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(for optimal viewing, click on photos for larger images) Jersey Boys On October 25, 2007, members and guest of the Sarah Siddons Society attended the LaSalle Bank Theatre for a performance of the Tony Award winning musical, Jersey Boys. This smash hit tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, with their rise to fame from the streets of New Jersey to the top of the pop charts and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Music is by Bob Gaudio (an original member of The Four Seasons and principal songwriter for the group) with lyrics by Bob Crewe. Book is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The show is directed by Des McAnuff. In starring roles this evening were Jarrod Spector(Frankie Valli), Drew Gehling(Bob Gaudio), Jeremy Kushnier(Tommy DeVito), and Michael Ingersoll(Nick Massi). Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at The University Club. Donna Atwater and Greta Wiley chaired the event.
Members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society at the Jersey Boys event Annual Meeting On September 26, 2007, the Sarah Siddons Society held its annual meeting and luncheon at The Casino in Chicago. Highlights of the business meeting included an announcement that money had been distributed to fund scholarships at The Theatre School at DePaul University, Northwestern University School of Communication, and Columbia College. The slate of officers for 2007-08 was presented and included Donna Beaumont Atwater and Mary Lou Bilder-Gold as Co-Chairmen of the Board of Governors, Betty Stuart Rodgers Jeffreys and Lori Lennon as Co-Presidents, Greta Wiley Flory as Executive Vice President-Special Events, Beverly Blettner as Vice President, and Kathryn Moffat as Treasurer. The program featured musical performances by:
The Annual Meeting was chaired by Donna Atwater and Susan Downing.
Donna Beaumont Atwater Co-Chairman Board of Governors Sarah Siddons Society
Membership Reception On September 10, 2007, a reception was held at BOKA Restaurant for Sarah Siddons members, prospective members, and guests. The evening afforded the opportunity for prospective members to join the organization that evening and waive the event fee. The well attended event brought in 75 new members to the Sarah Siddons Society! The event featured the popular guest speakers, Michael Halberstam and Chris Jones, who spoke to the group about "Highlights from the New York and London Theatre Scene." The Sarah Siddons Society thanks Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, owners of BOKA Restaurant and Bar, for hosting the evening and for their generous support of the organization.
Members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society enjoying the BOCA event. A warm welcome to our new members!
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels On August 9, 2007, members and guests of the Sarah Siddons Society attended the Auditorium Theatre for a performance of the musical comedy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The show is based on the 1988 film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning. It takes place on the French Riviera and tells the story of several scam artists, each trying to out-scam the other as they use their charm to get money from their duped victims. Music and lyrics are by David Yazbek. Book is by Jeffrey Lane. Jack O'Brien is Director. Starring in this evening's performance were Tom Hewitt (Lawrence Jameson), D.B. Bonds (Freddy Benson), Laura Marie Duncan (Christine Colgate), Hollis Resnik (Muriel Eubanks), Joe Cassidy (Andre Thibault), and Jenifer Foote (Jolene Oakes). Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at The Chicago Club.
Members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society at the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels event.
The Light in the Piazza On July 11, 2007, members and guests of the Sarah Siddons Society attended the Auditorium Theatre for a performance of the musical, The Light in the Piazza. Based on a novella by Elizabeth Spencer, the show is set in the summer of 1953 as an American mother and her grown daughter travel in Italy. Although the daughter has an impairment in adaptive functioning due to a brain injury as a child, she finds romance in Florence. Her mother is faced with the decision as whether to continue to protect her daughter or give her a chance at independence and love. Music and lyrics are by Adam Guettel. Book is by Craig Lucas. In starring roles this evening were Christine Andreas(Margaret Johnson), Katie Rose Clarke(Clara Johnson), David Burnham(Fabrizio Naccarelli), and Craig Bennett(Signor Naccarelli, Fabrizio's father). Direction was by Bartlett Sher. Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at The Chicago Club.
Members and guests of Sarah Siddons at The Light in the Piazza event
The Color Purple On June 20, 2007, members and guests of the Sarah Siddons Society attended the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a performance of the musical, The Color Purple. The show is based on the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning novel written by Alice Walker. It tells the story of the impoverished Celie, who lives in rural Georgia between 1909 and 1949, and endures oppressive emotional and physical abuse before she is empowered in her struggle by the help and influence of other women. Music and lyrics are by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Book is by Marsha Norman. Gary Griffin is Director. In starring roles this evening were LaTonya Holmes(Celie), Michelle Williams(Shug Avery), Felicia Fields(Sofia), Rufus Bonds, Jr.(Mister), Stu James(Harpo), and LaToya London(Nettie). Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Hotel Allegro.
Members and guests of Sarah Siddons at The Color Purple event
Waa-Mu "The Club"
On May 3, 2007, members and guests of the Sarah Siddons Society attended Northwestern University's Waa-Mu show, a musical revue written entirely by students. A reception, program, and dinner were held prior to the show.
The pre-performance program featured music by stars of Waa-Mu: Zach Bandler; Carly Kincannon; Matt Schatz; and 2006 Sarah Siddons Scholarship recipient, Emily Thompson. 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 Andrew Keltz is the 2007 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Winner.
Now in it's 76th year, Waa-Mu 2007 upheld its longstanding tradition as the "greatest college show in America." "The Club" told the story of a club in Chicago on its last night of business, featuring songs in many different styles and performed by some of the brightest young talent around.
The Sarah Siddons event was chaired by Mary Lou Bilder-Gold.
Andrew Keltz, 2007 Scholarship Winner,
Northwestern University
and
Dominic Missimi, Director of the Music Theatre
Program and of Waa-Mu
Northwestern University students and performers
Legends On March 1, 2007, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of Legends at the LaSalle Bank Theatre. Written by James Kirkwood and directed by John Bowab, Legends stars the ever glamorous Joan Collins and Linda Evans as two aging ex-movie divas who detest each other. Out-of-work, broke, and desperate, the bitter rivals are reduced to considering the proposal by an unscrupulous young producer that they star together in a lowly Off-Broadway show. Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at the Chicago Athletic Association.
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