The Brown Paper Box Co.
presents

PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret
an evening of Pride-based stories and songs

Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014
Mary's Attic in Andersonville

Following our successful run of William Finn's A New Brain, we're thrilled to announce our next cabaret series: PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret. Ticketing information for this evening of Pride-based stories and songs can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org. Tickets on sale now!

It's Pride month 2014 and The Brown Paper Box Co. is ready to celebrate! PROUD AT MARY'S emphasizes taking pride in our identities and sharing our personal stories during such a monumental month in Illinois—June 1st being the first day every county in the state will recognize same-sex marriages. PROUD AT MARY’S is a mix of pop songs, show tunes, personal monologues, and stories about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, and straight.

"After the successes of our first two cabarets in Wicker Park, we wanted to bring a brand new show to Andersonville," says Brown Paper Box Co. executive director and show coordinator M. William Panek. "Musical Director Justin Harner and I are working with amazingly gracious past Brown Paper Box Co. participants to form a touching and fun evening of personal insight and killer musical numbers."

The set list is comprised of surprise song selections from Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lippa, Carole King, Stephen Schwartz, and more ... as well as original numbers! Tickets for the 7:30 P.M.  performances on 6/13 and 6/14 are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Additional information is posted at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

The cast includes Jeanne T. Arrigo (Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Eastland, Lookingglass Theatre), Johnny Kyle Cook (A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Folk Bound, Duplicity Ensemble), Pamela Mae Davis (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Miss Marx, Strawdog Theatre Company), Megan Ensley (Godspell and 2012's Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Justin Harner* (A New Brain and Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; The Voodoo Chalk Circle, The State Theatre), David Lipschutz* (The Birds [currently u/s], Hell in a Handbag; The Glorious Ones, Illinois Theatre Center), M. William Panek* (A New Brain, Godspell, To Tree, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Stephanie Rohr* (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co; La Boheme, OperaUpClose), Anna Schutz* (A New Brain, Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, and Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Circle Mirror Transformation, Oil Lamp Theatre), Nick Shoda* ( A New Brain and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Pacific Overtures, Porchlight), and Daniel Spagnuolo* (Godspell and A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; How to Succeed..., Porchlight).

Justin Harner is the evening's pianist and musical director. M. William Panek serves as the evening's host. Original poster design by Charlie Sheets*

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

Reefer Madness! The Musical was not only our first full-length musical back in 2010, but it also formed the creation of our 4/20 remounts at Studio BE and Stage 773 the following 2 years.

These amazing cast members have become trusted collaborators, life-long friends, and even company members.

Happy anniversary, all!

In the nearly 4 years since our first production of Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co. has had a plethora of immensely talented cast members participate in our shows. And by the look of things, they're sure keeping busy! Here's a sampling of shows currently running (and some soon-to open) featuring BPBCo. friends.

Congrats, all!

Who: Pamela Mae Davis (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls)
What: Miss Marx
Where: Strawdog Theatre Company
When: through April 5, 2014

Who: Luke Grimes (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls)
What: Burning Rubber
Where: Vivarium Theatre Company
When: through March 23, 2014

Who: Derek Herman (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls)
What: Good Boys and True
Where: Raven Theatre
When: through May 5, 2014

Who: Andrew Lund (Godspell)
What: Anarchy: Improvised Rock Opera and Lysistrata (in rehearsals)
Where: Studio BE and (re)discover theatre
When: Thursdays in March and April 10 - April 27, 2014

Who: Jake Mahler (Godspell)
What: Road Show
Where: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
When: through May 4, 2014

Who: Pavi Proczko (Godspell)
What: Dessa Rose
Where: Bailiwick Chicago
When: through April 5, 2014

Who: Sarah Sapperstein (BPBCo. board vice president, Reefer Madness!)
What: Into the Woods
Where: EDGE Theatre
When: March 27 - April 13, 2014

Who: Nick Shoda (Reefer Madness!, Godspell, A New Brain)
What: Carnival
Where: Lost Note Theatre Company
When: through March 29, 2014

Who: Zev Steinberg (BPBCo. co-founder, Reefer Madness!)
What: Fight and Flight Directing Peter Pan (in rehearsals)
Where: Michigan State University
When: April 11 - April 20, 2014

Who: Danny Spagnuolo (Reefer Madness!, Godspell, A New Brain)
What: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (in rehearsals)
Where: Porchlight Music Theatre
When:April 26 - June 1, 2014

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."

A New Brain
Music by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Director: M. William Panek
Musical Director: T.J. Anderson
Choreographer: Daniel Spagnuolo

Synopsis
Gordon Schwinn is a frustrated composer for a despotic children’s television show host. When he is diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain, he is confronted with the very real possibility that his musical legacy will be cut short. William Finn’s semi-autobiographical musical is energetic, sardonic, and poignant in its exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art.

Characters
Gordon Schwinn—Tenor G2–G4
Mr. Bungee—Baritone B2–G4
Mimi Schwinn (Mother)—Mezzo/Alto F#3–C#5
Rhoda (Agent)—Soprano A3–E5
Roger Delli-Bovi—Baritone A2–G4
Richard (Nurse)—Baritone G2–G4
Lisa (Homeless Lady)—Mezzo Belt F3–Eb5
Dr. Jafar Berensteiner—Baritone G2–E4
The Minister—Tenor C3–A4

The role of Waitress/Nancy D has been cast.

Audition Dates and Locations
Audition slots will be provided.
Saturday, November 30 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM), Sulzer Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave.)
Sunday, December 1 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM), Theatre Momentum (1800 W. Cornelia Ave.)

In order to accommodate as many as many people as possible and to use your time effectively, please be aware that you will be seen within 30 minutes of your audition time.   

Preparation
Please prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre selection in the style of the show and bring your book in case we want to hear something more. An accompanist will be provided. 

Time Commitment
Rehearsals at Li'l Buds Theatre (1206 W Rosedale Ave.)
Jan 5th-Feb 20th
Sundays-Thursday evenings

Performances at Rivendell Theatre (5779 N. Ridge Ave.)
Feb 21st-Mar 9th
Thursdays-Saturday evenings & Sunday afternoons

Pay
We are offering a stipend of $150.

To Book Your Audition Slot
Please send your headshot, resume, and availability for both audition dates to newbrain@brownpaperbox.org.

The Brown Paper Box Co. is excited to announce their upcoming production, A NEW BRAIN, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Finn and James Lapine. The show will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM from February 21-March 9 at the Rivendell Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (5779 N. Ridge Ave.). Audition information and more will be posted at www.brownpaperbox.org.

Gordon Schwinn is a frustrated composer for a despotic children's television show host. When he is diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain, he is confronted with the very real possibility that his musical legacy will be cut short. William Finn's semi-autobiographical musical is energetic, sardonic, and poignant in its exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art.

"Finn and Lapine's A New Brain is a fantastic fit for The Brown Paper Box Co.," explains director M. William Panek (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, Godspell). "It's a perfect ten-person ensemble piece that asks us to evaluate our lives-if we were gone tomorrow, what do we leave behind? As artists? As lovers? As children? We've assembled a stellar team of collaborators who are going to truly highlight A New Brain's big heart and infectious score."

Finn and Lapine's previous collaborations include the Tony Award-winning hits Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. William Finn is also the composer of In Trousers, Romance in Hard Times, and Little Miss Sunshine. Pulitzer Prize­-winner James Lapine is the book writer/director of the musicals Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Passion, among others.

The production team includes M. William Panek* (director), T.J. Anderson (musical director), Jaime Giovannone (set/properties designer), Cat Wilson (lighting designer), Stephanie Rohr* (assistant director), Justin Harner (assistant musical director), Danny Spagnuolo* (choreographer), Patrick J. Butterfield* (house manager), Michelle Kritselis* (dramaturg), Charlie Sheets* (graphic designer), and Luke Michael Grimes (casting associate).

Auditions will be held in December 2013 and the cast will be announced thereafter.

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

One behalf of The Brown Paper Box Co. and the cast of Character Breakdown: A Miscast Cabaret - Andrew Lund, Anna Schutz, Daniel Spagnuolo, Katherine Glavin, Megan Ensley, Michelle Kritselis, Nick Shoda, Stephanie Rohr, T.J. Anderson, and M. William Panek - we'd love to thank everyone who made it out to Davenport's Piano Bar on March 23rd.

It's the day before the show, y'all.

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret this Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. This one-night cabaret will feature appearances from The Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and former cast members performing as characters they would never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, etc.

Get to know Artistic Associate and Character Breakdown coordinator DANNY SPAGNUOLO (Man of La Mancha, Light Opera Works; Chicago, Little Theatre on the Square; Pippin, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble)

-----------------------------

Q) What's the first word that comes to mind when you hear 'miscast?'
A) No.

Q) Have you ever been miscast?
A) Probably, but I'm too vain to admit it. I will say that in high school I was Fred Graham in "Kiss Me, Kate," and he was a womanizing Shakespearean baritone. I think those are three words that don't come to mind when someone thinks of me.

Q) Without giving too much away, what can our audience expect with your number?
A) That I've watched Seth Rudetsky's "Obsessed" videos on Playbill.com too much!

Q) Upon first glace when you walk into an audition, what is your character 'type?'
A) Multi-ethnic character actor/singer/dancer.

Q) But what people don't know about you is .......
A) I'm really just Italian. Boring.

Q) Last good movie you saw?
A) Beasts of the Southern Wild

Q) Current show running in town you're recommending to friends?
A) See What I Wanna See at Bailiwick Chicago, and I had the pleasure of joining Hellcab at Profiles Theatre for the final three weeks of their run.

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Come see Danny in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret.  Please visit www.davenportspianobar.com for reservations and additional information. Tickets are $15 + two-drink minimum.

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret this Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. This one-night cabaret will feature appearances from The Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and former cast members performing as characters they would never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, etc.

We're keeping the playlist secret, but you can expect song selections from all the musicals pictured below!

As seating has been filling up, we urge you to reserve your tickets ahead of time on Davenport's website! Hope to see you there!!!

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Come see T.J. in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret.  Please visit www.davenportspianobar.com for reservations and additional information. Tickets are $15 + a two-drink minimum.