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ASSASSINS |
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ASSASSINS is based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. Playwrights Horizons, Inc. - New York City produced ASSASSINS Off-Broadway in 1990 Orchestrations by Michael Starobin |
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| 2023-24 #TheTiesThatBindUs Season | |||||||||||
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Featuring |
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ANTONIO OSORIO SANTIAGO BRIAN MCHALE CHLOE ESPINOZA ELFIE MARCEWICZ ELLIE MEYER ERIC CHARLTON |
FAYE CROOK JAKE BROOKS JARED SHIH JAY PERKINS JIANNA EUGENIO
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MATTHEW YAZEL MICHAEL VAUGHN PETER DEMARZIO RAYMOND LU ROMAN STEWART SEVRYN MICHAEL
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Creative Team |
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| Scenic Design | Costume Design | Lighting, Sound & Projection Design | |||||||||
| MARTIN FLYNN | MARI CARSON | CARY BABKA | |||||||||
| Production Stage Management | |||||||||||
| AUDREY DI PAOLO & MACIE UTILE | |||||||||||
| Musical & Vocal Director | |||||||||||
| KAY HIGHT | |||||||||||
| Director | |||||||||||
| RYAN PEREZ ADAME | |||||||||||
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APRIL 19-28, 2024PerformancesFridays, April 19 & 26 and Saturdays April 20 & 27 @ 7:30 pm Sundays, April 21 & 28 @ 2:30 pm Wednesday, April 24 & Thursday, April 25 @ 1:00 pm Tickets PAY WHAT YOU CAN
SHOW INFORMATIONSetting & Time
Photography & RecordingPlease take selfies and pictures before the show - and don't forget to tag our Instagram account @seeaplayatCRC! During the show, there is no photography or recording of any kind. |
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LicensingASSASSINS Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). www.mtishows.com |
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DIRECTOR'S NOTES
In ASSASSINS, we are invited to better understand the humanity of the nine men and women in American history who have tried, sometimes successfully, to kill presidents of the United States. Not exactly the stuff of musicals you might be thinking. Yet, what better way exists to engage with the larger-than-life personalities and grievances of these nine people than our audacious, ridiculous, spectacular musical theater?
We may come to hear these nine voices with more nuance. We may walk away understanding their grievances, perhaps even finding pockets of agreement. They make some undeniably reasonable points. The most central, for me, being their deep disillusionment with the promise of America. That seems to be the one thing that most Americans agree on in 2024.
Where does that leave us? How do we move forward if we are consumed with grievance? Nursing old wounds and nurturing new anger. Grievance is a sure way to capture attention and amass followers. It speaks to us. It animates us. It focuses.
But grievance cannot build. Grievance cannot create. It only destroys. This is what our nine assassins fail to do understand: it's so easy to break things apart. It's far greater a challenge to make something. To shape a thing. To give life to an idea. To create.
That's what we're here to do for you in this production: stand before you with open hearts and invite you to write a better story than the one grievance says is possible. We can choose to lie down in resentment or we can stand up and create something better than what we've inherited.
-Ryan Perez Adame, April 2024
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We acknowledge the land currently occupied by Cosumnes River College as the traditional home of the Miwok and Nisenan people. These sovereign people have been caretakers of the area since time immemorial. The state of California is home to more than 110 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, representing the most diverse set of tribal nations anywhere in the United States. Despite centuries of genocide and occupation, the Miwok and Nisenan people continue as vibrant and resilient federally recognized tribes, bands, and rancherias. The waters of the Sacramento, American, and Cosumnes Rivers have nourished Miwok and Nisenan tribal communities with cultural and dietary sustenance throughout time. ‘Cosumnes’ of Cosumnes River derives from the Plains Miwok language. Stemming from the words "kosumu," meaning salmon and "umne," meaning the place of, it translates as "The Place of the Salmon." Today, we celebrate our Miwok and Nisenan tribal neighbors as the ancestral stewards of this land and honor their sustained existence. It is with their blessing and continued guidance that Cosumnes River College seeks to provide an accessible, equitable, and principled institution of learning.
Support Indigenous Communities
Native Governance Center: Supporting Indigenous Changemakers & Nations.
Native Land: Learn more about the Indigenous communities in your area.
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About the Show
Content & Special Effects Advisory
Please be advised that our production contains the following content:
- Strong language
- Depictions of and references to acts of violence and executions
- A reference to sexual assault and self-harm
Please be advised that our production contains the following theatrical effects:
- Theatrical weapons
- Gunshot sound effects
- Strobe light effects
- Theatrical fog
We take the use of weapons and depictions of gun violence very seriously. The safety of our students and our campus community is paramount. We have worked with our actors to teach them the appropriate and professional methods for handling theatrical weapons necessary to tell this story, to ensure their growth, and to keep our campus safe.
Please note that none of the weapons used in this production fire at any time during the performance and all weapons are either toys or have had their firing mechanisms disabled or otherwise modified to render them incapable of firing.
The Assassins
John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) assassinated President Abraham Lincoln during a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater, Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865.
Charles Guiteau (1838-1882) assassinated President James Garfield in the waiting room of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station, Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881.
Leon Czolgosz (1873-1901) assassinated President William McKinley during a public reception at the Temple of Music Pavilion at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901.
Giuseppe Zangara (1900-1933) attempted to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt as Roosevelt greeted well-wishers in Bayfront Park, Miami, Florida on February 15, 1933.
Samuel Byck (1930-1974) attempted to assassinate President Richard M. Nixon; hijacked a commercial jetliner that he intended to crash-dive into the White House, Baltimore-Washington International Airport on February 22, 1974.
Sara Jane Moore (1930- ) attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford as he left the St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, California on September 22, 1975.
Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963) assassinated President John F. Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme (1948- ) attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford as he left the Senator Hotel, Sacramento, California on September 5, 1975.
John Hinckley (1955- ) attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan as he left the Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C. on March 30, 1981.
Song List
"Opening: Everybody's Got the Right".........PROPRIETOR, ASSASSINS
"The Ballad of Booth".........BALLADEER, BOOTH
"How I Saved Roosevelt".........ZANGARA, ENSEMBLE
"Gun Song".........CZOLOGOSZ, BOOTH, GUITEAU, MOORE
"Unworthy of Your Love".........HINCKLEY, FROMME
"The Ballad of Guiteau".........BALLADEER, GUITEAU
"Another National Anthem".........ASSASSINS, BALLADEER, PROPRIETOR
"Something Just Broke".........ENSEMBLE
"Everybody's Got the Right (Finale)".........ASSASSINS
Cast
Creative Team
RYAN PEREZ ADAME
KAY HIGHT
MARTIN FLYNN
MARI CARSON
CARY BABKA
MATTHEW MILLER
MIKE RUIZ
MACIE UTILE
AUDREY DI PAOLO
AUDREYLYNN BARNETT
KADORRI BUTLER
KLAUS CURTIS
LEE RODRIGUEZ
MICHAELLA REYES
NATASHA LARSON-SWENSON
AUTUMN FRERICHS
ALEXIA CORONA
ERIC CHARLTON
FAYE CROOK
JAKE SANTOS
JARED SHIH
IAN CAMPBELL
ONAJE BAHATI
EMANUEL ESPINOZA
IRVIS OROZCO
Meet the Company
ANTONIO OSORIO SANTIAGO
Antonio is a visual and performing artist in Sacramento, California. Antonio is majoring in studio art and art history at Cosumnes River College and participates in the campus’s choral ensemble. They have been in Stage River’s debut production of DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE (ensemble) this past summer and ELECTRICIDAD (ensemble/accompanist) this past fall. Outside of this, Antonio works as a freelance artist and is known online and in local art communities by the pseudonym “anzaoso.” At home, Antonio is a parent to a rambunctious ten-year-old who loves to sing and play the piano.
BRIAN MCHALE
Brian McHale has been acting for around 8 years now and now makes his appearance in an ensemble role for the play ASSASSINS. He's been in productions ranging from OUR TOWN to SHE KILLS MONSTERS to SONNETS FOR AN OLD CENTURY. Brian's taken on multiple different roles with different personalities all as a way to add to his acting portfolio. From funny side characters to intimidating main characters, he plans on growing his acting range in pursuit of his professional growth. He hopes to transfer from CRC to Sacramento State where he will continue his acting on deeper levels and become a successful voice actor.
CHLOE ESPINOZA
Chloe has worked for this show on headshots, airbrush tattoos, and makeup. She has been in and worked on over 30 plays including GREASE (Sandy), CHICAGO (Mama Morton), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Anne Frank), and many more. She graduated from Elk Grove High in 2019 and went to UC Riverside where she was an assistant director, composer, and vocal coach in a faculty written play 2020 Vision by Bella Merlin. Message the listed instagram account to request headshots and event photography.
ELFIE MARCEWICZ
Elfie is a mortuary science major with a lifelong passion for acting. Some of her acting credits include: La Connie in ELECTRICIDAD, Chorus/Messenger in ANTIGONE here at River Stage at CRC, and Matilda in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, as well as some voice acting.
ELLIE MEYER
Ellie is thrilled to be making her River Stage debut with ASSASSINS this spring. After taking a small hiatus from theatre, Ellie, a current Los Rios student majoring in digital media, is honored to be given the chance to rekindle her passion for performing alongside such an incredibly talented cast and crew. Ellie is immensely grateful to her family and friends for their endless support that has made this journey possible.
ERIC CHARLTON
Eric is excited to appear on River Stage’s ASSASSINS. This is his first musical outside of high school and he hopes to display the growth he’s made through his education at CRC. He’s performed in River Stage’s ELECTRA and ELECTRICIDAD as well. Outside of the theater Eric spends his time playing games with his friends, reading, and eating in fast food parking lots.
FAYE CROOK
Faye is excited to perform in another show at River Stage at Cosumnes River College in ASSASSINS! She is honored to be able to tell a part of this story along with her cast mates. Faye recently performed as Chrysothemis in ELECTRA and Ifigenia in ELECTRICIDAD. She would like thank the crew of this show for making it so memorable, and for all of the hard work they’ve done.
JAKE BROOKS
ASSASSINS is one of Jake’s favorite musicals and he has been singing along with the cast albums for so many years that he’s probably on an FBI watchlist. He has previously performed in AS YOU LIKE IT and MACBETH with the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, EURYDICE AND MOTHER GOOSE: A BRITISH PANTO at City Theatre, ROBIN HOOD and CABARET at Sac State, MOBY DICK: A BRITISH PANTO with Splinter Group, and SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU at Ovation Stage. He can next be seen as Demetrius in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Resurrection Theatre.
JARED SHIH
Jared is so happy to be in the cast of ASSASSINS! Normally, you'd see him in his usual element of stage management, so he felt he needed to change stuff up. He welcomes you to watching this lovely production here at CRC. Him and the cast have worked extremely hard to making this show the best there is. Sit back and enjoy the show. Thank you!
JAY PERKINS
Meet Jay, the nonbinary force of nature from Ohio, whose journey from small-town dreams to the bright lights of Sacramento is as captivating as their performances. With a knack for blending Shakespearean elegance with modern charisma, Jay's stage presence is nothing short of electric.
Raised amidst the cornfields of Ohio, Jay's passion for the arts blossomed under the starlit skies of their hometown. From staging impromptu performances in abandoned barns to crafting elaborate costumes from thrift store finds, Jay's creative spirit knew no bounds.
But it was their fearless pursuit of authenticity that truly set Jay apart. Embracing their nonbinary identity with pride, Jay channels their experiences into every role, infusing each character with a kaleidoscope of gender fluidity and unapologetic self-expression.
Offstage, Jay is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using their platform to challenge societal norms and spark conversations about inclusion within the entertainment industry. Their infectious energy and unwavering dedication inspire audiences to embrace their own uniqueness and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
Prepare to be dazzled as Jay takes you on a journey through the realms of imagination, where gender is fluid, and the possibilities are endless. Get ready to witness the magic of Jay—a true icon in the making.
JIANNA EUGENIO
Jianna is a vocalist and music student at CRC. She previously appeared in the PBS program CELEBRATION OF MUSIC. Her acting credits at CRC River Stage include Rona Lisa Peretti in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and Clytemnestra in ELECTRA. In the community, Jianna has performed with Light Opera Theatre Sacramento in TRIAL BY JURY and THE SORCERER. Much love and thanks to her family and friends for their support! Enjoy the show!
MATTHEW YAZEL
Matthew Yazel has been acting for 10 years. Before this he was an active part of Sheldon Theatreworks for 4 years. He has previously acted on stage in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, SHREK THE MUSICAL, FREAKY FRIDAY THE MUSICAL, THE YELLOW BOAT, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, SINGING IN THE RAIN, CHICAGO, ROMEO AND JULIET, ALADDIN, and numerous other titles. He has acted on screen as well in productions including; A Little Bit of Trouble Making, The Night the Party Died, Lucid Dreams, Favorite Shade of Red, and Humans Can Lick Too. He is thrilled to be a part of Sondheim’s ASSASSINS and to work with such a wonderful cast.
MICHAEL VAUGHN
I am a second year student of CRC majoring in Theatre Arts. This is my first time performing at CRC and I could not be more honored and excited to perform in such a show. At Elk Grove High School I was in two shows CHICAGO (Ensemble) and SYMPATHY JONES: THE NEW SECRET AGENT MUSICAL (Richard Oscill).
PETER DEMARZIO
Peter is so excited for his first show with River Stage! Peter studied theatre at UC Berkeley and has performed in a variety of roles locally including Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in Rise Up's ASSASSINS and Princeton in Rise Up’s AVENUE Q. Having now joined Rise Up Theatre's board, he's proud to be a part of building up the local theatre community. He is also the founder of backofhouse.art - an anonymous reviews site for actors, theatre students, and crew members to share their experiences.
RAYMOND LU
Having multiple acting experiences back in high school, Raymond has started his acting journey since his freshman year. Throughout his high school years, he has had two acting classes, and has once performed the play as an ensemble during his senior year. He is currently taking acting class here at CRC. This is his second time performing a play for his acting journey.
ROMAN STEWART
Roman has been a student at CRC since 2013. He has been a music major vocalist and member of the CRC choirs and he is back to complete his goals, as a music performance major and to become a Broadway performer. Previously was seen in different plays in the Black Box theatre, like THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, ELECTRA, ELECTRICIDAD and now in ASSASSINS. He has been Accepted to Columbus State University in Georgia as a junior transfer still majoring as a music major and hopefully major in theatre as well.
SEVRYN MICHAEL
Sevryn is a sensitive, kind soul who did not submit a bio and left his director to write the bio for him, which showed great, if misplaced, trust. In the end, his director showed great restraint in simply stating that Sevryn's previous credit at CRC was as Trekkie Monster in AVENUE Q.
RYAN PEREZ ADAME
Ryan is a theater and visual artist who has taught and performed in schools and theaters in L.A. and Sacramento for 25 years. Acting credits include: the California premier of THE HOMBRES (Julián) at Capital Stage, DURANGO 66 with Mexico City-based company Teatro Línea de Sombra at REDCAT, DAVID LANG: CROWD OUT at Disney Concert Hall/L.A. Philharmonic, ANTIGONE (Kreon) at the Walt Disney Modular Theater, HEDDA GABLER (Brack) at Studio 407, THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS (Sparrow) at B Street Theatre, THE FANTASTICKS (El Gallo), OKLAHOMA! (Ali Hakim), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Aldolpho), THE MUSIC MAN (Harold Hill), and THE PRODUCERS (Roger DeBris). TV: THE MELS. Directorial credits include: the original work CASULATIES OF WAR (Hollywood Fringe Festival), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (River Stage), CHICAGO, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, NUNSENSE, and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. He is the co-founder of “The Pinkys”, an all-BIPOC performance collective whose work WITNESS THE YELLOW PERIL premiered at the Son of Semele and Hollywood Fringe Festivals in L.A. and was selected for the Edmonton Fringe Festival in Canada. He earned his BA from UC Davis, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts. Ryan is an Affiliate Artist at Emory University as well as an Adjunct Professor of Theatre Arts and the PRIDE Center Faculty Coordinator here at Cosumnes River College. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity, SAG/AFTRA, and LRCFT.
KAY HIGHT
Kay was the Assistant Artistic Director for the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus and has spent the last decade working with people from all walks of life and is committed to making the world a better place using the talents and skills she has accumulated throughout her career. Kay is an accomplished pianist, and has worked as a Music Director for choirs, recording artists, and live orchestras all over the West Coast. After attending the American Musical and Dramatics Academy on scholarship with a specialization in Musical Theatre Performance, she returned to her native Northern California roots to help grow the artistic community in the Sacramento region and be closer to her family. In addition to her nine seasons with SGMC as the AAD and Principal Accompanist, Kay also performs with various groups across the region and has thrice been awarded a SARTA Elly Award for her work in local theatre programs.
MARTIN FLYNN
Martin Flynn, Professor of Technical Theatre, has been teaching at CRC since 2017. Martin has designed scenery for over 150 productions, mainly in Northern California, for theatre companies such as American Conservatory Theater, Broadway at Music Circus, Capital Stage, Berkeley Playhouse, Shotgun Players, Town Hall Theatre, TheatreFIRST, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and over 40 shows for Bay Area Children's Theatre where he was the resident scenic designer. In the academic world, Martin has designed for U.C. Berkeley, U.C. Davis, Montclair State University, Chabot College, Napa Valley College and Cosumnes River College. Martin's design for PICASSO AT THE LAPINE AGILE at Town Hall Theatre won a Shellie Award for Outstanding Scenic Design. His work has been nominated 3 times for the Theatre Bay Area Awards, 5 times for the Shellie Awards, and 4 times for Elly Awards. From 2007-2010 Martin was the Scenic Design Associate at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Some of his favorite experiences were assisting Tony Award winning director John Doyle on SWEENEY TODD and THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE and designing the world premiere of Lauren Gunderson's FIREWORK, directed by the amazing Mina Morita, at TheatreFIRST in Berkeley.
MARI CARSON
Mari Carson is a costume and sound designer based in the Sacramento area. She received her BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and her MFA in Dramatic Arts from UC Davis.
CARY BABKA
Cary made his stage debut in 1st grade, playing the Wizard in THE WIZARD OF OZ behind a cardboard palace wall. He’s still interested in wizardry, but now it tends to run on A/C current or RF mic packs…. He is an Adjunct here at Cosumnes River College, where he teaches theatre and film, while designing and occasionally still busting out the top hat and handlebar moustache to act in shows around the Sacramento area.
MATTHEW MILLER
As a working actor his theatre credits extend across the country and internationally, including the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain’s production of AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE with Sir Ian McKellen. Northern California credits include roles at the Sacramento Theatre Company (over forty productions), Capital Stage Company, B Street Theatre, Davis and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festivals. As a director his credits include many productions at Sacramento Theatre Company, where he was appointed Artistic Director in 2010. He is also an award-winning playwright, fight director, dialect coach and acting teacher. His extensive film, TV and voice-over credits can be seen at his IMDB.com page. He is a proud member of American and Canadian Actors’ Equity Associations, SAG-AFTRA, the Dramatists Guild and the American Federation of Teachers.
MIKE RUIZ
MACIE UTILE
Macie Utile is excited to continue participating in theatre through stage managing this production of ASSASSINS. Growing up, Macie Utile participated in community theatre and dance. While in high school, she was involved in Sheldon High School's TheatreWorks program. Macie would like to thank her past directors, including her high school teacher, Craig Howard, for spending countless hours helping her explore the art of theatre.
AUDREY DI PAOLO
Audrey is in her third semester here at Cosumnes River College. She is excited to be stage managing for the first time after running lights for previous shows, DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE and ELECTRA, and acting in ELECTRICIDAD last semester. She is very proud of how far the cast and crew have come and can’t wait for you to see the amazing show that they’ve put together!
AUDREYLYNN BARNETT
KADORRI BUTLER
KLAUS CURTIS
LEE RODRIGUEZ
MICHAELLA REYES
NATASHA LARSON-SWENSON
AUTUMN FRERICHS
ALEXIA CORONA
ERIC CHARLTON
FAYE CROOK
JAKE SANTOS
JARED SHIH
IAN CAMPBELL
ONAJE BAHATI
EMANUEL ESPINOZA
IRVIS OROZCO
2023-24 SEASON
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
By Oscar Wilde
DIRECTED BY SCOTT GILBERT
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.”
Oscar Wilde’s classic satire of Victorian social hypocrisy has it all: double identities, politely savage insults, social climbing, and lots of tea.
Auditions: May 2024
Performances: July 12-24, 2024
#Order #TheTiesThatBindUs
