Fort Findlay Playhouse Established October 13, 1954 300 W Sandusky St Findlay, Ohio 45840 419-423-7168 Website: www.fortfindlayplayhouse.org Facebook: The Fort Findlay Playhouse (FFP)

FFP Board of Trustees Term Ends President: Samantha Henry slynnffp@gmail.com 2020 V.President: Patrick Davis sancho_43402@yahoo.com 2019 Secretary: Megan Meyer megan.falter@gmail.com 2018 Treasurer: Wes Taylor wataylor@woh.rr.com 2018 Andrew Conway Conwaya461@gmail.com 2019 Lori Foster Baldwin130@aol.com 2018 m James Foust one_and_2halfmen@hotmail.com 2020 Rob Stauffer rob091008@gmail.com 2020 Casey Wurm casey.rebal@gmail.com 2019

Other Contacts FFP Patrons: ffppatrons@gmail.com FFP Webmaster: jaysmith@fortfindlay.com Fortell Editor: shirleynebergall@yahoo.com

Meetings Board: 1st Wednesday of the month General Membership: 4th Wednesday of the month (If a meeting night falls on a final dress: Board meetings are moved to the following Monday, GM meetings aren’t rescheduled)

Fortell Staff Editor: Shirley Nebergall Proofing: J.R. Smith Show Clip Art: Anne Beekman Photos: Kay Arico, Shirley Nebergall, Facebook Contributors:

Next Issue’s Deadline 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 15

(Deadline for all issues - 5 p.m. on the 15th of even numbered months)

June 2017

F o r t F i n d l a y P l a y h o u s e T H E F O R T E L L

OCTA Website: www.ohiocommunitytheater.org

Shirley Nebergall, Editor

Box Office (as of July 2017)

Fort Findlay Playhouse tickets can be purchased online by going to tickets.fortfindlayplayhouse.org 24/7 during ticket sale dates only. They can also

be purchased by calling the FFP Box Office at 567-525-3636 or in person at the playhouse

(300 W. Sandusky Street) during box office hours. Box Office hours are

Monday - Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Online ticket sales close 2 hours before curtain

on show nights. Available tickets will be sold at the door. House opens 1/2 hour before curtain.)

Cast Announced for Opener of 2017-2018 Season FFP is pleased to announce the cast of the 2017-2018 season opener, Company. From

musical theater's most renowned composer, Stephen Sondheim, Company is largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark-comedy, modern-musical genre and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best Book (by George Furth). On the night of his 35th birthday, Robert (Wes Vollmar) struggles to think of a wish to make as he blows out his birthday candles. The lone bachelor, surrounded by “those good and crazy people” - his married friends - Robert is uncertain whether he should simply be happy with his lot or whether he should wish for his own romantic partner. Over a series of dinner parties, first dates, and thoughtful conversations, Robert attempts to understand the pros and cons of marriage from his diverse and frequently hilarious friends, and begins to make sense of his own persistent bachelorhood. Company, Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking modern musical, is a mature, intelligent, and wildly funny look at relationships, vulnerability, and being alive.

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Auditions Scheduled for Fall Production Family, faith, and food are the three F’s

governing Joe DiPietro’s heartwarming comedy Over The River and Through The Woods. The show focuses on the relationship between young up-and-coming marketing executive Nick Cristano and his four loving and very involved grandparents. Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey. His parents retired and moved to Florida. That doesn't mean his family isn't still in Jersey. In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. This is routine until he has to tell them that he's been offered a dream job. The job he's been waiting for, marketing executive, would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. He tells them and the news doesn't sit so well. Thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick around. How could he betray his family's love to move to Seattle, for a job, wonder his grandparents? Well, Frank, Aida, Nunzio and Emma do their level best, and that includes bringing to dinner the lovely, and single, Caitlin O'Hare as bait. Director Vicki McClurkin will be holding auditions at the playhouse (300 W. Sandusky St.) on Monday, August 14, and Tuesday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m.

If you have questions about auditions, contact Vicki at VMcclurkin@aol.com. If you are interested in working on a technical committee for this show, please contact the producer, Dotty Dewulf, at dotty12000@aol.com. The casting committee will be looking for three men and three women ranging in age from 20 to 80.

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Congratulations to the cast and

crew of Looking

Front L-R: Casey Wurm, Aeryn Williams, Lori Foster, Kim Marquart Back Row L-R: m James Foust, Mark Simons, Pete Rose, David Marquart, Mark Thomas

Director, Casey Wurm; music director, Aeryn Williams; choreographer Kristina Pritchard; and producer, Kim Marquart have chosen a cast of FFP veterans and newcomers to portray Robert’s friends. His married friends are Sarah (Paula Cook) and Harry (Patrick Davis), Susan

(Kim Marquart) and Peter (David Marquart), Jenny (Sarah Elizabeth Olesky) and David (Matt Johnson), and Joanne (Jean Daniel) and Larry (Jeff Lee). The engaged couple is Amy (Samantha Henry) and Paul (Justin DuVall), and the girlfriends are April (Megan Meyer), Marta (Maggie Rucki), and Kathy (Dora Vollmar). The members of the chorus are Brad Bickhart, Sheryl Burtch, Linda England, Jordan Gottshalk, Lydia Mattingly, Justin McKenzie, and Kristen Wilson. If you are interested in working on a technical committee for this show, please contact the producer at kimzm88@icloud.com. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, Company will run July 27-30, August 3-6, and 10-13 at the playhouse. The Sunday performance begins at 5 p.m.; all other performances begin at 8 p.m. The house opens 30 minutes prior to the performance. Benefactors and Angels may make ticket arrangements beginning Monday, July 10, and Patrons and Single Patrons on Tuesday, July 11. General public tickets go on sale July 17, and are $15. Tickets may be purchased online by going to tickets.fortfindlayplayhouse.org 24/7. They can also be purchased by calling the FFP Box Office at (567) 525-3636 or in person at the playhouse (300 W. Sandusky Street) during box office hours, Monday - Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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Presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Over the River and Through the Woods will run September 28-October 1, and 5-7 at the playhouse. The

Sunday performance begins at 5 p.m.; all other performances begin at 8 p.m. The house opens 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Benefactors and Angels may make ticket arrangements beginning Monday, September 11, and Patrons and Single Patrons on Tuesday, September 12. General public tickets go on sale September 18 and are $12.

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Please join OCTA'S NW Region on June 25 for "Sunday Funday on the Midway!" For just $39.99 you can enjoy a "Ride and Refresh" ticket for Cedar Point!

The admission includes a drink wristband for UNLIMITED non-alcoholic drinks all day long and admission to the park. **Parking is NOT included** Please email octanorthwest@gmail.com for your coupon for admission. You can purchase up to 6 tickets with 1 coupon.

Cats

July 7 - 9 Crawford Theatre Co. - Bucyrus

www.crawfordtheatrecompany.com 419-563-4481

Children of Eden

July 14 – 23 Amil Tellers of Dramatics - Lima

www.amiltellers.org 800-944-1441

Monty Python's Spamalot

July 14 - 23 Ritz Players - Tiffin www.ritztheatre.org

419-448-8544

The Wiz (Summer Youth Show) July 27 - 30

3 B Productions - Holland www.3Bproductions.org

419-865-5533

The Rocky Horror Show August 4 - 13

Harlequins, Inc. - Sandusky www.harlequinstheatre.org

419-621-1311

Bare August 11 - 13

Stone Productions - Toledo www.stoneproductions.com

419-450-1183

What to see in the Northwest Region and other local theaters

Auditions Scheduled for Second Stage Production

FFP’s Second Stage production for this season will be Bad Seed, a 1954 play by Maxwell Anderson, adapted from the novel of the same name by William March. The play was adapted by John Lee Mahin into an Academy Award-nominated 1956 film, The Bad Seed, directed by Mervyn Leroy. Colonel and Christine Penmark live in a small Southern town with their eight-year-old daughter, Rhoda. Little Rhoda Penmark is the evil queen of the story. On the surface she is sweet, charming, full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents, and admired by all her elders. But Rhoda's mother has an uneasy feeling about her. When one of Rhoda's schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Mrs. Penmark is alarmed, for the boy who was drowned was the one who had won the penmanship medal that Rhoda felt she deserved. Director Aeryn Williams will be holding auditions at the playhouse (300 W. Sandusky St.) on Monday, August 7, and Tuesday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. Further information about the show can be found on the show Facebook page (Fort Findlay Presents Bad Seed or @FFPbadseed). If you are interested in working on a technical committee for this show, please contact the producer, Samantha Henry, at slynnffp@gmail.com. The casting committee will be looking for seven men, four women and one young girl. Presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Bad Seed will run October 19-21 and 27-29 at the playhouse. The Sunday performance begins at 5 p.m.; all other performances begin at 8 p.m. The house opens 30 minutes prior to the performance. This is not part of the FFP patron package; all tickets are $12 and will go on sale October 9.

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FFP Actors Appearing on Nearby Stages

Samantha Henry portrayed Marcy in the Bucyrus Little Theatre production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (pictured here with the rest of the cast, Samantha is in the plaid skirt).

Mandy Bour, Andrew Conway, Charles Groth and Eric Hertenstein will be appearing in the Ritz Players (Tiffin) production of Monty Python's Spamalot this July.

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Broadway in Vegas, 2017 FFP Annual Banquet Hosted by Samantha Henry and J.R. Smith

Game Dealers: Brad Bickhart Andy Conway m james Foust Kim Marquart Megan Meyer

Sarah Elizabeth Olesky Rob Stauffer

Kristen Wilson Casey Wurm

Lights by : John Garner

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2016 - 2017 Season Awards Presented at Annual Banquet Technical awards were presented for: Sound Design Excellence - Denis Rodrigues for The Mousetrap Merit - A Minister's Wife Props Excellence - Kim Marquart for A Christmas Story, The Musical Stage Management Excellence - Georgia Durain and Barb Pace for Legally Blonde, The Musical Costumes Excellence - Casey Wurm, Sarah Elizabeth Olesky

and Aeryn Williams for Legally Blonde, The Musical - Samantha Henry and Elizabeth Orley for A Minister's Wife Merit - Betty Hipp and Julie Hardesty for The Mousetrap

Set Design Excellence -Aeryn Williams for The Mousetrap to A Minister's Wife

Set Dressing Excellence -Dotty Dewulf for Other Desert Cities

Merit - Brit Rutledge, Lily Rutledge, Kate Cook and Diane Green for The Mousetrap - Brit Rutledge for A Minister's Wife

Lighting Design Excellence - Julie Lane and Casey Wurm for A Minister's Wife Merit - Boyd and Georgia Durain for The Mousetrap Choreography Excellence - Jerry Zimmerman for Legally Blonde, The Musical

Musical Direction Excellence - Aeryn Williams for A Minister's Wife Directing Excellence - Aeryn Williams for A Minister's Wife Merit - Vicki McClurkin for The Mousetrap - J.R. Smith for Other Desert Cities Acting awards were presented for: Sheer Entertainment Value Excellence -The Damn Guys from Legally Blonde, The Musical: Bob Huber, Justin McKenzie, m James Foust and Scott Theis

Acting in a Play Excellence - David Marquart as Lyman Wyeth in Other Desert Cities - Kent McClary as

Stanley Garner in Run for Your Wife - Jeff Lee as Detective Sergeant Trotter in

The Mousetrap - Amy Berger as Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap - Aeryn Williams as Polly Wyeth in Other Desert Cities - Dotty Dewulf as Slida Grauman in Other Desert Cities

Merit - m James Foust as Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap - Wes Taylor as Robert in Boeing Boeing - Sarah Elizabeth Olesky as Bertha in Boeing Boeing Musical Performance

Excellence - Megan Meyer as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, The Musical - Samantha Henry as Candida Morrell in A Minister's Wife - Nolan Tiech as Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story, The Musical - Dan Stanowick as The Reverend Alexander (Lexy) Mill in A Minister's Wife

Merit - Aeryn Williams as Paulette Buonofuonte in Legally Blonde, The Musical - Seth Carey as The Reverend James Mayor Morrell in A Minister's Wife

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Ensemble Excellence - The Cast of Other Desert Cities: Dotty Dewulf, Samantha Henry, David Marquart, Wes Vollmar, and Aeryn Williams Music Ensemble Excellence - The Cast of A Minister's Wife: Seth Carey, Samantha Henry, Eric Hertenstein, Elizabeth Orley, and Dan Stanowick, Merit - The Goddesses in Legally Blonde, The Musical: Maggie Hardesty, Kara Neal, and Elizabeth Orley

Production of the Year A Minister's Wife Aeryn Williams, director Excerpt to Northwest Regional Casey Wurm, producer A Minister’s Wife

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2017-2018 Board of Trustees Ladies L-R: Casey Wurm, Samantha Henry, Lori Foster, Megan Meyer Gentlemen L-R: Rob Stauffer, m James Foust, Andrew Conway, Wes Taylor, Patrick Davis

Performers and Band for the 2017 Banquet L-R: Jordan Gottschalk, Erica Bickhart, Jeff Lee, Samantha Henry, Brian Fortin, Brent Beggs and Scott Edmondson

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Regional AACT Festival 2017 Congratulations to The Drama Workshop of Cheviot (Unnecessary Farce) and Center Stage Players of Cincinnati (Acapulco) on their

performances at the Regional AACT (American Association of Community Theatre) Festival in April. While neither was chosen to continue to the national level, Unnecessary Farce, directed by Ray Persing, did receive two awards. Ray Persing received an outstanding achievement in scenic design, and Kristin Vincenty received an outstanding performance for an actress in a feature role. Productions chosen to advance to AACTFest 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota, June 26-July 1, 2017 at the Rochester Civic Theatre are: Venus in Fur - Center Stage Theatre (Midland, MI) and Passing Notes - Kokomo Civic Theatre (Kokomo, IN). The alternate is A Midsummer Night’s Dream - North Riverside players (North Riverside, IL).

Special Thanks to the FFP Annual Banquet Prize Donors Thanks to this year’s prize wranglers, Kellie Bibler and Krista Miller, our game winners went home with some nice items. A special thank you to the following businesses for donating the prizes. Please be sure to patronize these businesses.

AAA Findlay AMC Findlay Bakers Café

Café at Millstream Checkers Car Wash Coldstone Creamery

Kreative Designs by Marquart Dietsch Brothers

Fort Findlay Donuts Golden Pear Voice and Image

LaRiche Chevrolet Cadillac Millstream Career Center

Roobarb Studio Salon at Millstream Shirley’s Popcorn

Sink’s Flowers Trends on Main Wolfie’s Nuts

2017 Northwest OCTA Regional Adjudicators

Dan Maloney is an actor, writer, and director from Cincinnait, Ohio. A graduate of Xavier University, he currently serves on the boards of Mariemont Players, OCTA and the ACT-Cincinnati executive board. Dan has been an OCTA responder since 2013.

Deb Wentz has a long and extensive involvement with music and theater as a director, a performer, and as production staff. Deb has a master of Arts in Popular Culture from BGSU. Deb has been an OCTA responder since 2002.

Bruce Jacklin has been a certified adjudicator for OCTA and AACT for over 10 years. He is the artistic director for both MTVarts and The Alcove Theater productions. Bruce has directed and acted in more than 150 productions in the past 30 years.

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FFP at the NW Region OCTAFest The NW Region OCTAFest was held at Owen’s Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts in Perrysburg, Ohio. The two day event consisted of exceprts from seven NW theaters, which were critiqued by three judges from outside the region.

FFP received several awards for the excerpt of A Minister’s Wife: Excellence in Lighting Design: John Garner and Julie Lane Excellence in Set Design: Aeryn Williams Excellence in Directing: Aeryn Williams Outstanding in Musical Direction: Aeryn Williams Outstanding in Costumes: Samantha Henry and Elizabeth Orley Outstanding in Musical Accompaniment: Zachary Thomas, Desra Dabney, Kim Marquart, and Tom Cary Outstanding in Vocal Ensemble: Seth Carey, Eric Hertenstein, Samantha Henry, Elizabeth Orley, and Dan Stanowick

The Northwest Region excerpt chosen as the alternate to state was Fiddler on the Roof, presented by Waterville Playshop. Even though they were chosen as an alternate, they will still be showcasing at state. This is part of a ruling to insure a full weekend of experts at state.

The two theaters chosen to represent the NW region at State Conference over the Labor Day weekend were Cutting Edge Theatre Company with Cabaret and the Fort Findlay Playhouse production of A Minister’s Wife. Congratulations to all those involved. Break-a-leg at state to the FFP cast and crew.

Thank-you to Aeryn Williams for volunteering to help with the 50/50 drawing at regionals.

Standing (L-R): Dan Orley, David Marquart, Desra Dabney, Aeryn Williams, Tom Carey Seated on Stage: Kim Marquart, Kristen Wilson, Megan Meyer, Vashti Larsen, Elizabeth Orley, Eric Hertenstein, Seth Carey Back Row: Zachary Thomas, Wes Taylor, Jordan Gottschalk, Jeff Meyer, Samantha Henry, George Rustemeyer, Zachary Huffman, Tom Miller, Andrew Conway (Not pictured: Dan Stanowick, Julie Lane) Those supporting FFP at Regionals: Andrea Adams-Miller, Jeff Bury, Paula Cook, Wendy and Bob Henry, Jeff Lee, and Rob Stauffer, Shirley Nebergall, Kristina Pritchard, Jim and Linda Toth, and Craig VanRenterhem

A Minister’s Wife Invited to Showcase

at OCTA State

Conference

Excerpt Director / Musical Director: Aeryn Williams

Excerpt Producer: Megan Meyer

Cast & Crew:

Make Plans Now for Your Labor Day Weekend Registration for the OCTA State Conference to be held in Columbus over Labor Day weekend (September 1-4) has opened. There is a registration form on page ten of this Fortell, or you may register online (if paying by credit card) by going to the OCTA website (www.ohiocommunitytheatre.org) and clicking on the signup oval on the home page. One day registration is $65 (excerpts and workshops only) and the full weekend package is $120. Deadline for registration for this year’s conference is August 25; after that you must register at the door. New this year are individual session tickets for excerpts only. The Saturday

morning session is $20 (2 excerpts) and the Saturday afternoon session and both Sunday sessions are $30 each (3 excerpts per session). These are only sold at the registration desk. Also, if you have family or friends that only want to attend the Sunday magic show and dinner, a ticket can be purchased for $50. Contact Kathy Sturm (kathysturm623@yahoo.com) to get a ticket. This year’s conference will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus, OH 43229). You need to make your room reservation by August 11 in order to receive the special OCTA rate of $95 plus tax per night. You can make reservations by calling the hotel at 614-885-1885 and telling them you are reserving for the OCTA conference. Some of the highlights for this year’s conference include costume, set, website and newsletter competitions; workshops, excerpts, awards, and of course, lots of networking and socializing. Workshops scheduled for the weekend include (but are not necessarily limited to); Dancing (Swing and Foxtrot), Puppetry, Magic, and Improv. You can also do some tasting and learn about the story of a local brewery (for an extra fee - must be at least 21) and experience a psychic reading. Saturday night there will be a magician doing table top magic as well as a mentalist for your entertainment. There will be dancing with music provided by a DJ and two food trucks available for late-night snacks. On Sunday evening, the banquet will be a plated dinner with your choice of prime rib, salmon, chicken or a vegetarian dinner. You must make your choice when you register. The evening is formal (no jeans or shorts) and it’s requested that attendees wear a color of the conference, so pack your black, white, silver, purple and turquoise for the evening. During dinner a magician will be doing table-top magic; after dinner there will be a stand-up magic show. The show will blend music, comedy and magic for an unforgettable and fun experience. Sunday night late night will feature a costumed lip sync contest. The list of songs will be provided at the festival and will all relate to magic in some way. You can enter as a solo act, duet, or a large group; the only requirement is a costume for all participating. Once again there will be two food trucks available for those late-night cravings. Monday there will be a breakfast and the awards ceremony. Make sure you check this on the registration form if you will be attending. For more information or to view the OCTA Call to Conference newsletter, go to www.ohiocommunitytheatre.org and click on the picture of the newsletter. You can also visit the Facebook page at OCTA State Conference 2017.

Congratulations!!!

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www.ohiocommunitytheatre.org

2017-2018 NW Regional Reps

Lead Rep: Mitchell Antesky: bumrrr@gmail.com

Harley Antesky: boyharly@hotmail.com Millie Butts: millieb1962@aol.com

Derek Daniel: derekdaniel4991@gmail.com Karen Finn: ksfinn@earthlink.net

Courtney Gray: courtgray85@gmail.com Sara Ledzianowski: sledzian@toast.net

Jaymes Mull: stoneproductions2015@gmail.com Jason Neymeiyer: jasonn1979@gmail.com

Facebook: OCTA's Northwest Region 2018 Regional: June 8-10 - Owens Community College Website: www.octanorthwest.com Center for Fine and Performing Arts Email: octanorthwest@gmail.com 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551

LOOKING AHEAD (all events take place at FFP unless otherwise noted)

General Membership Meeting Wed., June 28 7:30 p.m. Board Meeting Wed., July 5 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Company (Note change of days/time) Benefactors & Angels Mon., July 10 567-525-3636 Patrons & Single Patrons Tue., July 11 Mon. - Wed. General Public Mon., July 17 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. General Membership Meeting - cancelled Wed., July 26 7:30 p.m. (due to final dress rehearsal)

Company Thu. - Sat., July 27-29, August 3-5, 10-12 8:00 p.m. Sun. July 30, August 6 & 13 5:00 p.m. Board Meeting Wed., August 2 7:30 p.m. Auditions Bad Seed Mon. - Tues., August 7-8 7:30 p.m. Auditions Over the River and Through the Woods Mon. - Tues., August 14-15 7:30 p.m. Fortell Deadline Tue., August 15 5:00 p.m. General Membership Meeting Wed., August 23 7:30 p.m. OCTA State Conference Fri. - Mon., September 1-4 Crowne Plaza Columbus-North Worthington 6500 Doubletree Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43229 Board Meeting Wed., September 6 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Over the River and Through the Woods Benefactors & Angels Mon., September 11 567-525-3636 Patrons & Single Patrons Tue., September 12 Mon. - Wed. General Public Mon., September 18 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. General Membership Meeting - cancelled Wed., September 27 7:30 p.m. (due to final dress rehearsal)

Over the River and Through the Woods Thu. - Sat., September 28-30, October 5-7 8:00 p.m. Sun. October 1 5:00 p.m. Board Meeting Wed., October 4 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Bad Seed (Second Stage Production) General Public Mon., October 9 567-525-3636 Mon. - Wed. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fortell Deadline Sun., October 15 5:00 p.m. Bad Seed Thu. - Sat., October 19-21; Fri. - Sat., 27-28 8:00 p.m. Sun. October 29 5:00 p.m.

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