While Camelot produced the show originally in the summer of 2003 to sold-out houses (Marston, Spring and Woolsey were in that first production at Camelot), Artistic Director Livia Genise thought it was time to bring it back. “Not only are the words of the people that inspired this musical once again as relevant as when Woody wrote them down during the dust bowl and the depression, but this musical celebrates the resiliency of the American people - their indomitable spirit and their ability to create community and tell their stories through music. I think we need that reminder right now.”

When adapter/director Peter Michael Glazer first produced the show, he included the following in his director’s notes: “Woody was a performer, but he was also inspired by performance writ large; by people trying to make their way in a difficult world. "They don't just set along in the sun," he wrote of California's migrant workers in Bound for Glory, "they go by the sun, and it lights up the country that they know is theirs." His songs and stories captured scenes of Americans struggling to stake their claim. How could we see them? How could we know them? I wanted to make a piece of theater, and that "making" came to be about bringing those people and their times to life as much as it was about Woody's music. In truth, it was about both at the same time. "Your works and my works held hands," he wrote to them, to you, to us all, "and our memories never did separate."

Direction is by Livia Genise with Musical Direction by Mark Reppert. The production team for “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” includes Breena Cope (costumes), Sarah Gore (properties mistress), Sound and audio/video designer Brian O’Connor. Set design is by production manager Roy Von Rains and Stage Manger Taja Watkins. Lighting design is by Paul R. Jones. This production of “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” is sponsored by Stephen Krause for The Amigo Club.

BIOS

Livia Genise ~ Director

A former Broadway actress and Camelot’s Artistic Director, Livia Genise has both directed and starred in many Camelot productions, including “All the King’s Men,” "Funny Girl,” “Rags,” “Gigi,” “Cabaret,” “Shenandoah, “Sockdology,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Master Class.” She was seen most recently as Mama Rose in Camelot's production of “Gypsy.”

Mark Reppert ~ Musical Director

One of Camelot’s Resident Musical Directors, Mark Reppert studied conducting, composition, piano and music history at the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in B.A. in Music History in 1973 and completed a master’s degree in piano performance from Cal State University, Chico. He recently retired from a 33-year career in public schools music teaching. He is in his third year as director of the Siskiyou Singers in Ashland and works as a musician around the Valley. He has been the music director at Camelot Theatre for “Gypsy,” “Funny Girl,” “Shenandoah,” “Cabaret,” “Secret Garden,” “Gigi,” “Spotlight on Mae West,” “White Christmas” and “Sweeney Todd.”

Tamara Marston ~ Woman

Tamara Marston has been an actor, singer and director in the Rogue Valley for over 20 years. She has appeared in many productions at the Oregon Cabaret Theater, including “Cindy Rella,” “Nunsense,” “Kathy and Mo” and “Parcel From America.” Other productions in the valley include “Woody Guthrie’s American Song,” “The Odd Couple,” “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well” and “Nickeled and Dimed.”

Kendra Taylor ~ Young Woman

Kendra Taylor’s roles at Camelot include Martha Jefferson in “1778,” Anne Stanton/Miss Dumonde in “All the King’s Men” and Johanna in “Sweeney Todd.” She has also performed with SORS, SOU Choirs and Bands, Raiders of the Lost Art, YSSO, OFAM, Sauerkrauts German Band, the State of Jefferson Sometimes Marching Band and with Rogue Opera. Taylor has a B.S. in Music Education and is currently working on her Masters in Teaching.

Tyler Ward ~ Second Young Man

This is Tyler's second show with Camelot, appearing in All the King’s Men earlier this year. He attended Bowling Green State University where he studied acting and directing. He recently appeared as Thomas Jefferson in Camelot’s production of “1776.” Other past credits include “Macbeth” and “Titus Andronicus” for Lionface Productions, Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” “The Ugly Duckling” and two separate productions of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”

Peter Wickliffe ~ First Young Man

Peter has been seen at Camelot in “1776,” “All the King’s Men,” “Crimes of The Heart,” “Funny Girl,” “A Few Good Men,” “White Christmas,” “Cabaret,” “I Remember Mama,” and “Shenandoah.” He appeared in ACT’s performance of I”t’s Only a Play.” Wickliffe will be directing Randall Theatre’s production of “Dracula” in the fall.

Scott Woolsey ~ Man

Scott Woolsey is happy to be returning for this production in honor of Woody’s 100th birthday. He also appeared in and musically directed the Camelot production of “The Grapes of Wrath” in 2007. Woolsey has lived in the Rogue Valley since 1989 and has written, recorded, and performed music for two Oregon Shakespeare Productions during the 1990’s. He also performs Blues music on both acoustic and electric guitars.