Of Mice and Men
Production Team
Director ................................................... David Fallen
Producer .................................................. John Strycharske
Stage Manager ............................................ Mary Ann Hall
Assistant Stage Manager .............................. Patricia Baker
and Ann Seitz
Technical Director ....................................... Mike Loughnane
Set Design ................................................. Bill Davis
Set Dressing ............................................... Pam McCoy
Light Design ............................................... Jeff Boatright
Lighting Advisor ....................................... Les Zidel
Sound Design .............................................. Eric Kritzler
Sound Operator ........................................ Stan Bennett
Costume Design ........................................... Melanie Spalding
Assistant Costume Design ............................. Jocelyn Trisdorfer
and Lisa Underwood
Properties ................................................. Mary Joan Loughuane
Set Construction & Light Crew ......................... Cap Peckinpaugh, Dan
Kavelak, Danny Loughnane,
.............................................................. Katie Loughnane, Pat
Baker, Craig Lewis
Fight Choreographer .................................... Brad Tresek
Scenic Detailing .......................................... Lisa Underwood
Cover Art Design ......................................... Pam McCoy
House Managers ........................................... Richard and Linda Downer
Box Office ................................................. Claudia Weintraub
Publicity and Program .................................... Rich Kiare
David Fallen (Director) - David has been Artistic Director for most of
ESP's existence. Over the years he has directed many plays. David is proud to
turn over the responsibilities of Artistic Director to David Sher; who will take
Elden Street to the next level.
John Strycharske (Producer) - This is John's third production with
ESP. Having tried acting and house management, he decided to really test
himself,... and the patience of those around him. John continues to learn the
valuable lessons that come with uttering the words "I'll try that, that
can't be that hard" around the theater. He wishes to thank Richard, Rich,
David, and Eric for all of the insight and wisdom they have shared in making his
first 5 months in theater a fun, memorable, and truly special time.
Mary Ann Hall (Stage Manager) - Mary Ann is proud to be working on her
One Millionth show with Elden Street. Ok, not really, but it sure seems like it!
She has had a hand in just about everything the Elden Street Players has done
for several years now from directing and producing to acting and everything in
between.
Stan Bennett (Sound Operator) - Stan has been in the Maryland,
northern Virginia area about 7 1/2 years. He hails from Miami, FL where he
appeared in Man of La Mancha and The Pajama Game. In 1993 he
became associated with the Montgomery Playhouse in Gaithersburg, MD, and
appeared in Comedy of Errors, Hot L Baltimore, and Ten Little
Indians there. Stan also was sound and light operator there for several
productions, and produced Bus Stop in 1996. Stan has appeared with ESP in The
Tenth Man, and most recently as "First Dead Man" in Our Town.
Producer's Notes
This show represents a very special time for me. This play is my first time
producing, and is so representative of so many issues and topics that we
overlook or take for granted, that I felt it important to talk about the people
who have made it come to life. Ordinarily you would find bio's here from the
design team, but I just felt that bio's really don't do justice to how the
production staff has poured themselves into this show. It is such an honor to
work with David Fallen... I am still amazed he's not directing somewhere for a
living. His eye for talent and his way of bringing things out from so deep in
people is very special. I thank David for the opportunity with him, and look
forward to being involved in any other production he directs. Mary Ann Hall is
just a god-send to Elden Street. How she stays involved in so many productions
at once, and doesn't mix them up or tear anyone apart is beyond me. A special
thanks to her for being patient with my questions and demands. Patricia Baker
and Ann Seitz are so organized and tireless with assisting Mary Ann with stage
management, that they go almost unnoticed. Well, trust me you two, we notice.
Bill Davis designed the set that you see before you. Mike Loughnane made it
real. When Bill first came up with his concept, we realized that we had
something pretty unique on our hands. Hats off to Bill for the vision to come up
with it, and also kudo's to Mike for making it happen. Sorry about the smashed
thumb, Mike. It'll heal. A real big thanks to Pam McCoy and her talented eye at
set dressing. Not only did she come up with some very neat ideas for detailing
the various rooms and scenes, but she helped immensely with the scenic painting
and designed the program cover! We really got lucky with getting this 'peach'
involved!
Costumes were a real adventure. On the surface you would think dressing a
bunch of ranch hands in farm clothing would be simple, but let me tell you!
Melanie Spalding and Jocelyn Trisdorfer came aboard and did a great job at
laying out how the actors should look. If you look up, you'll notice some
fixtures hanging from our monkey bars. Jeff Boatright designed the lights used
in this play, and I cannot say enough about his attention to detail,
thoroughness, and flexibility with the changes made during preproduction runs.
Jeff, thanks for your patience too! And thanks to Les Zidel for being involved
with suggestions and help with the lighting. Les was trying to take a show off,
but stayed on to offer his infinite wisdom with lighting techniques.
Eric Kritzler is responsible for what you hear during the show. I have a lot
of appreciation for Eric. Not only for his work on this show and great sound
schemes, but it was Eric that got me involved in theater in the first place.
Eric, special thanks for changing my life, and for opening me up to new
experiences. Stan Bennett is running the sounds for Eric, and has shown great
patience in the entire process. Stan, I owe you a steak dinner! I worked with
Stan in Our Town earlier this year; and he makes every theater experience a lot
of fun. Mary Joan Loughnane is our properties person, and is another person who
just amazes me. She's the only person I know of that can get props while laid up
in bed not feeling well! How she does it, I simply don't know, but I don't need
to know as long as she keeps working her magic.
Virtually nothing would get done at all without a lot of physical effort, and
a huge thanks to Cap Peckinpaugh and 'Dan' for their help with lights and set
construction. Also a real big thanks to Richard Downer and Rich Kiare. They made
themselves available to me for input and guidance with everything, and what a
great feeling to know that you have people like them to lean on when you run
into things, which you invariably do.
And lastly, but certainly not least, thanks so much Lisa. Lisa
Underwood came upon our show very recently, but made major impacts on what you
see before you. From set painting, to helping with set dressing, to gathering
props, to assisting with costumes, to putting up with me during the productions
critical stages. Lisa.... simply, thanks.
Thanks also to Dick Slease of Daniels Photography. He comes in,
casually; quietly, sets up his camera, and captures great head shots seemingly
all the while having matter-of-factly conversations with anyone around. Thanks
Dick. Thanks to The Great Harvest Bread Company for awesome cookies, and to The
Tortilla Factory for the fantastic food after opening night. Turn your ticket
over and take them. up on their offer-to.. feed you great food at a great price.
And thanks to Claudia Weintraub for fielding the tough demands and requests for
tickets.
I sincerely appreciate everyone's efforts and attention to the small things,
and really wanted to point out that without any one of the people listed above,
you would not be seeing the show at it's best. I hope you find the play as
enjoyable as it was to work on. Thank you.
John Strycharske
Producer
