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Lafayette’s Marquis Players will present their 17th annual production for charity with a staging of the Gershwin musical comedy Crazy for You March 15-17 at the Williams Center for the Arts.
The play will be performed 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $5 and may be obtained by calling the Chaplain’s Office at 610-330-5320. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, August Survivors Center, Habitat for Humanity, Safe Harbor Shelter, Turning Point, and the Third Street Alliance. The past 16 Lafayette student productions have netted nearly $60,000 for local, national, and international causes. Proceeds from last year’s performances of Chess exceeded $4,500.
Written by Ken Ludwig with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin, Crazy for You is directed by Bethlehem resident Janine Stavrovsky ’03.
The play opened at the Shubert Theatre Feb. 19, 1992, to critical acclaim. Frank Rich of the New York Times wrote, “The show is bursting with original talent that takes off on its own cocky path, pointedly mocking recent British musicals even as it sassily rethinks the American musical tradition stretching from the Gershwins to (Michael) Bennett.” Four years and 1,643 performances later, the final Broadway curtain dropped. Crazy for You had won three Tonys (Musical, Costume Design, Choreography); two Drama Desk Awards (Musical, Choreography), and five Outer Critics Circle Awards (Broadway Musical, Choreography, Scenic Design, Costumes, Lighting).
“The Marquis Players are a troupe of dedicated, hard-working, energetic, and compassionate actors working towards the dual goal of a fabulous production and raising money for charity,” says Marquis Players President Scott Wynne ‘02 (Valhalla, N.Y.), who plays the male lead, Bobby Child, and serves as vocal director. “Combine these qualities with emotional music, intense characterization, impressive tap dancing, and a touch of humor, and you have this spring’s production of Crazy For You. In the over 25 productions I have been involved with, it would be hard to say that any other group has worked harder than the cast and crew of Crazy For You.”
Stavrovsky says there are numerous reasons why she decided to direct this year’s Marquis Players show.
“First of all, I love that all our profits go to charity,” she explains. “It also gives a unique opportunity for students to put on a production and gain lots of experience by having leadership roles, working with each other, and having it benefit the community as well. It never ceases to amaze me that this production is almost completely student-operated. There are so many elements that go into putting on a show, and it is great that students have an outlet in which they can express their creative talents. I am very proud of everyone involved in this production. I hope that all members of this campus including students, faculty, and adminstration embrace this production and really enjoy the entertainment value of it. It is truly a fun and hysterical show with lots of dancing and comedy.”
Directing her first play was a challenge, Stavrovsky admits.
“There really is a lot of hard work that goes into putting on a show, but it is all very rewarding at the end, and there are lots of people who helped me along the way,” she says.
Choreographer Courtney DeThomas ’02 (Bronx, N.Y.) has been involved in the musicals for charity throughout her Lafayette career. “Working with the Marquis Players over the past four years has certainly added to my Lafayette experience,” she says. “The dedication of the students involved with this organization allows us to put on a great musical with the guidance of a student-run production staff while raising money for both Easton and national charities.”
“Being in Crazy for You has been one of my best experiences at Lafayette thus far,” says Toni Ahrens ’05 (Hamilton, N.Y.), who portrays the female lead character, Polly Baker. “I have worked with some of the most talented, dedicated, and fun people I have ever met, and made lasting friendships with these individuals.”
“The Marquis Players is an organization that allows students to work for personal and community goals, adds Ryan Van Horn ’04 (Gibsonia, Pa.), who plays the role of Moose. “Putting together a show is no easy task, but it is worth the hard work to provide local organizations with generous donations. There is nothing like the feeling I get after performing for an audience and knowing it is all for a good cause keeps me coming back.”
Marquis Players Officers
Scott Wynne ‘02 (Valhalla, N.Y.) — president
Jim Azarelo ‘03 (Cary, N.C.) — vice president
Dave Gross ‘02 (Willow Grove, Pa.) — secretary
Jen Tonkin ‘03 (Belle Mead, N.J.) — treasurer
Jessica Papada ’03 (Hazelton, Pa.) — business manager
Cast
Bobby Child — Scott Wynne ’02 (Valhalla, N.Y.)
Polly Baker — Toni Ahrens ’05 (Hamilton, N.Y.)
Bela Zangler — Michael McFadden ’04 (Lansdowne, Pa.)
Irene Roth — Josie Dykstra ’05 (Doylestown, Pa.)
Lank Hawkins — Jim Azarelo ’03 (Cary, N.C.)
Patricia Fodor — Erika Marshall ’03 (Bonita, Calif.)
Eugene Fodor — Tim Fargus ’02 (Stafford Springs, Conn.)
Everett Baker — Nate Lonergan ’04 (Orwigsburg, Pa.)
Lottie Child — Michelle Angelo ’02 (East Islip, N.Y.)
Tess — Angie Kulbick ’02 (Cinnaminson, N.J.)
Patsy — LeAnn Dourte ’05 (Lebanon, Pa.)
Vera — Sandy Furnbach ’03 (Matawan, N.J.)
Betsy — Courtney DeThomas ’02 (Bronx, N.Y.)
Margie — Shannon Sullivan ’04 (Wading River, N.Y.)
Susie — Jessica Papada ’03 (Hazelton, Pa.)
Sheila — Christina Frey ’05 (Chalfont, Pa.)
Louise — Abby O’Connor ’03 (Newton, N.J.)
Moose — Ryan Van Horn ’04 (Gibsonia, Pa.)
Mingo — Chris Secules ’02 (Hughesville, Pa.)
Sam — Robert Murray ’02 (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Custus — David Gross ’02 (Willow Grove, Pa.)
Pete — David Castelletti ’05 (Martins Creek, Pa.)
Jimmy — Andrew Segan ’05 (Maple Glen, Pa.)
Chorus Girls — Amie Aguiar ’04 (Warren, R.I.), Julie Niblock ’04 (Philadelphia, Pa.) Ashlee Snyder ’05 (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Rebecca Banchik ’05 (West Lebanon, N.H.) Alicia Vergnes ’05 (Lagrangeville, N.Y.)
Crew
Faculty Sponsor/Producer — Chaplain Gary Miller
Director — Janine Stavrovsky ’03 (Bethlehem, Pa.)
Vocal Director — Scott Wynne ’02 (Valhalla, N.Y.)
Choreographer — Courtney DeThomas ’02 (Bronx, N.Y.)
Musical Director — Jennifer Tonkin ’03 (Belle Mead, N.J.)
Technical Director — Jason Barbely ’02 (North Brunswick, N.J.)
Costume Design — Sharon Steele ’02 (Manheim, Pa.), Cristen Place ’02 (Laceyville, Pa.)
Stage Managers — Elizabeth Youngkin ’03 (Easton, Pa.), Alyssa Spiro ’02 (Ewing, N.J.)
Art Design — Dave Gross ’02 (Willow Grove, Pa.)
Lighting Design — Chris David ’04 (Sandy Hook, Conn.)
Sound Design — Rusty Wandall ’04 (Ambler, Pa.)
Rehearsal Pianist — Janna Pachuski ’02 (Kulpmont, Pa.)
Playbill Design — Scott Wynne ’02 (Valhalla, N.Y.)
Prop Manager — Michelle Angelo ’02 (East Islip, N.Y.)