PRODUCTION TEAM - CHICAGO CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Respect: written and conceived by Dorothy Marcic
Sharyon
Culberson - (Ensemble)
Sharyon is trilled to be joining the Chicago cast of RESPECT. Her background
combines both musical theater and improvisational comedy. Her recent
appearances include local productions of "The Adventures of Kid
Zero" at the Apollo Theatre, "A Woman Called Truth" and
"Sideways Stories of the Wayside School" at the Vittum Theater,
and "Africa and Plumbridge" at the Theatre Building Chicago
and the New York Fringe festival. She is also an ensemble member of
the locally acclaimed musical improv troupe"Jazz Hands Across America,"
and has had numerous appearances across the country with the San Francisco
based improvisational comedy troupe "Oui Be Negreos." Although
she has appeared in productions in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Florida,
she is quite pleased to return to her hometown theater scene in Chicago,
IL.
Jeanette
Fitzpatrick - (Ensemble)
Jeanette is thrilled to be moving from sunny southern Florida to the
windy city of Chicago with Respect. A New Jersey girl still at heart,
she received her BA in theatre from Wagner College, located in NYC.
She has performed on the international tour of Grease, where she played
Jenny Casino, as well as understudied the roles of Rizzo and Ms. Lynch.
Other favorite credits include: Irene Roth in Crazy for You, Josefine/Monica
in Romance, Romance and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, earning
her an Irene Ryan Nomination for best female lead. Special thanks to
my mom and dad for their undieing faith and support. Much love and thanks
to bk, who has helped make my dreams come true.
Lara
Filip - (Ensemble)
Lara is very happy to be back at CCPA, with Respect. She was last seen
here as the Narrator in Joseph. Past credits include National tours
or Evita (the Mistress), and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy); as well as
numerous productions in the Chicago-land area. She has been seen on
the stages of Pheasant Run, Drury Lane, The Royal George, The Mercury
Theatre, Theatre at the Center and Victory Gardens. In the past several
years Lara's focus has shifted to directing, serving for several years
as a resident playwright and Associate Director for Theatre-Hikes. Most
recently she is proud to have co-founded Landscape Theatre Ensemble,
serving as the Artistic Director. Much love to Dave and the puppies.
Barbara
L.W. Myers - (Ensemble)
Barbara is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern
University. While there, she appeared in a number of productions, including
the Chicago premiere of Children of Eden. Since graduating, favorite
performances in the Chicago area include Clara in Family of Mann at
Backstage Theater Co., Mamie Till Mobley in The State of Mississippi
and the Face of Emmett Till at Pegasus Players, and Delia in Blues for
an Alabama Sky at Illinois Theatre Center. Barbara would like to thank
Paul, Ben, Mom, Dad, Teddy, Donald, her family and good friends for
all of their love, laughter and support.
Karan
Pappas - (Ensemble)
Karen is thrilled to be part of the ensemble of RESPECT. Originally
from Indianapolis, Indiana she is proud to make her first main stage
appearance in Chicago. She was last seen as Angela in "Honky Tonk Angels"
at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse and as Mrs. Cratchit in Troupe America's
national tour of "A Christmas Carol." Other regional credits include:
Trudy in "Social Security," Judy/Ginger in "Ruthless," and Gutrune in
"Das Barbecu." Many heartfelt thanks go out to her family and husband
for their constant love and support.
Emily Price - (Ensemble)
Emily is very excited to be returning to Chicago with the cast of RESPECT! A graduate of Northwestern University, Chicago theatre credits include TITANIC, DAMN YANKEES, COMPANY, GRAND HOTEL, CAMELOT, and two years in the WAA-MU SHOW. One of the original cast members of RESPECT, Emily has performed the show at the Cuillo Center in West Palm Beach and Stage door's 26th St. Theater in Ft. Lauderdale. Emily is a soloist with the Voices of Baha, performing in Carnegie Hall and the Mozart concert Haus in Vienna, and with such orchestras as the Czech National Symphony and the Budapest Symphony. She is featured on many recordings made by Global Music. Love and thanks to the creative team of RESPECT!
Tempe
Thomas - (Ensemble)
Tempe has performed locally with the Goodman Theatre News Stages Series
(Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky, Clea), Light Opera Works (My
Night at Jacques', Pierette; Pirates of Penzance, daughter), Emergence
Theatre Company (27, Maya), First Folio Shakespeare Festival (As You
Like It, Page/Celia U/S), Theatre Building Chicago (The Prairie, Stinging
Nettle), and Emerald City Theatre Company (Wizard of Oz, Glinda; Cinderella,
Temperance; Peter Pan, Tinkerbell; Where the Wild Things Are, Swing
Max). She is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.
... AND THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Dorothy
Marcic - (Playwright)
Dorothy is a professor at Vanderbilt University and the author of twelve
books, including RESPECT: Women and Popular Music, the basis for this
performance, a project she has been working on since 1999. She grew
up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and actually had an Aunt Lilly, Uncle Vernie,
and a mother named Leone, all of whose stories are incorporated in the
show. To read more about these family members/characters visit the show's
web site at www.respectamusicaljourney.com.
Dorothy's other books include Understanding Management, Managing with
the Wisdom of Love, and four titles with Golden Books. Many years ago
Dr. Marcic worked on the TV show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. She has
traveled the U.S. and the world doing the one-woman show, The Musical
History of Women, which has been well-received in Australia, New Zealand,
Israel, Holland, England and South Africa. She's appeared on C-SPAN,
CMT, and Bravo Network. As a Fulbright Scholar, she taught at the University
of Economics in Prague, where she lived for four years. She is married
to Dick Daft and has three incredible daughters--Roxanne, Solange and
Elizabeth--who are her proudest achievements. She is grateful to the
women in her family for inspiring much of the piece. She also wants
to thank the wonderful cast and crew, especially Gail Shank, who believed
in the show and made this production possible. Her personal web site
is www.drdorothy.com
Peter
Loewy- Director
Mr. Loewy is very pleased to return to The Cuillo Centre where he directed
last season's smash musical comedy, PAGEANT. He is the founder
and Producing Artistic Director of the Forum Theatre Company, in Metuchen
N.J now celebrating its 20th season. He has produced and directed over
90 plays and musicals at the Forum. Mr. Loewy worked on Broadway with
librettist Michael Stewart, director Joe Layton and legendary producer
David Merrick on such shows as BARNUM; BRING BACK BIRDIE and
42ND STREET. He has directed world premier plays and musicals
throughout the country. KISS THE BRIDE a world premiere farce
at Theatre Fest, the professional theatre in residence at Montclair
State University, the musical CROONERS at the Phoenix theatre
in Arizona and the musical, KUNI -LEML, at the Walnut Street
Theatre in Philadelphia, to name a few. Mr. Loewy also toured his hilarious
production of the Allen Sherman musical, HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDUH
to both Boston and Florida. He imported from London's King Head Theatre
the musical MR. CINDERS and subsequently produced and directed
the North American premier at the Forum Theatre. He commissioned a new
work about WWII freedom fighter, Hannah Sennesh, entitled, HANNAH
SENNESH, THE MISSION HOME which he directed at The Forum Theatre
Company and later was transferred to The Kings Head Theatre in London.
Television and film credits include the Emmy Award winning children's
series, "Unicorn Tales", for NBC. He also developed and wrote
the award winning short subject musical DRACULA BITES THE BIG APPLE.
He would like to thank, Gail, Zac, Dean, Bob and the entire staff of
the Cuillo Centre for their dedication to this production and working
tirelessly to bring the highest quality entertainment to the theatergoers
of South Florida.
Phil Hinton - Production Music Director/ Music
Arrangements
Phil was, for many years, a pianist, arranger and conductor for the
BBC in London, UK. He has also arranged and conducted
more than 250 albums for artists such as Anthony Newley, Shirley Bassey,
Howard Keel, Elton John, Vince Hill, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Paul McCartney
to name just a few. He was Shirley Bassey's personal music director
for three years and Vince Hill's for nine years. Since permanently relocating
to the USA in 1994, he has directed countless theatre shows all over
the USA as well as having toured with Aretha Franklin and Jim Baily.
He has also given many classical and jazz piano recitals around the
USA and on several cruise ships, including the world-famous QE2. Phil
was also conductor of the Florida Pops Concert orchestra for three years.
Sarah Moeller (Stage manager)
Sarah Moeller's excited to be working with a fantastic group of women
and phenomenal production team in her first Chicago theatre production.
Her stage management experience includes The Balcony, Cabaret, Cosi
Fan Tutte and a production of Le Nozze di Figaro in Italy. Additional
directing credits include Exit the King, Tone Clusters and The Diary
of Adam and Eve. As a graduate of Millikin University she has a Directing
BFA and a Music BA with emphasis in voice and piano. Thank you to all
of my family and friends for their love and support.
Jon Rezin - Cast Album Producer/Engineer
PRODUCERS
Bob Cuillo - Co-Producer
Bob is a long-time resident of Palm Beach and New York and has been
involved in the performing arts as a producer, former musician and recording
artist. He co-produced the Broadway play So Long on Lonely Street
and was a partner in the 1979 Jerry Lewis comeback film Hardly Working.
His recent productions include The Florida Follies at the Parker
Playhouse, the Palm Beach, New York and Boston productions of Menopause
The Musical, the Tony nominated Broadway musical Dream, the Broadway
comedy More To Love both the Broadway and the London productions
of Jackie: An American Life, the Broadway production of Epic
Proportions, directed by Jerry Zaks and starring Kristin Chenowith,
Associate Producer for the Off-Broadway 2000 Pulizter Prize winner Dinner
with Friends, Co-Producer of the London production of Hedwig
and the Angry Inch, and The Betrayal of Nora Blake. Bob is
a major benefactor of the arts in the Palm Beaches and has supported
the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, as well as many charitable
causes. He is also the former president of the Florida Chapter of the
Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. He has served as director
of the Governors Club and the Epilepsy Society of Palm Beach County.
He is an active member of the Sail Fish Club of Palm Beach, the Palm
Beach Yacht Club, and the Governors Club. In 1996, he was honored by
the National Italian-American Foundation with their most prestigious
award, The Presidents Award for Lifetime Achievement in Business. He
is presently the Chairman & CEO of the Broadway production company Intermezzo
Inc. and Stage Door Productions, Inc that produce shows both on Broadway,
Off-Broadway and all over the world.
Richard
Daft - Co-Producer
Dick Daft is a partner in Darse Productions and RESPECT is his first
theatrical production. He became interested in theater production when
his wife, Dorothy Marcic, wrote the musical, RESPECT: A Musical Journey
of Women. His primary career is as a professor of business management
at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He has written twelve books,
including best-selling textbooks, on management and leadership, and
he has consulted on management issues with many corporations. His hobby
is involvement with start-up enterprises. Dick grew up in a small town
in Nebraska and received his bachelor's degree from the University of
Nebraska. He completed his graduate work in organization management
at the University of Chicago. Dick has two daughters, Danielle and Amy,
and four wonderful grandchildren from his previous marriage. He is proud
to share parenting duties with Dorothy of their three daughters, Roxanne,
Solange, and Elizabeth, who serve as global citizens by frequently volunteering,
studying or working abroad.
Gail
Shank - Co-Producer
Gail has been involved with the Cuillo Centre For The Arts since its
inception here on Clematis Street and is please to have been an integral
part of the theatre's success. She wishes to thank Mr. Cuillo for the
opportunity to co-produce RESPECT with him, and would like to express
her thanks to the cast and the crew of the show, as well as the staff
at the Cuillo Centre for the support they have provided. It has been
a wonderful experience to work with such a talented and strong group
of individuals. Gail would also like to express her appreciation for
the support and understanding of her family; Pete, Randi, Dustin, Cara
and Lillianne.
Special thanks to (in alphabetical order):
Lupita Ahangarzaseh, Nan Allison, Betty Anderson, Leslie Asplund, Baha'i
Community of Nashville, The Baha'i Women's Institute of Palm Beach County,
Black & White Boutique, Mandy Blevins, Lana Bogan, Ken Bowers, Ron
Browning, Becky Buckosh , Liz Byler, Ken Cabot, Stephanie Capps, Paula
Chavis, Gwen and David Clayborne, Laura D'Angelo, Sam Davis, Melinda
Doolittle, Adrienne Ewing-Roush, The Ferdowsis, Vali Forrister, Carol
Fox, Ridvan Foxhall
(Website Designer), David Friedlander, Julie Gann, Loree Gold, Mackenzie
Grant, Heidi Grebacher, Bob Guenette, Elizabeth Hai, Roxanne Hai, Solange
Hai, Tony Hai, Nick Harkin, Hatcher & Fell Photography, Robbie Keane,
Kimberley Lamarque, Ben & Francine Levy, Julian Ludwig, Kevin Madill
& Connie Florence, Shidan Majidi, Dr. Susan Mike, Jennifer Manocherian,
Alison & Parker McGee, Gina Mendello, Janet & Dick Mittelsteadt,
Wendi Momen, Halli Moore, Helen Naylor, Peter Neaman & Victoria
Marsick, Andrew Newell, Barbara Nicholson & Lysa Parker, Douglas
Paik, Lee Potts, Darwin Price, Tom Price, Karen Pritchard, David Probst,
Stella Reed, Jon Rezin, Reza & Ramona & Ruha Rehani, Nick Ritchie,
Debby & Bob Rosenfeld, Mark & Maxine Rossman, Joel And Joanne
Rothstein, Joe Sabatino, Barry Scott, Marietta Shipley, Lucy Shropshire,
Carolyn & Michael Stalcup, Michelle Stearns, Shannon Stordock, Vanderbilt
University, Susan Voss, Bill Walker, Maggie Winz, Valerie Wynn, Jack
Zink.