The Apple Tree

Program:

• About the Play
• Cast (listed in order of appearance)
• Production Staff
• Run Crew
• Cast Bios
• Creative Team Bios
   

About the Play

Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Book by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock
Additional book material by Jerome Coopersmith
Based on Stories by Mark Twain, Frank R. Stockton, and Jules Feiffer
Original production directed by Mike Nichols
Originally produced on the Broadway Stage by Stuart Ostrow

The Apple Tree is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Time and Place:

Act One: Eden, Saturday, June 1
Act Two: A semi-barbaric kingdom, a long time ago
Act Three: Now, here

Intermission Duration: 15 minutes

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

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Cast (listed in order of appearance)

Act One: Eden, Saturday, June 1

The Lady or the Tiger?: A semi-barbaric kingdom, a long time ago

Passionella: Now, here

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Production Staff

Technical Productions Manager: Kevin Nedberg

Assistant Technical Director: Eli Baader

Production Assistant: Grace Wiseman, Kayla Theiss

Dance Captain: Noel Nieczporowicz

Production Electrician: Levi Fravel

Electricians: Zach Wuest, Jackson Boone, Robbie Crissman

Sound Engineer/Audio Coordinator: James Dunlap

Technical Director: Kevin Nedberg

Carpenters: James Hendricks, Logan Greogery, Eli Baader, Megan Todd, Maggie Slauenwhite, Hanna Baker, Vex Sargent, Kahlil Hairston, Sofia Maisano, Kaydence Mullins, Kyleigh Wilson

Scenic Artist: Callie Lippincott, Julliette Trumbull, Isa Castillon

Paint Shop Assistants: Julliette Trumbull

Properties Master: Lauren Crane

Costume Shop Manager: Carly Kimmins

Costume Shop Assistant: Victoria “Ori” Gifford

Stitchers: Adeline Billups, Kayla Theiss, Jillian Price-Hall, Grace Wiseman, Gillian Jenkins, Phoenix Perry, Ellie Engle, Kaitlin Teller, Callista Mitchell

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Run Crew

Stage Crew: David Cremean, Paulina Bradley

Light Board Operator: Megan Todd

Properties Crew Head: Kaydence Mullians

Wardrobe Head: Ellie Engle

Wardrobe: Grace Wiseman, Kayla Theiss

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Cast Bios

Jordan Allen is a sophomore acting major. The Apple Tree is Jordan's first-ever Wright State production. He's honored to play the role of King Arik (and the voice of God) and is very excited to share this work. Jordan would like to thank his mother for being his greatest supporter.

Palyce Berrian is a sophomore musical theatre major and dance minor. She is so excited for her first Wright State production! Palyce would love to thank the faculty for this opportunity and her friends and family for their continuous support.

Nia Buchannon (she/ her/hers) is excited to be performing in her first production with Wright State. She is a sophomore musical theatre major. Her previous credits include Colubinus as AP at the Cincinnati Actors Studio Academy and By The Bog of Cats in the Festival Playhouse as The Catwoman u/s. She thanks you for coming to the show!

Lilly Buck is junior musical theatre major and a native of Toledo, where she attended Toledo School for the Arts. Previous Wright State credits include A Doll’s House Part 2 (Emmy u/s), and South Pacific (Nurse). All love and praises to her family, friends, and mentors!

Eoin Collins is a junior musical theatre major. He most recently appeared in the ensemble of South Pacific for Wright State’s collaboration with Dayton Opera at the Schuster Center. You may have seen him last season in Cabaret (male swing) or at our annual ArtsGala. Special thanks to his family and friends

Dominic Cullen is grateful to be included in this production of The Apple Tree. Thanks so much, Wade and Leslie.

Danny Dobbins is a senior musical theatre major. Favorite credits include The Laramie Project( Jedadiah Schultz), and The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino). Love and thanks to mom for her unwavering support. This performance is dedicated to Grandma B'Lo. She loved her flowers, you know.

Blaise Duncan-Bevans (he/him) is a senior acting major performing in his sixth season production at Wright State. He dedicates his art to his community, and the commitment to spread love through any medium that presents itself. He thanks you for your lending your presence and inspiration to the show

Devon Elizabeth Fruscione (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of The Apple Tree! Favorite credits: Chicago (Off-Bway, Annie), The Dolls of New Albion (Off-Bway, Amelia), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Les Miserables (Eponine). Thanks to all involved for their hard work. devonelizabethfruscione.com

Sid Grohowski (he/him) is a junior at Wright State and is so excited to be making his Herbst Theater debut. Previous credits include By The Bog of Cats, The Liar, and Arcadia! He would like to dedicate this performance to his Grandma Lucy. Much love and enjoy the show!

Toby Hattemer is elated to be a part of this magnificent production of The Apple Tree. A senior musical theatre major, Toby’s previous performances include Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hans in Cabaret, and Daddy Cane in Bright Star. He hopes you enjoy this beautiful and timeless three-part show.

Skye Hodgkin, (she/her) (ensemble) is a junior and is thrilled to return to the Herbst for another show at Wright State. Recent projects include 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche (Magnolia Theatre Company), Kelly the Destroyer, and Puffs (Wright State). Skye writes sketch comedy, stand-up, and comedic plays. Love to my friends and family.

Emma Kopec is a junior musical theatre major. Her past Wright State credits include A Dolls House Part 2 (Emmy) and The Liar (Cliton u/s). Emma was also a part of last April’s ArtsGala. She sends a special thank you to the Wright State faculty, Eoin, Lilly, and her family. Enjoy the show!

Baylee Simone Mallin is thrilled to be making their Wright State debut in The Apple Tree. Previous credits include: Diwata in Speech and Debate, Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Baylee would like to thank their amazingly supportive family and friends for their unending love and encouragement!

Noel Nieczporowicz is a junior acting major from Plano, Texas. This is her second production at Wright State. Past credits include Alice By Heart (Dance Captain), Miss Nelson is Missing (swing), and A Doll's House (Helene). Big thanks to Wade and Leslie. Break legs, everyone!

Eli Peel (he/they) is a junior musical theatre major. Recent credits include Twelve Angry Men, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Open, Stay. Eli once drove 14 hours there and back for a smoothie. He has a fear of balloons. Eli thinks waffles are better than pancakes. Special thanks to Wade!

Sarah Rowell (ensemble) (they/them) is so excited to be working with this team! Previous credits include understudying Monica in By the Bog of Cats and Coral in Kelly the Destroyer vs. The Springfield Cobras. Thanks to my family and the roomies, but especially dirty Dr. Pepper for getting them through this semester.

Magdalen Silver (she/her) is a senior acting major from Sacramento, California. In her last year at Wright State, Magdalen is delighted to be back in the Herbst with such a fun and spunky show! She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support!

Hannah Wilkerson is a junior musical theatre major and is so excited to be performing in the Herbst again this semester. Most recent credits include South Pacific with DPAA and a Summerstock season with Prairie Repertory Theatre. She would like to thank Wade Russo for his endless support, and hopes you enjoy the show!

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Creative Team Bios

Leslie Goddard Baum (director) is thrilled to be back at Wright State University to direct and choreograph The Apple Tree. Before moving to Cincinnati from New York City, Baum was on Broadway in Hairspray (Brenda, (u/s) Penny Pingleton) and in the Las Vegas company of Jersey Boys (Francine, Lead Angel, et. Al.). Other acting credits include Chicago (Roxie Hart), The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps And Gowns (Missy), Detroit ’67 (Caroline), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Gemini), The Full Monty (Georgie Bukatinsky), Lizzie (Bridget Sullivan), Mame (Agnes Gooch), Becky’s New Car (Kenni Flood)). Directing/ choreographing credits include:  Mean Girls: High School Version, Dracula, The Who’s Tommy, Ring Of Fire, Cry It Out, Xanadu, The Sound Of Music, Oklahoma!, Shrek, High School Musical, Grease, Into The Woods, and Kodachrome.

Wrynn E. Boucher (costume designer) is a junior in the Wright State design and technology program after transferring from Northern Kentucky University in fall 2023. He is designing costumes for Wright State for the first time after years of community theatre and looks forward to perfecting his craft as well as delivering designs of great variety and versatility in future productions

Lauren Crane (props master) is thrilled to be a part of the production team for The Apple Tree. Her recent credits include working on the creation of the swan in Wright State’s By the Bog of Cats as well as assisting to create props for Wright State’s Cabaret. Outside of Wright State, Crane also enjoys working on creature creations and special effects puppetry, as well as learning new art and prop making skills.

Jennifer Dillard (lighting designer) is very excited to be designing her first show with Wright State University. Her previous design work includes Wright State’s 2024 Spring Dance Concert, and Marysville High School’s Mary Poppins, Little Shop of Horrors, and Footloose. She has been a part of Wright State’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Liar as spot operator and light board operator. Dillard has greatly enjoyed working with everyone on The Apple Tree and looks forward to what she will design in the future.

James Dunlap (sound designer) is the audio coordinator and resident sound designer for Wright State Theatre. Dunlap has been involved with sound system/sound production design, music composition, and live-event audio for over 20 years. He has worked with hundreds of national touring acts and local productions. Recent sound design credits include A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Sister Act, Mother Courage and Her Children, Grapes of Wrath, Chicago, Pride and Prejudice, Les Misérables, The Magic Fire, Oklahoma!, Spring Awakening, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Hairspray.

John Lavarnway is in his 33rd year as the property  master at Wright State Theatre, where he has worked on close to 250 productions and has been blessed to work closely with his wife, set designer extraordinaire Pam Lavarnway. He has taught makeup for the stage since 1994 to well over 500 students and is occasionally given the opportunity to direct or design. John has also worked extensively in several capacities with the Town Hall Theater, the Dayton Opera, and The Dayton Ballet. Now approaching the end of his career at Wright State, John is grateful to have worked with such excellent people doing what he has always loved.

F. Wade Russo is faculty musical director and a voice instructor. This will be his third time working on The Apple Tree, having conducted the Goodspeed production under the supervision of composer Sheldon Harnick and lyricist Jerry Bock. Recently, he conducted Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Broadway/film/national tour credits include By Jeeves (associate conductor), directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn and The Boyfriend, directed by Julie Andrews. Regional credits: Goodspeed Musicals (27 productions) Pittsburgh Public Theatre, St. Louis Rep, Huntington Theatre, Asolo Repertory, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Manhattan Theatre Club, Barrington Stage, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, O’Neill Theatre Center & Interlakes Summer Theatre. He has taught at Boston Conservatory, Point Park University, Emerson College, Circle in the Square and the Juillard School

Kayla Theiss (production assistant) is thrilled to be a part of The Apple Tree as a PA. Previous technical credits include Miscast Caberet as an assistant stage manager and She Kills Monsters as a paint head. Theiss also has experience in acting. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Megan Todd (stage manager) (she/her) is a sophomore stage management major and is very excited to be stage managing her first show at Wright State University! Her previous credits are By the Bog of Cats as the assistant stage manager and Kelly the Destroyer vs. The Springfield Cobras as a production assistant.

Grace Wiseman (production assistant) is a freshman at Wright State from Botkins, Ohio, and has three siblings—Alex, Maddy, and Andrew and is the youngest. She absolutely loves everything to do with theatre and had an amazing time working on this show!

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