CHILDREN OF EDEN - School of Music

LYRIC OPERA THEATRE
2014 – 2015 SEASON
PRESENTS
CHILDREN
OF EDEN
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BOOK BY
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
JOHN CAIRD
BASED ON A CONCEPT BY
CHARLES LISANBY
Originally Produced in Melbourne, Australia by the company Magnormous
NOVEMBER 14 - 23, 2014
EVELYN SMITH MUSIC THEATRE
CHILDREN OF EDEN
is presented by special arrangement with
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
The storytellers
BRIELLE AMREINE
BERNNY APODACA
CAREY BRANT
SARA BRUTON
CAITLIN DHUSE
KARISTA FILOPOULOS
ENRIQUE GUEVARA
BRIAN JEFFERS
LU LIU
KATHERINE MARTIN
BEN MASSOURAS
KAIVAN MAYELZEDAH
KAYLA McLEMORE
MEGAN MOYLAN
MADISON OTTINGER
SEDONA URIAS-RAMONETT
SHAWN WONG
ALI WOOD
FATHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TITUS KAUTZ
EVE/MAMA NOAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMILIE DOERING
ADAM/NOAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALEX KUNZ
CAIN/JAPHETH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOSTON SCOTT
ABEL/HAM, SNAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TYLER J. GASPER
YONAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRITTANY HOWK
SHEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KAIVAN MAYELZADEH
APHRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU LIU
AYSHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALI WOOD
SETH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BEN MASSOURAS
SETH’S WIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MADISON OTTINGER
YOUNG CAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IAN GRAY
YOUNG ABEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLUE MADISON-CEDILLO
PIT CHORUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AMANDA BAGLEY
THE ORCHESTRA
Conductor: CURTIS MOELLER
Keyboard I: BRENT C. MAULDIN - Keyboard II/Clarinet: JOSH HONTZ
Keyboard III: WILLIAM REBER
Flute/Piccolo/Recorder: KRISTIN BATEMAN
Clarinet/Recorder/Tenor Sax: SHENGWEN WU (ASHLEY BURROWS - Nov. 16)
Oboe/English Horn: RACHEL MESSING
Horn/Clarinet/Tenor Sax: JULI SMITH - Cello: MIGUEL CAÑAS
Drums: DANIELLE MOREAU - Percussion: PARKER MANN
Guitar I/Mandolin: HENRY BAYLESS - Guitar II: MAX GREENWALD
Electric Bass: JAEHOON LEE (SHAWN MAULE - Nov. 21)
THE PRODUCTION & DESIGN TEAM
Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELAINE “E.E.” MOE*
Choreographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOLLY LAJOIE
Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CURTIS MOELLER
Production Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KATE LEONARD
Assistant Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Scenic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALFREDO ESCARCEGA
Hair & Makeup Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHARON JONES
Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JACQUELINE BENARD
Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DANIEL DAVISSON
Properties Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALFREDO ESCARCEGA
Sound Designer / Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ERIC BACKUS
Media Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ADAM BENAVIDES
Master Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GERALD WILLOW
Program Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LINDA BENNETT
Rehearsal Accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRENT C. MAULDIN
Stage Crew
ZACHARY CURTIS
CHRISTOPHER
FELLOWS
MACALEY FIELDS
KELLY FOSTER
TESS GALBIATI
ANISSA GRIEGO
BETH HERMOSILLO
CHI LIANG
JOHN MORAN
DUSTIN NGUYEN
ANDREW PECK
DEREK STEVENSON
MARIO VAZQUEZ- MORILLAS
RACHEL WHITNEY
MICHAELA WOOLDRIDGE
Costume Crew
KARLA BENETIZ
KARISTA FILOPOULOS
TYLER J. GASPER
ABEL LOPEZ
MARYSOL MIRANDA
JOANNE PILGEE-LETZIN
ADRIANA RAMOS
STEPHANY SOTO
KELSIE URIAS
*The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and
Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
CHILDREN OF EDEN was originally directed by John Caird
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
“Let There Be” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father, Storytellers
“The Naming” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father, Adam, Eve, Storytellers
“Grateful Children” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam, Eve
“Father’s Day” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father
“The Spark of Creation” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eve
“In Pursuit of Excellence” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Snake, Eve, Storytellers
“A World Without You” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam, Father, Eve
“The Expulsion” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father, Storytellers
“The Wasteland” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storytellers
“Lost in the Wilderness” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abel, Cain
“Close to Home” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam, Eve, Abel, Young Cain, Young Abel
“A Ring of Stones” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cain, Eve, Abel, Adam
“The Mark of Cain” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father, Storytellers
“Children of Eden” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eve, Storytellers
ACT II
“Generations” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storytellers
“A Piece of Eight”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storytellers, Noah, Yonah, Japheth, Family
“The Return of the Animals” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storytellers
“Stranger to the Rain” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yonah
“In Whatever Time We Have” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Japheth, Yonah
“The Flood” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father, Storytellers
“What is He Waiting For?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noah, Family
“Sailor of the Skies” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yonah
“The Hardest Part of Love” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noah, Father
“Ain’t It Good?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mama Noah, Storytellers
“In The Beginning” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storytellers
THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
CHILDREN OF EDEN, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED) and Book by John Caird (Les Miserables), is at its
heart about family. With its roots in Genesis and Noah’s Flood complex family conflicts are innocently humorous, witty and raw
with a Father whose generations are taunted by curiosity and quests that set them adrift.
Stephen Schwartz. Lyricist for: Wicked · Godspell · Pippin · Children of Eden · Working · Rags · The Hunchback of Notre
Dame · The Baker's Wife· The Magic Show · Captain Louie · Character Man Compositions: When You Believe · Defying
Gravity · Colors of the Wind · Day by Day · Popular Song · For Good · Popular ·
Within each of us rests a collective FUSION of stories
WE begin our story in oral traditions of retelling through sound, song, movement, dance, artful petro glyphs and cuneiform
symbols as a reminder of place and event. Through ceremony, ritual, pageantry, family gatherings of clans & tribes we tell our
stories. We gather with our elders and animals in sacred places, kivas, stone monuments, fields and gardens to honor and
celebrate nature and our connection to the one world. A quest for wisdom & knowledge of origin and what is beyond. A oneness
with being. No matter what our beliefs within the seven continents, one world ocean, 193 countries, 7,000 dialetic languages
there are (and still counting) 500 known stories of Creation and the Great Flood still in evidence today through oral and written
traditions. Mythologies, scriptures, sciences, allegories and fables, fact or fiction, remain in all their eloquence as structures of
our unique cultures and binding truths. To my collaborative artists: Molly, Curtis, Alfredo, Kate, The Cast, The entire LOT
Production Design team & Orchestra my ultimate praise for taking the leap with me in this vision of an interpretive cultural
Fusion of epic choral storytelling. CHILD OF EDEN, your spirit is in the wind current of our hearts –YR!
Elaine “E.E.” Moe, Director
Cast and Crew Bios
Titus Kautz (Father) is a Master of Music candidate in Musical Theater Performance and a student of Gordon Hawkins. He
holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an Associate of Arts degree from Western Nebraska
Community College. Favorite past roles include “Marius” in Les Misérables, “Cat in the Hat” in Seussical, “Abraham” in Altar
Boyz, and “Bruschino” in Il Signor Bruschino. In addition to performing, Titus has played piano for a number of productions
including: Spamalot, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Cabaret, and Legally Blonde. Titus would like to thank his family
for their ongoing love and support!
Emilie Doering (Eve/Mama Noah) is an undergraduate Senior at ASU, studying Global Studies, Statistics, and Voice under
Anne Kopta. Here at Lyric Opera Theater she was previously “Brenda” in Smile, “Meg” in Little Women, and “Manuelita” in La
Périchole. Outside of ASU she’s worked with Phoenix Theater in Les Miserable, the Phoenix Symphony in A Tribute Concert to
Marvin Hamlisch and their outreach concerts at local schools, Class 6 Theater in Comedy of Errors
(“Luciana/Abbess/Courtesan”), and Hale Centre Theatre in Annie Get Your Gun and Dear Ruth. Over the past two summers she’s
studied and performed at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música de México in Mexico City and with the Mittelsächsiches
Theatre/Mittelsächsiche Philharmonie in Freiberg, Germany. Thank you mom, dad, brother, roommates, and teachers for putting
up with the crazy!
Alex Kunz (Adam/Noah) is a Master of Music candidate in Musical Theatre Performance and a student of Carole FitzPatrick.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Merchandising degree from South Dakota State University. He was recently seen in the chorus of
LOT’s Dido and Aeneas. Favorite roles include “Scarecrow” in The Wizard of Oz, “Petruchio” in Taming of the Shrew, and
“Captain Keller” in The Miracle Worker. He will also be featured in the upcoming LOT production of Anything Goes. So much
love to my parents for always being my #1 fan and their immense support through every decision I’ve made.
Boston Scott (Cain/Japheth) is a sophomore studying Music Theatre, and he is honored to be part of such a wonderful
production. He was most recently seen in LOT’s production of Così fan tutte. Other recent credits include an eight-show summer
stock with College Light Opera Company, and “Jean Prouvaire” in Phoenix Theatre’s Les Miserables. Some of his favorite roles
are “George Seurat” from Chaparral High School’s Sunday in the Park with George, and the title character in Greasepaint Youth
Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd. He would like to thank Tyler for being the nice brother and a true friend throughout this
process. And of course he thanks his family for sacrificing so much to allow him to do what he loves.
Tyler J. Gasper (Abel/Ham/Snake) is a junior at ASU, pursuing his B.M. in Musical Theatre under the vocal direction of Judy
May. He also studies acting under the direction of E.E. Moe in the Megaw Actors Studio. Previous appearances on the Lyric
Opera Theatre stage include “Angel” in RENT (AriZoni Nomination), “Laurie” in Little Women, “Mortimer” in The Fantasticks,
and various roles in Smile. Favorite credits include “John Quincy Adams” in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Phoenix Theatre),
“Georg/Swing” in Spring Awakening (Phoenix Theatre/Nearly Naked Theatre), and Spamalot (Phoenix Theatre). Many Thanks
to Boston Scott, E.E., Ben, Ashley, Steven, Brittany, Zach, all his friends and family who support him, the cast and crew, and
above all, his mother, Veronica, who is the greatest supporter and fan he could ever ask for.
Brittany Howk (Yonah/Storyteller) is currently a Junior studying Music Theatre in the studio of Carole FitzPatrick. She is so
grateful for the opportunity to work on such a beautiful, collaborative show with this talented group of individuals. Favorite
recent credits include "Mark's Mom" in RENT and "Doria" in Smile here at Lyric Opera Theatre, “Elle Woods” in Legally
Blonde, and “Olive Ostrovsky” in Spelling Bee. She looks forward to returning to the LOT stage as "Hope Harcourt" In Anything
Goes this spring. Much love and thanks for Meliss, Tyler, Abby, Megs, Chels, and Tay for always having my back. Huge thank
you to the production team, my family, and past and present instructors who have helped me get to where I am today!
Kaivan Mayelzadeh (Shem/Storyteller/Dance Captain) is beyond grateful to be returning to the LOT stage in this stunning
work. Most recently seen in Phoenix Symphony's Halloween at Hogwarts concert, his previous ASU credits include
“Waiter/Awkwardly Dressed Priest” in RENT, “Tommy French” in Smile, and (Dis)Orientation. Look for him next on the LOT
stage in Reefer Madness and Anything Goes! Kaivan is a junior at Arizona State, double majoring in Theatre Performance and
Musical Theatre under Carole FitzPatrick. Endless thanks to the entire cast, production team, and Kate. "Somewhere, something
incredible is waiting to be known." -Carl Sagan
Lu Liu (Aphra/Snake Body/Storyteller) is an M.M. student studying with Anne Kopta. She holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre
Performance degree from Beijing Dance Academy. She was last seen with LOT in RENT as a member of the Ensemble. When
she was in college, she played the roles of “Elle” in Legally Blonde, “Dona” in Mamma Mia, and “Yun Zhifan” in The Peach
Blossom Land in Educational Theatre. She also joined the 9s Theatre’s production To Let where she played the role of “Fei Fei.”
She would like to thank her family, whose support has made all these performances possible!
Ali Wood (Aysha/Snake Body/Storyteller/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be returning to the Lyric Opera Theatre stage as a
Storyteller and Dance Captain in Children of Eden. She has pursued her passion for musical theatre since the age of nine. Some
of her favorite past credits include “ Rusty” in Footloose, “Red Ridinghood” in Into The Woods, “Carmen” in Fame, “Peter Pan”
in Peter Pan, “Zaneeta” in The Music Man, and “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz. When she’s not in a theatre production, she
enjoys performing her country music act across the country. Ali is incredibly grateful the opportunity to work with this talented
cast and gifted faculty members. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.
Ben Massouras (Seth/Storyteller) is ecstatic to be making his Lyric Opera Theatre debut in Children of Eden! Recent credits
include Godspell (“All Good Gifts”), The Flying Trunk (Maestro, Arizoni/NYA Nomination), A Chorus Line (Bobby), Seussical
(Wickersham, NYA Award), West Side Story (Dance Captain), and he will be seen next in Lyric Opera Theatre’s production of
Anything Goes. He is currently a freshman in the Music Theatre program at ASU under the direction of David Britton. Ben would
like to thank the cast, crew, and faculty for this incredible opportunity and his family and friends for their never-ending support.
Madison Ottinger (Seth’s Wife/Storyteller) is very excited to be performing with such a talented group in her first production
with Lyric Opera Theatre. She has most recently won a National Youth Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as
“Peggy Sawyer” in 42nd Street at Marcos de Niza High School. Some of her other credits include “Brooke Windham” in Legally
Blonde the Musical at Valley Youth Theater, “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast at Living Water Dinner Theater, Grease (MET), a
“Kit Kate girl” in Cabaret at Scottsdale Musical Theatre Company, All Shook Up, Lucky Stiff, High School Musical, Alice in
Wonderland, and Peter Pan. Madison also does film and commercial acting as well as radio spots and has been dancing since she
was 4 years old. She will be starting her second year at ASU in the W.P. Carey business school and hopes to continue performing
for the rest of her life! Enjoy the show!
Ian Gray (Young Cain) is a third grader at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Ian recently played "Fred" in Snow White, at
Valley Youth Theater (VYT). For the last two years, he has participated in the VYT summer theater program, playing "Edgar" in
The Aristocats and "Roger" in 101 Dalmatians. When he is not acting, Ian enjoys playing chess, riding his bike, and building
lego sets. Ian is excited to be part of the talented cast of Children of Eden. He would like to thank his first drama teacher, Mrs.
Shaw, for encouraging his love of theater.
Blue Madison-Cedillo (Young Abel) At 7 years old, Blue is very excited to make his stage debut with the Lyric Opera Theatre.
He has participated in Phoenix Theatre’s summer music theatre camp in their production of The Lion King and hopes to
ultimately play “Javert” from Les Miserables all over the world. When he is not performing or being a star 2nd grader, he enjoys
playing with his 4 brothers, writing books, climbing trees and playing basketball. He would like to thank all of those involved in
the production of Children of Eden for welcoming him so warmly and making this show “the most fun of his life.”
Brielle Amrein (Snake Body/Storyteller) is a freshman currently studying Vocal Performance at Arizona State University. She is
currently a student of Carole FitzPatrick. Brielle has recently been seen as “Cinderella” in Into the Woods. A few of her favorite
roles include “Rusty” in Footloose, “Eponine” in Les Miserables, and “Meg” in Little Women. She would like to thank her family
for all of their love and support, the wonderful cast, and of course EE, Curtis, and Molly for this incredible opportunity. Enjoy the
show!
Bernny E. Apodaca (Storyteller) is an M.M. candidate in Opera Performance studying under tenor David Britton. He completed
his B.M. in Vocal Performance at University of Texas at El Paso, where he worked in numerous occasions with El Paso Opera.
Mr. Apodaca was last seen working with El Paso Opera covering the role of “Don Basilio” in the production of Mozart’s Le
nozze di Figaro and appearing as “Don Basilio” in the Young Artist Program performance of the same production. With LOT, he
recently appeared as “Aeneas” in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and was part of the ensemble in La Périchole. Other roles include
“Cinderella’s Prince” in Into the Woods, “Angel” in Mozart’s The Impresario, “Pleasure’s Attendant” in Handel’s The Choice of
Hercules, and “Sam” in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah.
Caitlin Dhuse (Snake Body/Storyteller) is currently a Music Theatre Performance Undergrad and holds an Associates in Arts
from Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She has been in LOT’s productions of A Day In Hollywood/A Night In the Ukraine
and Smile, and has previously been in original shows for both Book No Book Productions and Finding the Footlights Theater.
Other past credits include “Jo March” in Little Women, “Van’s Sister” in Dog Sees God, “Ethel Merman” in Red, Hot, and Cole
(ariZoni nominee), and “K.C. Downing” in My Favorite Year. Many thanks to this incredibly imaginative cast & crew, as well as
to her wonderful family & friends for their continuous support! =:-)
Karista Filopoulos (Storyteller) is a vocal performance graduate student studying under Judy May. She graduated summa cum
laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Music degree and a Theatre minor. Some of her favorite roles
to date have been "Margaret Johnson" in The Light in the Piazza, "Paulette Bonafonte" in Legally Blonde: The
Musical, "Papagena" in The Magic Flute, "Agnes" in Agnes of God, "Emma Carew" in Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical, "Emma
Jones" in Street Scene, "Dido" in Dido and Aeneas, and "Carol" in Smile.
Enrique Guevara (Snake Body/Storyteller) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theatre at ASU and is
excited to be a part of Children of Eden, his first show here at LOT! He was last seen in the student production of Once on this
Island under the direction of Timothy Briggs here at the School of Music. Other roles include “Ren” in Footloose and “Marcus
Lopez” in They Chose Me! at Valley Youth Theatre. He is immensely thankful to the people in his life who inspire him to be
himself, and also to the people around him that appreciate diversity.
Brian Jeffers (Storyteller) is a first year Master of Music candidate in Music Theatre/Opera Performance studying with Gordon
Hawkins. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With UNL
Opera he performed the roles of “Don Curzio” in Le nozze di Figaro, “Monostatos” in Die Zauberflöte, “Governor” in Candide,
“Raoul Marcel” in O Pioneers!, “King Kaspar” in Amahl and the Night Visitors and “Mayor Upfold” in Albert Herring. This
winter he will be a study cover for “Lenski” for Eugene Onegin at Arizona Opera. Upcoming LOT performances include
“Lechmere” in Owen Wingrave and “Lord Evelyn Oakleigh” in Anything Goes.
Katherine Martin (Storyteller) is pursuing a double Master’s at ASU with a degree in Voice Pedagogy Performance at the
School of Music as well as a degree in Speech Pathology through the School of Speech and Hearing Science. She is a proud
member of Professor Anne Kopta’s studio and is so excited to be making her debut at LOT. Previous roles include “Anna” in
The King & I at Greasepaint Children’s Theater, and “Lady Larkin” in Once Upon a Mattress at SCC. She has also been
involved in less traditional forms of theater at ASU’s School of Theater and Film in their world premiere production of Soot &
Spit as “The Old Woman,” where she was introduced to new theater and movement styles. She would like to thank her family
for their support and a special thanks to everyone in the production for their work and support. This experience has been a
pleasure, thank you all!
Kayla McLemore (Storyteller) is a Music Theatre undergraduate and a second year student of Anne Kopta. She is excited to
make her debut with LOT and share the stage with such an incredible cast. She was last seen in Big River with Mesa Encore
Theatre. Her favorite roles include “Snow White” in Snow White, “Lily St. Regis” in Annie, and “Audrey” in Little Shop of
Horrors. She is also an active member of Pitchforks, the all-female A Cappella group at ASU. She thanks E.E. and her friends
and family for their support, especially her mother.
Megan Moylan (Storyteller) is very excited to be working again with Lyric Opera Theatre in Children of Eden. She is a senior
Music Theatre major with a Math minor in Barrett, the Honors College. Recently, she was seen in LOT’s production of RENT as
"Maureen". Other favorite roles include “Kirsten/Kit/Felicity/Nellie” in The American Girl Revue (Mattel, Los Angeles), “Sally
Brown/Dance Captain” in From the Page to the Stage (Musical Theatre West), and “Jane” in The Prince and the Pauper Reading
(Deaf West). Film and television experience includes “School Girl” on iCarly (Nickelodeon), “Girl-Scout” in Ninja Cheerleaders
(NCS Productions), and multiple commercials. She is the musical director of ASU’s only all-female a cappella group, the ASU
Pitchforks, who were 2013 semi-finalists in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Megan is in the process of
completing her Honors Thesis through Barrett. She would like to thank the incredible cast, crew, and staff of Children of Eden
for the support and opportunities which she has been so blessed and proud to receive.
Sedona Urias-Ramonett (Storyteller) is an undergrad at Barrett and the School of Music, and she is thrilled to be joining the
cast of her first-ever LOT production, Children of Eden! She was previously seen as “Maria” in West Side Story at Valley Youth
Theatre, “Fanny Dashwood” in Sense and Sensibility, and “Andrea” in Once on This Island at Xavier College Preparatory. She
would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support!
Shawn Wong (Snake Body/Storyteller) is a student in the School of Theatre. Children of Eden is Shawn's first show with LOT
and his second show at ASU. He previously was in the cast of Monarch Ashes, a new play as "VJ". Shawn is very excited to tell
the story of Children of Eden and would like to thank everyone involved in the show. He hopes you enjoy this beautiful story!
ELAINE “E.E.” MOE ( Director/Master Class & Fusion movement) has worked in Los Angeles, New York, regional
theatres, as guest artist for the L.A. Shakespeare Company, L.A. Olympic Theatre Festival, and solo-artists’ touring productions.
Since returning to Arizona, her directing credits include AZ Jewish Theatre Co, Theatre Artists Studio, Desert Foothills Theatre,
Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre, Theatre Out Back, and five ensemble-winning KCACTF productions for SCC (Guest
Artist/Senior Lecture). She co-wrote To Feed Their Hopes, An American Cantata, a celebration of American women (N.Y., L.A.
& Santa Barbara). A few musical highlights: West Coast revival Premiere of Very Good Eddy, Mezzo Joy Blackett’s Premiere
And, So I Sing Tour, She Loves Me, Kiss Me Kate, Company, 1940’s Radio Hour, Lehman Engel Musical Theatre
Workshop/Megaw Theatre premiere of Marty Hansen & Jeff Harris’ Ernest as well as concerts for Igor Gorin, Van Cliburn,
Rudolph Serkin, Yahudi Menuhin, Nathan Milstein and other distinguished artists. E.E. Directed LOT’s Little Women and
Associate Director for SMILE: The Musical.
She has appeared with a number of prestigious Arizona theatres as an actor. Throughout her distinguished career E.E.
has earned the LA Drama Critics, Drama-Logue, LA Reader, LA Weekly, L.A. Women in Theatre Lifetime Achievement honors,
NY/LA Audience Awards and AriZoni nods among others for 100plus productions (but who’s counting). She is Artistic
Director/Co-Founder of MEGAW Theatre—MEGAW Actors Studio, Inc. celebrating its 41st year; a Founder Actor/Director of
Arizona Theatre Company (ATC); alumnus/guest artist/ Director of Production for The University of Arizona and is a presenter
for many national arts management panels and international arts symposiums. Her professional career reflects her lifelong
dedication to developing artists in all mediums: MCCCD 2012 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, 2008 MCCCD Foundation
Award for Mentorship in the Arts. Member: SDC; AEA Liaison Council; SAG-AFTRA National Women’s & Diversity
Council. To my collaborative performance artists my ultimate praise for Molly, Curtis, Kate, The Cast & The entire Production
and Design team who all took the leap & believed in this vision of an interpretive Fusion of epic choral storytelling. CHILD OF
EDEN your spirit is in the wind current of our hearts –YR!
Curtis Moeller (Music Director) is a second-year Master's student at ASU studying Music Direction for Musical Theatre. His
recent work with the Lyric Opera Theatre includes pianist for Smile and Rent, and music director/pianist/performer for A Day in
Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine. Since receiving his Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of NebraskaLincoln, Curtis has worked regularly as a church musician and performed in such shows as Chandler-Gilbert Community
College’s Seussical (keys), Avenue Q (Nicky), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (AMD/keys), My Fair
Lady (Freddy), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Cabaret (chorus/violin), and Aida (AMD/keys). This last summer he was
music director for children’s theatre productions with Childsplay and Belvoir Terrace Camp.
Molly Lajoie (Choreographer) is an award-winning choreographer here in the valley. She is thrilled to be teaming up with
Elaine “EE” Moe again after collaborating with her on ASU’s productions of Smile and Little Women! She was also the
choreographer for Bat Boy. Her Phoenix Theatre choreography credits include Gypsy, starring Kathy Fitzgerald, Curtains and
The Producers. She has choreographed the National Tours for School House Rock Live, Rock the Presidents and Peter and the
Wolf for Childsplay and will be working on their upcoming new production of The Three Javalinas as choreographer and playing
“Josephina”! Other valley choreography credits include Click Clack Moo, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, The King and I,
Nunsense One Mo Time and Shrek. Molly has directed and choreographed productions of Snow White, School House Rock Live,
and Seussical Jr. She teaches Broadway Dance Styles and Tap in the LOT Department as well as youth and adult musical
theatre and tap classes with her company “Fall into Dance.”
Kate Leonard (Production Stage Manager) is overjoyed to be the Production Stage Manager for Children of Eden! This is her
9th show with Lyric Opera, and she couldn’t be happier! Previous shows include RENT, Hollywood/Ukraine, and Smile. She
would like to thank her family and friends keeping her sane, the faculty and staff of LOT for creating the most fun
working environment in the world, and EE Moe for her guidance and support!
Brent C. Mauldin (Rehearsal Accompanist) is a Master of Music candidate in Musical Direction, studying under Dr. William
Reber. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Montevallo where he graduated summa cum laude and
with University Honors. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, he has musical directed and performed on stage in many shows.
Most recent stage credits include "Ko-Ko" in The Mikado and "Schroeder" in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Recent musical
directing credits include The Addams Family and Oklahoma! This spring, he will be musical directing the LOT student workshop
production, Reefer Madness, and appearing in LOT's Main Stage production of Anything Goes as "Elisha Whitney." He is very
excited to be working on his first LOT show and would like to tell the cast and crew: "Break a leg!"
The Kennedy Center American
College Theater Festival
™
This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The aims of this national
theater education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each production
entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to
participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs,
playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.
Productions entered on the Associate level are eligible for inclusion at the KCACTF regional festival
and can also be considered for invitation to the KCACTF national festival at the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2015.
Last year more than 1,300 productions were entered in the KCACTF involving more than 200,000
students nationwide. By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF
goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university
theaters across the nation.
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is sponsored by the U.S. Department of
Education; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma
E. Bernstein; the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund; and the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
THE LYRIC OPERA THEATRE GUILD
Make a real contribution to the arts:
Join the LOT Guild today!
The Lyric Opera Theatre Guild is a community-based organization of opera and music theatre lovers who provide
emergency scholarship funds for opera and music theatre students in the Lyric Opera Theatre program at ASU.
Members preview events and enjoy delicious entertainment provided by directors and cast members of all upcoming
LOT productions.
For more information, please contact
Jim Lunseth 480.893.1792
Barbara Daniel 80.893.3239
[email protected]
INSPIRING
YOUNG MINDS
– IN
THE
LOOP!
LOOP = Lyric Opera Outreach Performance
LOOP enriches the lives of Arizona students, grades K-12, by inviting them to enjoy the world of opera and musical
theatre. Each year, LOOP presents special performances for young audiences from LOT’s repertoire of opera and
musical theatre productions.
Each performance concludes with a talkback, providing students the opportunity to talk and interact with the cast,
directors, conductors, choreographers, designers, and technicians, and learn how each contributes to a theatrical
production. A study guide is sent in advance to prepare students for each production, to encourage questions, and
provide teachers with multi-disciplinary activities designed to bridge the live theatre experience with in-class
studies. Students, teachers, and chaperones attend the performance free of charge. Schools can also be reimbursed
for bus transportation to and from the ASU Tempe campus.
The Saferstein Endowment provides admission and transportation funds. LOOP is made possible through a
generous donation by Dr. Harold and Mrs. Doreen Saferstein and is a fulfillment of their dream to introduce opera
and musical theatre to young people.
For more information and to make reservations, please call 480.965.2856.
LYRIC OPERA THEATRE | 2014 – 2015
FACULTY
DALE DREYFOOS – Director; Professor of Music
DR. WILLIAM REBER – Professor of Music
DR. ROBERT MILLS – Assistant Clinical Professor of Music TOBY YATSO – Lecturer, Music Theatre
ROBERT KOLBY HARPER – Faculty Associate
MICHAEL BARNARD – Faculty Associate
MOLLY LAJOIE – Faculty Associate
STAFF
LINDA BENNETT – Program Coordinator
SHARON JONES – Costume Shop Manager
ALFREDO ESCARCEGA – Technical Director
GERALD WILLOW – Master Electrician
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
CURTIS MOELLER – Accompanist
BRENT C. MAULDIN – Accompanist
MIRIAM SCHILDKRET – LOOP Coordinator and Office Assistant
50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
Please join us for the rest of our exciting season in the
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre on the ASU Tempe campus:
Reefer Madness
January 16 – 18, 2015
Owen Wingrave
February 26 – March 1, 2015
Anything Goes
[a Phoenix Theatre co-production]
April 17 – 26, 2015
Purchase tickets online: herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/events/tickets
Call the Herberger Institute Box Office: 480.965.6447

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