The Cher Show: A New Musical

Strand Theatre
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 7:30pm

ACT ONE

If I Could Turn Back Time (Part 1)
Star, Ensemble

If I Could Turn Back Time (Part 2)
Star, Babe, Lady

Half Breed
Georgia, Babe

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
Babe, Star

You Better Sit Down Kid
Georgia

Half Breed (Concert Version)
Babe, Star, Lady

Da Doo Ron Ron
Babe, Lady, Star, Gracia, Fanita, Ensemble

Be My Baby
Babe, Gracia, Fanita

The Shoop Shoop Song
Babe, Bridget, Colleen, Star, Lady, Girl Group

I Like It Like That
Dave Clark Five

I Got You Babe
Babe, Sonny

Little Man
Sonny

When The Money’s Gone
Babe, Sonny, Lady, Ensemble

Vamp
Star

Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Bob Mackie, Lady, Babe, Star, Ensemble

Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Lady

Living In A House Divided
Star, Babe, Lady, Sonny

Bang Bang (Reprise)
Lady, Star, Ensemble

Believe (Ballad)
Star, Babe, Lady

Song For The Lonely
Star, Lady, Babe

INTERMISSION

ACT TWO

All I Ever Need Is You
Sonny, Lady

Heart Of Stone
Lucille Ball, Lady

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
Star

Midnight Rider/Ramblin’ Man
Gregg

Just Like Jesse James
Star, Gregg, Ensemble

Dark Lady
Sonny, Gregg, Ensemble

Baby, Don’t Go
Sonny

Strong Enough
Lady, Star

When The Money’s Gone (Part 2)
Star

The Way Of Love
Star

The Beat Goes On/It Don’t Come Easy
Babe, Mackie, Assistant, Ensemble, Star

I Found Someone (Part 1)
Star

I Found Someone (Part 2)
Star, Rob

I Found Someone (Part 3)
Star

I Got You Babe (Reprise)
Sonny, Star

You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me
Star, Lady, Babe

A Dream Is A Wish (Reprise)
Babe, Star, Georgia

Finale
Star, Babe, Lady, Ensemble

Take Me Home - Bows
Company

WARNING: The photographing or sound recording of any performance is strictly prohibited.

Star
MORGAN SCOTT

Lady
CATHERINE ARIALE

Babe
ELLA PEREZ

Sonny Bono
LORENZO PUGLIESE

Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball
LUCY WERNER

Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank
TYLER PIRRUNG

Gregg Allman/John Southall
MIKE BINDEMAN

Rob Camilletti
GARY PAUL BOWMAN

Lee/Top of the Pops Host
MASON DERRECK LEWIS

Bridget
EMMA ALTERI

Colleen
GRACE NAPOLETANO

Phil Spector/Sid the Censor/Male ET Reporter
KEVIN MICHAEL BUCKLEY

Infomercial Director/Digby the Writer
CHARLES BLAHA

Studio Singers
MOLLIE DOWNES, DREW LAKE

Girl Group
MICHELLE AROTSKY, JORDAN GOLD, DREW LAKE

Dave Clark Five
NEFTALI BENITEZ, CHARLES BLAHA, 
GARY PAUL BOWMAN, KEVIN MICHAEL BUCKLEY, TRE KANALEY

Steve the Scribe
TRE KANALEY

Bob Mackie’s Assistant
NEFTALI BENITEZ

Dark Lady
EMMA JADE BRANSON

Female ET Reporter
MICHELLE AROTSKY

Ensemble
EMMA ALTERI, MICHELLE AROTSKY, NEFTALI BENITEZ, 
CHARLES BLAHA, GARY PAUL BOWMAN, EMMA JADE BRANSON, 
KEVIN MICHAEL BUCKLEY, SAMANTHA BUTTS, MOLLIE DOWNES, 
JORDAN GOLD, TRE KANALEY, DREW LAKE, 
MASON DERRECK LEWIS, GRACE NAPOLETANO

THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION.

UNDERSTUDIES
For Star—JORDAN GOLD, LUCY WERNER; for Lady—MOLLIE DOWNES, JORDAN GOLD,
DREW LAKE; for Babe—EMMA ALTERI, GRACE NAPOLETANO; for Sonny Bono—GARY
PAUL BOWMAN, KEVIN MICHAEL BUCKLEY; for Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball—LIZ DAVIS,
JORDAN GOLD; for Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank—NATHAN HOTY, MASON 
DERRECK LEWIS; for Gregg Allman­/John Southall—GARY PAUL BOWMAN, TRE 
KANALEY; for Rob Camilletti—CHARLES BLAHA, TRE KANALEY; 
for Dark Lady—MICHELLE AROTSKY.

SWINGS
LIZ DAVIS, NATHAN HOTY

Dance Captain: MICHELLE AROTSKY
Assistant Dance Captain: NATHAN HOTY

ORCHESTRA
Conductor/Keyboard 1: EDDIE CARNEY
Assistant Conductor/Keyboard 2: ISABELLA MESENBRINK
Drums—MARC MCDUFF; Bass—LINDSAY ROSENBERG; Guitar 1—TONIE NGUYEN; 
Guitar 2—WILL MURPHY; Trumpet—NICK BRUNO; Reeds—HENRY HERNANDEZ;  
Trombone—ERIC SPENCER.

CATHERINE ARIALE (Lady) She/Her. Catherine is over the moon to be making her national tour debut with The Cher Show! Credits: The Waiting (Margot), Sunday in the Park with George (Yvonne), Memphis (Gladys). Pace MT. All my love to Mom, Dad, Austin, and Jill.

ELLA PEREZ (Babe) is beyond excited to be going on her first tour with The Cher Show! She recently earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Cortland this past May. Recent credits include Proof (Catherine), Cabaret (Emcee), and Company (Amy). Endless love to her family and friends for supporting and believing in her- she would not have the guts to be here without you. Thank you to the entire cast and creative team for making this possible, and thank you to Cher for being Cher.

MORGAN SCOTT (Star) is both thrilled and humbled to embody the icon that is CHER. Favorite credits: Doctor (Next to Normal), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Gina (REWIND); along with bandleading and audiobook narration. Her cup runneth over with gratitude for her family, friends, Nick, Uisge and BBB.
@mscott3

MIKE BINDEMAN (Gregg Allman/John Southall) National Tour Debut! Regional: The Lightning Thief (Playhouse Square), The Rocky Horror Show (Bucks County Playhouse), Grease (Argyle Theatre), Ghost (Beck Center for the Arts), Mamma Mia, Something Rotten, Kinky Boots (Forestburgh Playhouse), among others. BWMT ‘23. Rep: HCKR. IG: @mike_bindeman

TYLER PIRRUNG (Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank) is ecstatic to be making his national tour debut! Some favorite credits: Elf (Buddy - Arizona Broadway Theatre), Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio - Little Theatre on the Square), Spamalot (Historian - City Springs Theatre Co.), Cabaret (Emcee - Glow Lyric Theatre). Much love to his friends and family for their endless support and to Jim and the MTA fam! IG: @tylerpirrung

LORENZO PUGLIESE (Sonny Bono) is pumped to be on tour again! Prior credits include the first national tour of The SpongeBob Musical (SpongeBob SquarePants). As a 5’5 Italian man himself, he finds it fairly easy to pretend to be one on stage. Massive thanks to family and friends. IG: lorenzo_m_pugliese

LUCY WERNER (Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball, u/s Star) is a singer, songwriter, and performing artist dwelling in Brooklyn. After graduating from Elon University she traveled all over the US and Asia with the First National Tour of Annie as Lily St. Regis. She has since spent her time performing her self produced solo shows all over the world on various cruise lines. Listen to her original music on all streaming platforms under her name, as well as a brand new cover of ‘I Got You Babe’ with her band The Astroband! She is so grateful for her most loving and supportive family and coolest boyfriend - you are the Hunny to my Lu! I love you guys.
@theastroband @lucyannthesky

EMMA ALTERI (Ensemble, Bridget, u/s Babe) National tour debut! Regional: Bright Star (Margo), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Pickles), Saturday Night Fever (Stephanie u/s), Escape to Margaritaville. Love and gratitude to the fam & the team. BA: Wagner College. emmaalteri.com / @emmaalteri

MICHELLE AROTSKY (Ensemble, Girl Group, Female ET Reporter, u/s Dark Lady, Dance Captain) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut in The Cher Show. Select credits include: Guys and Dolls (ACT of Connecticut), Rock of Ages (ACCC), Matilda (The Engeman Theatre), Newsies (The LEX), and Elf: The Musical (Syracuse Stage). BFA Syracuse University. Endless love and gratitude to my family and friends!
IG: @michelle_arotsky

NEFTALI BENITEZ (Ensemble, Dave Clark Five, Bob Mackie’s Assistant) (he/him) is incredibly honored to be making his Broadway Nat’l tour debut!! Other credits include: We’ll Meet Again (Tour), AIDAmar (Cruise), Guys and Dolls (Regional) and Grumpy Old Men (Regional). He thanks his family and friends profusely for their continued support! | http://www.neftalibenitez.com// Insta: @neffybear

CHARLES BLAHA (Ensemble, Infomercial Director/Digby the Writer, Dave Clark Five, u/s Rob Camilleti) is proud to be making his national tour debut. Charles recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in MT. Credits include Cabaret (Hans - Virginia Theatre Festival), Pippin (ensemble), Carrie (ensemble). Sending love to my family and friends back in New York IG: @charles.blaha <3

GARY PAUL BOWMAN (Ensemble, Rob Camilletti, Dave Clark Five, u/s Gregg Allman/John Southall, u/s Sonny Bono) is elated to be a part of his 2nd national tour after wrapping up his debut in Madagascar the Musical (First National - Alex the Lion). REGIONAL: John W. Engeman Theater (Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages). The Media Theater (Aspects of Love, RENT). TV: Oxygen, Travel Channel, ID Network. Love and thanks to CPM Talent Management, my family, the fellas, and Casey. IG: @gary_bowman

EMMA JADE BRANSON (Ensemble, Dark Lady) National Tour Debut! Proud Eastern Washington native and alumnus of Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Emma toured domestically and internationally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Thank you to the entire casting team for this opportunity! All my love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and Luke for their endless support. Kisses to Rafa and Rosie! IG: @emmabranson

KEVIN MICHAEL BUCKLEY (Ensemble, Phil Spector/Sid the Censor/Male ET Reporter, Dave Clark Five, u/s Sonny Bono) is thrilled to be making his national tour debut. In addition to acting, he writes/produces his own pop music as ‘Kev!’ on all streaming platforms. Some credits include: The Cher Show (Gateway Playhouse), Guys & Dolls (Theatre Aspen), & The Wizard of Oz (Vital Theatre). Thank you to my family, friends, teachers, and agents at UIA. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and creative team.

SAMANTHA BUTTS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her national tour debut. Credits: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette), Destiny Of Desire (Assistant Choreographer - The Old Globe Theater), Women On Fire (Ensemble - Royal Family Productions) Love to her amazing parents Wendy and Erik!

LIZ DAVIS (Swing, u/s Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball) is thrilled to be joining her first national tour! Regional credits include: The Prom (WPPAC), White Christmas (NBFT) Jersey Boys (SSMT). BA, SUNY Cortland. Endless love to my friends and family! inhale confidence, exhale doubt. IG@lizzdavviss

MOLLIE DOWNES (Ensemble, Studio Singer, u/s Lady) is a singer, dancer and choreographer from Queens, NYC. Credits: Chicago Broadway National Tour (Roxie Hart), Legally Blonde International Tour (Brooke Wyndham), The Verdon Fosse Legacy® (Dancer). Mollie is CEO/Founder of The Hustle NYC. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Kate, Lucy, Katherine, 212th St, and FSE for your immeasurable support. @mollierosedownes @thehustle_nyc

JORDAN GOLD (Ensemble, Girl Group, u/s Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball, u/s Star, u/s Lady) National tour debut! Thank you to Mom and Dad, family, friends, and mentors for your unwavering support and love. Credits: Rent (Maureen Johnson), All Shook Up (Miss Sandra). All my love to my alma mater, Montclair State University (BFA Musical Theatre). Proudly represented by The Collective Talent Agency. @jordan.gold www.jordangold.me

NATHAN HOTY (Swing, u/s Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank, Assistant Dance Captain) (They/Them) is overjoyed to make their Broadway National Tour debut! Credits: Waiting in the Wings (Off-Broadway), We’ll Meet Again (Tour), worked with Jimmy Buffett (Cruise) and Train (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Thank you to their fam at Bloc, their Parents and Grandma! TikTok/Insta: @nathanhoty

TRE KANALEY (Ensemble, Dave Clark Five, Steve the Scribe, u/s Rob Camilletti, u/s Gregg Allman/John Southall) is excited to make his National Tour debut. Credits: Annie Get Your Gun (Tommy - Jackson Hole Playhouse), Elf the musical (Ensemble - Argyle Theatre), Bring it On! (Cameron - SSA). He would like to thank his Mom and Dad, All family, Thomas, Kaelin, Brett, Corinne, and Mrs. P! IG- kanaley_22

DREW LAKE (Ensemble, Studio Singer, Girl Group, u/s Lady) is super grateful to be turning back time with you! Selected credits: Bat Out of Hell (Las Vegas Residency- Dance Captain), Roxstar (@roxstarvegas), Newsies (Hannah, U/S Katherine), Tuacahn Amphitheater Broadway Season, Something Rotten! (Regional Premiere- MT West, 5 Star Theatricals). Love to my 3 M’s & Nonnie always. “Just do it!” drewhaleylake.com @idrewalake

MASON DERRECK LEWIS (Ensemble, Lee/ Top of the Pops Host, u/s Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank) is stoked to be on the road with Cher! Credits: Pippin (National Tour - Manson Trio, Pippin & Lewis u/s), Mary Poppins (City Springs Theater), singer/dancer with Norwegian Creative Studios. Endless love to Stephen and Tucker! Rep: MTA @masondlewis

GRACE NAPOLETANO (Ensemble, Colleen, u/s Babe) is over the moon to be making her National Tour debut! She is a recent graduate of the University of Northern Colorado (BFA in Musical Theatre, May 2023). Credits include: RENT (Maureen Johnson, UNCO), Head Over Heels (Mopsa, TheatreSilco), The Laramie Project (Barbara Pitts, UNCO). @gracenapoletano, gracenapoletano.com

RICK ELICE (Book) Jersey Boys, Rick’s first Broadway credit, co-authored with Marshall Brickman, won the Tony Award, the Grammy Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, and is in the record books as the twelfth longest-running show in Broadway history. With Marshall Brickman and Andrew Lippa, he wrote The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.  For the past five years, The Addams Family has been the number one or number two most licensed musical in North America. His first play, Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, received more Tony Award nominations than any American play in Broadway history, and won five 2012 Tony Awards. For the past six years, the play has consistently been in the top five most produced plays in North America. Rick also wrote the double Tony Award-winning The Cher Show for Broadway, directed by Jason Moore; the world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse of a new musical, My Very Own British Invasion, directed by Jerry Mitchell; the world premiere at The Old Globe of a new musical, Dog and Pony, with music and lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker; and the world premiere of a new musical, Turn of the Century, co-authored with Marshall Brickman, directed by Tommy Tune.  Current projects include The Princess Bride for Disney, and Smash for Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Steven Spielberg with Bob Martin; Monopoly, for Hasbro, with David Rossmer and Dan Lipton; and Mad Season, with Rob Thomas, Matt Serletic and Matt Walden of Matchbox Twenty, directed by Schele Williams. Rick is also adapting Sara Gruen’s popular novel Water for Elephants for the stage with the acclaimed theater collective, Pig Pen, directed by Jessica Stone; and writing an entirely original musical (!) based on the rivalry between Darwin and Roget, love, death, madness and the creation of Roget’s Thesaurus, with 2021 Ed Kleban Award winner, Benjamin Scheuer.  Rick’s book, Finding Roger, An Improbably Theatrical Love Story, a tribute to his late husband, Roger Rees, is published by Kingswell.

CASEY HUSHION (Direction) Broadway: Associate/Resident Director of Mean Girls, Aladdin, The Prom, In The Heights, Elf, The Drowsy Chaperone, To Be Or Not to Be and Good Vibrations. Other New York credits include Call Me Madam (Encores) and Fat Camp. Upcoming projects: National Tour of the new hit play Clue, which premiered at Cleveland Playhouse and Mystic Pizza, slated to launch a tour out of La Mirada Theatre. Also upcoming, Beautiful at Paper Mill Playhouse, where she has also directed Murder On The Orient Express, A Jolly Holiday and Beehive. Casey has directed regionally at George Street Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, Walnut Street Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company and many more. Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre for ten years. Television: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NBC Special One Night Only: The Best of Broadway. Love to Marc and her three kids, Lincoln, Violet and Jane. www.caseyhushion.com

ANTOINETTE DIPIETROPOLO (Choreography) Officially the first choreographer in the country of Saudi Arabia. Choreographer, Fame US Tour; Annie, Muny; Candide, starring George Hearn, Rita Moreno, San Francisco Opera; Big Apple Circus In NYC; As Director/Choreographer Ragtime, Lyric Stage (nominated in 14 categories for the Theatre League Awards); Ragtime, North Carolina Theatre, (Winner Best Choreographer, Triangle Theatre Award); Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Argyle Theater;  Jersey Boys WPPAC; Director, US Tour MasterChef Live; International Tour of Got Talent Live www.AntoinetteDiPietropolo.com follow me @antoinettedip

KELLY JAMES TIGHE (Set Design and Co-Video Design) Off-Broadway/national tours: Martin Luther on Trial, Shadowlands, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness, Cats... Regional: Disney Theatrical, Paper Mill Playhouse, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center REPertory Company, SlowBurn Theater, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, TUTS, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway By the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe, A Moose and a Dream. Awards/recognitions: SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, DramaLogue, and Shellie Awards. IG: kellyjtighe web: kjtdesign.com

BOB MACKIE (Original Broadway and Tour Costume Design) Costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie is a nine-time Emmy Award winner, Geoffrey Beene CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and has three Oscar nominations. Most recently he received a 2019 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for his work on The Cher Show. His Broadway credits include Moon Over Buffalo and Putting It Together, starring Carol Burnett, Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Minelli on Minelli, Lorelei with Carol Channing, and On the Town with Bernadette Peters and Phyllis Newman. Broadway on television: “Once Upon a Mattress” starring Carol Burnett, “Gypsy” starring Bette Midler, “Carousel,” “Brigadoon,” “Of Thee I Sing,” and “Kismet.” His inventive and memorable designs have helped raise entertainers like Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Cher, Elton John, Ann-Margret, Bernadette Peters, Mitzi Gaynor, Carol Burnett, Bette Midler, Pink, and Cher to iconic status both onscreen and off.

CHARLIE MORRISON (Lighting Design) NYC/National/International tours: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Miss Saigon, Disney’s Aida, The Producers, Man of La Mancha, Guys and Dolls, Groovaloo, Hello, Dolly!, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Spelling Bee, Gypsy, 42nd Street, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, The Music Man and many others. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Goodspeed Musicals, Seattle Repertory, Seattle 5th Avenue, Broadway Sacramento, Theatre Under the Stars, Dallas Summer Musicals, Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO, George Street Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory, Tulsa Opera and many others. TV: Finding Magic Mike for HBOMax. Charlie is the recipient of two Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Lighting Design.
www.cmlighting.com

DANIEL LUNDBERG (Sound Design) Daniel has designed for Roundabout Theatre Company, The Public Theater, New York Stage and Film, The REV, A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut, His Story (Dallas), and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live (Tour). Sound engineer and assistant design credits include 15 Broadway productions, 11 tours, six circuses, two theme parks, and many concerts. BFA Carnegie Mellon. It’s great to be here!

JONATHAN INFANTE (Video Design) Jonathan Infante is a multi-media designer and artist based out of Southern California. Owner of Infante Media, a boutique production company, that has developed video content for television, film, museums, concert tours, plays, and musicals around the world. He thanks his family and friends for their continued support. Most recent credits: Disney’s Tarzan the Musical (Moonlight) The Revolutionist, Legally Blonde 2022/23 US National Tour, An American in Paris / South Pacific 2022 Tour, and Dreamgirls 2020 Asia Tour. Regional Credits: Shrek (3D-T), Matilda (Tuachan), Prince Of Egypt (Tuacahn), Beauty and the Beast (MRE), Newsies (Moonlight), Big Fish (Moonlight), Mary Poppins (MRE), Damn Yankees (Sacramento Music Circus) American Idiot (LMT).

KRISTIN STOWELL (Music Supervisor) is a music director, pianist, composer, arranger, copyist, and educator based in Washington, D.C. Recent credits include music directing the world premieres of On Cedar Street (Berkshire Theatre Group) and Mystic Pizza (Ogunquit Playhouse), and the regional premiere of The Cher Show (Ogunquit Playhouse). Her original award-winning musical Endometriosis: The Musical was featured in the 2022 Minnesota Fringe Festival. Kristin currently serves on the musical theatre faculty at American University.

EDDIE CARNEY (Music Direction) Beginning his career at the age of fourteen, Eddie’s credits span the musical theatre gamut from Show Boat to Chicago to Shrek the Musical. Tours: Legally Blonde (MD ’22-’23/AMD 2019), A Chorus Line (AMD - Tokyo 2022), South Pacific (MD), An American in Paris (MD), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical (AMD). Other: Mamma Mia!, Caroline or Change, Hairspray, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Urinetown, Ragtime, La Cage aux Folles. Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Excellence in Music Direction: Sunday in the Park with George and Richard Taylor’s Whistle Down the Wind. Accompanied platinum-recording artist Josh Groban and Tony Award-winner Daisy Eagan in NYC. Outside of the pit Eddie is a Britney Spears aficionado, drops his jaw watching Real Housewives, and predicts RuPaul’s Drag Race winners with his fiancé. Dedicated to Preston, Mom, and Dad. “Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.” - Stephen Sondheim

ROXANNE DE LUNA (Wig Design) Debut design with Big League. North Carolina Theater: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots. Ogunquit Playhouse: Tootsie, The New Broadway Musical, Da Vinci Code, Singing In The Rain, Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, Mr. Hollands Opus The New Musical (World Premiere), The Nutty Professor, The Cher Show, Young Frankenstein, Mystic Pizza (World Premiere), Escape to Margaritaville, Annie the Musical, Kinky Boots, Menopause, Cabaret, 42nd Street, Elf the Musical. Cleveland Playhouse: Light It UP!. Playmakers Repertory Company LORT-D: My Fair Lady, Intimate Apparel.

ALISON FRANCK, C.S.A. (Casting Director) has been a casting director in NYC for over 25 years. She started as an assistant for many Broadway Productions, then she worked in film/TV for several years, then from 2000-2010, she was the Resident Casting Director at Paper Mill Playhouse. In 2011 she joined the team at Liz Lewis Casting Partners, where she cast commercials, voiceovers, film/TV, and theatre. Alison now runs her own company, Franck Casting, where she has cast several tours of well-known musicals including Legally Blonde, Dreamgirls, An American in Paris, A Christmas Story: The Musical, A Chorus Line, The Simon and Garfunkel Story Live and the upcoming Little Women, the Musical. www.franckcasting

JANINE LOESCH (Costume Coordinator) Janine Loesch is a New York based Costume Designer and Coordinator. Janine is happy to be involved in her first Big League Tour. Previously her designs have been seen at The Gateway on Long Island. Her favorites include As You Like It, Evita, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and Jersey Boys. Janine was a Wardrobe Supervisor on the World Premiere Off-Broadway Production of The Last Supper, the Original Off-Broadway Production of Americano, and the Off-Broadway Production of Fiddler on the Roof: In Yiddish with English Supertitles. This is the second time Janine has been involved in a production of The Cher Show, and is happy to be working with an amazing team! Special thanks to Casey, Dan, and her family and friends for their love and support!

OWEN O’BRIEN (Production Stage Manager) Off-Broadway PSM: That Golden Girls Show! (Rockefeller Productions) National Tour PSM: Legally Blonde The Musical (Big League Productions), That Golden Girls Show! (Rockefeller Productions), Spamilton! An American Parody (Briarpatch Theatricals). Regional PSM: Kinky Boots, Footloose (Theatre by The Sea). Select regional credits: Disney’s Newsies, Chicago, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singin’ in the Rain, Ain’t Misbehavin’.

WENDY J. CONNOR/DONNA FIEGEL (Tour Press & Marketing) TRUE Marketing is a full-service entertainment marketing firm based in Orlando, Florida that boasts a full Marketing and Public Relations Consulting Team, Graphic Design Department, and Social Marketing Strategy Team. Team TRUE has worked on national tours of A Christmas Story – The Musical, An American In Paris, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening, The Producers, 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, and The Wizard of Oz. www.TeamTRUE.com

BROADWAY LICENSING GLOBAL and its family of imprints (Broadway Licensing, Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and Stageworks) is the global leader in theatrical licensing and distribution. The iconic works represented epitomize the greatest collection of authors, composers, lyricists, and underlying rights holders across the globe including Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Lynn Nottage, Alan Menken, Stephen King, the Bee Gees, The Beatles, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.  The Broadway Licensing Global collection of titles represents an astonishing 40 Tony Award® and 49 Pulitzer Prize-winning works. The company leverages its team’s expertise in licensing, theatrical production, theatre education, and content creation to diversify, strengthen, and rapidly expand its portfolio into new sectors and markets. Founded in 2017, Broadway Licensing has quickly scaled and, as of 2022, the company represents 8 of the Top 10 most produced plays in professional theatres and 9 of the Top 10 most produced plays in High Schools.

BROADWAY & BEYOND THEATRICALS (Tour Booking) Led by founders and industry veterans Tracey McFarland, Victoria Lang, and Ryan Bogner, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals (BBT) is dedicated to the distribution and creation of quality branded theatrical content for traditional and non-traditional venues throughout North America and beyond. BBT’s booking division delivers quality productions tailored to a venue’s size and budget; the Content division offers commercial producers and IP stakeholders strategic management, consulting services and distribution solutions while producing quality theatrical content in New York and for the road. On Broadway as Producer: The Cottage, The Kite Runner. Broadway tours as agent: The Cher Show, The Kite Runner, The Addams Family Musical, An American In Paris, Legally Blonde, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas & and more. www.bbtheatricals.com

BIG LEAGUE PRODUCTIONS/DANIEL SHER (Executive Producer and General Management) is celebrating its 30th season of producing and general managing Broadway tours of shows and attractions throughout the world. Early highlights were collaborations with Disney on Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida (North America, Taiwan, and China) and with Cameron Mackintosh on a new production of Miss Saigon. Also, the Tony®-Award winning Broadway revival of 42nd Street and Susan Stroman’s Broadway production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Others: Footloose (Las Vegas, USA), Titanic, 1776, Peter Pan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Rip Taylor, Blast!, The Who’s Tommy (North America, South America, Europe, and Japan), Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Ruben Studdard, and the First National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang– flying car and all. More recent: The Producers (Susan Stroman’s original work), Hello, Dolly! with Sally Struthers, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady (US Tour and China premiere), original hip-hop dance show Groovaloo (Off-Broadway), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (10 USA tours, Grand Ole Opry, and Madison Square Garden), Dreamgirls (US, China premiere, Japan), Hair (US and Japan), Bring it On (US and Japan), and Legally Blonde (US, China premiere, Singapore). More recently, A Chorus Line toured the USA, Japan and was seen in China for the first time. Post-pandemic, Big League remounted its acclaimed tour of An American in Paris, a new production of South Pacific, Legally Blonde, and continued touring its flagship production of A Christmas Story The Musical. Current and future work includes The Cher Show National Tour, A Christmas Story: The Musical at the Ahmanson Theater, and the upcoming national touring productions of Little Women and The Addams Family.

PRODUCER AND GENERAL MANAGER
Big League Productions, Inc.

President
Daniel Sher

General Manager
Zach Krohn

Associate General Manager
Sophie Whitfield

Office Manager and
General Management Assistant
Carson Lambert

Management Consultant
Shawn Thibault

Booking Consultant L.
Glenn Poppleton

Accounting
Neuschatz, Neuschatz, Herman & Hanke, LLP

Insurance
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center

Banking
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Payroll
Checks & Balances Payroll
Travel Road Rebel Global

TECHNICAL & CREATIVE STAFF
Company Manager
Sophie Whitfield

Interim Company Manager and 
Travel Coordinator
Gina Willens

Production Stage Manager
Owen O’Brien

Production Supervisor
Maya Davis

Associate Producer
Shawn Thibault

Associate Director
Saki Kawamura

Associate Choreographer
Emilie Reiner

Associate Lighting Designer
Jason Flamos

Associate Sound Designer
Anthony Lopez

Technical Consultant
Paul Gould

Lighting Consultant
Martin Cox

Production Sound
Thomas Ford

Keyboard Programmer
Jim Harp

Assistant Company Manager
and Assistant Stage Manager
Brynn Grambow

Assistant Stage Manager
Kaitlin Buttofuco

Head Carpenter
Rachel McCall

Assistant Carpenter/Flyman
J. Ryan LoPresti

Head Electrician
Kay Hawley

Assistant Electrician and Head Video
Sam Kim

Assistant Electrician/Spot Op
Thomas Plummer

Head Sound
Anthony Lopez

Assistant Sound
Alec Group

Head Props
Will Barrios

Head Wardrobe
John Beltre

Star Dresser/Wardrobe
Donna MacNaughton

Head Hair/Makeup
Lisha Michel

Marketing Intern
Owen Parker

Tour Booking
Broadway & Beyond Theatricals

Tracey McFarland     Ryan Bogner     Victoria Lang
Jaymi Gilmour     Megan Savage     Kelsey Young
Monica Smith     Gauri Mangala     Mary Alex Daniels

BROADCAST ADVERTISING &
MEDIA PRODUCTION

Frank Basile/Fresh Produce Productions

TOUR PRESS & MARKETING
TRUE Marketing

Wendy J. Connor       Donna Fiegel

CREDITS

Scenery provided by Dallas Stage Scenery, 
IWEISS, McGuire Scenic, AND ROSE BRAND
Lighting provided by Intelligent Lighting Services Ltd
Sound provided by Big League Productions
Trucking provided by Janco
Busing provided by Peak Touring and Lamoille Valley
Hotels ARRANGED by Road Rebel GLOBAL

THE CHER SHOW rehearsed at Ripley-Grier Studios

305 West 38th Street, NEW YORK NY

www.thechershowtour.com
@chershowontour

Backstage and Front of the House Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).

United Scenic Artists  •  Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents
the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

“Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do” Written by Porter Grainger, Robert Graham Prince, Clarence Williams, James Witherspoon. Used with permission of Great Standards Music Publishing Co. (ASCAP) and Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP). “All I Ever Need Is You” Written by Jimmy Holiday and Eddie Reeves. Used with permission of EMI U Catalog Inc. (ASCAP). “Bang Bang” Written by Sonny Bono. Used with permission of Cotillion Music Inc (BMI). “Be My Baby” Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Philip Spector. Used with permission of Universal Songs of Polygram (BMI), Mother Bertha Music (BMI), Trio Music Company (BMI), ABKCO Music Inc. (BMI). “Believe” Written by Paul Michael Barry, Brian Thomas Higgins, Steven Torch. Used with permission of WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Hipgnosis Songs/Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd (PRS), PB Songs Ltd/Universal Polygram Int. Publishing Inc. (ASCAP), BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited (BMI). “Da Doo Ron Ron” Written by Jeffy Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phillip Spector. Used with permission of Universal Songs of Polygram Intl. (BMI), Mother Bertha Music Inc. (BMI), ABKCO Music Inc. (BMI). “Half Breed” Written by Al Capps, Mary Dean. Used with permission of Blue Monday Music (BMI). “I Got You Babe” Written by Sonny Bono. Used with permission of Cotillion Music Inc. (BMI). "It Don't Come Easy" Written by Richard Starkey. Used with permission of BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) obo Startling Music Ltd. “I Like It Like That” Written by Christopher Kenner EMI Longitude Music (BMI). Used by permission of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “If I Could Turn Back Time” Written by Diane Warren. Used with permission of RealSongs (ASCAP). “Little Man” Written by Sonny Bono. Used with permission of Cotillion Music Inc. (BMI). “Songs For The Lonely” Written by Paul Barry, Mark Taylor, Steve Torch. Used with permission of Metrophonic Music Ltd. (ASCAP)/Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (ASCAP), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI). “The Beat Goes On” Written by Sonny Bono. Used by permission of Warner Chappell. “The Shoop Shoop Song” Written by Rudy Clark. Used by permission of By The Bay Music (BMI)/Trio Music Company (BMI). “Vamp” Written by Walter Earl Brown. Used by permission of EBA Music (ASCAP). “You Better Sit Down Kids” Written by Sonny Bono. Used by permission of Cotillion Music Inc. (BMI). “You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me” Written by Diane Warren. Used by permission of RealSongs (BMI). “A Different Kind of Love Song” Written by Johan Par Aberg, Michelle Robin Lewis, Sigurd Heimdal Roesnes. Used with permission of Wannabite Music (ASCAP)/Universal Music MGB Songs (ASCAP). “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” Written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston. Used with permission of Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP). “Baby Don’t Go” Written by Sonny Bono. Used with permission of Mother Bertha Music (BMI), Ten-East Music (BMI), Warner Chappell Music Publishing. “Dark Lady” Written by Johnny Durrill. Used with permission of Universal Music - MGB Songs (ASCAP). “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” Written by Bob Stone. Used with permission of Universal Music Careers (BMI). “Heart of Stone” Written by Andrew Gerard Hil, Peter John Sinfield. Used with permission of BMG VM Music Ltd. (PRS). “I Found Someone” Written by Michael Bolton, Mark Mangold. Used with permission of But For Music Ltd./EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP), Is Hot Music Ltd./EMI Blackwood Music Inc. (BMI). “Just Like Jesse James” Written by Desmond Child, Dianne Warren. Used with permission of Universal Polygram International Inc. (ASCAP), RealSongs (ASCAP). “Living In A House Divided” Wriitten by Tom Bahler. Used by permission of Universal Music Careers (BMI). “Midnight Rider” Written by Greg Allman and Robert Payne. Used with permission of Unichappell Music Inc and Elijah Blue Music. “Rambling Man” Written by Richard Betts. Used with permission of Unichappell Music Inc. Forest Richard Betts Music (BMI). “Save Up All Your Tears” Written by Desmond Child, Dianne Warren. Used with permission of Universal Polygram International Inc. (ASCAP), RealSongs (ASCAP). “Strong Enough” Written by Paul Michael Barry, Market Phillip Taylor. Used with permission of PB Songs Ltd/Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (ASCAP). “Take Me Home” Written by Michele Aller, Bob Esty. Used with permission of Rick’s Music Inc/ (BMI), Rightsong Music Inc. (BMI). “The Beat Goes On” Written by Sonny Bono. Used by permission of Cotillion Music Inc. (BMI).  “The Way of Love” Written by Jaccques Dieval, Al Stillman, Mariano Ruiz. Used by permission of Chappell-Co. Inc. (ASCAP), Music Sales Corp. (ASCAP). “This Is A Woman’s World” Written by Matt Morris, Paul Oakenfold, Anthony “TC” Crawford and Joshua “J.D.” Walker. Used with Permission of BMG Blue, Mass Transit Music, Music of Big Deal. “When The Money’s Gone” Written by Bruce Roberts, Donna Weiss. Used by permission of Reservoir Media Management, Donna Weiss Music, Inc. (BMI).

THE USE OF ANY RECORDING DEVICE, EITHER
AUDIO OR VIDEO, AND THE TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS,
EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT FLASH, IS
STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Welcome back for another exhilarating season in our historic theatres, filled with the sounds, sights and excitement of the live performing arts. We have so much planned so far this season, and we are continuing to add even more stellar events – rock, pop, folk/Americana, Broadway, jazz, comedy, films, variety shows, family programs and more! I hope you will spend some time in our digital playbill and discover all we have going on at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts.

Exciting Improvements

At the start of 2022, we launched our Centennial Campaign to help fund much needed improvements to our facility, which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2025. The summer of 2023 saw the completion of many of those improvements, and we are proud to welcome you through our new ADA compliant doors and into the Strand Theatre lobby where we have new and improved concessions areas that will allow for more efficient service during performances. In addition, we have replaced the HVAC system throughout the facility roof-top units, interior air management devices and system controls, which improves the efficiency and comfort of the building, reduces energy costs and provides cleaner and healthier air. Thank you to all those who have supported these projects, whether financially or with their expertise and assistance.

Something for Everyone

On October 2nd we will be announcing a dozen or so additional events to our season roster... mark your calendar! As always, the best way to get the best available seats for these new shows is to become a Member!

We will continue to announce new amazing performers coming to our stages in the coming months. Simply tap into our Season At A Glance in the menu for the full calendar of shows in our 2023-24 season.

Community Focus

In addition to the shows on our stages, the Appell Center is committed to recognizing and celebrating the talent and knowledge found in our community. Our team is involving our community partners and residents to broaden our focus and ensure that everyone has access and is welcome to experience the arts and create art as well. Tap into the menu and read all about it in our Learning & Engagement story. Then think about how you can become involved or have an impact on this work.

Thank You

A very big THANK YOU to our Appell Center Members, a crucial component of our sustainability. It is Membership support that makes it possible for us to foster and inspire the artists of tomorrow, unite friends and loved ones in shared experiences, and cultivate a bustling downtown, as well as attract the hottest concerts and theatrical productions for your enjoyment, expand our education programs and community outreach, boost York city tourism and nightlife and preserve our historic facilities. If you are not currently a Member, please consider how you can help keep the Appell Center the vibrant cultural hub it is today.

Again, welcome to the Appell Center and enjoy the show!

Todd Fogdall
President & CEO

The Strand and Capitol Theatres at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts continue to feature the very best artists and stories from around the region and across the country. We are excited to welcome you to experience the joy and inspiration that can only come from the live performing arts! And this Spring we have something for everyone!

Here are some highlights… with more being added!

Tickets and Appell Center Memberships can be purchased online at appellcenter.org, in person at 50 N. George Street, York, or by calling the Box Office at 717-846-1111.

2023-24 Season highlights include:

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA (4/27) – Don’t miss the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, formed in 1956, is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

THE BOOK OF MORMON (4/30; 5/1) – Only a few seats remain for the showThe New York Times calls “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical. Contains explicit language. Presented locally as part of the Glatfelter Insurance Group Broadway Series.

PLENA LIBRE (5/4) – Thrilling audiences around the world for nearly three decades, these masters of traditional Puerto Rican plena and bomba styles fuse mesmerizing hand drumming, stellar horns and soaring vocal harmonies with modern Afro-Caribbean sounds, putting an electrifying spin on this already exhilarating music.

President & CEO, Todd Fogdall says: “We are thrilled to announce the first shows in our 2023-24 season, with a list that touches a wide range of musical genres, plus comedy, celebrities, our first podcast-based show and some huge Broadway titles -- The Book of Mormon, Come From Away  and The Cher Show. Tickets are going to move fast and we encourage our guests to become a Member so they can assure their tickets to the many shows that are yet to come.”

FILM

CAPFILM continues to provide unique opportunities for moviegoers of all ages and styles... 

Don't miss First Friday FREE Family Films, sponsored by UPMC, each and every First Friday. Mark your calendars for films coming soon...

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (5/3) – A modern twist on a classic tale from Walt Disney Animation Studios features the beautiful Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who dreams of owning her own restaurant. When she meets a Frog Prince (Bruno Campos) who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana… with the villainous voodoo magician Dr. Facilier (Keith David) in hot pursuit! Sponsored by UPMC.

...and coming in June... DISNEY PIXAR'S TOY STORY 2 (6/7)!

Click HERE for more CapFilms, including our brand new Art House Film Series: Image, Sound and Silence, Anniversary screenings and more!

These are just the HIGHLIGHTS of our schedule! New events are being added to the calendar all the time, so visit appellcenter.org for the most updated schedule of events… and be sure you are on our email list for announcements.

While we are no longer requiring COVID safety precautions, unless required by artists or rising conditions, our audiences can have confidence that their Appell Center experience will be healthy and safe. We continue to encourage guests to wear masks should they choose. Our facilities are sanitized before and after all performances, deep cleaning practices are in place, and our HVAC systems feature MERV 13 filtration and maximum fresh air circulation. Up-to-date health and safety information is always available at appellcenter.org.

We look forward to welcoming you through our doors often in the coming months!

2023-24 SEASON UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat Apr 27 @ 7:30PM
Glenn Miller Orchestra

Sat Apr 27 @ 7:30PM
Start Making Sense: A Talking Heads Tribute

Sun Apr 28 @ 3PM
CapFilm: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Tue Apr 30 @ 7:30PM
Wed May 1 @ 7:30PM
The Book of Mormon 
Part of the Glatfelter Insurance Broadway Series
LOW TICKET ALERT!

Fri May 3 @ 5:30PM
Jazz in the City: A Funky Side of Jazz

Fri May 3 @ 6:30PM
Free First Friday Family Film:
Disney The Princess and the Frog

Sat May 4 @ 7:30PM
Plena Libre

Sun May 5 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
In the Mood for Love

Sat May 11 @ 7PM
GALAVANT 2024: Mardi Gras Masquerade

Wed May 15 @ 7:30PM
CapLive: Josh Ritter
"Works In Progress + Songs You Know" solo show

Sun May 19 @ 3PM
CapFilm: The Matrix
25th Anniversary Screening

Fri May 24 @ 7:30PM
Little River Band

Fri Jun 7 @ 5:30PM
Jazz in the City: A Percussion Blowout!

Fri Jun 7 @ 6:30PM
Free First Friday Family Film: 
Disney Pixar Toy Story 2

Sun Jun 9 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
Bicycle Thieves

Sun Jun 23 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
The Passion of Joan of Arc

Sat Jul 13 @ 7:30PM
CapLive: XPN Welcomes
Aoife O'Donovan & Hawktail

Thu Jul 25 @ 7:30PM
Old Gods of Appalachia
Unhallowed Grounds
A Live Podcast Storytelling Experience

The Appell Center is committed to making the performing arts available to everyone in York County. Our Community ConnectTix program expands access to free and discounted ticket to those for whom the price of a ticket is a barrier.

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for blocks of tickets (up to 20) for select events so the groups they serve can experience the wonder and thrill of live performance. 

Welcome to our Community ConnecTix partner organizations! 

18 South Youth Center

Bell Socialization Services, Inc.

Children's Home of York - Angel Center

Community Options

Crispus Attucks York

Employers Education Foundation c/o Manufacturers' Association

Latinos Unidos of York

Life's New Beginning

Manufacturers' Association

Mightly Mehal Foundation

NAMI York-Adams Counties PA

Northeast Neighborhood Association

Not One More-York Chapter's Family Connections Program

Penn-Mar Human Services

Rising STARS Crispus Attucks 

Salvation Army

South Central Senior Center

Spring Grove Regional Parks and Rec Center

The Program, It's About Change

Theatre Arts for Everyone (TAFE)

Typical Life Corporation

Valley Youth House

White Rose Senior Center

York County Food Bank-Online Pantry Program

York County Hispanic Coalition

Youth Development Center

YWCA York

Click HERE for more information on how to apply and become part of Community ConnecTix!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Executive Committee

Chair Kira Wagner

Vice Chair/DEIA Chair Elaine Bonneau

Immediate Past Chair/Governance Chair Gene Draganosky

Treasurer/Finance Chair Victoria Connor

Facilities Chair Kyle Jones

Partnership Chair Natalee Gunderson

Directors

Mary Beth Ching

Martin Fedorko

Re. Dr. Mark Kearse

Jenette Lloyd-Jones

Daniel Meckley

Thomas O’Shea 

Dr. Kurt Thomas

Dr. Paul Tolerico

Larissa Tosch

Elizabeth Zifferer

Louis Appell, Jr. 1978-81 

Anne C. Hoover 1981-84 

Leroy A. King, Jr. 1984-85 

William B. Zimmerman 1985-86 

Fran E. Ports 1986-87 

Terence J. Kearney 1987-88 

William R. Hartman 1988-89 

Richard C. Hogentogler 1989-90 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 1990-91 

Erda G. Erdos 1991-92 

John G. Yates 1992-93 

Delaine A. Toerper 1993-94 

Louis J. Appell, Jr. 1993-95 (Foundation) 

Michael H. Hady, III 1994-95 

Shawn A. Stine 1995-96 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 1995-97 (Foundation) 

Judy Simpson 1996-97 

Jeffrey W. Byers 1997-98 

John C. Schmidt 1997-99 (Foundation) 

William J. Scott, III 1998-2000 

Morton F. Zifferer, Jr. 1999-2001 

Anne W. Kinsley 2000-01 (Foundation) 

Timothy P. Ruth 2001-02 

Leroy A. King, Jr. 2001-02 (Foundation) 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 2002-04 

Leroy A King, Jr. 2004-06 

Michael Heine 2006-08 

Charles Wise 2008-2010 

Anthony Campisi 2010-2012 

Joel Menchey 2012-2014 

Loren Kroh 2014-2016 

Eric Menzer 2016-2018 

Krista Gardner 2018-2020

Gene Draganosky 2020-2022

Administration

President & CEO Todd Fogdall

Director of Finance Trevor Alford

Administrative Assistant Carol Potter

Box Office

Senior Box Office Agent Julie Lavetan

Box Office Agent Bea Campbell

Development

Director of Development Mindi Haines

Development Manager Kimberly Soderberg

Development & Education Assistant Dan Crowell

Marketing

Director of Marketing Debra L. Volz

Marketing Content Manager Dave Hoffheins

Education

Director of Education & Community Engagement AJ Myers 

Operations

Director of Operations Amanda Spalla

Operations Manager Aidyn Vargas

Operations Assistant Jeremy Kilgore

House Manager Stephanie Becker

House Manager Shaye Holmes

House Manager Tina Meckley

House Manager Megan Miller

House Manager Daniel Poole

House Manager Jeffrey Tierno

House Manager Jay Yeaple

House Manager Bridget Young

Production Staff

Production Express Steve Shelley, Owner

Head Tech Jamie Heath

Volunteers

Bob Albright

Sandy Aldinger

Janet Alibrandis

Henrietta Alicea

Mary Alpaugh

Maliik Anderson

Yul Baker

Linda Baugher

Cliff Beck

Janene Beck

Sally Beck

Steve Beck

Stephanie Becker

Claudia Besecker

Joan Book

Margaret Bowen

Cindy Brown

Joann Byrne

Ron Byrne

Lin Carlson

Amy Cathell

Carol Cottingham

Carol Cousins

Isabella Cousins

Arthur Curtis

Cathy Dalton

Janet Deamer

Katherine Delauder

Melvin Doyle

Bob Ehlenbeck

Ellen Ehlenbeck

Susan Epley

Cheryl Everhart

Iris Ferber

Cherie Flaherty

Bradley Flinchbaugh

Rick Fonda

Arnie Fritzius

Dennis Fry

Linda Fry

Regina Giuffrida

Evelyn Godsey

Pauline Gross

Peach Hamm

Duane Herbert

Brian Hershner

Linda Hershner

Cindy Hoehn

Beth Holt

Stephen Holt

Betsy Holtzman

Brian Honeychuck

Bill Houghton

Rhonda Jones

Debra Kemper

Brenda Kiger

Shirley Klinedinst

Robert Kluk

Laura Koebnick

Bennett Leas

Tamara Leas

Diane Leib

Rina Leo

Gabby Linnell

Kelly Linnell

Jim Loehwing

Kim Lombardo

Jonathan Lopes

Bonnie Martin

Annie Massin

Pam McIntosh

Suzanne Mescan

Sheri Mickley

Kathy Mierzwa

Connie Miklusek

Sally Miller

Greg Mitchell

Lucinda Morrisson

Anne Nichol

Paul Nichol

Dave Norris

Jean Norris

Rosha Parker

Pat Parks

Linda Paules

Darwin Peiffer

Phyllis Peiffer

Clay Pinckney

Joyce Porteus

Carla Purdy

Syd Purdy

Kathy Raio

Tim Raio

Santos Ramos

Meg Rea

Adele Rossiter

Russ Sarich

Ginny Schucht

Sam Schucht

Terri Scott

Moninne Seitz

Peggy Selway

Sarah Shaver

Tamar Smallwood

Janet Smith

Sheryl Smith

Roy Snoke

Joan Snyder

Christine Staats

Tracy Stabler

Darrell Steckler

Benjamin Stein

Cindy Stoltzfus

Stephanie Stough

Doris Sullivan

Marty Tassia

Lori Topper

Steven Tracy

Jen Trout

Tess Trueheart

Ana Tuali

Custer Ugbome

Mike Vernon

Sue Wallick

Teddie Waltermyer

Rev. Joshua Wargo

Lisa Welch

Paul Welch

Sharon Whitmore

Anita Wiedenhaefer

Jason Wolf

Carolyn Woods

Mary Yeaple

Scott Yingling

Jeanette Zeiders

Marian Zeiler

Mark Zortman

Nancy-Ann Zortman

For almost 100 years, many of the biggest names in entertainment have been featured on the historic stages in front of you. Each show takes the skills and talent of our staff and crew to happen, but we simply cannot forget the very special members of our Appell Center family, without whom none of this would have been possible…

Our Appell Center volunteers and ushers—and there have been hundreds of them over the years—have made this place work for decades.

You meet them first when you first approach the theatre and then as you walk in our doors. Their warmth and friendliness, professionalism and courtesy, inform everyone’s first impression of the Appell Center experience, especially our newer guests.

We often hear from patrons about their experiences while visiting for a live show, learning workshop or film screening, detailing how wonderful our ushers are... how kind and helpful in whatever situation they find themselves in. Often times, this is followed up with a question of how others can join our Volunteer corps!

Looking for something fun, rewarding and community-building? We are always looking for new volunteers to serve as ushers, lobby greeters, bartenders, and more! 

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please click HERE.

Look around. Here you are, seated in this beautiful, historic theatre about to enjoy a professional, live show right here in York’s downtown! What could be more exciting? This would not be possible without the support of our members.

We are humbled by the generosity of individuals across the county who make it all happen, Appell Center membership support allows us to make a significant impact in York. Members are the reason we have been able to continue entertaining the community for nearly 100 years and maintain these two historic theatres. Their support has allowed us to provide free uplifting experiences to our neighbors for whom the price of a ticket is a barrier and provide free educational programming for a generation of children in school districts throughout York County.

Members have helped us stay the course. Because of them, we remain focused on our mission and are able to throw our doors open for another season full of inspiring entertainment for you!

Our members are passionate about the performing arts. Aren’t you? Make a lasting impact right now by becoming a member of the Appell Center for the Performing Arts. 

For information on the levels and benefits of membership, visit appellcenter.org or contact Kimberly Soderberg, Development Manager, at 717-825-2236 or ksoderberg@appellcenter.org

TAP THE AD TO MAKE A DONATION

In August 2022, the Appell Center wrapped up its Centennial Capital Campaign, raising over $7,500,000 to support vital infrastructure improvements and establish a Facility Endowment Fund for much needed improvements to our facility, which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2025. The summer of 2023 saw the completion of many of these improvements.

Today we are proud to welcome you through our new ADA compliant doors and into the Strand Theatre lobby where we have new and improved concessions areas that will allow for more efficient service during performances. In addition, we have replaced the HVAC system throughout the facility roof-top units, interior air management devices and system controls, which improves the efficiency and comfort of the building, reduces energy costs and provides cleaner and healthier air. 

We would like to recognize the many loyal and generous community members, foundations and businesses that helped us reach our goal and invested in the future of the performing arts in York County. They deserve a standing ovation!

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Powder Mill Foundation
• Anonymous
• J. William Warehime Foundation
• W. Dale Brougher Foundation
• Kinsley Foundation
• Helen Appell
• Chandra & Lou Appell
• Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation
• Glatfelter Insurance Group
• Giambalvo Family Foundation
• The Graham Foundation
• Shipley Family Foundation

• Stephen & Jenn Tansey
• Meg & Peter Brubaker
• New Standard Corporation
• PeoplesBank Charitable Foundation
• Jolene & Julian Tolbert
• Carl & Brenda Vizzi
• Dr. Vincent & Kathryn A. Butera
• Tony & Stef Campisi
• Jane G. Davis
• Hodges Family Foundation
• Dr. Benjamin & Anne Hoover
• Elizabeth M. Imboden MD
• Loren & Faye Kroh
• Lee Fence & Outdoor
• Menchey Music Service, Inc.
• Susanne Motter & Edward Motter
• Ruby & Mark Schmidt
• Bill & Sue Scott
• M&T Bank
• Traditions Bank
• The York Water Company

• Mr. & Mrs. Fred C. Fay
• Kenneth E. Hickman
• Wellspan York Hospital Medical Staff
• Collin Holder
• Kendall & Eric Menzer
• Judith V. Blakey
• Robert A. Bowen
• John & Cappy Bush
• Erda Erdos
• John & Denise Gilliland
• William R. Hartman
• James D. Isett, DMD, MS
• John Schmidt Foundation
• Fran Polk
• Bob & Donna Pullo
• Vance & Suzanne McConkey
• Kris & Tom O'Shea
• Todd & Elaine Fogdall
• Tony & Amy Doll
• Eugene J. Draganosky
• Michael & Melanie Hady
• Sean Gormley
• Debbie Simon & Tim Grumbacher
• Mike & Vicky Kochenour
• Stan & Jane Lebouitz
• Judy Simpson
• Shawn & Chrysta Stine
• Kurt & Barb Thomas
• Todd & Delaine Toerper
• Kira & Jan Wagner
• William & Kimberly Yanavitch II
• Jack Kay
• Joe & Susan Wagman
• RKL
• Doug & Kristin Berman
• Elliot & Krista Gardner
• Rob & Becky Gratalo
• John & Jan Klinedinst
• Erin McGlaughlin
• Katie & Rob Berkebile
• Nate & Sandra Sterner
• The Tolerico Family
• Graham & Elizabeth Zifferer
• Z. D. Bauer
• Don & Jane Dellinger
• Reed & Natalee Gunderson
• Duane & Kristin Moyer
• David & Linda Davidson
• Charles & Holly Wise
• Robert Gantz
• Betsy Keefer
• Stephanie Kessler
• Miodrag Kukrika
• John & Wendy Lakatosh
• Hunter & Emily Mink
• Mike & Jackie Summers
• Jerry Caslow & Dr. Jane S. Sutton
• Robert Godfrey
• Dennis R. Kohler
• Joan & David Stauffer
• Krista & Mike Darr

This season, the Appell Center continues its focus on bringing the very best entertainment to diverse audiences of all ages… but wait, there’s more!

In addition to planning the shows on our stages, we are committed as an organization to recognize and celebrate the artistic talent of our community in many ways. 

Learning Workshops for All Ages

Acting... dance... singing... storytelling... jazz... improvisation... even circus arts! These are just a few of the focus areas that are available for students age 3 and up to explore. PLUS, we have added Tot Rock, an early learning program for our youngest friends age 0-2! Most workshops are "pick your price," with a suggested $15 per student, in order to increase access to arts learning for all!

Here are a few photo highlights...

TOT ROCK!

COMEDY IMPROV INTENSIVE

SONGWRITING 101 with Amanda D'Archangelis

WHAP-AMA-PHONE Instrument Building at Keystone Kidspace

This fall, we launched "Third Saturday Worshops" - all with a "pick your price" model in order to increase access to arts learning for all. Each third Saturday features a workshop for our young ones and their families, and another for our pre-teens (age 8-13). 

In mid-September, Angel Nuñez led two fun, interactive workshops for students in puppet making (age 4-7) and set design (age 8-13).

In October, Jasmine “PAN” Taylor introduced students to the world of poetry with and "Stories That Rhyme" for our young ones, and "Spoken Word: Writing and Performing" for our 8- to 13-year-olds.

In November Krystal Younglove, an award winning artist and circus sweetheart based here in York, led a unique Circus Arts experience building hula hoops and learn introductory skills in the art of hula hooping. 

WINTER 2024 WORKSHOPS

Third Saturday Workshops continue in 2024 - reserve your spot for these amazing learning opportunities!

January 20

10AM - Relative Laughter Hour - Family Workshop
The family that plays together, stays together! Bring your tots, teens and Great-Aunt Maggie to participate in a playful hour chock full of light-hearted improv games and big ole belly laughs! Families will learn and play games that theater actors use to get their creativity flowing.

1PM - Intro to Improv Comedy (ages 8-13)
Improvisational activities sharpen listening skills, encourage mindfulness, develop resourcefulness and build self-confidence… and are loads of fun! In this workshop, kids will have a hoot playing improv games, building stories and creating characters, both individually and with others. Oh, yes, there will be laughter – and lots of it!

February 17

10AM - Ballet for Everyone - Family Workshop
1PM - Ballet for Everyone - Ages 8-13
Athletes have used ballet as a way to stay in shape and improve their performance for years. Families will join REACH! Founder and Juilliard graduate Jason Reed for an opportunity to learn about the benefits of dancing for everyone, and your chance to try it out. A great chance for anyone who has been thinking about starting dance classes to get their feet wet!

March 16

10AM - Music Composition and Improvisation - Family Workshop
1PM - Music Composition and Improvisation - Ages 8-13
Making music is fun – making music together even more so! Come join local pianist and composer Matt Monticchio and see how making music spontaneously can lead to writing entire songs! No prior music experience necessary – just come ready to learn.

MASTERCLASSES

Audition season is coming up! Whether you’re preparing for school musicals, District Band or college auditions, the ability to prepare yourself mentally, arrive in the right headspace, and reaching a state of flow is invaluable. On January 20, Peter Matthew Smith will lead a masterclass in musical theater, where aspiring performers can learn the ins and outs of preparing a song, nailing an audition, and life as part of some of Broadway’s biggest hit shows. Most recently King George in the Angelica Touring Company of Hamilton, Peter Matthew Smith’s career on Broadway includes roles in the original productions of RENT, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and the revival of Fiddler on the Roof. 

Our Teaching Artists and Staff did not stop there... 

In spring 2023, Appell Center Teaching Artists visited 55 classrooms across nine elementary school, working in different art forms with over 1,000 students to reinforce themes from April's Stage the Page performance of The Gruffalo. Additionally, the Appell Center partnered with York City School District’s 21st Century After School Program to provide an arts enrichment program throughout the month of May. This program has expanded to six schools in the district for the 2023-24 school year.

Community Engagement 

In July 2022 the Appell Center began a collaboration with Creative Generation, a group committed to pioneering projects in the arts and cultural, education and social change fields to support those organizations driving systemic change in their communities. This work produced an actionable plan elevating knowledge within our community to help inform a set of tools to create a societal hub for arts and cultural education in York County, PA. Listening sessions with key partners and their constituents were conducted, and information gathered from those sessions has helped inform the next steps of our strategic plan in this area.

At the completion of the active phase of this collaboration, the following statement was crafted and made public on our website:

The Appell Center for the Performing Arts seeks to be a cultural hub for the community in York.

We play a vital role in the local ecosystem, collaborating with educational, civic and other cultural organizations, informal networks, and individual artists to create experiences as outlets for healthy, creative expression.

Together, we believe in connecting the arts with education, personal wellbeing and family life.

We seek to build meaningful pathways in arts, cultural and creative learning for the York community through consistent, reliable opportunities which provide

• engagement with a diversity of artistic and cultural forms;
• multi-generational creative participation; and
• transformative experiences for creative youth.

We strive to be a relationship-builder, convener and host.

PARTNER WITH THE APPELL CENTER

There are many ways to join us in partnership, but here are some common starting points:

• Attend a free or low-cost workshop and event. We have workshops and classes where you can pick a price that feels right for you and your family.
• Host an event or program at the Appell Center. Our Community Support Fund helps support local non-profits and mission-aligned projects with reduced rental fees.
  
• Bring a group to one of our performances. The Community ConnecTix program offers complimentary tickets to local nonprofit groups every season.
  
• Invite us to support an event or program. Our team can host tables at your events to promote performing arts opportunities in the community.

Click HERE to learn more about our Discovery Sessions and Community Engagement initiatives, and how you might work with us in partnership to bring one of your ideas to the community at large!

Covid-19 policy

For current policies and updates, please visit appellcenter.org.

The Appell Center will continually monitor Covid-19 data with guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. All are encouraged to regularly visit our website or call the Box Office for up-to-date information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and any specific instructions for your scheduled performance.

Bag check

It is recommended that you do not bring any bags with you in order to expedite entry. Bag checks are mandatory and conducted by our security team. Metal (or wooden) rods will be used to search each bag. Guests will be asked to open and hold their own bags while they are being searched for any items not permitted in the building.

Concessions

Concessions are available at both the Capitol and Strand Theatres. All alcoholic beverages are sold in reusable cups which must be purchased with your first drink. Guests are encouraged to bring their cups back to our concessions stands during future visits to purchase drinks at the refill price. Non-Appell Center cups will not be eligible for refills.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on both levels of the Strand Theatre and on the first floor of the Capitol Theatre. Accessible restrooms are available in both theatres.

Accessible Services

ADA-compliant seating is offered in several locations. Assistive-listening devices are available for all Strand Theatre shows and select films. These devices can be requested from a member of our Front of House staff when you arrive or by calling the Box Office in advance at 717-846-1111. We also offer audio description and closed captioning for some films. Sign language interpretation may be available when requested at least two weeks in advance. Notify the Box Office of any needs when purchasing tickets. We’re happy to arrange the perfect seats and services for you.

Smoking

The Appell Center is a non-smoking facility, including e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Child booster seats

Complimentary booster seats are only available in the Strand Theatre on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see one of our Ushers when you arrive for assistance. 

Electronic devices

We appreciate your cooperation in silencing all electronic devices before the performance begins.

Photo/recording policy

For most events, photography/recording of any type is prohibited. However, for some events, non-professional, non-flash, photography is permitted. Any adjusted policy will be advertised on signs at the entrance to the venue. The Appell Center reserves the right to confiscate any photo or recording device if policies are ignored. Patrons found possessing professional equipment not expressly authorized will be asked to leave their cameras in their vehicles or will otherwise be escorted from the venue.

Click HERE to learn more about our policies.