Urinetown

On December 16, 2003, Sarah Siddons members and guests attended a production of the musical comedy, Urinetown, at the Shubert Theatre. Created by composer/co-lyricist Mark Holloman and librettist/co-lyricist Greg Kotis, the wacky spoof on Broadway traditions is done with a Tony award winning score and an outlandish story of characters in the midst of a water shortage, with ensuing social unrest. The energetic cast includes Tom Hewitt(Lockstock), Ron Holgate(Caldwell Cladwell), and Christiane Noll(Hope). John Rando is the director.

Prior to the show, a reception and dinner were held at Chicago Athletic Association.

Our Town

Writers' Theatre

Sarah Siddons Society congratulates Writers' Theatre on its beautiful new theatre.
 

Michael Halberstam, Artistic Director and co-founder, Writers' Theatre and Mark Becker, Director of Development, Writers' Theatre   On October 28, 2003, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of Our Town at Writers' Theatre.  Thornton Wilder's classic Pulitzer Prize-winning play is the first production in Writers' Theatre's  stunning new venue at Tudor Court in Glencoe. In this production, the town of Grover's Corners, N.H., is brought to life by a cast of gifted actors, with  Ora Jones in the pivotal role of Stage Manager. The play is directed by William Brown. Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Apple A Day Cafe.  Guests included Michael Halberstam, Artistic Director and co-founder of Writers' Theatre, and Mark Becker, Director of Development.  Halberstam spoke to the Sarah Siddons group before the show.

Members and guests of  Sarah Siddons Society enjoy the Our Town event.

The Lion King

On Sunday, August 10, 2003, members of Sarah Siddons Society and their guests attended  the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a matinee performance of the hit musical, The Lion King, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice.  The brilliant Julie Taymor is the director, costume designer, and mask and puppet co-designer of this visually spectacular show.  Stars include Rufus Bonds, Jr.(Mufasa), Thandazile A. Soni(Rafiki), Derek Hasenstab(Zazu), Brandon Victor Dixon(Simba), Saskia Garel(Nala), and Chicago's own Larry Yando as the menacing Scar.

Prior to the show, a luncheon buffet was held at Hotel Allegro.

Sarah Siddons members and guests at The Lion King event

Bounce
Goodman Theatre

On Tuesday, July 29, 2003, Sarah Siddons members and guests attended the new musical, Bounce, in its world premier engagement at the Goodman Theatre. Music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, the book is by John Weidman, and the show is directed by Harold Prince. Bounce tells of the adventures and conflicts of the Mizner brothers in their pursuit of success and wealth in early 20th century America. Stars include Richard Kind (Addison Mizner), Howard McGillin(Wilson Mizner), and Michele Pawk(Nellie). Jenny Powers, a 2001 Sarah Siddons Scholarship winner, is a member of the ensemble and sings a solo promoting the Mizners' Boca Raton resort.

Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Peterino's Restaurant.

Sarah Siddons members and guests at dinner before Bounce

Waa-Mu
Northwestern University

On May 8th, 2003, the Sarah Siddons Society attended the annual Waa-Mu show at Northwestern University.  A reception, program and dinner were held prior to the show.

The pre-performance program featured music by stars of Waa -Mu:  Beau Davidson, tenor;  Jessica Scholl, alto; and Michael Mahler, tenor/composer.  Accompanist was Doug Peck, Music Director of Waa-Mu.  Also featured was Dominic Missimi, Director of the Music Theatre Program and of Waa-Mu.  He gave an update on the accomplishments of our past scholarship recipients and announced that Michael Mahler is the 2003 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner.

Now in its 72nd year, Waa-Mu continued its illustrious history with the 2003 production of This Just In..., an original show about the news, created and performed by gifted and multi-talented Northwestern students.  Co-Chairs for Waa-Mu 2003 were: Christine Mild, 2002 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner; Amber Makalous, 2000 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner and 2001 Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship Winner ; and Joe Schenck, 2002 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner.

The Sarah Siddons evening event was hosted by Mary Lou Bilder-Gold, President of Sarah Siddons Society, and Norb Gold.

Michael Mahler 2003 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner
Such incredible talent! Congratulations to all of you. Front:  Amber Makalous,  Jessica Scholl Back:   Dominic Missimi,  Beau Davidson,  Doug Peck,  Michael Mahler

The Winter's Tale
Chicago Shakespeare Theater

On March 28th, 2003, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a preview performance of The Winter's Tale at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Considered one of Shakespeare's richest poetic plays, the tragicomedy is directed by Michael Bogdanov and stars John Reeger(Leontes), Chicago's Leading Lady awardee Barbara Robertson(Hermione), and Kevin Gudahl(Polixenes).

Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Riva Restaurant. The evening was chaired by Carol Hays.

Two hundred years ago, in 1802, audiences went to the Drury Lane Theatre in London to see The Winter's Tale , starring Sarah Siddons as Hermione and her brother, John Philip Kemble, as Leontes. (Actually, Sarah Siddons narrowly escaped being burned alive when her drapery caught fire during a performance of The Winter's Tale)

The Exonerated
Shubert Theatre

On February 11, 2003, members of Sarah Siddons Society and their guests attended a performance of The Exonerated at the Shubert Theater. This riveting new play, by playwrights Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, looks at the lives of six innocent people who spent time on death row for crimes they did not commit. The play was created from actual interviews with ex-prisoners as well as from court documents and transcripts. One of these "exonerated" individuals is Gary Gauger who lives in the Chicago area and is portrayed in the show by Brian Dennehy, former Sarah Siddons Award Winner.
Marlo Thomas also stars, as a woman named Sunny Jacobs who spent 16 years on death row. Bob Balaban directs.

Prior to the show, a reception and dinner were held at the Italian Village.