Music and lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Alicia Sweeney
Produced by Judi Wobensmith
April 12 - May 5, 2019
Run time: 95m
(no intermission)

A New Brain is an autobiographical musical by William Finn, of Falsettos and Spelling Bee fame, concerning his bout with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain and the healing power of art through the character of songwriter Gordon Schwinn. The show opens with Gordon working at his piano to meet a deadline, irritated because he must write a song about spring for a children’s television host, Mr. Bungee, who dresses as a frog. At lunch with best friend and agent, Rhoda, Gordon collapses face first into his meal and is taken to the hospital. Gordon’s greatest fear is dying with his best songs still unwritten. Descending upon his hospital room are a hilariously absurd cast of characters: his oppressive mother, his supportive lover, hospital staff, and a wise homeless woman and a hallucination of his haranguing, amphibian boss. Facing his own mortality and awaiting brain surgery, Gordon wrestles with the person he has been, the legacy he will leave behind, and ultimately, the person he will be if he survives.

To download the production postcard for A New Brain to share with your friends, visit the Downloads page of our website and look under the Production Postcard heading. 

 

About the Author/Lyracist/Composer

William Finn is a Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist who is perhaps best known for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was directed by his frequent collaborator, James Lapine, a winner of three Tony Awards. The two men had a long history of working together before collaborating on A New Brain. Their 1992 production of Falsettos was nominated for eight Tony Awards, with Finn and Lapine sharing the award for best book of a musical and Finn winning for best original score. Finn’s burgeoning career suffered a major set back soon after the Falsettos opening when he was rushed to a hospital, suffering from dizziness and partial paralysis. The diagnosis was arteriovenous malformation -- a tangle of abnormal blood vessels that disrupt the vital process of providing oxygen rich blood to the brain. Finn believed death was imminent and that he would not live to write the many songs filling his brain. But he survived risky surgery, and his good health returned. A New Brain was born out of that trauma. In about 30 songs, it follows Finn’s journey from good health to near death and back to good health. Finn is a heavily autobiographical writer. His topics have included gay and Jewish experiences in contemporary America along with family, belonging, sickness, healing, and loss. Lapine has had a stellar career on Broadway, winning three Tonys for best book of a musical, five Drama Desk Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He wrote the book for and directed three Stephen Sondheim musicals -- Sunday in the Park with George, Passion, and Into the Woods. He also directed Broadway productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Diary of Anne Frank, and the 2012 revival of Annie.

 

About the Director

Alicia Sweeney has had the pleasure of being involved onmany sides of Colonial Players ’70th Season. From working with the promising playwright project to performing in The Babylon Line to directing A New Brain, each project takes on its own special family of volunteers who devote their time, energy, and talent for the love of theater. I am deeply indebted and grateful to this cast and production team for their dedication, professionalism, and work ethic. This production has provided me the opportunity to build upon existing friendships and begin new ones. Many thanks to Jessica Deskin for her outstanding musical direction and leadership; Wes Bedsworth for his support and input on technical aspects; and John Purnell for his exceptional lighting design and support. As always, I am extremely grateful to you, the audience, for supporting live theater and this special community. None of this is possible without you.

 

Director's Notes

“Don’t die with your music still in you.”

“Don’t die with your music still in you.”~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Everyone talks about change. Fresh starts. New perspectives. We jokingly say to our friends, “Ugh! I need a new brain!” Unfortunately, many times it takes a catastrophe or a traumatic event to makes us aware of what is important or what we have been ignoring or taking for granted. A New Brain is an autobiographical musical born out of such an event. Perhaps you or someone you know has had a medical emergency that came out of nowhere. I know I have. Time stops. Suddenly you find yourself in a bubble, trying to make sense of things or take care of things. None of us knows how we will react in a situation like this. In the moment, we are all just trying to get through it. Once on the other side of it, when you’ve had a chance to reflect, perhaps, If you are open to it, something beautiful will come out of such an event-- a work of art, a deeper relationship, a fresh perspective on life and what is important to you. A New Brain is not often done. It is a quirky love letter William Finn wrote to himself, his mother, and his partner -- or a strange dream he had,and you were there and I was there. Rather than follow this story of someone else’s situation, I ask you to identify with each character in this dream. Any of us could be any of these characters. Life is a strange and precious journey full of laughter and love if you let it be. As Gordon sings: “Everything’s changed, and nothing’s changed. I mean, I’m different, but I’m still the same – I still complain… but I’m not the same that I was – except I’m the same that I was, but different – At least, I hope I’m different.” Change your perspective. Change your mindset. Change your habits. The things you do today create your tomorrow. If not now, when?

– ALICIA SWEENEY

 

About the Music Director

Jessica Deskin is absolutely thrilled to be working with The Colonial Players and this AMAZING cast and crew! She is new to Annapolis, and CP has been a “friend,” not only because of the wonderful people she’s met from the shows, but the emotional journey each production has taken her on viewed in CP's intimate ‘in-the-round’setting. Jessica is a vocalist/pianist with classical, jazz, contemporary, and Estill voice training/pedagogy. She is a singer, songwriter, and performer with a decade of teaching and is passionate abouthelping vocalists reach their next level as musicians and performers. In her day job, Jessica works on the administrative side of music and arts with renowned saxophonist/ educator Jeff Antoniuk, supporting the local and global community of adult jazz music education. Thank you, Debbie, Jeff, all of my friends and family for your support; thank you to the pit, Les, Richard, and especially Alicia, for inviting me on this journey.

 

The Cast

Cheryl J. Campo (A Homeless Lady) - After having previously been a rehearsal pianist for The Colonial Players’ 2016 production of The Secret Garden, Cheryl is thrilled to appear onstage in CP’s A New Brain with another ridiculously talented group of people. Her Maryland credits include Arts Collective at Howard Community College, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Director); Olney Theatre Center, South Pacific (Bloody Mary); Cohesion Theatre Company, fools and madmen, a hip hop adaptation of King Lear that toured Baltimore City in 2018 (Gloucester); Damascus Theatre Company, The Musical of Musicals (Abby) [WATCH Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical]; Red Branch Theatre Company, Avenue Q (Christmas Eve); Pumpkin Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk (Jack's Mother); and Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Twelfth Night (Maria). Cheryl is a theater and choir teacher at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, where she also musical directs their middle and high school shows. Many thanks to the production team for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing project and to Bruce for his endless patience, love and support.

Shane Conrad (Roger Delli-Bovi) - Shane is elated to be stepping into a role he has dreamed about for over a decade and making his Colonial Players debut all in one fell swoop. Most recently he starred as Freddy in PGLT's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Chip in Greenbelt Art Center’s Spelling Bee. Shane is a middle school teacher in Anne Arundel County and spends most days surrounded by hormonal thirteen year olds. Fear and pity him. When not teaching, he spends time with his six-month-old son, Monkey Boy Blain. He would like to thank his wife, Cozette, for stepping up at home so he can pursue his dream of "sailing" and becoming a giant eggplant.

Aref Dajani (Dr. Jafar Berensteiner) - Aref is a high baritone, a vocalstudent of Ana Castrello, and anacting student of Ken Arnold. This is his CP debut. Aref performs locally in opera, musical theater, dramatic theater, semi-staged readings (including the annual Pageto-Stage Festival), cabaret and karaoke. Favorite opera roles include Don Octave (The Stoned Guest), Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors), and Monostatos (The Magic Flute). Favorite musical theater roles include Jack (Into the Woods), Padre (Man of La Mancha), and Prospero (Return tothe Forbidden Planet). Favorite dramatic theater roles include Canon Penne father (Murder on the Nile), Mike Connor (The Philadelphia Story), andMr. Robinson (The Graduate). Aref praises CP forpromoting high quality, live theater that is accessible and affordable. Performing in local theater allowshim to shamelessly break the fourth wall, but at CP, what wall?! Kudos to the ensemble of knitters who engaged in contrapuntal virtuosity during auditions and callbacks, the script selection committee for under taking a delicious challenge we achieved in the round, and most notably his partner Jack, his own “Roger” throughout his recovery after his craniotomy at Hopkins last year. Physician assistant, patient advocate, and mother hen. For Jack, Aref dedicates this performance tonight.

Rebecca Downs (Mimi Schwinn) - She has worked professionally on both coasts, onstage and on-camera, doing principal and guest-starring spots on shows such CSI Miami, Robbery Homicide Division; Will & Grace; Everybody Loves Raymond and Another World. She has looped movies and recorded characters for animated series and video games, including multiple characters for the World Of Warcraft series. She premiered Dancing With Miracles off-Broadway at The Whole Theater Co. and Captain Neato-Man at The Westbank Cafe. But her favorite roles are from shows she has done here at The Colonial Players - Katherine in 33 Variations and Lilian Lafleur in Nine. Also a professional jazz singer and published songwriter, Rebecca collaborated on music for films such as Wedding Crashers, Down With Love, The Cooler, and Monster-InLaw. She dedicates this show to her parents and to all parents who have the courage to love and support their children through the most terrifying of times.

Ron Giddings (Gordon Michael Schwinn) - Ron has had so much fun working with this special group in a show that is close to his heart for many reasons. He most recently appeared as Aaron Port in CP's production of The Babylon Line. He has also appeared at CP over the last few years as Nick in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (WATCH award for Featured Actor in a Play), Mr. Green in CP’s Musical-in-a-Week production of Clue: The Musical, and Edgar/Bat Boy (WATCH award for Best Actor in a Musical) in Bat Boy. He has acted in the area with Dundalk Community Theatre, Cockpit in Court, Dignity Players, Moonlight Troupers, 2nd Star, Phoenix Festival Theatre, the Maryland Arts Festival, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, and Standing O as John in 2008’s production of john & jen, in The Musical of Musicals (Jitter), Tracers (Scooter), This is Our Youth (Dennis), and in the US Premiere of After the Dance (Peter). “Thanks to my parents, family, and friends for being more supportive than I could ever express.”

Heather McMunigal (Rhoda) - Heather McMunigal is delighted to be returning to The Colonial Players stage. Most recently, she performed the role of Mother in Ragtime with 2nd Star Productions. Other recent performances include Rose in The Secret Garden and Fred’s Wife in A Christmas Carol at The Colonial Players. She was dance captain and in the ensemble of Sister Act at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, where she is currently producing Songs for a New World. Heather sings with Live Arts Maryland as part of the Annapolis Chorale and Chamber Singers and has appeared asa featured performer in their productions of Kiss Me Kate, Grand Night for Singing, and Oklahoma! She has a bachelor of arts in music (voice) from Penn State University. During the day, Heather helps to Save the Bay working for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Many thanks to Alicia, Jess, the production team, and our talented and dynamic cast for making this such a great experience.

Eric Meadows (The Minister) - Eric is very excited to be performing with The Colonial Players for a second time. His last appearance on this stage was in the role of Scrooge as a Boy in A Christmas Carol nearly 20 years ago, so he felt it was about time to return.This show particularly resonates with him following his 2016 battle with leukemia, and he is honored to be working with so many amazing individuals. Some of his favorite recent roles have been Brandy Bottle Bates in Guys and Dolls (2016), Charlie Davenportin Annie Get Your Gun (2017), and J.P. Morgan in Ragtime (2018) with 2nd Star Productions and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family (2015) with Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unending support andthe cast and crew for all of their hard work!

Jamie Erin Miller (Waitress/Nancy D.) - Jamie is thrilled to be back at The Colonial Players with her “theater family.” Jamie majored in theater at The University of Central Florida and received her master’s degree in elementary education. She is currently working as an assistant principal for Anne Arundel County. Since moving to the area 12 years ago, Jamie has performed in the Maryland and DC area with Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, The Colonial Players, Dignity Players, 2nd Star Productions, Standing O Productions, and Winters Lane Productions (to name a few). Some of her favorite roles include Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (nominated for a Washington Area Theater Community Honors Award); Maureen in Rent; Woman 1 in I Love You,You’re Perfect, Now Change (WATCH nominee); Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Izzy in Rabbit Hole (WATCH nominee). Jamie would liketo thank Alicia, Jess, and the entire cast and crewfor everything that went into this show! And a very special thank you goes out to all of her family and friends for their endless love and support, especially her husband, Andrew, and their daughter, Sophie.

Tom Newbrough (Mr. Bungee) - Tom has acted and sung locally for many years. Some of his more recent musical appearances include roles in Jacques Brel, Assassins, Urinetown, On the 20th Century, Catch Me If You Can, and last year's premiere of Do It Now: the Mayor Schaefer Musical. At CP, Tom directed Strange Snow, A Shayna Maidel, Incorruptible, Rabbit Hole, and Dead Man's Cell Phone. By trade, Tom is a trial attorney for Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg & Katzenberg. As always, he thanks his family for their love and support and feels fortunate to be working with such a talented cast and crew. Tom dedicates this performance to an American legend, Mr. Fred Rogers. 

 

The Production Staff

Richard Atha-Nicholls (Sound Designer) This will be Richard’s third production designing sound for The Colonial Players this season. He has previously engineered or designed sound for numerous productions, primarily at CP and Laurel Mill Playhouse. His sound designs have garnered two WATCH nominations.Richard has appeared on area stages, and in his spare time helps run Disc world conventions. Occasionally he has been known to direct. He’staking a break from sound design after this show by producing the final show of the season, Towards Zero. Love to C, A & P. Always in my heart, O.

Shannon Benil (Assistant Director) Shannon Benil is proud to work beside Alicia, her long-time friendand past (and most fun!) roomie. Having performed in numerous shows at The Colonial Players, she is happy to step behind the scenes and help Alicia bring her visionfor this show to life. She hopes to be directing a show of her own in the next season or two.

Tim Brown (Producer) Since retiring and becoming an active volunteer at The Colonial Players, Tim has produced anumber of shows, including The Babylon Line earlier this season. He also produced Lucky Stiff; Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and It's a Wonderful Life, and was assistantproducer for Boeing Boeing. Other roles have included lighting assistant and programmer for Nine and Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll. He stage managed the 2016 production of A Christmas Carol. Tim is production director on CP’s Board of Directors.

Shirley Panek (Stage Manager) Shirley has been spending moretime backstage than on stage recently, and is happy to stage manage such a talented cast. Previous production credits include stage manager (1776, Bat Boy, Venus in Fur, Nine), producer (33 Variations, Sex with Strangers), and lighting designer (Calendar Girls, Cripple of Inishmaan, Clue - The One Week Musical Project, A Few Good Men, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Trying, Moonlight and Magnolias, and Chapter Two (2012 WATCH nominee) - all at Colonial Players. Shirley would like to thank Alicia for trusting her with this amazing cast, Judi for her organization skills and attention to detail, and all of the production staff for their hard work. Love to J, A, and E.

John Purnell (Lighting Designer) John is excited to be working on A New Brain, his third lighting design for The Colonial Players inthe last three years. Last fall he lit the critically acclaimed The Babylon Line. John litlast season’s winter show, Quartet, which won first runner up for a non-musical at the Ruby Griffith awards. In days long gone by, John won CP lighting awards for Driving Miss Daisy and The Road to Mecca. He has also lit Isn’t it Romantic; Rebel Armies Deep Into Chad; and Red, Hot, and Cole at CP. Other lighting designs include Altar Boyz, Light Up the Stars, and the 50th Anniversary Gala at ASGT, and The Dining Room, The Miracle Worker, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Deathtrap, Hexagon, The DC Bar Revue, and The Mikado at other area theaters. In his onstage persona, John has just finished performing Officer Welch in Rumors here at CP. He recently played Warner Purcell in Bullets Over Broadway, Colonel Mustard in Clue: The Musical, and John in If Men Played Cards As Women Do. John’s wife, Claire, is very patient with his thespian activities and often bakes for cast and crew. Yummm!

Charlotte Robinson (Properties Designer) Charlotte joined CP in 1984 and was invited to work backstage in 1988 on the stage crew for Dial M For Murder. Since then she has worked on over 50 shows, several committees,and the Board of Directors. In recent years shehas moved from tech, crew, and stage manager to props responsibilities. Her most recent shows were The Secret Garden, Trying, Side Man, Lucky Stiff, and the 2018 version of A Christmas Carol.

Judi Wobensmith (Assistant Producer) Judi has been involved in over 200 productions in the Annapolis/DC area both on and off stage since 1979. She has produced shows at The Colonial Players, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, and Petrucci’s to name a few. Previous directing credits include: A Christmas Carol (four times at CP), The Music Man, Gigi, The King and I, Carnival, Marriages, Something’s Afoot (at Colonial Players and 2nd Star Productions), The Sunshine Boys, and Mrs. California, among others. She has served three terms on the Board of Directors at CP, two terms as Production Director at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. Judi has also appeared in various TV commercials and documentaries as well as on MPT. She spends her spare time working at the House of Delegates in Annapolis. She wants to thank all the production staffs, past and present, for giving unstintingly to all the productions on which they have worked. But then, every volunteer at CP invests a lot of time. She also thanks her husband, John, for supporting her theater forays.

Carol Youmans (Set Designer) Carol has been an active member of Colonial Players for almost 40 years, starting as a set painter and learning how to design sets, lights and sound, working toward directing. Since 1985, she has directed many shows at Colonial Players, among which are her favorites, In The Next Room five seasons ago, Dog Logic, Macbeth, Fences, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Having served many times on the Board of Directors, she is currently working to change the focus of the Promising Playwright Contest to more completely engage the playwright and there sources that Colonial Players has to offer on a year long journey from page to stage. Creating this surrealistic set for A New Brain has been an artistic treat! Thanks to Connie Robinson and her crew who have stepped in at the 11th hour to implement my design!