COVER COPY:
Troupe America Inc., Curt Wollan, Executive Producer and
(VENUE LOGO)
Present
AWAY IN THE BASEMENT:
A CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES CHRISTMAS
Written by
GRETA GROSCH
Music and lyrics by
DREW JANSEN
Inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson including the best-seller,
“Growing Up Lutheran”
Page #2 INSIDE FRONT COVER:
Troupe America Inc. and (local venue) Present:
A Christmas celebration of the churchbasementand the womenwho work there! (include the CBL logo-optional)
CAST (in order of appearance)
KEVIN GRASTORF ……………….. .Pastor
AUTUMN O’RYAN...... Mrs. Lars Snustad (Vivian)
NIKKI SAVITT...... Mrs. Gilmer Gilmerson (Mavis)
CARRIE SALOUTOS……...... Mrs. Elroy Engelson (Karin)
TARA BORMAN (11/8/12-11/12/12)
LISA BARK(11/13/12-12/23/12)...... Miss Beverly Engelson
(Understudies: for Karin & Mavis – DORIAN CHALMERS; for Vivian – ROBBIE MANCINA; for Beverly – TARA BORMAN; for Pastor – TIMOTHY DRAKE)
Understudies never substitute without prior announcement
Set Design Costume Design Light Design
SCOTT R. HERBST KATRINA BENEDICT KEVIN KNODL
Sound Design Musical Staging & Choreography
MARK BRODIN WENDY SHORT-HAYS
Music Direction
DREW JANSEN
Directed by
CURT WOLLAN
Special thanks:Al Todnem for carving the Nativity pieces. Pastor Gary Olson and Lakeview Lutheran church, ARCA Minnesota,Zion Lutheran church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Joanne Deter who said “Curt, you should call thoseLutheran Ladies,” Thrivent Volunteer Services, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelsonfor their inspiration and many stories of Church Pageants. Children’s Christmas crafts by the students from the Theatre Department of Visitation School.
The operating of cameras or recording devices is strictly prohibited by copyright law. Please turn off anything that will make noise including cellular phones.
TROUPE AMERICA, INC. PRODUCTION STAFF
Company Manager LEXIE WOLLAN SWENSON
Stage Manager PATTI LAIRD
Technical Director/ Tour Production Manager MICHAEL R. MIKULA
Master Electrician DANA KLEIMAN
Sound Engineer ANTONIO AGUIRRE
Tour Transportation MAYO TOURS
Trucking STAGE CALL
General Manager JOHN TSAFOYANNIS
Production Manager SCOTT R. HERBST
Publicist LINDA TWISS
Payroll Services WELLS FARGO BUSINESS PAYROLL
Accounting BROCKMAN-MARCHAN & COMPANY LTD.
Legal FAEGRE, BAKER & DANIELS
ACT I
Morning of December 19, 1959
(The day of the annual
Sunday School Christmas
Program)
Away in the Basement
Company
The Unforgettable Christmas
Program of 1958
Vivian and Company
(Everybody is a Kid Again)
At Christmastime
Karin with Beverly,Mavis and Vivian
Just Not Mary Material
Mavis with Beverly, Karin and Vivian
Always One More Thing
Beverly with Karin, Mavis and Vivian
ACT II
Later that same morning
Away in the Basement (reprise)
Karin, Mavis, Vivian and Pastor
Piñata
Karin and Company
Whatsoever You Doo-wop
Vivian with Karin and Mavis
Reindeer Rendezvous
Pastor and Company
I Think You’d Like Her
Pastor
Jeg Er Så Glad
Company
Finale - Company
WHO IS WHO IN THE CAST:
LISA BARK (Beverly- 11/13/12 – 12/23/12) is no stranger to the basement after performing in all three versions of Church Basement Ladies on the 2010 & 2011 National tours, at the Plymouth Playhouse, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, and most recently Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. She has performed on several tours ranging from theatres in Dubai to Italy to New YorkCity’sMadison Square Garden and on NBC’sToday Show with Sesame Street Live.Recent regional credits include the Guthrie Theater, Disney World, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Show Palace, and Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz at Beef and Boards.
TARA BORMAN (Beverly- 11/8/12 – 11/12/12) After finishing up as Beverly in the premiere of "A Mighty Fortress is our Basement" at the Plymouth Playhouse, Tara is excited to go on the road! She originated the role of Beverly in "Away in the Basement" at the Plymouth Playhouse where she also workshopped/originated the same role in "CBL 2: A Second Helping". She got her start working for Troupe America taking over the role of Signe in the original "Church Basement Ladies" at the Plymouth Playhouse back in 2005. Tara has also worked for several regional theatres in Minneapolis including Bloomington Civic Theatre, Minneapolis Musical Theatre and The Guthrie Theatre. Coming up Tara will be playing Lauren in Yellow Tree Theatre's production of "Circle Mirror Transformation".
KEVIN GRASTORF(Pastor) is excited to be returning to Church Basement Ladies. He
has worked all over the country from Alaska to Florida and many other places in between. Favorite roles include; the Padre in Man of La Mancha, the Union Captain in Civil War, Nicely Nicely in Guys And Dolls, Richard Nixon in Frost/ Nixon and Gerard Carrier in Yestin/Kopit's Phantom. He earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Other passions are National Parks, photography and songwriting. He has recently finished his 3rd summer working in Yellowstone. He would also like to give thanks to his wife, Autumn, for her love and support.
AUTUMN O’RYAN (Vivian) is thrilled to be back in the "basement" with her fellow cast-mates...especially with her husband Kevin, who is playing the "Pastor". This is her third National Tour of Church Basement Ladies. Recently, Autumn played the role of "Dinah" in DIXIE SWIM CLUB, at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre. Other favorite roles include: “Mrs. Potts”, Beauty And The Beast, “Aunt Eller”, Oklahoma!, “Mrs. Paroo”, Music Man, “Carlotta”, Phantom, “Jeanette” in The Full Monty. And she originated the role of “Liddy” in the Regional Premiere of Whodunit…The Musical. She will be touring in MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL, starting in March of 2013. Autumn has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan. She's celebrating her 23nd professional year onstage. Thanks to Curt and Troupe America for this amazing opportunity and for keeping a husband and wife together on-the-road.
CARRIE SALOUTOS (Karin) returns to this wonderful Tour via Las Vegas where she regularly appears in Marriage Can Be Murder and has appeared in productions of Nunsense (Las Vegas Hilton), Ba-Da-Bing, The Soprano’s Last Supper, and Reflections of the Rat Pack. She also performed the role of Karin in Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping in Fort Meyers, FL. Other recent credits include appearing in Hats! The Musical at Harrah’s in New Orleans, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Plaza Theatre in Orlando. Carrie has performed on several World Cruise Lines and at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. National Tour credits include Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas (2011), The Wizard of Oz (US and Korean Tours), Beauty & The Beast, and Singin’ In the Rain. Carrie has co-starred with Steve Gatlin in several production shows in Myrtle Beach, SC. Favorite theatre roles include Carrie Innes in the World Premiere of Ed Dixon’s Whodunit…The Musical and Sheree in The Dixie Swim Club at Circa ’21, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, and Sue Ellen in Honky-Tonk Angels (Ted Swindley, Playwright/Director).
NIKKI SAVITT (Mavis )--Is beyond delighted to be back in the basement, back on the bus, and back with the boots for her third holiday season. When not wearing an apron and a tool belt, Nikki's other favorite credits include Barefoot In the Park (Mother), Harvey (Veta), White Christmas (Martha), South Pacific (Bloody Mary), Music Man (Eulalie), and Rumors (Cookie). She has also been featured on National Tours of Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Carol. This spring Nikki gets the honor or reprising Mavis for a new adventure when CBL 4 premieres at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre. Please visit www.nikkisavitt.com for more information. "For my miraculous mother, and in memory of Renee, Grammy Jeanne, and my dad, Artie."
WHO ARE THE ORIGINAL LUTHERAN LADIES:
JANET LETNES MARTIN (Co-author of Growing Up Lutheran)
Janet Letnes Martin grew up in Hillsboro, ND where the words “Norwegian and Lutheran” were synonymous. It was no surprise she graduated from Augsburg College, in Minneapolis, MN and married Neil Martin, a 100 percent Scandinavian-Lutheran man from Newfolden, MN. Janet started writing books in 1983. She wrote three books, co-authored three books with Allen Todnem, and one with her sister, Ilene Lorenz, before she teamed up to write and perform with a college friend, Suzann Nelson. Janet and Suzann have written nine books relating to their Norwegian-Lutheran rural background. Their book Growing Up Lutheran, What Does This Mean? won the Minnesota Book Award for Humor, and is the inspiration for all three Church Basement Ladies musical comedies. Janet and Suzann have performed as a comedy duo “Those Lutheran Ladies” from the state of Washington to Washington, DC as well as in the Medora Musical. Recently Janet switched gears and teamed up with author/artist, David W. Cook II to write a fabulous new humorous book Lemonade for the Lawnboy: The Executives’ Wives’ Cookbook Committee. Her most recent project is the just released, hilarious “Fun with Fitness DVD - Jiggle Your Jell-O” with Suzann Nelson, David Cook and Greta Grosch. Janet lives in Hastings, MN and feels blessed that her family is all involved in their Scandinavian Lutheran heritage. She is co-owner of Scandinavian Marketplace and the online store scandinavianmarket.com with her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Steve Green. Her daughter Sarah is a national representative for the Norwegian Fjord Flatware Company. She is thrilled her daughter, Katrina Benedict is the costumer of this musical, and that Trina’s husband, Andy knows how to make egg coffee. Her granddaughters Sophia, Ariana and Myana Green and Nora Benedict are the love of her life. She dedicates her contribution to this play to her late husband, Neil, whom she misses dearly.
SUZANN NELSON (Co-author of Growing Up Lutheran)
As half of the knowledgeable, funny, 100 percent Norwegian-Lutheran duo, “Those Lutheran Ladies,” Suzann Nelson could just list her name under Janet Martin’s bio and type “ditto.” Names and a few places might differ, but their histories are similar and often identical — from the month and year they were baptized and confirmed Lutheran to the day in 1968 when they graduated from the same Norwegian-Lutheran college. One of Suzann’s daughters said that Janet and Suzann share a brain — something they considered a compliment until they realized she probably meant each had only half a brain. They haven’t had time to consider the real meaning yet because they are too busy writing and publishing books about rural life in the fifties, developing new book and product ideas, speaking and performing. Lately they have been working with theatre folks who, Suzann says, “are kinda different from the farm families I grew up with.” Nelson began life as a Johnson on a “Noah’s Ark” farm — two cows, two pigs, two chickens and two brothers —close to where the Kensington Runestone was found. After graduating from high school in Evansville, MN, Suzann boarded a train for the nearest Sin City, Minneapolis. She graduated with a Scandinavian Studies major from Augsburg College where she also met her 100 percent Norwegian-Lutheran husband, Ron, and someone named Janet Letnes — both decent, wholesome folks who had grown up in North Dakota eating cream on bread. After further study at the universities of MN and Oslo, Suzann directed Concordia College’s Language Village, Skogfjorden, and in off-seasons had three-piece suit jobs where she dabbled in government, public policy work, and putting on pantyhose. Eventually, Suzann and Ron moved to Grand Rapids, MN where they raised their two 100 percent Norwegian-Lutheran daughters, Senja and Siri. Now a mother-in- law, widow, and owner of an online bookstore ruralroutebookstore.com, Suzann spends her days and nights pondering ways to pay off her mortgage, looking for misplaced things, being fascinated by creative ideas her four grandchildren develop, and ironing used wrapping paper.
WHO’S WHO IN PRODUCTION:
GRETA GROSCH (Playwright)
Since 1989, Greta has worked as a freelance writer and performer across the country and has a wealth of experience in both commercial and business theatre. An original cast member of Church Basement Ladies, Greta originated the role of Mavis back in 2005 and continues to perform on stage as a member of the Actor’s Union. As a scriptwriter, Greta wrote the scripts for A Second Helping (Church Basement Ladies 2); Away in the Basement (A Church Basement Ladies Christmas) and A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement. She also writes the annual “Medora Musical”; has scripted numerous award shows and cabarets; and her company, Girl With Guitar, provides educational and entertaining programming, ranging from training seminars to company parties, for organizations across the country. For more information visit gretagrosch.com. In addition, Greta is a voice over and commercial artist, works as an advocate for High School musical theatre, and is a founding member of the “the “Looney Lutherans” (thelooneylutherans.com). Greta wishes to thank Curt Wollan, Janet Martin, Suzann Nelson and all the original cast for their support and inspiration, and dedicates this show to her sister, who married a real live bachelor farmer and lives on a Christmas tree farm in Norway. Seriously.
DREW JANSEN (Composer, Lyricist)A native of Little Rock now residing in Minneapolis, Jansen is in the midst of a multi-faceted career as a performer, writer and composer. In addition to creating the scores for Troupe America’s mega-hits Church Basement Ladies and How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical and the History Theatre’s Capital Crimes: The Saint Paul Gangster Musical and A Servants’ Christmas, he is also one of the busier voice-over actors in the Twin Cities. His baritone has prodded Twin Citizens to purchase anything from furniture to theater tickets to windows. If you’ve ever activated a credit card over the phone, he probably talked you through the process. Minnesotans will also remember him as the emcee in those quirky Minnesota Millionaire Raffle television commercials from late 2007, or as long-running Patio Town commercial. Also on the small screen, Jansen enjoyed a two season run as Ernie, the unctuous announcer and musical commentator on Comedy Central’s cult classic, Let’s Bowl. Drew was a contributing writer for television’s Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has created text for numerous greeting cards, t-shirts, coffee mugs and syndicated comic strips. An accomplished pianist, he has had the honor of accompanying such legends as Celeste Holm and Carmel Quinn, and recently manned the keyboards in Las Vegas for Whose Line Is It Anyway? stalwarts Greg Proops and Chip Esten. Currently, Jansen is touring the country with entertainers Jody Briskey and Jimmy Martin in ThreeStyle, an original cabaret show. Drew is a proud graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota (Class of 1983) and continued his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.