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Hughie
On November 17, 2004, members and guests
of Sarah Siddons Society attended the Goodman Theatre for the
production of Eugene O'Neil's powerful one-act play, Hughie.
The play is directed by Robert Falls and stars past
Sarah Siddons Award Winner, Brian
Dennehy, as Eric Smith, a drinker and small time gambler,
who is staying at a seedy N. Y. hotel where he starts a one-sided
conversation with the new night clerk, a replacement for the
recently deceased Hughie. The night clerk is played by Joe Grifasi.
Prior to the show a reception and dinner
were held at Petterino's Restaurant.
Highlighting the dinner were a visit and
talk by director Robert Falls, with a surprise appearance by
Brian Dennehy. After the show, Dennehy
again visited with the Sarah Siddons group, discussing the play and
answering questions .
Chicago Theatre: Today & Tomorrow
On October 27, 2004, Sarah Siddons members
and guests met at Woman's Athletic Club for a reception and panel
discussion featuring panelists: Michael Halberstam,
Artistic Director, Writers' Theatre; B.J. Jones,
Artistic Director, Northlight Theatre; and Dennis Začek,
Artistic Director, Victory Gardens Theater. The
panelists discussed their careers and the history of their theatres,
with projections for the future. Moderator for the discussion
was
Richard Christiansen,
former Chief Critic, Chicago Tribune, and author of the upcoming book,
A Theater of Our Own: A History and Memoir of 1001 Nights in
Chicago.
Sarah Siddons Society congratulates these
panelists for the outstanding talents they bring to Chicago area
theatre.
Donald Deutsch was chairman of the event.
Finishing The Picture
On September 21, 2004, members and guests of
Sarah Siddons Society attended the Goodman Theatre for the first preview
performance of Arthur Miller's new play, Finishing the Picture.
The esteemed playwright was in the audience for this world premier. The
play is inspired by the difficulties in filming the 1961 movie,
The Misfits, for which Miller wrote the screenplay. In
Finishing the Picture, the filming of a movie is stopped by the
emotional instability of its famous female star, whose fragility affects
everyone around her. The production is directed by Robert Falls.
Starring in the play are Frances Fisher, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach,
Stephen Lang, Linda Lavin, Matthew Modine, Heather Prete, and Harris
Yulin.
Prior to the performance, a reception and
dinner were held at Petterino's Restaurant.
Annual Meeting
On September 14, 2004, The Sarah Siddons
Society held its annual meeting and luncheon at the Arts Club of
Chicago. Highlights of the business meeting included an update on
our scholarship recipients and a talk by Seth Unger,
2003-04 Sarah Siddons Society Scholarship Winner from
The Theatre School at DePaul University. Officers of the Sarah Siddons
Board of Governors were announced. Betty Stuart Rodgers
Jeffreys and Lori Lennon will serve as
Co-President.
The program featured a presentation by our
own glamorous June Travis Friedlob, reminiscing about
her memorable life and exciting career in film and theatre.
2004
GALA
JULIE ANDREWS
HONORED BY SARAH SIDDONS SOCIETY
On Monday, June 7, 2004, the Sarah Siddons Society held a
black-tie Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Chicago. The Gala
honored Dame Julie Andrews as she accepted the
1995-96 Sarah Siddons Award as "Chicago's Actor
of the Year" for her outstanding performance in
Victor/Victoria.
An international superstar of stage and screen, Julie
Andrews captured the hearts of the world as she
originated such Broadway roles as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair
Lady and Guinevere in Camelot, and starred in such
movies as Mary Poppins (Academy Award for Best Actress),
and Sound of Music in the role of Maria von
Trapp. Victor/Victoria was both a stage and screen
success. Julie Andrews' awards and credits are
endless. This year, she is starring as an animated Queen in
Shrek 2 and then reprising her role as the Dowager Queen in
Princess Diaries 2.
The Sarah Siddons Society also honored actor, Kati Brazda,
with the Chicago's Leading Lady Award in recognition
of her many distinguished performances, recently in Trying at
Victory Gardens Theatre and The Misanthrope at The
Next Theatre.
Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, was Master of Ceremonies
for the evening, Music was by the Stanley Paul Orchestra.
Greeting the stunning Julie Andrews was guest and
presenter, John Mahoney, star of stage and screen and well known for
his role as Martin Crane, Frazier's cantankerous father in the TV
sitcom, Frazier. British by birth, Mahoney calls
Chicago home and is currently starring in I Never Sang For My
Father at Steppenwolf Theatre.
Bill Zwecker opened the evening program with a moment of silence in
memory of recently deceased, former President Ronald Reagan, who was
the son-in-law of Mrs. Loyal Davis, a founding member of the Sarah
Siddons Society.
Ellen Burns, President of Sarah Siddons Society, announced the
scholarship recipients:
Columbia College, Theater Department: Marissa A. McKown
(2003-04)
Theatre School, DePaul University: Jessi Campbell/Seth
Unger (2003-04)
Northwestern University School of Communication:
Michael Mahler (2003-04)
Alan Schmuckler/Jarrod Zimmerman (2004-05)
Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship: Claire Wilmoth
(2003-04), Paige Jarvie (2004-05)
Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship: Liz Kimball
(2004-05)
Kati Brazda was presented the Chicago's
Leading Lady Award by her director in Trying, Sandy
Shinner, Victory Gardens Associate Artistic Director, who spoke of
Brazda's luminous stage presence in her praise of the actor.
A musical tribute to Julie Andrews was performed by
Northwestern University students: Liz Clinard, Kat Vobril, Tara
Howard, Evan Brody, Chris Yonan, MacKenzie Thomas, Megan Santuli,
Abigayl Venman, Zach Bandler, and Adam Hart. Guest performer and
narrator was Lara Teeter, Professor of Music Theatre at Northwestern.
From a very special screen presentation, we saw highlights of
Julie Andrews' illustrious career, beginning when she was
only 12 years old and already had a sensational voice that would go on
to thrill millions. Scenes from her stage, screen and TV roles
reflected her brilliant and versatile talents , reminded us how much
we loved her in all these roles, and emphasized what we already knew -
that there was a truly great star in our midst.
To a standing ovation , Julie Andrews accepted the
Sarah Siddons Award for her outstanding performance
in Victor/Victoria from her presenter, John Mahoney, who
spoke of this "genuine living legend" and " fairest lady of them all."
Gala Chairman was Eleanor Montesano-Pappas. Co-Chairmen of
the Board of Governors of the Sarah Siddons Society are Donna Beaumont
Atwater and Mary Lou Bilder-Gold. President is Ellen Burns.
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2004-05 Scholarship Winner, Northwestern University School of Communication
 A Great Celebration!
Waa-Mu On May 6th, 2004, 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: the multi-talented 2003 scholarship recipient, Michael Mahler; Raymond Lee; Melissa Menezes; and Mackenzie Thomas. 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 Allen Schmuckler and Jarrod Zimmerman are the 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winners. Paige Jarvie is the recipient of the 2004 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship, and Liz Kimball is the recipient of the 2004 Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship. Created and performed by some of the brightest young talent around, this 73rd production of Waa-Mu looked at college life from the time of high school graduation to college graduation - with all the "pomp and circumstance" in between. Co-Chairs for Waa-Mu 2004 were: Michael Mahler, 2003 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner; Kenneth Ferrone, 2003 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner; and Jess Scholl. Writing Chairs were Jarrod Zimmerman, 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner; Claire Wilmoth, 2003 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner; and Chris Bruss. Music Chairs were Jeremy Cohen; and Alan Schmuckler, 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner and 2002 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner. The Sarah Siddons evening event was hosted by Mary Lou Bilder-Gold. The Moliere Comedies On February 17, 2004, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of the The Molière Comedies - The School for Husbands and The Imaginary Cuckold - written by one of the leading comic dramatists of all time, the 17th century playwright Jean Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière. And who better to bring these comedies to life than a master at his art, the incomparable Brian Bedford who is both director and star, playing Sganarelle in both plays. The show is produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater with the performances held at the Shubert Theatre. The cast also includes Sarah Siddons Chicago's Leading Lady, Kate Fry, who plays Isabelle in The School for Husbands and Celie's maid in The Imaginary Cuckold. Also featured are actors Bradley Mott, John Reeger, Greg Vinkler and Graham Abbey. |
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Hairspray On the bitterly cold evening of January 29, 2004, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society ventured out to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, and had their spirits lifted by the happy and fun musical comedy, Hairspray. The hit show is adapted from the 1988 John Waters' movie about Tracy Turnblad, an overweight Baltimore teenager who loves to dance, is selected for a popular dance show("The Corny Collins Show"), and, in the process, tackles the problem of integrating Baltimore in 1962. Music is by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Jack O'Brien directs. Playing the role of Tracy is Carly Jibson. Other cast members include Bruce Vilanch (Tracy's mother, Edna), Chester Gregory II (Seaweed), and Sandra Denise(Penny). Prior to the show, a reception and dinner were
held at La Strada Restaurant. |