense), Noel Coward’s Sail Away (Mamie Candijack), and Carnival (Princess Olga the Snake Charmer). Regional: Sacramento Music Circus (Sister Act), TEDx (Allegiance), Sing Out, Louise! Productions (InSignificant Others), Sierra Repertory Theatre (Sister Act, The Robber Bridegroom, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair), Sacramento Theatre Company (The Pirates of Penzance, It’s a Wonderful Life). Kate is a graduate of the Integral Program at Saint Mary’s College, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. www.katherine-cooper.com
JESSE CORTEZ (Ted)
Jesse is excited to return to the 42nd Street Moon stage! Winner of Best Showtunes Cabaret 2013 at Martuni’s and alumni of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Jesse’s selected theater credits include Sister Act (Berkeley Playhouse), Seussical (Bay Area Musicals), Rock of Ages (Center Repertory Theater), Miss Saigon, West Side Story, and Les Misérables (Broadway by the Bay), and Yeast Nation (Ray of Light). He also performed in his own show “Two Nobodies in SF” with his roommate Tim Wagner at Feinstein’s at the Nikko and is currently working on writing his next show. Fun fact: Jesse has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from UC Berkeley, and at one point in his life, could write out the periodic table by memory. Find out more at www.jessecortezmusic.com.
COURTNEY HATCHER* (Celeste)
Courtney returns to 42nd Street Moon after last being seen as Valerie in Pal Joey. Most recently Courtney was seen in the TheatreWorks New Works Festival as Marge Ganser in David Stein’s Out in the Streets: The Shangri-Las. Past favorite credits include: Sarah in The Toxic Avenger (San Jose Stage Company), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical (Hillbarn Theatre), Kate in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party and Wednesday in The Addams Family (San Jose Stage Company). Courtney has a B.A. in Musical Theatre from California State University, Chico. For more information: www.courtneyahatcher.com
CAMERON LABRIE (Bobby)
Cameron is truly delighted to be making his 42nd Street Moon debut as Bobby in Saturday Night! A recent graduate of University of California, Berkeley, he has been tackling as much Bay Area theatre as he can over the last two years. Cameron was last seen as the Emcee in Contra Costa Civic Theatre’s production of Cabaret. Recent credits also include Heathers: The Musical with BareStage Productions, and Beauty and the Beast (Beast/Gaston Understudy), The Little Mermaid, and The Addams Family at Berkeley Playhouse. Favorite roles include Angel (Rent) and Chad (All Shook Up). In the rare moments when he’s not found onstage or directing from a chair in the audience, Cameron can be found on the soccer field or more likely, passed out in bed.
JACK O’REILLY (Ray)
Jack is excited to be making his first appearance with 42nd Street Moon. He most recently appeared as the Padre in Man of La Mancha at Custom Made Theater Company. Other Bay Area credits include Jehan Frollo/St. Aphrodisius (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hillbarn Theater) and Jean Michel (La Cage aux Folles, Bay Area Musicals) as well as a small role in Celebrating Bernstein with MTT at the San Francisco Symphony. Previously, he was in Washington, D.C., where he appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar (McLean Community Players), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Dominion Stage), and 13 Men (D.C. Capital Fringe Festival). Jack spent a year touring and performing all around the world with the Whiffenpoofs of Yale University and is a vocal harmony enthusiast. With Saturday Night, he looks forward to bringing a hidden gem of Sondheim’s to life.
ALSION QUIN (Cotillion Guest/Clune)
A San Francisco resident and performer throughout the Bay Area, Alison is thrilled to be back at 42nd Street Moon. After graduating San Francisco State University with a BM in Classical Voice performance she is continually blessed to have the daily opportunity of sharing the gift of music with others through teaching at her private studio and collaborating with other stellar talented singers and actors on stage around the Bay! Favorite roles include: The Bakers Wife (Into the Woods), Eurydice (Orpheus in the Underworld), and Janet in her self-produced, self-written parody Christmas Cabaret: Naughty or Nice Booze and Spice which graced the stage for two holiday seasons at PianoFight. This past holiday season you may have seen her advertisements as the Sugar Plum Fairy for California’s Great America, where she also sang and danced with the Holly Trolley cast. Catch her this spring as Torrey in Freaky Friday at CenterRep. Gratitude and thanks to all the patrons making musical theatre possible!
NATHANIEL ROTHROCK* (Dino)
Nathaniel has been successfully performing all over the Bay Area theatre scene for five years. When he’s not in a show, he teaches voice and piano privately and through the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. Nathaniel also works as an accompanist for youth theatre. Nathaniel also plays rhythm guitar and lead vocals in the band “Up and to the Right.” Previous show credits include The 1940s Radio Hour (Los Altos Stage Company); The Fantasticks (Piedmont Center for the Arts); My Fair Lady, The Little Mermaid (Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre); It Shoulda Been You, Anything Goes (Center Rep); No, No, Nanette, Sail Away, The Boy Friend, DuBarry Was a Lady (42nd Street Moon); Spamalot, The Rocky Horror Show (City Lights). actor.rothrockfamily.com.
DC SCARPELLI (Crooner/Pinhead/Mr. Fletcher/Headwaiter)
DC is thrilled to be back with 42nd Street Moon, where he was last seen in Call Me Madam. He recently appeared in Daren A.C. Carollo’s 1776 as Benjamin Franklin (TVRT), 42nd Street as Julian Marsh (BAM), Assassins as Czolgosz (BAM) and My Fair Lady as Henry Higgins (CCCT). He has been incredibly fortunate to work much of the time with his husband, Peter Budinger, with whom he has written and directed a few plays, won a few awards, and appeared in numerous productions. They were theater majors and improv disciples together 25 years ago at Yale University. DC has received the 2011 Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle Award (Best Lead Actor, The Mystery of Irma Vep) and the 2017 Theatre Bay Area and Shellie Awards (Best Lead Actor, An Ideal Husband).
AMIE SHAPIRO* (Helen)
Amie is delighted to be returning to 42nd Street Moon after having last played on this stage in Strike up the Band and Oh, Kay! A native Californian, Amie has been performing up and down the coast for over two decades. Some favorite Bay Area roles include Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, Sally in Cabaret, Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Broadway by the Bay), Roxie in Chicago (CCCT), and She Loves Me (SF Playhouse). Her favorite roles off stage include dog mom and traveler, and she works in project management. She also enjoys supporting local theatre, and she appreciates you being here.
KALON THIBODEAUX* (Hank)
Over the last 28 years, Kalon has acted, directed, taught, stage managed and designed for many theatrical companies throughout the Gulf South, California and Seattle such as: 42nd Street Moon, The Dixie Theatre, California Conservatory Theatre, Southern Repertory, Stone Soup Theatre, California Theatre Center, The Patchwork Players and Custom Made Theatre Company. He directed Moon’s award-winning productions of Oh, Lady, Lady! and Wildcat; and was previously seen onstage at Moon in Minnie’s Boys; The Boys from Syracuse; Mack & Mabel; Red, Hot & Blue; Gay Divorce; Girl Crazy; Flora, the Red Menace; Baker Street, and both productions of the world premiere of Scrooge in Love! Recent roles include Geoffrey Plantagenet in The Lion in Winter, Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, He holds a degree in Drama from University of New Orleans and is co-author of the original children’s musical The Princess who Couldn’t Cry.
CAITLIN WAITE (Mildred)
Caitlin is thrilled to be making her 42nd Street Moon Debut as Mildred and is proud to be a part of this cast. Her most recent/favorite credits include Abigail Williams (The Crucible, LPP), Annie (Annie Get Your Gun, BAS), Ilse (Spring Awakening, SCC), and Jean (Dead Man’s Cell Phone, SCC). She is currently a student at Solano Community College and plans to earn her degree this semester, transfer to a four-year institution in the fall, and continue her education in theater.
*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 SATURDAY NIGHT: Saturday, March 31, 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 SATURDAY NIGHT: April 1 & 8, 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 SATURDAY NIGHT: Saturday, April 7, 1:00 PM