 Full name? William Thomas Dawson Where you were born/where you were raised? Born in Florida. Raised in Fort Wayne (Weezy if you're nasty), Indiana Your role within the A NEW BRAIN family? Roger Delli-Bovi How would you describe your character? Roger is patient, kind, understanding, funny, caring, romantic, faithful, intelligent, emotionally open, generous, a gifted sailor, an avid Banana Republic shopper, not afraid of a few rounds of karaoke after a couple of martinis, an all around dream boat (cheap "Sailing" reference). In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? Heart, Music, Passion, Life, High-Notes How would you describe Bill's writing? Beautifully created through the eyes, and soul, of a grown-up-kid. Fill in the blanks: ___________ + ___________ = a song. This isn't fair! I want to say "Heart & Music" ... So I will say "Heart & Sensible-Riff-Placement." What was your must-see TV show as a kid? Barney and Power Rangers for the win! If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be? Olaf! Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Cheyenne Jackson... obvi. Special hidden talent? Walking in heels... HI MOM! Something you're REALLY bad at? Sewing... seriously, it's sad. Favorite Chicago neighborhood? Hogwarts? Current local show you have been recommending to friends? All of them! Go support Chicago theatre and Chicago actors! Most played song on your iPod? "Alleluia" by Eric Whitacre, "Set You Free" by Maya Azucena, and anything by our Lord and Savior, Beyoncé. Pop culture guilty pleasure? RuPaul's Drag Race. Except, I don't feel guilty at all because it's amazing. Three things you can't live without? Laughing until I cry, a good cup of coffee, and singing. "I'll never understand why… the Kardashians are a thing..." Come see Billy in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.
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The Brown Paper Box Co. has been fortunate enough to rehearse their past two shows within the comfy confines of Lil' Buds Theatre Company's space in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. Whether a modern absurdist play (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls) or our current 10-person musical (A New Brain), the folks over at Lil' Buds have been nothing but a pleasure to work with. We can't recommend them enough! 
L-R: Anna Schutz (Nancy D.), Billy Dawson (Roger), Jillian Weingart (Rhoda), Neala Barron (Lisa), Jason Richards (Gordon), obstructed Nick Shoda (Minister) Martin J. Hughes (Doctor), Denise Tamburrino (Mimi), Johnny Kyle Cook (Richard), Paul G. Miller (Mr. Bungee) Photo: M. William Panek (director) 
T. J. Anderson (musical director) at piano. Back row L-R: Jillian Weingart (Rhoda), Neala Barron (Lisa), Paul G. Miller (Mr. Bungee). Center row L-R: Jason Richards (Gordon), Denise Tamburrino (Mimi), Billy Dawson (Roger). Front row L-R: Johnny Kyle Cook (Richard), Martin J. Hughes (Doctor), Anna Schutz (Nancy D.), Nick Shoda (Minister). Photo: Stephanie Rohr (assistant director) Come check out William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.
 Full name? Stephanie Lynn Rohr Where you were born/where you were raised? Born in Grosse Pointe, MI and raised in Naperville, IL Your position/role within the A NEW BRAIN family? I am the Assistant Director What does that mean/what do you do? This means that I assist the other members of the creative team. I work closely with Will, the Director and TJ, the Musical Director, to create our vision of the show. This can include anything from staging scenes and musical numbers to speaking with cast members about their characters, to helping with vocal technique and learning harmonies. It is also a great learning experience for me, as this is my first professional directing gig. And I am very grateful to BPBCo. for the opportunity! In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? Intellectual, heartfelt, absurd, hopeful, harmonious. How would you describe Bill's writing? His musical style has echoes of Sondheim, but with a more modern edge. Dialogue flows seamlessly into song and songs flow seamlessly from dark themes to absurd comedy. Fill in the blanks: _____emotion______ + _____sound______ = a song. What was your must-see TV show as a kid? Sesame Street! For a long time I thought that was the only thing the TV did. In my mind it was just the Sesame Street machine. Which was awesome. If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be? Lana from Archer. She is a badass. Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Deborah Ann Woll from True Blood Special hidden talent? Cross stitch! Something you're REALLY bad at? Any other kind of needlecraft. Favorite Chicago neighborhood? I am loving my new home, North Center! Current local show you have been recommending to friends? The Children's Hour by Pride Films and Plays and 42nd Street at the Paramount in Aurora. (So, not quite local....but it's great.) Most played song on your iPod? Whatever 1960s jam I'm learning with my band, Girl Group Chicago. At the moment it's "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" by Dusty Springfield Pop culture guilty pleasure? Any wedding-themed reality show on Netflix Three things you can't live without? Friends, Family, Music "I'll never understand why… 'The Lee of Cuttyhunk' runs in a loop in my head." Come see Stephanie's work in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.
 Full name? Neala Monroe Barron Where you were born/where you were raised? I was born in Michigan but grew up in Oak Park, IL. Your position/role within the A NEW BRAIN family? I play Lisa! How would you describe your character? Formidable, empathetic, world wise but not world weary. She's the cosmic commentator, one woman Greek Chorus of the play. In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? What will you leave behind? How would you describe Bill's writing? Specific, intricate, technical, extravagant, beautiful. What was your must-see TV show as a kid? The Busy World of Richard Scarry was beyond. If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be? Jessica Rabbit. Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Adele. Special hidden talent? I can tie a bowtie! ...and swordfight. (mutually exclusive) Something you're REALLY bad at? Taking out the trash in a timely manner. Favorite Chicago neighborhood? Lakeview/Roscoe Village. So great! Most played song on your iPod? "Respect" – Aretha Franklin. Pop culture guilty pleasure? Selfies. Does that count? Three things you can't live without? Singing, candles, eye cream. "I'll never understand why… I have to wear pants ever. Come on." Come see Neala in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.
 Full name? Daniel Michael Ippolito Spagnuolo Where you were born/where you were raised? Lansing, MI Your position/role within the A NEW BRAIN family? Choreographer What does that mean/what do you do? I make actors dance whether they want to or not ;) In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? Striking, Loving, Sound, Perseverance, Passion How would you describe Bill's writing? It rips your heart out and yet you're a better person for having gone through it. Fill in the blanks: _____Rhythm______ + ______Soul_____ = a song. What was your must-see TV show as a kid? Animaniacs! If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be? Buster Bunny from Tiny Toon Adventures Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Lin-Manuel Miranda Special hidden talent? Impressions of people from everyday life. Something you're REALLY bad at? Walking like a person and not a dancer. Favorite Chicago neighborhood? Lincoln Park Current local show you have been recommending to friends? Can't wait to see Kokandy's Sweet Smell of Success, Porchlight Music Theatre's Ain't Misbehavin'!, and Boho's Amadeus. Most played song on your iPod? "Piragua" from In the Heights (that's what happens when you understudy the role). Pop culture guilty pleasure? Dance Moms Three things you can't live without? My phone (I found out recently), food, coffee. "I'll never understand why… dogs and cats don't get along." Come see Danny's work in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.
Donuts made Day 1 of callbacks (12/7/13) even better! T.J. Anderson (musical director) and M. William Panek (director). 
Luke Michael Grimes (casting associate), Michelle Kritselis (dramaturg), and Justin Harner (assistant musical director & audition accompanist).
Photo: Neala Barron (Lisa), taken 1/7/2014, first vocal rehearsal.
A NEW BRAIN's first read-through at Lil' Buds Theatre with cast & production staff.
 We begin rehearsals for A NEW BRAIN this weekend! Three days, to be exact,
Not only have we assembled a top-notch cast and production staff, but I can honestly say I haven't been this excited to begin a project in a long time. I'm pretty sure I can pinpoint the fist time I ever listened to Finn's A NEW BRAIN. I was a freshman at Loyola Academy when my good friend David Nash was appearing as 'Jason' in Porchlight Theatre's FALSETTOS. As I dove into such a funny, original, and sad score in FALSETTOS (a precursor to my RENT days), I stumbled across Finn's new recording of his new show playing at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Playhouse. As a 14-year-old theatre dork, A NEW BRAIN's score was beyond addictive. The recording's cast - including Malcolm Gets, Norm Lewis, Mary Testa, and some young chorus girl named Kristin Chenoweth - was (and remains) pure perfection. I was hooked. And I've remained hooked. I was lucky enough to come across A NEW BRAIN during a formative year while learning what a well-written musical sounded like. So now, 14 years later (yikes!), I'm thrilled to bring Finn's semi-autobiographical exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art to Chicago with The Brown Paper Box Co. Quite simply, it embodies what it means to balance love and work with life and death. M. William Panek Director |
 Brown Paper BlogMaking theatre. Writing about it. Maybe some hilarious Youtube cat videos in between.
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