THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM is laugh-a-minute, southern, bluegrass, musical tall-tale and a classic piece of American literature. The story (originally written by Mississippi-born writer Eudora Welty) is a southern Robin Hood fairy-tale for adults. It's about Jamie Lockhart - gentleman by day and bandit of the woods by night - who falls in love with the beautiful and feisty Rosamund. She is the daughter of a wealthy landowner whose new wife is the ugliest and meanest woman on the Natchez-Trace. Pepper in a brawny villain with no brains, a talking head (quite literally), and some of the most beautiful and fun bluegrass this side of the Mississippi and you got a recipe for a foot stomping, YEEEEE-Hawing, great time!
Come and experience the best musical you've never heard of by the South Shore's premier professional theatre company!
TICKET INFORMATION:
The show will run for three weeks from July 7 through July 24 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will be at 7 pm and the Sunday shows will be at 2 pm.
Box Office opens one hour prior to each show and doors open 30 minutes prior to each show.
Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
July 7 - 24, 2022
$35.00 adults $30.00 seniors | students
Spire Center for the Performing Arts
Court Street, Plymouth, Mass.
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MICHAEL HILL-KIRKLAND, PH.D (Director) currently serves as faculty representative supervising Regent’s MFA in Acting program in the Department of Performing Arts & Music. He has a Ph.D. in the History, Theory, Criticism and Literature of the Theatre from the University of Utah, an MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a B.A. in Theater with an emphasis in Acting from California State University, Fullerton. While at the University of Utah he studied under and was mentored by Tyrone Guthrie protégé, Dr. David Jones. He also did post-graduate training in directing at the University of Michigan with Walter Eysselinck and Richard Burgwin, and served as resident stage manager for Michigan Ensemble Theatre. Practical specializations include acting, directing and stage combat.
A passionate advocate of the Sanford Meisner Approach to acting, he teaches this technique in Regent’s MFA Acting program. A certified teacher and fight director with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) since 1992, he has designed stage fights and instructed all over the U.S. and guest-taught at such prestigious UK conservatories as RADA, the Birmingham School of Acting, and MGA Academy, in Edinburgh. He is on-site coordinator for the Virginia Beach BASH, an SAFD-sanctioned stage and screen combat workshop in residence at Regent University. He is author of Stage Combat: An Annotated Bibliography, numerous articles in The Fight Master: Journal of the Society of American Fight Directors, and other theatre journals. A member of Actors Equity Association since1978, he originated the roles of deputy Bobby Tate in Sagebrush (Cast Theatre, Hollywood) and Jake in Idioglossia (Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) later adapted into the motion picture Nell, starring Jodie Foster. He has acted with such luminaries as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Elliott, and Jason Patric.
Directing credits include: The Producers (Monterey Peninsula Theatre Company); Private Lives, The 39 Steps, The Cottage and Man of La Mancha (Americana Theatre Company); Flashdance (MGA Academy, Edinburgh); The Servant of Two Masters (Edinburgh Festival Fringe); and Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (Zeiders American Dream Theater). Michael lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife, actress/costume designer CJ Hill, and their two precocious little dogs, Toby and Gemma.
Michael Hill-Kirkland, Ph.D
Director
Enchanting work from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudoa Welty (of “Driving Miss Daisy”) doubles cast as live bluegrass band
https://www.mcgrathpr.com/2022/05/01/americana-theatre-company-presents-rousing-bluegrass-musical-the-robber-bridegroom/
McGRATHPR.com – Americana Theatre Company (ATC), Plymouth’s professional theatre company, presents the rousing Robin Hood-esque, southern bluegrass musical tale “The Robber Bridegroom”, playing Thursdays through Sundays from July 7 through 24, at Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. “The Robber Bridegroom” is based on the novella by Eudora Welty, with book and lyrics by Alfred Uhry, and music by Robert Waldman. The production is directed by Michael Kirkland, with music direction by Sarah Troxler.
“This production represents a pivotal moment for Americana Theatre Company. Our cast not only performs their roles, but actually play all the instruments of a live bluegrass band as well – including piano, guitars, fiddles, banjo, bass and percussion. The Robber Bridegroom represents the true landscape of Americana on stage, captivating theatre lovers and music aficionados of the folk, country and bluegrass genres alike, theatrical elements we are thrilled to champion!” shares Derek Martin, ATC founder.
A rousing, bawdy, southern fairytale, “The Robber Bridegroom” is an enchanting musical from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the beloved book/movie “Driving Miss Daisy,” Eudora Welty. Its music delves deep into the plot through its onstage cast-and-band as one of the only genuine bluegrass scores ever heard in a Broadway musical! Set in 18th century Mississippi, the riveting tale is centered on Jamie Lockhart, a rascally robber of the woods, courting Rosamund, the sole daughter of the richest planter in the country. Fairytale aspirations derail when a double-mistaken identity and wacky hijinx tip the tale awry. An evil stepmother steps in, intent on Rosamund’s demise, with her pea-brained henchman, skyrocketing the bedlam into a rollicking country romp!
“The Robber Bridegroom” features ATC company members Derek Martin as Jamie Lockhart/Guitar, Jesse Sullivan as Clement Musgrove, Erin Friday as Salome and David Friday as Little Harp. Special guest artists include Kelly Ann Dunn as Rosamund, Spencer Gayden as Big Harp/Percussion, Jesse Winton as Goat/Guitar, Angelica Vendetti as First Fiddle, Rachel Wambeke as Goat’s Mother/Second Fiddle/Ensemble, Emma Harlow as Raven, Matthew Girard as Ensemble/Bass, Bob Sullivan as Banjo, Connor Northcutt and Payton Gobeille as Ensemble and Sarah Troxler as Music Director/Piano.
“This is simultaneously a musical theatre comedy and an immersive bluegrass concert all in one!” shares Jesse Sullivan, ATC artistic director. “We chose this show because it is the best musical you’ve never seen, and we’re confident that our audience will have the best time they ever enjoyed attending our stellar productions, leaving them with a spring in their step and their heart!”
Americana Theatre Company Founder Derek Martin performs the guitar playing role “Jamie Lockhart” in The Robber Bridegroom, courtesy image.
.Tickets for “The Robber Bridegroom” are $35 for adults, $30 for students and seniors. Most performances begin at 7 pm, Sunday matinees perform at 2 pm. The production will abide by all state health safety guidelines for performing arts venues.
To purchase tickets to “The Robber Bridegroom,” or for more information about Americana Theatre Company, visit americanatheatre.org/tickets, or call 508-591-0282. Spire Center for Performing Arts is handicap accessible, and paid public parking is available street side and in nearby public lots.
Americana Theatre Company is comprised of professionals who have worked from the highest quality regional theaters across the country from L.A. to NYC We are proud to present you actors of the highest professional caliber.
SUMMER 2022
CAST & CREW
Company Member | Co-Artistic Director | Jaime Lockhart/ The Bandit of the Woods / Guitar
California
DEREK G. MARTIN
Derek Grant Martin (Jamie Lockhart/The Bandit of the Woods/Guitar 2) is an actor, director, choreographer, and educator. He spent the last 25+ years working professionally in the theatre and in higher-education. He been a professor of theatre at Regent University, William Jessup University and will join Stonehill College Theatre program this fall. Some of his favorite roles have been Don Lockwood in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Ebeneezer Scrooge in SCROOGE the Musical, Archibald Craven in THE SECRET GARDEN, Vic Fleming in MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, and Wadsworth in CLUE to name a very few. He is thrilled to serve the patrons of Americana Theatre Company once again.
Company Member | Technical Director | Little Harp
Massachusetts
DAVID FRIDAY
As a company member David has enjoyed roles as Governor in Man of La Mancha, Mr. Sipos in Parfumerie, Vince Fontaine in Grease, Porthos in The Three Musketeers, Watson in Hound of the Baskervilles and many parts in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. A graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, David has performed on stage, television, radio and film, in NYC, New Jersey, Indiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and is happy to have settled down in Carver with his wonderful wife, Erin and 2 beautiful girls, Karly and Lexi. In the past, David has served as Technical Director for The Company of Pittsburgh and
appeared in productions of Oklahoma!, Man of La Mancha, Passion, and many others. He can also be seen in the film Love the Coopers. “Autism awareness rocks!”
Company Member | Co-Artistic Director | Clement Musgrove
Massachusetts
JESSE SULLIVAN
Americana: Bernard (Boeing Boeing), Dr. Carrasco (Man of La Mancha), George Horvath (Parfumerie), George Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play), Athos (The Three Musketeers), Selznick (Moonlight and Magnolias), Richard/William (The Cottage), Michael Hosea (Redeeming Love), Inspector (An Inspector Calls). National Tours: Miss Saigon, and Coupeau/Fight Captain (The Scarlet Pimpernel). NY credits include Scandalous People, Clarence (NY Fridge), Gregory (Battleship Potemkin with the York Theatre Co.), Ben Hecht (Moonlight and Magnolias), and Jeff (Map to Buddha with Remote Theatre Co.). Training: BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Hartford, The Hartt School.
Company Member | Educational Director | Salome
Massachusetts
ERIN FRIDAY
Erin Friday is thrilled to serve on Americana Theatre Company’s executive team as the Director of Education. Erin has a degree in Elementary Education with a focus on Fine and Theatre Arts from Stonehill College. ATC credits include Berthe (Boeing Boeing), all of the female roles (It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play), Ilona Ritter (Parfumerie), Housekeeper (Man of La Mancha), Ms. Lynch (Grease), Woman 1 (Lucky Stiff). Regionally, she has performed with companies such as The Round Barn Theatre, The Comtra Theatre, McKeesport Little Theatre, Gemini Children’s Theater and others. Erin has been a board member of ATC since 2011. Enjoy the show!
Returning Artist | Rosamund
California
KELLY ANN DUNN
Kelly Ann Dunn (Rosamund) is so excited to be back on the Americana Stage playing with some of her favorite people! REGIONAL: GREASE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, MUSICALS OF MUSICALS, BOEING BOEING, DISASTER!, THREE MUSKETEERS, HOLIDAY JUKEBOX, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI. FILM: VENOM COAST- Amazon Prime, FRESHMAN YEAR- Netflix. She is also the proud owner of KD Studios, an acting training studio in California. kdperformingstudios.org INSTAGRAM: @kellyanndunn
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Returning Artist | Goat / Guitar
New York
JESSE WINTON
Jesse Winton (Goat/Guitar 1) is an actor, playwright, and award-winning bluegrass musician from New York City. He’s excited to join an Americana cast for the third time. Favorite roles include Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), Algernon (The Importance of Being Earnest), and Wadsworth (Clue). When he isn’t performing he is also an endearing idiot, just without all the bleating.
Guest Artist | Ensemble
California
CONNOR NORTHCUTT
Connor is a recent graduate of Jessup University is thrilled to make his ATC debut in The Robber Bridegroom! Other credits include Dicken (The Secret Garden), Joseph (Bethlehem), Ensemble (The Gift of the Magi), and Athos (The Three Musketeers). He is grateful for the opportunity to work with this great team! Enjoy the show!
Guest Artist | Big Harp / Percussion
California
SPENCER T. GAYDEN
Spencer T Gayden is an actor, playwright, musician, and 7th grade air hockey champion. He received his B.A. in Theatre from William Jessup University and has been honored to portray such classic roles as Ben Gunn(TREASURE ISLAND), Howard Bevans(PICNIC), and Professor Plum(CLUE). He's also been proud to be a part of originating great characters like Dennis the Wiseman (BETHLEHEM), John Sweeney(NEW BEGINNINGS), Brice the Baker (ALFRED AND THE INNKEEPER), and Detective Vic Dixon(THE DO-GOODER DEBACLE)
Guest Artist | Raven
California
EMMA HARLOW
Emma Harlow is pleased to make her east coast debut with Americana Theatre company! Recent credits include: Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden, Sydney Summers in the original cast of Ranked, and Jo March in Little Women. Additionally, she recently starred in her first short film, 2021's Toronto Women's Narrative Short Winner: The Last Picture. She wants to thank all her big brothers and sisters she always wished she could go to Americana with when she was 14 years old - thanks for letting me tag along this time. ;) @emma__harlow
Guest Artist | Ensemble / 2nd Fiddle / Goat's Mother
Virginia
RACHEL WAMBEKE
Rachel Wambeke is thrilled to be joining ATC’s cast of Robber Bridegroom. She is currently studying her MFA in Acting at Regent University. Rachel recently performed as Octavius and Bad Cinna in Regent’s Julius Caesar. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Montana State University and a Certificate of Completion from the Sight & Sound Conservatory. Rachel thanks God, her family, and her friends for all of their love and
support.
Guest Artist | Ensemble / Bass
North Carolina
MATTHEW SUNG GIRARD
Matthew Sung Girard (they/he) is an actor, musician, stunt performer, and SFX Artist. They were born in Gwangju, South Korea, but grew up and still live in NC. They are an alumni of UNCSA’s Drama Program. They are thrilled to be working with ATC for the first time! You can find them on Instagram @_matthewsung_
Returning Artist | Studio Instructor | Piano / MD
Massachusetts
SARAH TROXLER
Sarah Troxler is an active music educator, music director, and pianist throughout the greater Boston area. She earned her Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano at the Longy School of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance at Eastern Nazarene College, where she also served as an adjunct music professor. Ms. Troxler is passionate about community arts programs, having served on staff with the Quincy-based South Shore Performing Artists’ Concert Series, Quincy Summer Singers, Cambridge Summer Opera Company, and as a guest teaching artist for the North End Music and Performing Arts Center. She serves as a collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and adjudicator at various local colleges and voice studios, and is active as a Music Director with multiple theatre companies. Her work as a theatrical and operetta music director has been seen with community and professional companies throughout Boston and New York. From 2010-2018, she served as Minister of Worship at North Street Community Church in Hingham, MA. Her instrumental arrangements of favorite Christmas tunes can be heard on North Street’s album Coming Home, a collaborative instrumental work. Since 2012, Ms. Troxler has taught in the piano department at South Shore Conservatory (SSC), where she has served as Piano Department Chair since 2018. At SSC, she serves as the primary performance coach for student recitals and competitions for all instruments, accompanist for ensembles and summer programs, performance-lecturer through the Storyteller Series, and visiting musician faculty through SSC’s ImagineArts community partnership program. Additionally, she created and led SSC’s Student Leadership Team for outreach and service, established in 2017. Ms. Troxler was part of the Mass Cultural Council’s Music Educators & Teaching Artists Fellowship Program from 2018-2020, where she worked to cultivate the voice of youth artists through mentorship and outreach opportunities.
Returning Artist | Airie | Ensemble
New York
PAYTON GOBEILLE
Payton Gobeille is a New York artist delighted to be returning for another summer with Americana. A Massachusetts native, she enjoys traveling the country telling stories of all shapes and sizes. ATC: Clue (Mrs. White), Boeing, Boeing (Gretchen), Parfumerie (Stage Manager), Grease (Costume Design). Regional: Evermore (Mariah Clemm) Curious Theatre Works, The Wolves (#7) Capital Stage, and Wit (Susie) Big Idea Theatre. Proud graduate of William Jessup University with a B. A. in Creative Arts/Theatre from. Choose joy. @paygobeille
Guest Artist | Ensemble
Massachusetts
JASON DiCENSO
Jason DiCenso is a recent college graduate with a degree in Performing Arts and Anthropology
from Stonehill College. Some of the previous, shows he has performed in, include Chicago, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Heathers, Love/ Sick, and Doubt. He thanks his friends and family for their support, and the Americana Theatre Company for this amazing opportunity to perform in The Robber Bridegroom.
Guest Artist | Ensemble
Massachusetts
SARAH BARRY
Sarah Barry is a 22 year old actress from Hanover, MA. She recently graduated from Stonehill College with degrees in Performing Arts with a Theatre Concentration, and Communication! Some of her previous roles have included Heather McNamara from Heathers and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. She is very excited to perform in her first production with Americana Theatre Company and is thankful to all those who made it possible!
Guest Artist | Banjo
Massachusetts
BOB SULLIVAN
Bob is excited to be making his Americana Theatre Company debut, although he has attended all productions and has been closely involved in the theatre since its conception. Bob is the worship pastor and lead guitarist at Church of the Vine in Carver, MA. He is a retired Special Education teacher who taught in the Taunton School system for almost 27 years. Bob has been an avid musician since childhood.
Guest Artist | Assistant Stage Manager
California
OLIVIA AMORE
Olivia Amore is from Rocklin, California and is attending William Jessup University. She will be entering her junior year of college to receive her BA in Theatre. While attending Jessup, she has been involved in many productions produced by the college such as AS IT IS IN HEAVEN (as an actress), THE SECRET GARDEN (as an assistant stage manager), and CINDERELLA (as a stage manager). She is very excited to work with Americana Theatre Company!
Returning Artist | Production Stage Manager
California
ROBIN LILLIE
Robin Lillie (Production Stage Manager) is a graduate of William Jessup University, with a B.A. in Theatre: Specialization in Technical & Design. She recently was an apprentice with Capital Stage Company in Sacramento, CA and is overjoyed to be back with her Americana family! Professional credits include: HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, BOEING BOEING, GIFT OF THE MAGI, MAN OF LA MANCHA. Thanks and love to all those who support me. Enjoy the show!
Guest Artist | Fiddle
Massachusetts
ANGELICA VENDETTI
Angelica Vendetti is thrilled to be joining the Americana Theatre Company for their production of The Robber Bridegroom! Angelica has been a fiddler since the age of four, and has been performing in both classical and traditional styles for most of her life. She attended and earned her degree at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Oberlin College, and has dedicated herself to teaching both violin and viola at her private studio, Plimoth Violins Lesson Studio, in downtown Plymouth, Ma.