Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Presented in April, 2006

Directed by Bill McIntosh
A comedy by Steve Martin in one act
Place: a bar is Paris
Time: 1904

This long running Off Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame, and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso' agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era. (The Samuel French, Inc. catalog)

Cast
Elizabeth Colon-Nelson ....Suzanne/Visitor
Patrick Garone ............Picasso
Jamie Kolacki..............Einstein
Keta Roth .................Germain
Aaron Nathan...............Gaston
Jonathan Ramsey ...........Schmendiman
Shama Dardai ..............Countess
Hugo Rosado................Freddy
Richard Olivo .............Sagot
Sarah Sherron..............Admirer

Production Staff

Producer................................Rodney Higginbotham
Director ...............................Bill McIntosh
Stage Manager ......................... Karen Meagher
Scenic Designer/Co-Technical Director...Lizz Otto-Cramer
Lighting Designer/Co-Technical Director John Rodriguez
Costume Designer........................Elizabeth Shaffer
Sound Designer .........................Leroyed Manuel
Sound Board Operator .................. David Browning
House Manager...........................Lauren Bonner
Box Office Manager .................... Brigid Blume
Assistant Box Office Manager............Mimi Pounds
Accounts Manager........................Becca Raven Uminowicz
Graphic and Playbill Designer...........David Ropinski
Publicity Staff ........................Lauren Bonner, Timmothy McGaugher
Light Operator......................... Mary Santana
Set Construction ...................... Theatre Practicum class

Shama Dardai as Countess 
Sarah Sherron as Female Admirer
Jamie Kolacki as Einstein 
Keta Roth as Germaine
Jonathan Ramsey as Schmendiman
Aaron Nathan as Gaston
Patrick Garone as Picasso
Hugo Rosado as Freddy

Jamie Kolacki as Einstein
Elizabeth Colon-Nelson as Elvis
Patrick Garone as Picasso

Elizabeth Colon-Nelson as Suzanne
Shama Dardai as Countess
Jamie Kolacki as Einstein
Patrick Garone as Picasso

Photos: NEIU_imageAC

	Hugo Rosado (Freddy) has been in NEIU’s last three productions in the past two semesters. Hugo has worked in theatre since the age of twelve where he first appeared as Gandolf in The Hobbit. Since then, Hugo has grown up appearing in and training at various Chicago Park Districts as well as Theatre on the Lake and The Second City. Past credits include film (the soon to be released You Are Going To Prison), stage plays and many comedy sketch revues with ¡Salsation!, Chicago’s first and only Latin comedy group. Hugo’s varied interests include music, photography and cinematography. In the future Hugo wishes to continue learning the art of acting while finishing school. He is very thankful to all of his present and past directors, castmates and crew for all he has learned.
	Jamie Kolacki (Albert Einstein) This is Jamie’s fourth show with the Stage Center. Previously he was seen as Renfield in the fall production of Dracula. Looking forward to pursuing his love for the theatre, Jamie thanks his friends for always being there, his family for being the strongest support system ever, and everyone that lied to him that his hair looks good long!
	Elizabeth Colon- Nelson (Suzanne/ Visitor) This is Elizabeth’s debut with Stage Center Theatre, and what a glorious ball it has been. Hailing all the way from Georgia, this Puerto Rican southern belle has thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to work with such a great director, crew and cast. If by chance you were in any small theaters in Atlanta or at Elizabeth’s alma mater (Lee University) then perhaps you have seen her in Antigone as Antigone, The Foreigner as Catherine Simms or in Charley’s Aunt as Amy - just to name a few. If by chance this is your first on-stage ‘Elizabeth sighting,’ never fear - this historic night will be photographed and she will be sure to make it into the picture! Elizabeth would like to thank Selma and Calyx for being so understanding during the mess.
	Aaron Nathan (Gaston) received his BA in speech and music from NEIU in 1986. While attending NEIU, Aaron appeared in Stage Center’s productions of Sounds and Words, The Misanthrope, Last Dance and As you Like It. In 2004, he joined the Unity players where he performed in the Old Boy, Cinderella, A Social Event and The Proposal. Aaron currently teaches high school for Chicago Public Schools and is also a musician.
	Keta Roth (Germaine) is very pleased to be part of this production! What a fun show, cast and crew! She was last seen on this stage as Leontine in Triumph of Love. She has also worked with Theater at the Center, Provision Theater, Apple Tree Theatre TYA, Theatre Hikes, St Sebastian Players, Village Players, Attic Playhouse, Lincoln Square Theatre, Fleetwood- Jourdain, Stage Two, Bailiwick and a short tour of Greece. May God Bless America! Enjoy Life.
	Richard Olivo (Sagot) is currently attending his first year at NEIU. He is a double major in History and Education. He has been involved in many theatrical performances such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Oliver, The Music Man, Evita, Bye Bye Birdie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (at the Chicago Theatre). He is very happy to be involved in this show with the wonderful cast and crew.
	Shama Dardai (Countess) is pleased to be taking part in her fifth NEIU Stage Center production. She is an English major, Sociology minor, Aries and proud recipient of an NEIU Talent Scholarship Award for 2006 in Communication, Media and Theatre. She is grateful for the support and dedication of the cast, crew, director and audience and would like to thank everyone involved. She would also like a cookie.
	Patrick Garone (Picasso) This is Patrick Garone’s fourth Stage Center production. He was previously seen as Les Kenkat in Boy Gets Girl and prior to that he was in Life is A Dream and The Real Inspector Hound. Patrick is also an ensemble member of ¡Salsation! Theater Company, NFP and is the director of their new sketch revue, The FANTA Menace currently showing at Meztli Gallery in Pilsen.
	Sarah Sherron (Visitor) has been very active in the arts since seventh grade, when she debuted in The King and I. Since then, she has been in more than twelve plays/musicals. Her biggest roles include Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, Adapearl from The Wiz and Rosie from Bye Bye Bye Birdie. She has also been in West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Hair, and the the recent Dracula at NEIU. At NEIU she is now studying teaching and theatre and looks forward to further her involvement in the Stage Center. She hopes the audience enjoys this play as much as she has in the making of it. "This cast was awesome, thanks guys!!!"
	Jonathan Ramsey (Schmendiman) is currently a junior at Northeastern, triple majoring in things unrelated to theatre. He is a highly inexperienced actor, working with nothing but the raw human emotion that swells within his dark soul. His major influences include Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Jose Lopez and John Casey. He would like to thank his friends, his family and everyone in the Department of Philosophy who have come to show their support.

Bill McIntosh (Director) If it seems like Bill has been hanging around the Stage Center for a couple of years, it is true. Some four years ago he appeared onstage in Scapino. Then he directed Inspecting Carol, maybe three years ago. A year ago he appeared on stage (again) with The Game of Love and Chance. Goes to follow that he would direct again. With a cast like this he wonders why he waits so long! Also, Bill has directed for festivals in Seattle and for a children’s show about safety that has gone all over the globe. He would most like to thank the fine people who have read this little bio and are about to enjoy all out fine work (that’s you)!

Elizabeth Shaffer (Costume Designer) received her Masters Degree in design from Pennsylvania State University in 2000, after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been designing and draping in the Chicago/ Milwaukee/St Louis area for several years. Her work has been seen in collaboration with Lifeline Theatre (Artistic Ensemble Member), Bailiwick Arts Center, L’Opera Piccola, Northeastern Illinois University, Reverie Theatre Company, Townsquare Players, The Griffin, Chicago Jewish Theater, Opera Theater Highland Park, Loyola Univesity, Northwestern University Opera Department, The Metropolis, Appletree Theater, Opera Moda, Circle Theater, Theatre Building Chicago, One Theatre Company, Chicago Chamber Opera, Theatre at the Center, Remy Bumppo and Light Opera Works. She also spent five years as the Assistant Designer/Head Draper for the annual Baroque Handel Opera Festival in Gottingen, Germany. Elizabeth is the 2004 recipient of the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award and the winner of the Chicago After Dark Award for Queen Lucia with Lifeline Theatre.

Lizz Otto-Cramer (Co-Technical Director, Set Desiger) is pleased to be a new faculty member here at Northeastern. Lizz earned her Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Arts in Winston-Salem North Carolina. She has been working professionally since graduation and has designed and painted in Milwaukee WI, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. Her credits include Dracula, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Story, and Cole among others.

John Rodriguez (Co-Technical Director, Lighting Desiger) joined the theatre faculty at Northeastern two years ago and has been teaching courses in technical theatre as well as working as a designer on Stage Center productions. This year John has taken on the shared responsibilities of Technical Director along with new arrival Lizz Otto-Cramer. John most recently designed the set and lighting for Dracula and the lighting for Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

Director’s Notes

Albert Einstein (Physicist) Mr. Einstein was born at Ulm, in Watternberg, Germany, on March 14, 1879. Six weeks later the family moved to Munich and he began schooling there at the Luitpold Gymnasium. Later, the family moved to Italy and Albert continued his education at Aarau, Switzerland. In 1896 he entered the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich to be trained as a teacher in physics and mathematics. In 1901, the year he gained his diploma, he acquired Swiss citizenship. Unable to find a teaching post, he accepted a position as technical assistant in the Swiss Patent Office. In 1905 he obtained his doctor’s degree.

Pablo Picasso (Artist) Mr. Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain in 1881. Picasso showed a gift for painting and drawing at a young age. His father, an art professor, encouraged his son to paint and Picasso went through training programs in Barcelona and Madrid. As a young man, Picasso and his best friend Carlos Casajemas fled the conservative Spanish environment and settled in the lively arts community of Paris where he began to be noticed for his work. After being rejected by a woman, Picasso’s friend Casejemas committed suicide. Picasso reflected his grief in his art and began painting melancholy scenes of misfits and poverty, primarily in the color blue.