Rags

 

Camelot Theatre Company opens the second musical of its 2010 season, the Tony Nominated “Rags,” with Book by Joseph Stein (“Fiddler on the Roof,” “Your Show of Show,” “Zorba”), Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell,” “Wicked,” “Prince of Egypt”) and Music by Charles Strouse (“Annie,” “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” “Applause”). Camelot’s production of “Rags” is sponsored by Veranda Park.

 

“Rags” opened on Broadway in 1987 and was nominated for multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. Nicknamed “Fiddler on the Stoop,” “Rags”pays tribute to the Russian, Italian and Irish immigrants of 1910 as they passed through Ellis Island and into the sweatshops of New York City. That journey is seen through the eyes of two families: Rebecca and her son David, survivors of the Russian pogroms, desperately searching for Nathan, the husband and father who went on to America before them; and Avram, trying to keep his daughter Bella safe in a new world he can’t begin to understand. With musical styles ranging from Ragtime to Klezmer, “Rags” bears witness to the immigrant experience of our ancestors, the Children of the Wind.

 

Artistic Director Livia Genise directs Camelot’s production of “Rags.” Choreography is by Rebecca K. Campbell and Musical Direction is by Karl Iverson. “Rags” stars Rose Passione as Rebecca, Bob Jackson Miner as Avram, Jeremy Johnson as Saul, Kathleen Kellenbeck as Rachel, Michael Maisonneuve as Ben, Meghan McCandless as Bella, Mark Ropers as Nathan and and Lisa-Marie Werfel as David.

 

A former Broadway actress, Livia Genise has both directed and starred in many Camelot productions, including “Gigi,” “Cabaret,” “Shenandoah, “Do I Hear a Waltz,” “Sockdology,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Master Class,” “Woody Guthrie’s American Song,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Into the Woods,” “Promises, Promises” and “Brigadoon.”

 

Rebecca K. Campbell holds a B.A. in Music (emphasis in Vocal Performance) and History from Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Southern Oregon University. Resident Conservatory Director at Camelot, she served as the Director of Dance at Pacific University for 6 years. At CTC, Ms. Campbell has directed and choreographed “The Secret Garden” and “Into the Woods,” choreographed “Shenandoah,” “Promises, Promises,” “Meet Me In St. Louis,” “A Little Night Music,” “Children of Eden,” “Camelot” and “Zorba,” and has appeared in “Shenandoah,” “Spotlight on Judy Garland,” “A Little Night Music,” “Master Class,” “Zorba,” “Sisters Rosensweig” and “Enchanted April.”

 

Karl Iverson is has been with Camelot since 2003. Periodically he appears on stage, usually with an accordion at his chest, but likes to spend most oh his time in the musicians corner. Some of his favorites are “Man of La Mancha,” “1940's Radio Hour” and “Children of Eden.”  

 

Rose Passione’s previous Camelot roles include the Ayah in “The Secret Garden,” Sister James in “Doubt,” Meg Brockie in “Brigadoon,” Giovanna in “Do I Hear a Waltz” and Mrs. Anderssen in "A Little Night Music.”

Theatre-going audiences will recognize Bob Jackson Miner from previous Camelot productions (“Gigi,” “The Secret Garden,” “Shenandoah,”“A Little Night Music,” “1776” and “Do I Hear A Waltz?”), or the Oregon Cabaret Theatre (“Pump Boys & Dinettes” and “Guys On Ice”). Also known as Harmonica Bob ®, Miner had his own television show on a FOX affiliate for 4 years.

 

Kathleen Kellenbeck was last seen at the Camelot as Antonia in “Man of La Mancha.”

 

Returning to Camelot for his eleventh production, Jeremy Johnson was last seen at Camelot as Dr. Neville Craven in “The Secret Garden” and most notably as Chuck Baxter in “Promises, Promises.”

 

A recent graduate from the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts, Michael Maisonneuve recently appeared at Camelot as Gaston in “Gigi” and Dickon in “The Secret Garden.” Past productions at PCPA include “The Music Man,” “Les Misérables,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “White Christmas” and “Othello.”

 

A 16 years old Junior at St. Mary's High School come this fall, Meghan McCandless’ favorite roles at Camelot include Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker,” Little Red Riding Hood in “Into The Woods” and Betty Blake in “The Will Rogers Follies” for TTMO.

 

Last seen at Camelot in “Shenandoah” and “Do I Hear a Waltz,” Mark Ropers has been involved in over a hundred productions, from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” to “The Amazing Mrs. Slee.”           

 

Completing her freshman year at Ashland High School where she recently played Simple in “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” Lisa-Marie Werfel has appeared at Camelot in “Into the Woods,” “Brigadoon,” “I Remember Mama” and has appeared in the Camelot Conservatory shows for the last 4 years.

 

Other cast members include Charles Cherry (Bronstein), Casey Faubion (Mr. Rosen), Meagan Flitton (Valentina), Kelly Hammond (Mary Eileen), Helland Hoff Hoff (Big Tim Sullivan), Meagan Kirby (Rosa), Holly Neinhaus (Helga), Jonathan Andrew Oles (Huckster), Barbara Reins (Mrs. Sullivan), Reese Rush (Morris, Bunny Spady (Huckster) and Kathy Wing (Morris/ mother).           

 

Musicians for “Rags” are Karl Iverson (piano and accordion), Kathy Campbell (Synthesizer), Peter Spring (Reeds), Bil Leonhart (Guitar and Mandolin) and Steve Sutfin (Drums).

 

Peter Wickcliffe is the Assistant Director. The production team for “ Rags” include Presila Quinby as the dialect coach, Evalyn Hansen as Dramaturg and Camelot’s resident designers: costumer Barbara Rains, set designer, properties master and master carpenter Don Zastoupil, lighting designer Bart Grady and sound designer Brian O’Connor. Peter Wickliff is assistant director and dramaturge. Resident stage manager Taja Watkins heads the technical team of Casey Faubion (asst. Stage manager), Tana Watkins (light board operator) and James Lancaster (sound board and video operator).           

 

Reservations are definitely recommended for “Rags.” “Rags” previews June 23 and June 24 at 8 p.m., opens June 25 and runs through July 25. There is a special Pay-What-You-Can performance on Wednesday, June 30 at 8 p.m.

All Monday, Thursday Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and all Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. The June 23 performance is a Fundraiser for WinterSpring Center for Grief and Counseling. All tickets for this performance ONLY are $20. Tickets for the June 24 preview performance are $12.  All other regular performances are $19 for students and seniors and $21 for Adults. Student rush tickets of $10 will be available 5 minutes before show time subject to availability. Reserved seating is available for $2/ticket. Tickets can be purchased over the phone or in person at the Camelot box office, located at the corner of Talent Ave and Main St in Talent. Reservation requests can also be made online (click here). Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 1-5 p.m. and one hour before performances. To reserve tickets, call the Camelot Theatre Company Box Office at 535-5250.