Grand Hotel
On September 29, 2005, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of Grand Hotel-The Musical at Drury Lane Theatre, Water Tower Place. The show is based on a Vicki Baum's novel, Menschen Im Hotel (People in a Hotel) which was published in 1929, adapted for the German stage in 1930, and was then made into movie and musical versions. Through the revolving door at the Grand Hotel in Berlin, in 1928, people come and go, with their despair, their fears, their hopes, dreams - and their debt. Starring in the show as the ballerina, Elizaveta Grushinskaya, was Barbara Robertson, a winner of the Sarah Siddons Chicago's Leading Lady Award. The cast also included James Rank(the Baron), Jeff Kuhl(Otto Kringelein), Dina Dicostanzo(Frieda Flamm), David Girolmo(Hermann Preysing), James Harms(Colonel Doctor Otternschlag), and Catherine Lord(Raffaela Ottiano). Michael Weber directed.
Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Water Tower. Highlighting the evening was a visit by the very talented and lovely Barbara Robertson, who delighted the group with a talk about her life as an actor.
Barbara Robertson Star of Grand Hotel Sarah Siddons Chicago's Leading Lady
Annual Meeting
Michael Halberstam Founder & Artistic Director, Writers' Theatre
On September 14, 2005, the Sarah Siddons Society held its annual meeting and luncheon at The Casino in Chicago. Highlights of the business meeting included an update on our scholarship recipients and talks by Phillip Brannon, Teissia Treynet, and Mira Vasiljevic, 2005-06 Sarah Siddons Society Scholarship Recipients from The Theatre School at DePaul University; Antonette Balestreri, 2005 Scholarship Recipient, Northwestern University School of Communication; and Rachel Kuhn, 2004 Scholarship Recipient, Columbia College. 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 on theatre by Michael Halberstam, Founder & Artistic Director, Writers' Theatre. Halberstam delighted us with his one-man show as he lent his magnificent voice and wit to the words of playwrights, actors, critics, fans, and the remarkable Halberstam himself.
Michael Halberstam
The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Lawrence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet
On July 14, 2005, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical, The People Vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo & Juliet, in its return to the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The musical is a hilarious and wacky spoof of Shakespeare's tragic tale of the ill-fated lovers. The director was Ron West, who also wrote the book and co-wrote the songs with Phil Swann. The cast included Christina Anthony (Juliet), Rod Thomas (Romeo), Bruce Green (Friar Laurence), and Rick Hall (Prince Escalus, Paris). Pianist and Conductor was Lisa McQueen. Prior to the performance there was a reception and dinner at Riva Restaurant at Navy Pier. The event was chaired by Donna Atwater and Eleanor Montesano-Pappas.
An evening of fun at Chicago Shakespeare Theater! Wicked On June 2, 2005, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of the hit musical, Wicked, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maquire and tells the untold tale of the witches of Oz. Playing to a full house and receiving a standing ovation, the cast included Stephanie J. Block as Elphaba , Kendra Kassebaum as Glinda, and David Garrison as The Wizard. The show is directed by Joe Mantello. Prior to the performance there was a reception and dinner at Trattoria #10 Restaurant. The Wicked event was co-chaired by Donna Atwater and Ellie Pappas.
Sarah Siddons Society members and guests enjoying the Wicked event Waa-Mu "Waiting in the Wings" On May 5, 2005, members and guests of 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: Greta Lee; Charlie Siebert; and 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship recipients Alan Schmuckler and Jarrod Zimmerman. 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 Antonette Balestreri and Liz Kimball are the 2005 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winners. Now in its 74th year, Waa-Mu added to its esteemed history of fabulous shows with the 2005 production of "Waiting in the Wings," an all original show about life in the theatre, created and performed by multi-talented Northwestern students. Co-Chairs for Waa-Mu 2005 were: Claire Wilmoth, 2003 Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarship Winner; Alan Schmuckler, 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner; and Jarrod Zimmerman, 2004 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner. The Sarah Siddons event was hosted by Mary Lou Bilder-Gold.
Dominic Missimi with 2005 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winners: Liz Kimball and Antonette Balestreri
Northwestern Talent with Sarah Siddons Scholarship Trophy
Fashion Theater...the art of costume On April 20, 2005, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a luncheon at The Casino with a presentation celebrating the art of costume design. The event began with exciting news! Merle Reskin has donated a scholarship to The Theatre School, DePaul University. This gracious benefactor presented the scholarship to the Dean of The Theatre School, John Culbert.
John Culbert, Merle Reskin, Lori Lennon On display were magnificent costumes designed by the award winning costume designers participating in the program. Virgil Charles Johnson, Professor of Design and former Chair of the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University, moderated the panel discussion with Nan Cibula-Jenkins, Nancy Missimi, and Linda Roethke. Illustrating their work with slides, the participants discussed the process in creating costumes, from the initial concept and research, to such details as finding just the right fabrics, ultimately reaching the desired harmony with the play, the space and the character. The Sarah Siddons Society congratulates these individuals, who thrill us with their visual artistry and contribute so much to Chicago area theatre and the training of costume designers of the future.
The event was chaired by Dorothy Fuller and Susan Glick. George Gershwin Alone On February 16, 2005, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended the Royal George Theatre Center for a performance of George Gershwin Alone, the celebrated one-man play about the legendary American composer. Hershey Felder creates the character of George Gershwin on stage and, as he performs Gershwin's beloved music, brings to life the talent and spirit of the composer. Felder, who bears a close resemblance to Gershwin, wrote the show after doing extensive research on the composer and his music. Prior to the show a reception and dinner were held at Trattoria Gianni Restaurant.
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