Gershwin, by George
Directed by Connie Jackson
 July 14-17 and 21-24, 2005
Veronica Roger Hayden and Megan Ellie and Courtney
Mike and Cecily Dwain RJ et al Chris and Courtney

An Open Letter from the Director of Gershwin, by George

Dear Members and Patrons:

This summer’s production of Gershwin, by George will be a nostalgic trip back to the days when radio was a new and exciting means of uniting a nation under one banner. New York and the Broadway stage belonged to all of America, especially as the new film-making industry was igniting the west. This play takes place one magic evening, February 23, 1936, in the New York City apartment of Mr. George Gershwin. It exists as a radio broadcast on the eve of Mr. Gershwin’s departure for Hollywood to work in the movies. The audience will watch the broadcast, but they will also play a part as guests for the broadcast. Present will be a radio sound man and four interns who perform the duties of keeping the radio show on track. So please join me this summer at TCTC's Braithwaite theater, along with Ethel Merman, Pops Whitman, Fred and Adele Astaire, Al Jolson, and Anne Wiggins Brown, as we celebrate the music of George Gershwin. 
-- Connie Jackson

Linda Rackliff
Musical Director

Kimberlee Martin
Choreography

Director Connie Jackson has announced cast members of Gershwin, by George: the 1936 Radio Show, opening July 14 for eight performances. Roger Davis, a newcomer to TCTC, will take the role of George Gershwin. Sisters Cecily Luft and Megan Younger will make their TCTC debuts in the roles of, respectively, Ethel Merman and Adele Astaire. A fourth newcomer to the TCTC stage is Chris Mapp, cast as one of four radio interns.

Veronica Casals will play Anne Wiggins Brown, with Mike Harper as Al Jolson. Hayden Paul will play Fred Astaire and assist Kimberlee Martin in creating the choreography. Dwain Hare will be seen as Paul Whiteman. Joining Mapp as the radio interns are Ellie Carroll, R. J. Norman, and Courtney Rogers. The role of the radio sound man will be played by Tom Young.

Linda Rackliff is the show’s musical director, and Laura D'Eramo is stage manager. Furnishing instrumentation (including a performance of "Rhapsody in Blue") will be Jane Allen, pianist, Phil Rumbley, bass, and Dan Spivey, percussion. Lynn Jones will costume the women in period costumes of 1936, while Judy Watson coordinates the men’s costumes. Jennifer Jones will be in the tech booth, and Frances Whiteside is the rehearsal pianist.

The show is produced by Reg Connor and Marcy Gruber. It will play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights, July 14 and 21, Friday nights, July 15 and 22, and Saturday nights, July 16 and 23, in the Braithwaite Theatre. Sunday matinees will start at 2:30 p.m. on July 17 and 24. Tickets are available through credit card online at www.tylercivictheatre.com/paypal or may be purchased by cash or check at the box office, 400 Rose Park Drive, between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are $15 for an adult and $10 for a child 12 or younger. The show’s content is suitable for the family and will give younger children a glimpse of the vanished world of 1936 radio and the immortal music of George Gershwin.

Laura D’Eramo
Stage Manager

Roger Davis as
GEORGE GERSHWIN

Chris Mapp as
RADIO INTERN
MAXWELL MARSH

Hayden Paul as
FRED ASTAIRE
and Co-Choreographer

R.J. Norman as
 RADIO INTERN
SAMMY TANGLE

Cecily Luft as
ETHEL MERMAN

Megan Younger as
ADELE ASTAIRE

Veronica Casals as
ANNE WIGGINS BROWN

Mike Harper as
AL JOLSON

Dwain Hare as
PAUL WHITEMAN

Courtney Rogers as
RADIO INTERN
BOBBIE BURKE

Ellie Carroll as
RADIO INTERN
TRIXIE LESEUR

Tom Young as
THE RADIO SOUND MAN