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The St. Mark’s Players Proudly Present
By L. Frank Baum
Music & Lyrics of the MGM Motion Picture Score
by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Book Adaptation by John Kane from the Motion Picture Screenplay
Performed with special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library
May 5-7, 12-14, and 19-20, 2000
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
3rd & A Streets, SE
Washington, DC
THE PLAYERS
Dorothy
Gale
Gabriella Nozik
Aunt Em/Emily
Gale Inez Thomas Lester
Uncle
Henry/Henry Gale/Emerald City Guard Rick Rutherford
Zeke/Cowardly Lion Ray
Castillo
Hickory/Tin Woodsman Doe B.
Kim
Hunk/Scarecrow
Liz Williams
Miss
Almira Gultch/The Wicked Witch of the West Deborah Hensley
Professor Chester Marvel/Wizard Of Oz Fairfield Butt
Glinda,
The Good Witch of the North Marjorie Ann Gerbracht
Toto
Lindsay McDonough
The
Wicked Witch of the East Josie Jordan
Mayor
of Munchkin City Gena Norquist
Coroner
Theo Rutherford
Barrister
Mary Yee
City
Fathers
John Norquist
Brent Stagnaro
Lullaby
League Joelle
Milton
Elizabeth Seitel
Olivia Sealander
Lollipop
Guild D. J.
Holland
David Norquist
Josh Soble
Other
Munchkins Janie
Abernethy
Dana Bell
Molly Blumgart
Andrew Brown
Julie Brylawski
Susanna Brylawski
Erin Byram
Abby Byrne
Maggie Byrne
Ola Simone Canty
Alethea Hensley Dopart
Celena Hensley Dopart
Olivia-Jené Fagon
Denay Holland
Claire James
Maya Jordan
Rachel Lane
Larry Malkus
Zack May
Olivia Merlino
Kari Norquist
Annie Ochmanek
Emma Chase Poland
Kara Redding
Eliza Shaw
Maya Soble
Alicia Tidball
Leah Weightman
Crows
Janie Abernethy
Molly Blumgart
Maggie Byrne
Ola Simone Canty
Rachel Lane
Annie Ochmanek
Alicia Tidball
Mary Yee
Trees
Molly Blumgart
Abby Byrne
Maggie Byrne
Alethea Hensley Dopart
Olivia-Jené Fagon
Verna A. Kerans
John Norquist
Kara Redding
Theo Rutherford
Elizabeth Seitel
Maya Soble
Mary Yee
Ozians
Erin Byram
Maggie Byrne
Ola Simone Canty
Maya Jordan
Verna A. Kerans
Olivia Merlino
Gena Norquist
John Norquist
Annie Ochmanek
Kara Redding
Theo Rutherford
Maya Soble
Judith Soble
Brent Stagnaro
Alicia Tidball
Mary Yee
Winkie
General Brent
Stagnaro
Winkies
Verna A. Kerans
John Norquist
Theo Rutherford
Judith Soble
Mary Yee
Nikko,
Commander of the Flying Monkeys Josh Soble
Flying
Monkeys Andrew
Brown
D. J. Holland
Larry Malkus
Zack May
David Norquist
Jitterbugs
Erin Byram
Ola Simone Canty
Olivia Merlino
Kara Redding
Director's Notes
Welcome to the wonderful world of theatrical imagination. Where else can you sing, dance, be happy or be sad, or smile or laugh in a little girl's imagination? Dorothy's imagination is not a world like ours with its shades of gray, but a world of bright colors and dark shadows-a little girl's world of absolutes, absolute good and absolute evil, in a land that exists somewhere over the rainbow. So travel with us over the rainbow to the Land of Oz. All you have to do is follow the yellow brick road.
The St. Mark’s Players proudly present
PRODUCTION CREW
Producer
Jane Rutherford
Director
Jim Robertson
Vocal
Director
Ric Herrera
Orchestral Director
William D. Parker
Choreographer
Karen Bradley
Stage
Manager
Russell Colman
Assistant Producer
Pamela Blumgart
Assistant Stage Manager Chad
M. Wilmer
Lighting Designer Jeffrey Scott
Auerbach
Light
Board Operator Michael
A. Pemberton
Sound
Designer John
Hutson
Sound
Board Operator Chris Byrne
Master
Seamstress Susan
Oetken
Costume
Seamstresses Rena Holland
Josie Jordan
Lana Lyons
Tina May
Marcy Seitel
Jennifer Weiss
Additional Costumes by Doug
Gowin of ItzaDougie Designs
Set
Construction & Painting David
Evelyn
David James
Lisa Anne Kerwin
Mark Merlino
Christopher Tully
Properties
Rick Hayes
Rick Rutherford
Rick Warfield
Running
Crew Fiss
Allen
Rehearsal Pianists/Accompanists Sheila
Epstein
Sara Hoplin
Alvin Smithson
Box
Office
Sue Kamp
Lisa Anne Kerwin
Susan Poland
House
Manager R. C.
Bates
Program
Production Michael A.
Pemberton
Chad M. Wilmer
Program
Printing Gena
Norquist
The Students At Key Center School
Logo
Artist
Brent Stagnaro
Photographer
David Hajjar
Liaison
from the Board of Directors Michael A. Pemberton
ORCHESTRA
Piano
Sheila Epstein
Synthesizer/Strings
Alvin Smithson
Flute
Chris Sims
Reeds
Davyd Breeskin
Renae Smith
Trumpet
Richard Crane
Bass
David Burelli
Percussion
Matt Hardy
SPECIAL THANKS
Rev. Paul Abernathy, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church,
Washington, DC
Rosie Brooks and the St. Mark’s Dance Studio
Capitol Hill United Methodist Church
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
Petworth United Methodist Church
Cheverly Young Actor’s Guild
Doug Gowin of ItzaDougie Designs
Quince Orchard High School
Siska Shaw – for her time and effort in collecting
program biographical information
Terriann Lowenthal - for making all those phone
calls and reminders
All The Parents – for helping during rehearsals
and bringing refreshments
Melissa Ashabranner – for the publicity through
the hill rag
Inez Thomas Lester – for standing in as rehearsal
pianist, when we needed her
Karen Sealander And Kevin Sockwell - for procuring
rehearsal space
Rick Rutherford – for being an invaluable
supporter
Members of the Board of Directors of SMP
Michael A. Pemberton, Liaison from the Board of
Directors -
without whom so much would have been so difficult
ACT I
Overture
Scene
1: The Kansas Prairie
Scene
2: The Rainbow
Over The Rainbow
Dorothy
Scene
3: The Kansas Prairie
Scene
4: Gypsy Caravan
Scene
5: The Twister
Scene
6: Munchkinland
Munchkin Musical Sequence Munchkins
Dorothy
Glinda
Yellow Brick Road
Mayor
Coroner
Fiddler
Munchkins
Scene
7: A Corn Field
If I Only Had a Brain
Scarecrow
Dorothy
Crows
We’re Off to See the Wizard Dorothy
Scarecrow
Scene
8: The Tin Woodsman’s Cottage
If I Only Had a Heart
Tin Woodsman
Dorothy
Trees
We’re Off to See the Wizard Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Scene
9: The Wild Forest
Lions, Tigers, and Bears
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
If I Only Had the Nerve Lion
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Scene
10: A Field of Poppies, on the Road to the Emerald City
Poppies Poppies
Snowmen
Glinda
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Lion
ACT II
Entr’acte
Scene
1: Outside the Gates of the Emerald City
Scene
2: The Town Square, Emerald City
Merry Old Land of Oz
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Lion
Emerald City
Guard
Ozians
King of the
Forest Lion
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Scene
3: The Wizard’s Chamber
Scene
4: The Gates of the Emerald City
Scene
5: The Witch’s Castle
The
March of the Winkies Winkies
Scene
6: The Haunted Forest
Jitterbug
Dorothy
Scarecrow
Tin Woodsman
Lion
Jitterbugs
Scene
7: The Flying Monkeys in the Haunted Forest
Scene
8: The Witch’s Castle
Scene
9: Main Gate of the Witch’s Castle
Scene
10: The Witch’s Chamber
Ding, Dong The Witch is Dead Winkies
Scene
11: The Wizard’s Chamber
Scene
12: The Balloon
Scene
13: Farewell to Oz
Scene
14: The Kansas Prairie
THE CAST AND PRODUCTION CREW
JANIE
ABERNETHY (MUNCHKIN, CROW, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – Janie is in the fourth grade at
Capitol Hill Day School. Last year, she sang a solo as Little Red Riding Hood
in the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s production of The Trial of the Big Bad
Wolf. She has also appeared in her school musical, Ain’t No Way To Treat a
Ladybug, and enjoys playing the piano, sports, and writing poetry, in addition
to singing. Janie hopes that The Wizard of Oz will make everyone feel like
“you’re not in Washington anymore.”
JEFFREY
SCOTT AUERBACH (LIGHTING DESIGNER) – This is Jeff’s fourth show in a row with
the St. Mark’s Players. He just finished designing the lights for the Cheverly
Young Actor’s Guild’s The Wizard of Oz. He graduated from George Mason
University with a BFA in Theater Technology and Design. While he attended
George Mason, one of his shows, The Bacchae, was nominated for the American
College Theater Festival. He enjoys the challenge of lighting around the
beautiful architectural elements of St. Mark’s. He would also like to take this
opportunity to thank his wonderful parents and Dave for their continued
support. Jeff hopes you enjoy the show.
DANA
BELL (MUNCHKIN) - Dana is in fifth grade at Capitol Hill Day School. She has
performed in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf and
Cinderella. She enjoys writing, playing soccer and acting. She hopes you enjoy
the show!
MOLLY
BLUMGART (MUNCHKIN, CROW, TREE, GIRLS’ CHORUS)Molly is 11 years old. This is her
fourth play, and her second with theSt.Mark’s Players; her first was Joseph and
the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat. She has also been in Peter Pan at her local
pool and DickWhittington, a British pantomime, with the British Embassy Players.
Mollyis a member of the St. Mark’s youth choir. In her spare time she likes
toread, watch movies, and work in her garden.
PAMELA
JAMES BLUMGART (ASSISTANT PRODUCER) – This is Pamela's first venture into
theater other than driving her daughter to rehearsal. It has been an eye-opening
experience! Working with everyone, especially Jane, has been great fun. Thanks
especially to Ric H. for the great vocal training the girls' chorus received.
KAREN
BRADLEY (CHOREOGRAPHER) - Karen is currently Director of Graduate Studies for
the MFA degree program in Dance at the University of Maryland, College Park.
She has choreographed over 30 musicals and has written and designed movement for
many plays. She is a Certified Movement Analyst in Laban Movement Analysis and
has worked as a dance/movement therapist. Karen recently moved to Capitol Hill
from Baltimore and is having a ball working with new neighbors and her son,
Larry, and her step-daughter, Dana, on this show. Thanks to Dick and Cleo for
helping us out!
ANDREW
BROWN (MUNCHKIN, FLYING MONKEY) – Andrew is a fourth-grader at Taylor Elementary
School. He has appeared in the St. Marks’ Players productions of Oliver! and
Miracle on 34th Street. He says Soccer is his middle name.
JULIE
BRYLAWSKI (MUNCHKIN) - A fifth-grader at Stuart-Hobson Middle School, Julie
performed in Cinderella (Capitol Hill Arts Workshop) and Oliver! (Watkins
Elementary), and now studies musical theater at Stuart-Hobson. She plays the
violin in the D.C, Youth Orchestra, and studies ballet and gymnastics.
SUSANNA
BRYLAWSKI (MUNCHKIN) - A third-grader at Watkins Elementary School, Susanna
performed in Cinderella at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. She plays the piano,
studies art and musical improvisation, and loves soccer and basketball.
FAIRFIELD BUTT (PROFESSOR CHESTER MARVEL/WIZARD OF OZ) - Topsy-turvy is one way
to describe the theatrical history of this veteran actor. For him, a theatrical
production can be similar to working in a big dining room next to a big kitchen
whose workers are stirring pots of wonderfully aromatic food, filling plates and
passing them out. The plates are passed from one actor to another, with a
succulent sample to be selected from each. It’s a truly interactive process.
Fairfield tumbled topsy-turvy onto the Payers’ stage in 1983, a middle-aged man
playing a young man’s part, and he has rolled with it many years since then.
Theater has opened up worlds for him. Leading roles, supporting roles
(including that of Sir Lancelot’s dresser), Gilbert and Sullivans and drop-dead
dramas. And if he really had the great and mighty power of the Wizard, he’d
draw in huge crowds to see this beautiful, funny, poignant and profound
child/adult parable. “Yes, he can see you in your seat through my crystal
ball. I’m delighted you’ve come. Laugh, cry, have a truly fantastic time!”
ERIN
BYRAM (MUNCHKIN, OZIAN, JITTERBUG) – Erin is a 16-year-old student from
Arlington, Virginia. She dances with Arlington Dance Theater’s Senior Ballet
Company and sings with her high school’s advanced choir. Outside of school, she
was last seen as Princess Sunday in The Elden Street Players’ production of
Pegora the Witch.
ABBY
BYRNE (MUNCHKIN, TREE, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Abby has been in many shows, however she
got her start at St. Mark’s at the age of three. Abby is now 12 and next year
will be attending National Cathedral School. Besides acting, Abby enjoys
gymnastics, choir, swimming and ballet. Abby has been taking ballet for four
years and it is her favorite activity. Abby also has the distinction of serving
as Vice President of her school’s Student Government Association; she is the
first sixth-grader to have ever been elected to the position.
MAGGIE
BYRNE (MUNCHKIN, CROW, TREE, OZIAN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Maggie has been in many
plays. Most of her performances have been here at St. Mark’s. She is pleased to
have graduated from shrub to tree (she was a shrub in St. Mark’s Players’
production of The Secret Garden). Maggie enjoys singing, dancing and acting and
hopes you enjoy the show.
OLA
SIMONE CANTY (MUNCHKIN, CROW, OZIAN, JITTERBUG) – Ola is in her sixth year of
ballet and enjoys to play the piano. She is a fifth-grade student at Brent M.M.S.
This is her first production that she has ever participated in.
RAY
CASTILLO (ZEKE/COWARDLY LION) – Ray is pleased to return to the stage as the
Cowardly Lion. A long-time member of St. Mark’s Players—both as an actor and on
the Board of Directors—Ray took a few years off to get married and become a
father. He thanks his wife Kay and daughter Gwen for all of their love and
support. When not acting, Ray is the Executive Producer of NASA Television and
lives on Capitol Hill.
RUSSELL
COLMAN (STAGE MANAGER) – After being an audience member for the St. Mark’s
Players productions of Oliver! and Galileo, Russ decided to join the company
backstage. A former co-worker of the Players’ Treasurer, Russ asked Michael one
day if there were any volunteer opportunities with the Players, and he next
thing he knew, he was stage managing for the first time since college, with an
intervening 22-year stint in the U.S. Marines.
ALETHEA
HENSLEY DOPART (MUNCHKIN, TREE, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Alethea goes to Stuart-Hobson
Museum Magnet Middle School and is in the fifth grade. She likes to read,
write, draw, play the flute and the tin whistle, and play soccer. She spends
most summers in Greece, but is going to Ireland with her soccer team this year.
She recently played the Narrator in a school play about Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. “I’d like to thank my Mom, Dad, and sister for helping me get to
rehearsals.”
CELENA
HENSLEY DOPART (MUNCHKIN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Celena goes to Watkins Elementary
School, and she’s 9 years old and in the 4th grade. She loves to ice skate,
play the piano, read, and play soccer. She’s part Greek and go to Greece most
summers. Her most recent role was Marian Anderson in a Black History Program at
school. She was also the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker a little before
Christmas. She is excited to do this show, because The Wizard of Oz is one of
her favorite movies, and she really enjoyed acting at St. Mark’s in the past.
“I’d like to thank my dad for watching The Wizard of Oz with me over and over
again.”
OLIVIA-JENÉ FAGON (MUNCHKIN, TREE, GIRL’S CHORUS) – Olivia has been modeling
andacting since the age of four. Her most recent appearance was as a principle
actor in an American Red Cross video series on natural disasters to be shown in
schools nationwide. She loves to sing and dance and is currently studying
Spanish flamenco at the Oxford Academy of the Arts. She attends the Washington
International School.
MARJORIE ANN GERBRACHT (GLINDA, THE GOOD WITCH OF THE NORTH) - This is Madge’s
second show with the St. Mark’s Players (you may remember her part in Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the psycho chorus girl). Since the age of
fourteen, Madge has been in 29 productions. Favorite roles include Audrey in
Little Shop of Horrors, Hecube in The Trojan Women, and the Ayah in The Secret
Garden. She would like to dedicate this performance to God, the children she
teaches at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and the Winkie General (Brent
Stagnaro), whom she will be marrying in a month.
DEBORAH
HENSLEY (MISS ALMIRA GULTCH/THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST, GIRL’S CHORUS) – The
only bad thing about playing the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz is
that her youngest daughter, Celena, wanted to play the role herself. As she
said, “It’s fun to be bad!” “Thanks, Alethea and Celena, for letting me do this
play with you. Wasn’t it fun?”
RIC M.
HERRERA (VOCAL DIRECTOR) - Ric has been performing in the area for 13 years and
has performed at St. Marks in Brigadoon (Harry Beaton) and West Side Story
(Bernardo). He was coaxed into crossing the aisle and working on the production
side as Vocal Director. Ric’s previous musical experience includes playing
saxophone for 16 years where he performed “in the pit”. He also served as
Student Director “leading the band” for 3 years at Rockhurst College in Kansas
City, Missouri. Ric has performed with the New Mexico All-State Chorus, the
University of Missouri-Kansas City Madrigal Chorus and has studied opera at the
Levine School of Music. Special thanks to the hard working cast of Oz and the
patience of the girls’ chorus.
D. J.
HOLLAND (MUNCHKIN-LOLLIPOP GUILD, FLYING MONKEY) - D. J. is a third-year
elementary student at Henson Valley Montessori School. In his spare time he
loves to bake, roller-blade, tap and play soccer. He also likes to spend time
on the computer. His most recent performance was with Joann at the Capitol Hill
Children’s Workshop where he was Prince Linyun in Cinderella.
DENAY
HOLLAND (MUNCHKIN) – Denay is a second-year elementary student at Henson Valley
Montessori School. Her favorite things to do are dance, skate, ride her bike,
and play with her dolls. She also likes to watch movies. This is her first
performance and the experience has been great! She has been taking dance
lessons for the last three years under the direction of Ms. Joyce Laverne at
Joyce Laverne School of Dance.
CLAIRE
JAMES (MUNCHKIN) – Claire was in the Russian version of Cinderella as a Blue
Horseman last fall at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. She likes acting and
performing, Shakespeare, and pottery. She likes The Wizard of Oz because she
loves the songs and she likes to sing.
MAYA
JORDAN (MUNCHKIN, OZIAN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – This is Maya’s first appearance in any
St. Mark’s Players production. She has been in plays such as Oliver!; Hello,
Dolly!; Oklahoma!; and Fiddler on the Roof. When she is not on stage she
attends Alice Deal Junior High School. She enjoys spending time with her family
and friends.
VERNA
A. KERANS (TREE, WINKIE, OZIAN) – Verna publishes Intermission magazine in real
life. She graduated with an MFA in Directing from Catholic University. She
played in the lead in Mame, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and Julie in Show
Boat. For the St. Mark’s Players, she appeared in Brigadoon, and played the
matriarch in Quilters.
LISA
ANNE KERWIN (SET CONSTRUCTION) – You can blame Lisa’s cousin Sean for the fact
that she is backstage yet again. He decided he absolutely had to get married in
May and he absolutely had to have Lisa sing. Come back in June, however, and
you will see her in An Evening at the Tonys®. She has been with the Players
since 1994, and has been a member of the cast of six shows, including this
season’s Pal Joey. To support her theatre habit, Lisa teaches German in
Montgomery County.
DOE B.
KIM (HICKORY/TIN WOODSMAN) – Doe is stiff with excitement in his debut with St.
Mark’s. He is back on stage after stints as Music Director for Silver Spring
Theatre Guild’s Into the Woods and drummer for Damascus Community Theatre’s
Nunsense. Doe also banged the skins for SSTG’s Godspell, 1999 Ruby Griffith
Award Winner for Best Musical. Other theater activities have included playing
Lun Tha in Reston Community Players’ The King and I and posing as Music Director
for SSTG’s The Fantasticks and Nunsense. Liz, Ray, Gab—you guys rule! Thanks
also to Gabriella for all of the rides home. He said “axe.”
RACHEL
LANE (MUNCHKIN, CROW, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Rachel is 11 years old, and The Wizard of
Oz is the fifth play she has been in. Two of her other performances, Miracle on
34th Street and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, were with the St.
Mark’s Players. She has also been in Dick Whittington with the British Embassy
Players and Peter Pan at the Prince George’s Pool in Mt. Rainier, Maryland.
When she’s not busy with theater, Rachel enjoys swimming, biking, playing the
violin, working in her garden, and drawing and painting.
INEZ
THOMAS LESTER (AUNTIE EM, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Beginning with the role of Mrs.
Higgins in My Fair Lady, Inez has enjoyed playing diverse roles in a number of
St. Mark’s Players productions. She trained in theater at Birmingham-Southern
College, Herbert Berghof Studio (NYC) and the University of Virginia. Inez
dedicates this performance as Auntie Em to her husband, Bob, and her
granddaughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Lester. Charlotte’s father, Cameron, and
uncle, Brian, grew up on Capitol Hill, and they enjoy returning to it from “Oz”
periodically. Inez, also, remembers with gratitude her Dad, Isaac Thomas, and
friend, Ruth Ann Overbeck, both of whom went “home” to God this past year.
LARRY
MALKUS (MUNCHKIN, FLYING MONKEY) - This is Larry’s second Capitol Hill
appearance. He was the Gray Horseman in Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Cinderella
in Fall, 1999. Larry plays the harmonica and is learning the saxophone, and he
likes to write poetry. He wanted to be in this play because his sister loved
The Wizard of Oz and he is glad to be working with his Mom and step-sister.
ZACK
MAY (MUNCHKIN, FLYING MONKEY) – Zack is a fifth-grader at Stuart-Hobson Middle
School. He took Shakespeare classes after school at Watkins Elementary (Caliban
in The Tempest and Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night) and caught the acting bug. For
that he would like to thank Ms. Pfeiffer and Ms. Abbott. The Wizard of Oz is
his first full production. In his spare Time, Zack loves to build.
LINDSAY
MCDONOUGH (TOTO) – Lindsay is a second-grader at Capitol Hill Day School, and
loves to sing and dance. This is her first play. She also likes to play
soccer, golf and baseball and many other sports.
OLIVIA
MERLINO (MUNCHKIN, OZIAN, JITTERBUG, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – Olivia is an eighth-grader
at St. Peter’s Interparish School, where she is a member of the school choir.
She enjoys playing piano, soccer, and the flute. This is her first performance
with the St. Mark’s Players.
JOELLE
MILTON (MUNCHKIN-LULLABY LEAGUE) - Joelle is a fifth-grade student at Capitol
Hill Day School. Previous acting roles include Peppermint Patty in You’re a
Good Man, Charlie Brown and a jurist in Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, productions
of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. Joelle’s activities include the violin,
acrobatics, figure skating, and Junior Girl Scouts.
GABRIELLA NOZIK (DOROTHY GALE) - Gabriella is very excited to be joining the St.
Mark's Players in the role of Dorothy. The role has special meaning for
Gabriella because, as a child, she never missed the annual airing of The Wizard
of Oz on TV. In fact, the movie did much to inspire her love of musical
theater. Since then, she has experienced theater life from many angles -
onstage, backstage and as a part of the orchestra. Her favorite musicals in
which she has performed include Schoolhouse Rock Live, A Chorus Line, Nunsense,
Bye Bye Birdie, Hello Dolly! and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In addition,
she has performed with a cappella groups in St. Louis and New York. Thanks to
the whole Oz gang for the fun times, hard work and great memories! Lots of love
and thanks to her husband Mike for his constant support!
ANNIE
OCHMANEK (MUNCHKIN, CROW, OZIAN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - 14-year old Annie received St.
Mark’s Players’ “I Gotta Be Me” award two years ago after playing a shrub, a
ghost, and the title role in Oliver! She finally got to portray a girl last
year when she was Wendy and Mrs. Darling in the Cheverly Young Actor’s Guild’s
production of Peter Pan. She also played Snoopy in Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other performances with St. Mark’s include
The Music Man and Brigadoon. She attends National Cathedral School and sings
with the National Cathedral Girl Choristers.
WILLIAM
D. PARKER (ORCHESTRAL DIRECTOR) – This is Bill’s third production with the St.
Mark’s Players. He was Music Director for last fall’s Pal Joey, as well as a
brother and the butler in last spring’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. His other music direction credits include Cheverly Young Actor’s
Guild’s production of The Wizard of Oz, Springfield Community Theater’s Closer
Than Ever, Colonial Players’ Cabaret, as well as many other productions at
Annapolis Elementary School and Camp Airy. Bill works as the music director at
Annapolis Elementary School in historic downtown Annapolis. Remember, it’s
still worth the drive!
EMMA
CHASE POLAND (MUNCHKIN) - Emma is a fourth-grader at Arlington Traditional
School. The Wizard of Oz is her first play outside of school performances.
Since preschool she has been known for her “high dramatic play”. She lives next
door to Andrew Brown (Munchkin, Monkey), who is exactly one week older.
DAVID
NORQUIST (MUNCHKIN-LOLLIPOP GUILD, FLYING MONKEY) – David, age 8, is making his
theatrical debut with his mother, father, and twin sister, Kari. He is a
second-grader at Fox Mill Elementary School in Fairfax County, where he is in a
partial-immersion Japanese language program. He also enjoys piano, singing in
church choir, swimming, Cub Scouts, Pokemon, and Star Wars. Thanks to Mom and
Dad for their love and support.
GENA
NORQUIST (MAYOR, OZIAN) – Gena is making her political debut as the mayor of
Munchkin City. What next? The White House? You never know here in Washington,
D.C. It is an election year. Despite her mayoral duties, she is not planning
to quit her day job as a special education teacher with Fairfax County’s Key
Center School. Gena and her family moved to the Washington D.C. area in 1992
from Minnesota—not exactly Kansas but still the midwest—and she feels right at
home being in the show with her husband and two children. Gena is happy to be
performing in her first production with the St. Mark’s Players. She
participated in several productions in the midwest, including Carousel, Snoopy
Come Home, The Chicago Seven, and Free to Be You and Me. Thanks to her family,
friends and co-workers for their encouragement and support.
JOHN
NORQUIST (CITY FATHER, TREE, OZIAN, WINKIE) – John is usually found in the pit
orchestra playing the trombone in area theater productions, including St.
Mark’s’ Man of La Mancha; McLean’s Brigadoon, Bye Bye Birdie, The Sound of
Music, and Oklahoma!; Reston Community Players’ Annie and The King and I,
Springfield Community Theatre’s Gypsy and On the Town, and Vienna Theatre
Company’s Guys and Dolls. However, the opportunity to perform on stage with his
wife and children was too good to pass up. He also has performed in several
productions in his native Minnesota, including as one of the Lollipop Guild in
The Wizard of Oz when he was David and Kari’s age. By day, John is an attorney
for a federal agency. Thanks to family, friends, and coworkers for their
support.
KARI
NORQUIST (MUNCHKIN) – Kari, age 8, is making her theatrical debut with her
mother, father and twin brother David. She is a second-grader at Fox Mill
Elementary School in Fairfax County, where she is in a partial-immersion
Japanese language program. She also enjoys piano, singing in church choir,
Brownies, American Girl dolls, writing and making crafts. Thanks to Mom and Dad
for their love and support.
KARA
REDDING (MUNCHKIN, TREE, OZIAN, JITTERBUG, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Kara is an
eighth-grade honors student at St. Peter’s Interparish School. She is studying
ballet at the Washington School of Ballet. Kara plays the flute in the school
band, and studies piano at St. Mark’s Music Studio. This is her first
production with the St. Mark’s Players.
JIM
ROBERTSON (DIRECTOR) - Jim has been associated with community theater since...a
long time ago. He has been caught on stage as an actor; over the stage as a
lighting designer (Oliver! for St Mark’s); behind stage as a stage manager and
crew member; in front as a director and producer. He is also active in ESTA
(Eastern States Theater Association) and the Maryland One-Act Festival. One of
these days he will retire from his paying job and devote full time to community
theater and baking scones.
JANE
RUTHERFORD (PRODUCER) – Jane has been involved in community theatre since her
daughter Emily appeared as a Citizen of Oz and a Winkie in St. Mark’s Players’
The Wizard of Oz twelve years ago. Her contribution to that effort (beyond the
usual supporting role) was the construction of the head of OZ. Once again, she
is mother of a Citizen of Oz and a Winkie, and a Coroner (tall Munchkin) and a
Tree, and is also related to Uncle Henry. Her first realization as Producer was
that she definitely was no longer in Kansas!
RICK
RUTHERFORD (UNCLE HENRY/EMERALD CITY GUARD) – Rick has a special fondness for
The Wizard of Oz, since it is the show that brought him to the Players 12 years
ago. Since then he has performed in Brigadoon, Pal Joey, Oliver! and The Wind
in the Willows. Rick is currently serving as President of the Players. He’d
like to give a special thanks to Emily, Jane and Theo for their support of and
involvement in theater over the years.
THEO
RUTHERFORD (CORONER, TREE, OZIAN, WINKIE) – Theo has been active in theater
since the age of four. He has appeared in St. Mark’s Players productions of
Oliver!, Brigadoon, The Wind in the Willows, and Pal Joey. He has been active
behind the scenes in many others. For school performances he has appeared as
Curly in Oklahoma!, as Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!, and most recently
as the flashy singer Johnny Casino in Grease. He was in the 1997 Christmas
Revels, and played the part of the Wolf in Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Trial of
the Big Bad Wolf. Thanks to recent growth spurts, Theo is proud to be surely
one of the tallest Munchkins ever!
OLIVIA
SEALANDER (MUNCHKIN-LULLABY LEAGUE) - Olivia is 10 years old and is in fifth
grade at the Capitol Hill Day School. She appeared in Capitol Hill Arts
Workshop’s production of Cinderella and she takes ballet and choir at St. Marks.
ELIZABETH SEITEL (MUNCHKIN-LULLABY LEAGUE, TREE, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – Lizzy sings in
the Thornton Friends Gospel Choir and just returned from a tour with them. She
appeared in the St. Mark’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor®
Dreamcoat last year. She enjoys acting and hopes to continue performing. A
special thanks goes to all who have encouraged her.
ELIZA
SHAW (MUNCHKIN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – Eliza is in the fourth grade at Capitol Hill
Day School. She lives in Washington, D.C.—not exactly Kansas, but close
enough. In the play she is a Munchkin (not thinking she is one) and in the
Girls’ Chorus. She has been in school productions and she hopes you ENJOY The
Wizard of Oz.
JOSH
SOBLE (MUNCHKIN-LOLLIPOP GUILD, NIKKO) - The Wizard of Oz is Josh’s second St.
Marks production and he hopes to be in future shows. In 1998 he was in Oliver!
and enjoyed it so much, he wanted to perform again. In addition to performing
with St. Mark’s, he is a dancer. He is a scholarship student training with The
Washington Ballet since the age of eight. His performances with the Company
include Fritz, Gigone and Little Cook in The Nutcracker (George Mason University
and Warner Theater), Son of George and Emily in Our Town (The Kennedy Center),
and Boy in Bits and Pieces (The Kennedy Center). He also in an All-Star catcher
in Northwest Little League. Josh attends St. Andrews Middle School.
JUDITH
SOBLE (OZIAN, WINKIE, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - As mother of two munchkins; a tree; and
Nikko, Commander of the Flying Monkeys; and being an Ozian in her own right,
Judith feels that the surreal nature of Oz makes her feel right at home. In
past lives, Judith performed in Oliver!, and has played The Grandmother (to a
few thousand children) in The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Warner
Theater and George Mason University. As a human, she works for Montgomery
County, raises her three children in Washington, D.C. and thanks her
understanding husband for his support in her surreal life.
MAYA
SOBLE (MUNCHKIN, TREE, OZIAN, GIRL’S CHORUS) - Maya is proud to make The Wizard
of Oz her third St. Mark’s production. She performed in Brigadoon (‘96) and
Oliver! (‘98). She has participated as a violinist with the St. Mark’s Music
Studio for the past 4 years. Other credits include Rebecca in Our Town, First
Witch in Macbeth, Little Bit in Anne Frank and Me and Queen Gertrude in Hamlet.
She has also been property manager for Crimes of the Heart and Once Upon a
Mattress. Maya greatly enjoys continuing her theater involvement alongside her
busy schedule as a sophomore at Sidwell Friends School.
BRENT
STAGNARO (CITY FATHER, OZIAN, WINKIE GENERAL) – Howdy! After leaving Broadway
for a career in community theater (it pays better), your Winkie General appeared
on Tantallon’s stage as a walk on during the performance of Hello, Dolly! last
season. He was immediately expelled and told to haunt the St. Mark’s Players,
where he is presently a disruption and constantly changes his lines to keep the
director confused. In his spare time, he is winning the hand of the Good Witch
of the North - what a babe! - and will be married by The Wizard of Oz in
mid-June and fly off to Never-Never land. When you see the Winkie General
during curtain call, applaud really big by singing yooo hee ho yo ho - over and
over again! It will be a hoot. Hi Mom. Thanks Dad.
ALICIA
TIDBALL (MUNCHKIN, CROW, OZIAN, GIRLS’ CHORUS) - Alicia is very excited to be in
The Wizard of Oz. This is her first musical with the St. Mark’s Players. Alicia
appeared in The Miracle Worker at W. T. Woodson High School, where she is a
freshman. Alicia enjoys singing and dancing, although she hopes to improve her
dancing skills.
LEAH
WEIGHTMAN (MUNCHKIN) – Leah has recently been in a class production of Bye Bye
Birdie. She played the part of Helen. In her spare time she enjoys reading.
Leah is happy to be in this performance because she wants to meet new people and
have fun. She would like to thank her mother for encouraging her to try out.
LIZ
WILLIAMS (HUNK/SCARECROW) -Before donating her brain to teaching at Oakcrest
School, Liz trained at the University of Virginia. She has since performed many
times in the US, Ireland, and Canada. Past roles include Maria in Twelfth Night,
Doris Walker in St. Mark’s Players’ Miracle on 34th Street, and Mother in Blood
Wedding by F. G. Lorca. Liz is a member of the Globe Fighter’s Guild (a stage
combat society) and regularly performs with the Blair Mansion’s Murder Mystery
Players. This show is for J.P. “the Graduate” Williams, and Rebecca - many
thanks to a terrific cast and crew!
MARY
YEE (BARRISTER, CROW, TREE, OZIAN, WINKIE, GIRLS’ CHORUS) – Mary, at 5’6”, never
thought of herself as a Munchkin before, but feels lucky that the production
team’s imagination was so active at casting time! She is no stranger to the St.
Mark’s Players, having appeared in Galileo, Man of La Mancha, Amadeus,
Brigadoon, and The Music Man. Most recently, Mary could be found helping get
Eliza ready for bed in My Fair Lady, dropping names in Springfield Community
Theatre’s Bells Are Ringing, chasing after Caesar in Cedar Lane Stage’s Antony
and Cleopatra, and kowtowing to the King of Siam in Reston Community Players’
The King and I. When not on the stage, Mary works as a systems engineer in
aviation research. Mary studies voice with Kathy Kessler Price and studies
acting with the Shakespeare Theatre.
THE 1999-2000 SPONSORS CIRCLE
Archangels
H. Fairfield Butt, IV
Bill, Josie, Joshua and Maya Jordan
John & Sue Kamp
Dick Page
Kathryn and Peter Powers
The Rutherford Family
Kevin Sockwell
Angels
The Crenshaw Family
Walt Moody
Michael A. Pemberton
Patrons
Betsy Athey and Frank Lloyd
Eileen Blumenthal
Bob and Linda Ewald
Karen and Winfield Sealander
Christopher Tully
Sponsors
Ray Castillo
Richard Dobson
Jack Goldklang
Jan Hoffman
Buzz March
Bertha Martin
Jim and Marilyn Meek
Maureen Shea
Friends
Bowdoin Craighill
Judith Nicholson
Joann Mcinnes Pastore and Sam Pastore
ST. MARK’S PLAYERS’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rick Rutherford, President
Lisa Anne Kerwin, Vice President
Sue Kamp, Secretary
Michael A. Pemberton, Treasurer
Pontheolla Abernathy
Sarah Hoptman
Diane Nester Kresh
Dick Page
Kevin Sockwell
Tim Travelstead
Christopher Tully
Tom Strange, Vestry Liaison
ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Rev. Paul R. Abernathy, Rector
The Rev. Stephanie Nagley, Associate Rector
Ginger Gaines Cirelli, Youth Minister
Keith S. Reas, Director of Music
Adam Martinelli, Director of Children’s Choirs
Intermission Magazine Review
St. Mark's Players Production Archive |
