Crowns

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Crowns was originally produced by McCarter Theatre Center,
Princeton, New Jersey, and by
Second Stage Theatre, New York City.

Crowns was originally commissioned by the McCarter Theatre Center and was developed with the assistance of the Sundance Theatre Institute.

Special thanks to Hymnary.org for the music and lyrics to “Take My Life and Let It Be.”

NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.

Thank you to our restaurant sponsor! Visit Elia, a short walk from the Lesher Center, eliarestaurants.com.

Matt's Memo

Welcome to Center REP’s 2023-24 season! We’re honored to launch this season, so sensitively curated by our Interim Artistic Director and now Artistic Producer Markus Potter, with the musical Revival of CROWNS.  

The term “Revival” applies to not only the act of bringing this musical back to life, but also to the spiritual ritual that renews one’s faith and connection to a shared humanity. This beautiful story follows a grieving young woman, Yolanda, to the American South in the 1990s, where she meets a group of African American women. While picking up some fabulous fashion tips, Yolanda finds her future through uncovering her cultural heritage. What we discover through her journey is a way back to oneself through the power of community and fellowship. As we continue to find our way forward in this “NEW-new normal” of a post pandemic world, this musical is simply a balm for our collective soul.

I’m so fortunate to have my Sisters from San Diego join me on this maiden voyage at Center REP. I’m incredibly grateful for the fierceness, tenacity, and immense talent Delicia and Miss Leigh have brought to our community. Likewise, we are so lucky to have such a talented team at Center REP and the Lesher Center. I’m just thrilled to have found my way to this fantastic theatrical family.

With three powerful and entertaining plays, another musical revival, and a cherished holiday tradition still to come, the future of live theatre at Center REP is looking bright! I hope you can join us all season long. Thanks for being with us.

Yours,

Matt M. Morrow
Artistic Director

Song List

1. Rap
2. In the Morning
3. Aint That Good News
4. In the Morning Reprise
   Percussion Cue Sheet #2-#5
5. Saints
6. Marching to Zion
   Marching to Zion Vocal Chart
   Zion Underscore
7. Oh Lord I'm Waitin on You
8. Battlefield
9. That''s All Right
10. One of Them
11. Brooklyn Dance - Recorded
12. Battlefield Reprise 1 Chorus
13. Take My Life and Let It Be
    Organ Comments on Mabel's "Run & Tell That" Sermon
14. Sparrow
15. None but the Righteous
    Aint That Good News Underscore
    He Just Looked - U.S.
    Too Stubborn to Change - U.S.
16. When I've Done the Best I Can I Want My Crown
    Just A Closer Walk
17. I'm Gonna Roll On
18. Mary Don't You Weep
19. Baptism
    Wade
    Aint Gonna Let Nobody
    Ole Ship of Zion
    Take Me to the Water
    Wade
    Yonder Come Day
20. I've Got Joy Like a Fountain
21. This Joy
22. Amen
23. I Gotta Crown

Cast

Creative Team

Band

Andrew Barnes Jamieson
Piano/Conductor

Ken Bergmann
Percussion

Meet the Company

Antonia Reed

Yolanda

Antonia Reed (Yolanda) is ecstatic to be in her first big role at Center Rep. The most recent show she has been on was Madwoman of Chaillot as The Baron. Some of her favorite shows she has performed in were Legally Blonde as Pilar, Freaky Friday as Hannah, and Addams Family as Ensemble and Understudy for Pugsley. She would like to thank the director and crew for bringing her on. She would also like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and being there. She hopes that everyone has a great time and enjoys the show.

Darryl V. Jones*

The Man

Darryl V. Jones (The Man) recently appeared as The Tin Man in A.C.T.’s production of The Wizard of Oz. In 2022 Jones co-wrote, directed and performed in Halie! The Mahalia Jackson Musical for Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. He also was featured in Word for Word’s Rime of The Ancient Mariner as The Sun. Jones was TBA Award nominated for best supporting actor in Theatre Rhino's first production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and was Alemu in their production of The Call by Tina Barfield. Other performance credits include, Blues In The Night, Old Globe; Candide, Arena Stage and A Christmas Carol and Joseph and …Dreamcoat Ford’s Theatre. Off-Broadway Jones directed the AUDELCO Best Play award winning production of We Are Your Sisters. With special permission from Arthur Miller, Jones directed a Dominican-American version of A View From the Bridge earning him The Washington Theatre Lobby Award for Outstanding Direction. Other directing credits include, The Great Kahn, SF Playhouse; The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith here at Center Rep. which earned several BAACC Award nominations.; Kill Move Paradise, Shotgun Players and the TBA award winning production of The Royale, Aurora Theatre. Jones was faculty in A.C.T.’s MFA Acting Program and is Professor Emeritus at CSUEB. As Directing Associate at Arena Stage, he choreographed Candide and Dance of Death. Jones was also Head of the B.F.A. Directing Concentration at the University of Michigan and Foundation Advisor for their BFA Acting Program. He holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance, Catholic University and an MFA in Directing, Boston University. WEBSITE: darrylvjones.com He/Him/His

Janelle LaSalle*

Jeanette

Janelle LaSalle is delighted to be making her debut at Center REP in Crowns (Jeanette). Film/TV credits include Twenty Something (Nicole) with Pixar Animation Studios and feature roles in commercials for Cache Creek and Raley's. Stage credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus) with Ray of Light Theatre (TBA and SFBATCC Best Actress Nominee), Beauty and the Beast (Belle) with Berkeley Playhouse, Chicago (Velma Kelly) with Palo Alto Players, Dreamgirls (Deena Jones) with Broadway by the Bay, Avenue Q (Gary Coleman) with New Conservatory Theatre Center, and Memphis (Felicia) with The Tabard Theatre (TBA Best Actress Nominee). As a professional recording artist, Janelle continues to perform throughout the bay area at various festivals, events and shows. This performance is dedicated to her favorite co-star, her daughter, Camilla; and Cartlon Charles - “I hope I always make you proud, daddy.” www.janellelasalle.com

Constance Jewell Lopez*

Velma

Constance Jewell Lopez is honored to be back performing for Center Repertory Company. She previously portrayed Aretha Franklin in Beehive and BJ in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Born in Memphis, TN and raised in Contra Costa County, she began her career as a vocalist, then toured years as a backup singer for Huey Lewis and the News. Constance is thankful for all opportunities blessed upon her. She now resides in Los Angeles with her loving husband, Jaime, and their two kitties, Eartha Kitty and CataLena Horne. Theatre: Effie White/ Dreamgirls (DOMA), Sofia/ The Color Purple (Celebration Theatre), Frankie/ Carmen Jones (Ensemble Theatre Company), Strawberry Woman/ Porgy and Bess (Ensemble Theatre Company), Patience/ An Enemy Of The People (Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum), Deloris Van Cartier/ Sister Act (Musical Theatre West), Sister Rosetta Tharpe/ Marie And Rosetta (Vermont Stage), Mrs. Phelps/ Matilda, The Musical (La Mirada Theatre), Millie/ Trouble in Mind (Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum), Lulu Buffington/ Violet (Actors Co-op), Gypsy, The Acid Queen/ The Who's Tommy (East West Players). Television: Adam Ruins Everything, Famous In Love, NBC'sThe Office. Constance is represented by Shushu Entertainment. AEA / SAG-AFTRA.

Phaedra Tillery-Boughton*

Mabel

Phaedra Tillery Boughton is a Bay Area based actor, director, playwright, casting associate and arts advocate. Her past theater productions include Aint Misbehavin’ as Armelia McQueen, 1940s Radio Hour as Geneva, Newsies, The Color Purple, To Kill a Mockingbird (Hillbarn). Caroline or Change, Little Shop of Horrors (Ray Of Light Theatre), Newsies (Woodminster), Tarzan (PAP), Avenue Q (NCTC). She consistently challenges the concept of traditional theatre and finds new ways to push the boundaries of creativity and inclusion in the theatre community.

Juanita Harris

Mother Shaw

Juanita Harris is happy to make her debut at Center Rep! She is a Bay Area local Vocal Coach, Director, Vocal and Music Director, Musician, Vocalist, and Actor. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and excels vocally in myriad musical genres. She has performed in “Hairspray” (Maybelle), “Ragtime” (Sarah’s Friend), “Violet” (Lula Buffington), “Crowns”(Mother Shaw), “Chicago” (Mama Morton), “The Wiz” (Evilene), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Audrey Two [U/s]) and various straight plays. She was voted “Best Jazz Singer” By KDFC’s “Best in the Bay” for 4 years running from 2018 to 2022, nominated twice for Theater Bay Area Awards in 2017 and 2018 and traveled internationally to Austria and Germany to perform for UNICEF for the gala concert fundraisers.

Yaadi Erica Richardson

Wanda (September 6 - 24, 2023)

Erica Richardson aka Yaadi Erica is a bi-coastal artist and educator based out of Oakland, California. Yaadi Erica’s electric blend of Neo-soul, Jazz, and Reggae, uplifts and inspires at every performance. As a soloist, with her band Kah Liberation, with the legendary LGBTQ+ icons The Cockettes, or on the theater stage in plays and musicals, Yaadi Erica’s immense talent as a singer, dancer and actor is driven from an undeniable spirit of triumph and joy. Yaadi Erica started singing, acting and writing music at the age of 4 in Connecticut. She studied music and theater at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where she won various awards for her music and theater performances, including Best Performance as Caroline in “Caroline or Change,” and was invited as a guest soloist performer for the Utah Governors Gala and the 35th Annual Prestige Awards in New York City. Yaadi Erica began teaching during her college studies and has centered arts education ever since, specializing in helping singers and actors find their own unique voices as they shape and master their vocal instrument and stage ability. Yaadi Erica prioritizes cultural awareness while assisting her student in harnessing the ability to empathize with and fully embody various characters and expressions. Erica has been nominated for and has won awards and pained acknowledgments for her theatrical performances throughout the Bay Area, including: Best Supporting Actress as Motor Mouth Maybelle in “Hairspray.” Yaadi Erica is currently recording her first album Different Shades of Blue (A Blaque Woman's Journey) after returning from a tour in Ghana, Africa with Dwayne Wiggins, best known for his work with Tony! Toni! Toné!. Her first single ""Ain't Gotta Be"" is available on Band Camp. Erica is currently available to teach singing, vocal performance, musical theater performance, acting, beginning piano, beginning and intermediate violin and ukulele.

Anise Ritchie*

Wanda (September 27 through October 6, 2023)

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg^

Director

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (she/her) is a founder and the former Artistic Director of MOXIE Theatre, which she helmed for twelve acclaimed seasons. During that time she received the Des McAnuff New Visions Award for “Risk Taking Leadership and Body of Work,” as well as “2015 Director of the Year” from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. In addition to MOXIE, Delicia has directed plays for the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego REP, La Jolla Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, Cygnet Theatre, New Village Arts, and Diversionary Theatre, among others. Delicia has directed countless workshops and staged readings of new plays for National New Play Network, Old Globe, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, San Diego REP, and Arena Stage. Delicia was twice a recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship through Second Stage Theatre in New York, and is an alumna of the New York Drama League’s Directors Program, as well as Theatre Communication Group’s New Generations Program. She has received NAACP Theatre awards and nominations for direction, a Women's International Center Living Legacy Award, “Craig Noel” Awards from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, as well as KPBS “Patte” Theatre awards. Currently, she is a Resident Artist at the Old Globe and serves on the board of La Jolla Playhouse.

Leigh Scarritt

Music Director

Miss Leigh Scarritt is a veteran of film, television and stage and has performed all over North America. When not on stage Leigh is a mentor and coach to dozens of San Diego’s up and coming young talent. Many of her students have attended such prestigious universities as NYU, Yale, Boston Conservatory, UCLA, Syracuse, Pace and USC. Leigh is an award winning director, choreographer, musical director and composer. Over a hundred of her students have appeared in The Old Globes’ production of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. Her students have been finalists on The Voice, America’s Got Talent and American Idol. She currently has students on Disney and Nickelodeon. Her “Girl Band” has won awards throughout Southern California and is a much sought after performance group. Some of her favorite roles include Velma Von Tussle in HAIRSPRAY, Grandma Who in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, Nana Lu in BLUE BONNET COURT, Billie Dawn in BORN YESTERDAY, Eva Peron in EVITA, Marjorie in the ALLERGIST’S WIFE, Queen Aggrevaine in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Delores in WORKING, Woman 1 in I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, The Agent in NINE, Frenchie in GREASE, Ms. Pennywise in URINETOWN, Morgan Le Fae in CAMELOT, Sally in CABARET, Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and Mrs. Peachum in THREE PENNY OPERA. Miss Leigh considers her most important role as that of mother to her daughter, Tiffany Jane, a gifted musical artist who is proud to announce the release of her new CD. Leigh Scarritt is San Diego’s Premier Voice and Acting Coach. www.leighscarritt.com

Kendra Kimbrough Barnes

Choreographer

Kendra (she/her) is a Contemporary & African Diasporic choreographer, instructor, freelance arts administrator, director and producer originally from Oakland, CA. She is founder of K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS, the presenting organization for KSP Studios, the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE), & co-presenter of the Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now. She currently teaches dance at UC Berkeley and is an Adjunct Professor at St. Mary’s College of CA’s LEAP Program. Her theater credits as choreographer include Cal Shakes’ WINTER'S TALE, BLACK ODYSSEY, and LEAR, the African-American Shakespeare Company’s FOR COLORED GIRLS and BLACK EAGLES, Crowded Fire Theater’s INK BABY and KARA as well as TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s GEM OF THE OCEAN. She recently was a teaching artist for The Guthrie Theater’s Guthrie Experience summer program for MFA students in Minneapolis, MN. IG: @kreateinlove / www.kstarproductions.org

Nina Ball+

Scenic Designer

Nina Ball (she/ her) is an award winning scenic designer whose work has been seen at American Conservatory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, California Shakespeare Theater, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, Center Repertory Theatre, UC Berkeley TDPS, TheatreFIRST, The Cutting Ball Theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Mime Troupe, and Z Space, among many others. She has been a company member at Shotgun Players in Berkeley since 2009 as well as TheatreFIRST (also in Berkeley) since 2018. Recent awards include a Theatre Bay Area award for The Nether at San Francisco Playhouse; San Francisco Bay Area Critic Circle awards for her designs of My Fair Lady at San Francisco Playhouse and Metamorphosis at the Aurora; a Shellie award for Mirandolina at Center REP; a Broadway World San Francisco Award for Care of Trees at Shotgun Players and an Arty Award for her design of Eurydice at Solano College Theatre. In addition to theatre, Ms. Ball is also a production designer and has worked on numerous film, TV and commercial productions locally and in LA. Ms. Ball holds a bachelor degree in biology with an emphasis in marine ecology from UC Santa Cruz and studied visual art and photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She received her masters degree in scenic design with a costume design secondary from San Francisco State University. She recently joined the faculty of Stanford University as the full time scenic design lecturer as well as a lecturer at UC Berkeley where she teaches Design for Performance in the Theatre Dance and Performance Studies department. Ms. Ball is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.

Ben Rawson+

Lighting Designer

Ben Rawson is an Atlanta-based Lighting Designer for Theatre, Opera, and Dance, member USA 829. Theatrical/Opera design work can be seen at The Alliance Theatre (GA), Detroit Opera (MI), Florida Studio Theatre (FL), Glimmerglass Opera (NY), Utah Opera (UT), Atlanta Opera (GA), Theatrical Outfit (GA), Center Rep (CA), Aurora Theatre (GA), Actors Express (GA), and others. Dance design work includes choreographers Ana Maria Lucaciu, Troy Schumacher, Claudia Schreier, Remi Wörtmeyer, Bruce Wells, Danielle Agami, and Omar Roman De Jesus, as well as with Atlanta Ballet (GA), BalletCollective (NY), Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (GA), Riverside Dance Festival (FL), Fly On A Wall (GA), and others. Ben has also worked across the country as an Associate & Assistant Lighting Designer for San Diego Opera (CA), The Alliance Theatre (GA), Berkshire Theatre Festival (MA), Atlanta Opera (GA), Utah Opera (UT), Glimmerglass Festival (NY), Playmakers Repertory Company (NC), and Atlanta Ballet (GA). benrawsondesign.com

Ulises Alcala+

Costume Designer

​Ulises Alcala currently calls Ashland, Oregon his home base, since he took up the position of Production Manager overseeing Costumes, Wardrobe and Hair in 2022, soon after designing costumes for Revenge Song, A Vampire Cowboys Creation by Qui Nguyen. From 2005 to 2015 he designed for the San Francisco Opera Center’s Merola Program, including The Marriage of Figaro, L’Elisir D’Amour, Don Giovanni and Don Pasquale. Past projects include The Winter's Tale at Santa Cruz Shakespeare, The Good Person of Szechuan, The Winter's Tale and Quixote Nuevo at California Shakespeare Theatre, The Merry Wives of Windsor at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and The Cake at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Recent projects include Dido and Aeneus at Opera San Jose and This Much I Know at Aurora Theatre Company. Prior to moving to Ashland, he taught Costume Design and Construction at California State University, East Bay in Hayward. Before his work in academia, Alcala was a draper at the San Francisco Opera for seven seasons, producing costumes for internationally recognized artists including designers Bob Mackie, Thierry Bosquet and Bob Ringwood, as well as singers Renee Fleming, Jane Eaglan and Anna Netrebko. Mr. Alcala received the Bay Area Critic's Circle award for his costume designs of The Winter's Tale at The California Shakespeare Festival. In the spring of 2006 his designs for CSUEB’s production of Tongues were featured at the Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival, DC. Additional credits include tailoring consultant for Megamind and CFX Initiative for PDI/Dreamworks. During his time at CSUEB he has also directed Scapin, the Cheat for Aces Wild, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Yerma for CSUEB’s Highland Summer. He is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.

Lyle Barrere

Sound Designer

Lyle is thrilled to be returning to Center REP! He began his theatre career when he was 11 and has now worked over 600 shows as a producer, director, sound or lighting designer for many professional companies in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. His Sound Designs have been nominated for Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award and Shellie Awards and been awarded TBA Awards. Lyle is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.A. in Physics. When not in the theatre, Lyle enjoys working with his nonprofit trust, hiking, camping and scuba diving. He is the owner of Desired Effect, a full service theatrical production company in the Bay Area. www.DesiredEffect.com

Kelly James Tighe+

Technical Supervisor

Off-Broadway and national tour credits include "Martin Luther on Trial," "Shadowlands," "The Most Reluctant Convert," "The Great Divorce," "The Fantasticks," "Almost Heaven," "Movin’ Out," "Shear Madness" and "Cats." Other credits: Disney theatrical, Paper Mill Playhouse, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center REPertory Company, SlowBurn Theater, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company and Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting and his work as an illustrator has been published in "Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream." Awards and recognitions include the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, DramaLogue and the Shellie Awards. kjtdesign.com

Alyssa Tryon

Prop Designer

Alyssa Tryon (she/her) has been the Resident Properties Designer for Center REPertory Company since 2019. Originally from New Jersey, she worked in NYC for six years prior to moving to the Bay Area. Her work has been featured in NYC, Santa Fe, Sacramento, and all over the Bay Area. She has a BA in Theatre Performance & Theatrical Design from Marymount Manhattan College. She would like to thank her family, friends, and fellow creatives for all their support! www.alyssatryon.com

Paige Mayes

Assistant Choreographer

Phaedra Tillery-Boughton

Equity Dance Captain

Jacqueline Dennis

Wig Designer

Edie Olson

Wig Dresser

Emily Haynes

Wig Dresser

^ Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
+ Member of United Scenic Artists – Local USA 829
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

SCENIC CONSTRUCTION by Rooster Productions

Rooster Productions is a small, employee-owned scene shop located in Richmond, California. Rooster provides each of its clients with hands-on experience, dedicated service, creative & effective technical solutions to ensure complete realization of design, production and staffing needs. Rooster's team consists of experienced, multi-disciplinary project managers, scenic carpenters, welders, sculptors, scenic artists and theatre technicians. Rooster's approach to scenic construction provides innovative solutions that are budget-sensitive, spectacular, and can be delivered as envisioned. Over the years, Rooster's theatrical client roster has rapidly grown to include many companies ranging such as Des Moines Metro Opera, Center REPertory Company, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Festival Opera, Livermore Valley, and the hit productions of Opera San Jose’s Cinderella, that was just revived in 2022.

CITY OF WALNUT CREEK
Cindy Silva Mayor
Cindy Darling, Matt Francois, Loella Haskew, Kevin Wilk City Council Members
Sarah Baltazar, Jill Dresser, Jane Emanuel, Iasmine Klauber, Ann Merideth, Skye Loumeau Arts Commission
Dan Buckshi City Manager
Kevin Safine Arts + Rec Director
Thank you to our restaurant sponsor! Visit Elia, a short walk from the Lesher Center, eliarestaurants.com.

Original Production Details

About McCarter Theatre Center

McCarter’s mission is to create stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations and engage communities via performing arts. We work together with audiences, artists, avid thinkers and active learners to:

• Explore new stories and perspectives with relentless curiosity
• Champion a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible future
• Open hearts and minds to the truths in ourselves, our communities and society
• Share ideas and innovations that expand opportunities to engage with the performing arts

Our work is led by our values of justice and joy, beauty and belonging.

About Second Stage Theater

At Second Stage, we create and champion plays and musicals solely from living American writers. On our mainstage Broadway theater, the Hayes, and in our two Off Broadway theaters over the past 42 years, we have developed and presented over 200 daring and provocative theatrical experiences by working with countless artists who have contributed their talents to our award-winning productions. As the only Broadway company exclusively devoted to living American writers Second Stage is dedicated to introducing the world to bold and diverse voices of American creativity.