A New Brain

Follow Us:

A New Brain is presented by Arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Song List

Prologue

Spring Song

Specials

911 Emergency

Heart And Music

Trouble in His Brain

Mother’s Gonna Make Things Fine

Be Polite

I’d Rather Be Sailing

Family History

Gordo’s Law of Genetics

And They’re Off

Roger Arrives

Just Go

Operation Tomorrow

Poor Unsuccessful and Fat

Sitting Becalmed

Craniotomy

Invitation to Sleep in My Arms

Change

Yes

In The Middle of The Room (Part 1)

Throw it Out

In The Middle of The Room (Part 2)

A Really Lousy Day in the Universe

Brain Dead

Whenever I Dream

Eating Myself Alive

The Music Still Plays On

Don’t Give In

You Boys are Gonna get Me in Trouble

I’d Rather Be Sailing Reprise

Homeless Ladies Revenge

Time

I Feel So Much Spring

Cast

Creative Team

Crew

Makeup Crew Head: Karlyn Warren

Wardrobe Crew Head: CJ Edwards

Wardrobe Crew: MaKensey Alford, Hannah Mallory, Molly Culp

Costume Shop Staff: Makensey Alford, Abby Crist, Rechelle Davis, Jazmin Miller, EJ Bostick, Key Stampfli, Bailey Jackson, Jamaal Stewart, Troy McMullen, John McLaughlin

Light Board Operator: Krystal Adams and Julia Jones

Light Crew: Krystal Adams, Julia Jones, Meredith Thomas, Romeo Garrison, Jordan Kinney

Props Coordinator: Reagan Parrott

Props Crew: Maya Mackey and Jordan Kinney

Scenic Charge Artist: Lily Farnworth

Painters: Lindley Argo, Hannah Mallory, Ashley Jackson

Run Crew: Michael Boucher and Lindley Argo

Assistant Marketing Manager: Grace Mitchell

Poster/Program Art Designer:  Kodi Mae McDearmont

House Manager: Katy Barnes

Behind the Musical: What Inspired William Finn?

A New Brain by William Finn and James Lapine is about the real world medical emergency that William Finn experienced in 1993.  Finn was diagnosed with an AVM (arteriovenous malformation). An AVM is a tangle of blood vessels and arteries. This often leads to swelling and eventually, if untreated, to a burst. In Finn’s case, it burst. This caused many harmful side effects for him such as loss of eyesight, passing out, loss of coordination, and loss of short term memory. His condition got so bad that he almost fainted while receiving his Tony in 1993 for the show Falsettos. Eventually it was found and treated with a gamma ray knife surgery. This musical is a recounting of the feelings and experiences Finn had while in the hospital and shortly after.

While in the hospital, Finn  was understandably distraught. He did not know what life would be like going forward, or if he would even get to see the next day. James Lapine, who was at the hospital with him, encouraged him to write everything down. These writings were later turned into songs by Finn upon his release from the hospital.

Some of the characters are based on real life people. Rhoda is based loosely on James Lapine, Mimi is based loosely on Finn's mother, Roger is based on his husband, and Gordon is based on William Finn himself. The Homeless Woman is an amalgamation of two separate people,  a combination of a homeless woman William Finn saw from his hospital bed window and a homeless woman who lived near his apartment.

One Roof: Uniting Central Alabama to End Homelessness

One Roof is the coordinating agency for the homeless Continuum of Care of Central Alabama. As a continuum organization, One Roof secures funding from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for agencies who are a part of our continuum and provide housing service needs. 

https://www.oneroofonline.org/ 

Meet the Company

Madison Hotchkiss

Mimi Schwinn

Madison Hotchkiss (she/her) (Mimi Schwinn) is a senior, graduating this spring with a BFA in Musical Theatre. While being here she has been in shows such as Flatliners, The Lightning Thief, The Purple Side 2022 Show, SEPTIC: A Devised Play, Salome Vs. John, and Company. She wants to thank all of her family and friends for the love and support. She would like to send a big "Thank you," to Michael and Jennifer for giving her this opportunity to perform with such talented artists. This is her last show at UM and she is grateful for all the opportunities and the memories that have been made… “Goodbye my loves, Goodbye".

Nick Lyles

Roger

Nick Lyles (he/him) (Roger) is a sophomore B.F.A. Musical Theatre major and is thrilled to be a part of this amazing cast. During his free time, Nick enjoys listening to music, playing the piano and playing with his cats. In the past, Nick has been in musicals such as Hairspray as Seaweed, Pippin as The Leading Player and Godspell as Jesus. He would like to dedicate his performance to his mother for being his best and hardest critic.

Troy McMullen

Doctor Jafar Berensteiner

Troy McMullen (he/him) (Doctor Jafar Berensteiner) is a current freshman majoring in Musical Theatre. His only other Montevallo credit is Mozart / Half-Blood Ensemble in The Lightning Thief. Other notable roles include Nick Bottom in Something Rotten, Davey in Newsies, Ubaldo Piangi in The Phantom of the Opera, and originating the role of Captain Mayhem in Bad at Being Bad. He is thankful to have a family that always supports his theatrical endeavors and dreams. He is also very grateful to Michael Walker as well as Jennifer Hartsell for this amazing opportunity and is very excited to be in his second Montevallo Production: A New Brain! Website: troy-mcmullen.com

Josh Norris

Minister

Josh Norris (he/him) (Minister) is a Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre Major, and is excited to be a part of his third show with the UM Theatre Department. His favorite foods are sushi and ramen, and some of his favorite shows are Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan. He would like to thank the faculty, his family, and his friends for their support throughout the show process.

Mars Peterson

Mr. Bungee

Mars Peterson (he/him) (Mr. Bungee) has had such a fungee bungee good time with this group of amazing artists! He's honored to be a part of such a beautiful story for his final show at UM. Previous UM credits include Harry in Company, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, David Labraccio in Flatliners: The Musical, and Dave in Ghost Quartet. He'd like to give a huge thanks to Michael, Jennifer, and the rest of the cast and crew for making his last show so special, and thanks and love to Ana for always being there on all the lousy days in the universe. 

Carson Reed

Richard

Carson Reed (he/him) (Richard) is a junior musical theatre major, and he is beyond excited to be playing Richard in A New Brain! Recent credits include: The Lightning Thief (Half-Blood Ensemble), The 2022 Purple Side Show (John Jansen), and Company (Peter/Paul/David U/S). He would like to thank his support system for always loving and believing in him.

Macy Robinson

Nancy D/Waitress

Macy Robinson (she/her) (Nancy D/Waitress) is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre Major at The University of Montevallo. Her past roles at UM include Rosalind in As You Like It, Valerie in The Weir, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Marta in Company, and Penny in Hairspray. She has loved this process and is so grateful to have gotten to work with such an incredible cast and crew. She loves the UM Theatre Department and is so excited to open the first full production in the Michael and Sue Meadows Black Box Theatre! She hopes you enjoy the show! Her instagram is @macy_like.the_store.

Zach Tarwater

Gordon

Zach Tarwater (he/they) (Gordon) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major, currently set to graduate in December of '22. Previous UM roles include Mr. D in The Lightning Thief, Miss Understanding/Ensemble in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Stokes in Carrie: the Musical, and Officer Barrel in Urinetown. Other roles include Happy in Theatre Downtown's production of Clown Bar and Charlie Brown in Sylacauga Community Playhouse's You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.

Shelby Waggoner

Rhoda

Shelby Waggoner (she/her) (Rhoda) is currently a freshman majoring in Musical Theatre. She is honored to be performing in her first Montevallo Theatre production. Other notable roles include Delta Nu in Legally Blonde, Bruce in Matilda, and originating the role of Belle Star in The Ballad of the Mississippi River. She is grateful to her friends and family for giving their endless support and love. She is also very thankful to have been given this opportunity with the guidance of Michael Walker and Jennifer Hartsell. 

Karly Wilmore

Homeless Lady/Lisa

Karly Wilmore (she/her) (Homeless Lady/Lisa) is a BFA Musical Theatre major and a minor in Deaf Studies. This will be her third production at UM. Her previous roles include Susan in UM’s production of Company, Janis Joplin/Half-Blood Ensemble in UM’s The Lightning Thief, Dragon in Shrek the Musical at CharACTers Entertainment, and was recently seen as Sparrow in Purple Sides College Night 2022 production, Bad at Being Bad. She wants to thank her friends, family, professors, and Jennifer Hartsell for all of their love and support!

Michael Walker

Director

Michael Thomas Walker is an Associate Professor of Acting and Voice at the University of Montevallo. He received an MFA in Acting from Rutgers University and a BA in Theatre from the University of Alabama. University of Montevallo theatre directing credits include Septic, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Urinetown, Much Ado About Nothing and Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize winning play Clybourne Park. Other directing credits include Hairspray, The 39 Steps, God of Carnage, SIDD with the New Light Theatre Project in NYC, and the award winning solo play BIOHAZARD. In NYC, he has performed with The New Light Theater Project, The Weasel Festival, Jean Cocteau Repertory, Guerrilla Theater, Boomerang Theater Company, and the national tours of Hairspray playing Edna Turnblad and Seussical the Musical as Horton the Elephant. Michael was a finalist for the Edna St. Vincent Millay Colony Playwriting Residency and is a recipient of the Wildacres Playwriting Residency. His interview based solo show, BUBBA, received the Best Variety Show Award in the United Solo Festival, Best Solo Performance Award for the Planet Connections Festival and was recently performed on NPR’s Tales FromThe South. His film and television appearances include Boardwalk Empire, Dirty Little Secret, Now That’s Cute, and Non-Stop. He is also co-author of the play Canfield Drive which received its world premiere production at The Black Rep in St. Louis. Canfield Drive is a play about the murder of Michael Brown and the Black Lives Matter Movement. The show was also performed as part of the National Black Theatre Festival.

Jennifer Hartsell

Musical Director

Jennifer Hartsell received her undergraduate degree in Music in Piano Performance and her M.M. in Composition from the University of Alabama. It was during this time that that she began pursuing her love of musical theatre professionally, playing for shows such as COMPANY and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She completed additional studies in music composition at N.Y.U., and at Cornell University, where she was awarded the prestigious Sage Graduate Fellowship. Jennifer also completed coursework toward a D.M.A. in Collaborative Piano at the University of Minnesota. Upon returning to Alabama in 2014, Jennifer joined the Theatre Department at the University of Montevallo. Musical Direction credits here include HIGH FIDELITY, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and SPRING AWAKENING. Other MD/pianist credits include ANNIE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, INTO THE WOODS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, OLIVER!, THE PAJAMA GAME, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and A WONDERFUL LIFE, among others. As a composer, her music for instrumentalists, vocal soloists, and choral groups has been performed across the U.S., Her critically-acclaimed musical drama PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA debuted at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2013. Jennifer also accompanies classes and lessons and teaches music theory and piano skills for the B.F.A. Musical Theatre degree program at UM.

Kel Laeger

Scenic/Lighting Designer

Kel Laeger is a scenic and lighting designer and Associate Professor at the University of Montevallo. His 18 years at UM includes numerous scenic and lighting designs such as Anon(ymous), The Lightning Thief, Stick Fly, Company (twice) Carrie: The Musical,The Weir, Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Stop Kiss, Hair, Heathers, Spring Awakening, Circle Mirror Transformation,Rocky Horror Show, Clybourne Park, High Fidelity, Cabaret, God of Carnage, Into the Woods, Rent, Heartbreak House, Assassins, To Gillian on her 37th Birthday, Dead City, Macbeth, Pippin, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, and The Seagull. He is also a member and instructor for The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group in Birmingham, Alabama.

Emily Gill

Costume Designer

Emily Gill is currently Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Theatre specializing in Costume Design. She comes to UM from earning an MFA in Drama from the University of Georgia (2007), a freelance design career in Atlanta as well as an internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (2000-2001). Emily earned a BA in English and Theatre Performance and Design from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida (2000). In addition to primary costume and makeup design duties at UM, Emily designs costumes and make-up effects for Southeast area regional theatres, including City Equity Theatre's production of Peter and the Starcatcher (winner Broadway World Birmingham 2015 Best Costume Design of a Local Play or Musical); Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bloody Bloody AndrewJackson for theDANE. Emily is a frequent attendee and participant in the Prague Quadrennial Design Exposition, and a member of the inaugural cohort of Odyssey Works’ Experience Design Certification Program (with financial support from UM Faculty Development). Locally, Emily is on the Board of Directors of the Montevallo Arts Council as well as the Montevallo Artwalk Coordinator. “Most of my day is moving from a meeting about Core Learning Outcomes and successful retention rate statistics to looking at a student’s “witch face” sculpt before molding to dropping in on some other students boiling braiding hair in a pot of dye as part of an experiment, to finally meeting with students to discuss their academic and career goals. Where else but UM would I be able to do all that? Where else would all my diverse, interdisciplinary interests be possible without question?” www.emilygilldesigns.com

Abby Bowers

Assistant Costume Designer

Abby Bowers is working as the assistant costume designer for A New Brain. She has recently worked as the assistant designer for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical and wardrobe head for Anonymous. She is excited that A New Brain is the final show that she will be working on as a senior at the University of Montevallo. She thanks her teachers and her team for this opportunity!

Kyle Everett

Costume Shop Manager

Kyle ) is in his first year as a member of the faculty here at the University of Montevallo. After Graduating from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) in 2005, Kyle entered the world of regional theatre as a stitcher at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Alabama. Over the course of his almost 20 year professional career, he has worked with The Santa Fe Opera, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Theater Center, and most recently, La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California, where he had the pleasure of working on the world premiere of Diana, the Musical. While Kyle has had a few of his pieces appear on various Broadway stages, working on Diana, the Musical led to one of the highlights of his career: having a costume he constructed be photographed to appear in the pages of Vanity Fair magazine. Kyle is thrilled to have been able to have this opportunity to create with and educate the eager and talented students of this department, and he looks forward to the future and many years of successful collaborations with them and the members of the faculty here at the University of Montevallo.

Mandy Thomas

Technical Director

Mandy is from Birmingham and has worked as a Technical Director among many other roles at the Virginia Samford Theatre and Red Mountain Theatre. She has designed scenery and lighting at a number of theatres in the Birmingham area for shows including Gypsy, Ring of Fire, Chicago, and Fun Home, among many others.

Harper Dunaway

Stage Manager

Harper Dunaway (She/her) is so excited to Stage Manage her first production at the University of Montevallo! She is a junior theatre major, and has previously worked as an Assistant Stage Manager on Chicago, A Midsummers Night Dream, Company, and As You Like It. She is so thankful for her family and friends, as well as the cast, director, and her amazing team for joining her on this journey.

Paris Burdick

Assistant Stage Manager

Paris Burdick(she/her) is a sophomore BA Theatre student with a Deaf Studies minor. She is incredibly excited to have this opportunity. In her free time, she works at South City Theatre in Pelham as the assistant of children’s theatre in their Acting Up! camps. She also has an interest in performance and costume/makeup design.

Romeo Garrison

Assistant Stage Manager

Romeo Garrison (he/him) is a freshman BA Theatre major overjoyed to work as an assistant stage manager on this show. He has also previously worked as an assistant stage manager on As You Like It. He is incredibly grateful to his family for supporting him in his passions and his friends for pushing and helping him to grow.

Lucas Seven

Dramaturg

Lucas Seven (he/him) is a sophomore BFA Acting student. His other interests are dramaturgy and directing. His most recent acting work was as Ali in UM's production of Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka. This summer he will be an apprentice at The GhostLight Theater in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Kayla Hampton

Assistant Stage Manager

Kayla Hampton (she/her) is a Junior BS Theater Major at the University of Montevallo. Some of Kayla’s theater credits include, The Addams Family, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, As You Like It, Flatliners and many more. She is beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to be an ASM for this production.

William Finn on A New Brain

College of Fine Arts

Faculty and Staff

Steve Peters, PhD

Dean of College of Fine Arts

Christine Soria

COFA Administrative Assistant

Andrew Fancher

Facilities Manager

Theatre 

Faculty and Staff

David Callaghan

Professor of Theatre

Kyle Everett

Instructor of Costume Technology/Costume Shop Manager

Emily Gill

Interim Chair/Associate Professor of Theatre

Kenneth Laeger

Associate Professor of Theatre

Marcus Lane

Associate Professor of Theatre

Kyle Moore

Associate Professor of Theatre

Bart Pitchford

Assistant Professor of Theatre

Michael Walker

Associate Professor of Theatre

Jennifer Hartsell

Accompanist and Music Director

Kristi Carter Administrative Assistant II
 

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Amy Murphy

Voice Lessons

Joanna Hardy-West

Dance

JJ Butler

Dance

Paul Renzi-Callaghan

General Education

Jen Nelson Lane

Stage Management/Arts Administration

Mandy Thomas

Technical Direction/Stagecraft

Guestbook

Entries