Baby – TrueNorth Cultural Arts 2010

‘BABY’ gets rebirth at True North Cultural ArtsRoy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

–THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS–

Lorain County Times–Westlaker Times–Lakewood News Times–Olmsted-Fairview Times

–Cool Cleveland.com—

“It’s March, snow covers a college campus. And miracles are taking place. Unseen, sperm are reaching eggs. Life is beginning.” Thus starts the story of ‘BABY The New Musical.’

‘BABY,’ which has been one of my favorite small musicals since I saw it in New York in 1983, is now having a rebirth at True North Cultural Arts Center. Rebirth since the Sybille Pearson, David Shire, Richard Maltby, Jr musical has been rewritten since its initial production.

The New York staging was met with favorable reviews including one which stated, “Baby is a modestly scaled entertainment that woos us with such basic commodities as warm feelings and a lovely score.” The show ran 241 performances. Having seen the show in the Great White Way venue, I thought it was physically misplaced. It should have been produced in an intimate off-Broadway theatre, a space similar to that of True North.

The story centers on three couples who live in a university town and are involved in the excitement and the problems that accompany the experience of conceiving and giving birth to a child. One of these couples is composed of two 20-year olds, Danny and Lizzie. Another duo is Alan and Arlene who have been married for 20 years and are empty-nesters with three grown children. The final pair is Nick and Pam, 30-year-olds who want a child, but have been having trouble conceiving. Each couple feels they are on the verge of great changes.

The authors thought the show should be reformatted and, in 2004, an altered version of the script, complete with new plot twists, a new song and some alterations in the order of the music, was presented at The Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. The second-ever presentation of the new script is presently being staged at True North Cultural Center.

The new version transforms the musical from being a very pleasant experience, to becoming an emotional roller coaster. The additional song, “The End of Summer,” adds pathos not previously present.

The True North production, under the direction of Fred Sternfeld, is excellent. The six leads are extremely well cast. Their singing and acting are right on target.

Shane Joseph Siniscalchi, who has a nice singing voice, creates in Danny a real person who we see grow from an immature fun-centered musician into a soon-to-be responsible dad. His duet with the beautiful, sparkling eyed, talented. American Idol semi-finalist Natalie Green (Lizzie), “What Could Be Better?” is delightful, filled with a clever interpretation and an intriguing musical arrangement. “I Chose Right” and “Two People in Love, are also show highlights. Green’s “The Story Goes On” is mesmerizing.

Bernadette Hisey (Arlene) and Michael Dempsey (Alan) match well as the older couple questioning whether life will be better with a new child. Their “And What If We Had Loved Like That,” is the emotional highlight. Each develops a clearly etched and textured character.

Maggie Stahl-Floriano (Pam) and David Robeano (Nick) are yet another balanced duo. Their scenes are filled with emotional highs and lows as they traverse the world of trying to conceive. “Romance” and ‘With You” are well sung and nicely textured.

Doug Brill does a nice shtick as the fertility Doctor with new contact lenses.

Rick Fortney’s musical direction adds much to the production, underscoring rather than competing with the cast. Bebe Weinberg Katz’s choreography also adds to the quality of the production.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: The new concept for the musical ‘BABY’ adds to what has always been a fine musical theatre experience. Sternfeld’s direction and the superb cast make this a very special evening of theatre. Hopefully he will consider taking this cast to his Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory so east siders can experience this wonderful production.

Kimberly Aldrich-Ceja (Nurse, Ensemble) is happy to be performing again at TrueNorth at French Creek. A singer, songwriter, actress and playwright, she has performed on stages across the greater Cleveland area, including The Cleveland Play House, Mercury Summer Stock and Beck Center for the Arts. Favorite roles include the drummer in We Gotta Bingo (Playhouse Square’s 14th Street Theater, Cleveland), the wedding singer in Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding (Hanna Theater, Cleveland) and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (Lorain Palace). Her commissioned play, Blooms of Steel, an historical drama about the families and community that grew around the steel industry in Lorain, played to sold-out audiences at TrueNorth at French Creek in May 2008. She also wrote the book and music for a full-length musical, Pale Mary. Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She works as a freelance graphic designer and writer.

Brian Bowers (Professor Weiss, Mr. Hart, Ensemble) is excited to be working with Fred again, after last appearing in his production of Man of La Mancha at the Halle Theater/JCC. No stranger to the True North stage, Brian has previously performed in their productions of Working, Swingtime! 1944, Side by Side by Sondheim, and in the January 2010 production of The Last Five Years. His work on the stage includes performances at The Cleveland Playhouse, Playhouse Square Center, the Idea Center, Beck Center, Cesear’s Forum, Dobama, Clague Playhouse, Lakeland Theater, Kalliope, and the Barn Theater in Augusta, MI. By day, Brian is the owner/operator of Braedy Photography and writes for his blog for the entertainment community. He is also active in the local film community, serving as moderator for the New Vision Film Club, Cleveland Producer of the 48 Hour Film Project, and producing and consulting work for many filmmakers, writers, and performers. Brian fills up his “free time” taking courses online as he pursues his B.S. in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. As always, he sends all his love to his own “babies”–Amy, Breanna, Jenna, and Tyler.

Douglas Brill (Doctor, Dean Webber, Ensemble) has performed at Beck Center, Clague Playhouse, Huntington Playhouse, Lorain Community Music Theater, Mighty Goliath Theater, Rocky River Community Theater, and the Old Firehouse. Favorite roles include Juror #8 in Twelve Angry Men, Uncle Max in The Sound of Music, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, Clem in Will Rogers Follies, Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, and Chief Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun. By day (and too often night), he is a prominent divorce attorney serving clients throughout northeast Ohio. Most importantly, thanks to my amazing wife Kelly and to our beautiful, talented children. Thanks also to Fred, Rick, the crew, and True North. It is an honor to be a part of this impressive cast.
Michael Dempsey (Alan) Michael’s written for network television (CBS’s Cybill starring Cybill Shepherd) and is a theatre writer, actor and director. His plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Washington and regional theaters like Actors Theatre of Louisville. Original productions staged in Ohio include Hail to the Chef, Mrs. Claus Has A Gun! and The Romeo and Juliet War. Local stage appearances include The Seagull (Medvedenko), 1776(Wilson) and Fiddler On The Roof (Avram) at the Beck Center for the Arts and Fiddler On The Roof (Mordcha) at Cain Park. Michael studied acting at Ohio State University, Actors Theatre of Louisville and the National Theatre of Great Britain Acting Programme (Shakespeare). A member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Michael’s a recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Fellowship for playwriting. Michael has just completed his first novel. A Youngstown native, he is on the board of several Youngstown-area theaters and is deeply committed to growing the arts there to aid in the city’s cultural and economic rebirth. He recently directed Into The Woods in the area and will direct the musical Curtainsand Macbeth in 2010. Currently he divides his time between Ohio and New England.

Richard A. Fortney (Music Director – Baby, Founder & Executive Director – TrueNorth Cultural Arts) established TrueNorth Cultural Arts in 1999. At TrueNorth, Mr. Fortney conducts the TrueNorth Chorale, serves as Musical Director for its theatre productions, and serves as TrueNorth’s Artistic Director in theatre, music, visual arts and dance. He founded the TrueNorth Orchestra, serving as its conductor for 5 years. Throughout his career, Mr. Fortney has demonstrated effective program development, administration and performance with organizations on both professional and community levels. His accomplishments include student program development serving as the Director of Student Affairs with The Manhattan School of Music, the Assistant Director of Campus and Residence Life with the State University of New York – College at Purchase, and as the Assistant to the Director of Student Affairs at Bluffton College. He founded the Avon Lake Men’s Chorus, which he subsequently led for nine years. Mr. Fortney previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Cleveland’s John Marshall High School, 2000 – 2008, and directed and brought back to the Cleveland system the Cleveland’s All-City High School Choir in 2001. Mr. Fortney was the Music Director of Mighty Goliath Productions in, 2007 and 2008. He also served as the Minister of Music at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Amherst (2007 – 2009), the Director of Music and Creative Arts Ministries at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Bay Village (1999 – 2006), and as the Director of Worship Ministries / Minister of Music at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village (1990 – 1999). He also served as President of Riverside Academy of Music’s Board of Trustees (2000-2001), and as a part-time adjunct professor at Lorain County Community College teaching music theory and served as conductor for both the choir and orchestra while faculty was on sabbatical or sick leave. His professional singing resume includes performances with New York Choral Artists, Musica Sacra, Trevor Pinnock’s Classical Band Chorus, The New York Concert Singers, The Juilliard Singers, The National Chorale, The David Dussing Singers, and featured Soloist within the Calvary Baptist Chamber Concert Series. Theatrically he was Spirit McCoy in the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s in Beckley, West Virginia outdoor theatre; worked with American Entertainment, singing at Convention Shows, State Fairs and Cruise Ships for a number of years; and was in the opera chorus for three seasons with Director Peter Sellers while living in New York City. Since returning to Ohio he has been with Mighty Goliath Productions, Huntington Playhouse, and ACT of Brunswick; as an active chorister, he is a member of CleveWest Music Consorte, and The Canterbury Singers, USA with which he has sung several choral residencies at Cathedrals throughout England. Mr. Fortney received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts Degrees from Bowling Green State University.

Natalie Green (Lizzie) is a 2005 graduate of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a degree in Theatre Arts – Musical Theatre Concentration. Prior to attending Point Park, she studied Classical Vocal Performance, Theatre and Education at Mount Union College. Onstage, Natalie is best known in the Cleveland area for her portrayal of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Beck Center (2005-2007). Since returning to Cleveland, she has been seen as Seada in Necessary Targets at Fine Arts Association, Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice at Lakeland Theatre, Laverne Andrews in Boogie Woogie Baby at the Cleveland Play House Club, and as Hanna in A Shayna Maidel with the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland. She has also worked in the Cabaret Shows at Pickwick and Frolic. As a singer, she was the Lead Vocalist with Collision Jazz and was a Semi-Finalist on American Idol, Season 3. Natalie is currently a lead singer with the Grand Avenue Band.

Lydia Hall (Narrator, Operator, Ensemble) began performing as a child in North Dakota, where she grew up, and has been fortunate to perform in five European countries and with the Wesley Balk Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota, the American Singers’ Opera Project in New York City, New York, Boston Opera Collaborative in Boston, Massachusetts and with OperaWorks in Los Angeles, California. Locally, Ms. Hall has appeared in productions with The Cleveland Public Theatre, Tri-C West, Opera Cleveland and with The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Festival Choruses. Other favorite roles include the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, Dinah in Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, and Woman 1 in Adam Guettel’s Myths & Hymns. Lydia holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from The Boston Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts

Bernadette Hisey (Arlene) has performed at Beck Center, Cain Park, Cassidy Theatre, CAMEO Productions, Ensemble Theatre of Cleveland, JCC at Tri-C East, Lorain Community Music Theatre, TrueNorth, and most extensively with Mighty Goliath Productions where she has been the drama director, music director, choreographer, historian, and marketing manager as well as having played leading and supporting roles. Favorite roles include Mrs. Anna in The King and I, Kate/Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Annie Oakley in Annie, Get Your Gun. By day, she is a music teacher at Harrison Elementary in Lakewood where she also has a tap dancing club! Bernadette is thrilled to be working with Fred again and to be a part of this amazing cast.

Bebe Weinberg Katz (Choreographer & Costume Designer) , B.A., M. Ed. Bebe’s credits extend into deep into the arts. She has danced, choreographed, staged, designed, directed, taught, written and illustrated. As an educator, Bebe has taught dance, movement education and /or fitness and wellness to children, teens and adults in the public schools, Baldwin-Wallace College, Cleveland State University, the Jewish Community Center, in her own studio, in private dance studios and Camp Wise. Her dance credits extend from Purcell’s Opera The Fairy Queen and The Cathy Powel Dance Company in Pittsburgh to the Dancing Mimes at DanceCleveland, as well as her own company, Center Motion at the JCC. While holding the position of resident choreographer at Euclid High School Bebe worked with the show choir “Varsity Choral” and choreographed the school’s productions of The Music Man, Hello Dolly, Anything Goes, Pajama Game, Pippin, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz and Grease. She currently works in both Shaker Heights schools and Cleveland Heights / University Heights school. Bebe is the choreographer for Shaker’s “Chanticleers,” and Cleveland Height’s nationally ranked show choir “Singers.” At CHHS she choreographed and designed the costumes for Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and The King and I and, as well as doing costume design for the latter two. At the moment Bebe is in the middle of choreography for the Ohio premier of Thirteen (FPAC) and Baby (TrueNorth). Bebe has production credentials spanning the 35 years she has lived in Cleveland. She was dance and drama specialist at Camp Wise, and performed the choreographer duties for Mame at Chagrin Valley Little Theater, Anything Goes at Euclid Community Theater, Joseph, Holy Moses, Rock Pinocchio, The Grand Tour and Fiddler on the Roof at the Cleveland JCC. She also directed The Apple Tree for the JCC and was costume assistant for The Wall and The Merry Widow. She also has written and illustrated a number of books. The M.I.M.E Set, an activity book the integrates movement and academics, and three middle grade chapter books titled Princess Claudia and the Freckles, A Best Friend for Claudia and Sibling Wars. This summer Bebe will be returning to Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC) as the supervisor for the Production Workshop and also the new Dance specialty.

Jessica Mester (Lady, Ensemble) has been active in the community theater scene since moving to Cleveland about two years ago. She has appeared on stage twice before at True North – Martha in The Christmas Schooner and Dawn/Rusty parts in Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas!. Other favorite roles have been Lieut. Nancy Phillips in Brecksville Little Theater’s M*A*S*H and Laurie/Dance Captain in Lorain Community Music Theater’s A Chorus Line. Jessica is also a member of the Oddyfest theater troupe on Cleveland’s east side, which performs new independent works on a monthly basis. A native of Topeka, Kansas, Jessica first performed on stage with Ballet Midwest and danced multiple principal roles including Clara in The Nutcracker and Lise in La Fille Mal Gardee. Favorite high school musical and theater roles included Antonia in Man of La Mancha, Laurie Morton in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.

David Robeano (Nick) is excited to return to Cleveland and to be under the direction once again of Fred Sternfeld. Previously for Fred, David appeared in two acclaimed, award-winning productions: Hank in Beck Center’s Saturday Night (Cleveland Scene – Best Musical 2002) and Sancho in Man of La Mancha (5 Times Tribute Awards 2002) at the JCC Halle. Currently David is the Director of Entertainment for The Jekyll and Hyde Club in NYC, appearing there as Aloysius Goole and responsible for a cast of thirty incredible actors. He has been seen Off Broadway in the Moran/LaChiusa opera Desert of Roses, Home and the River, and If the Shoe Fits, starring Michelle Pawk and musically staged by Marge Champion. Favorite Cleveland credits include the Ohio Premiere of Floyd Collins (Floyd), A New Brain (Gordon Schwinn), and Eating Raoul (Paul Bland) for The Beck Center, The Red Shoes at the Cleveland Playhouse, and the inaugural AIDS Taskforce benefit production of Falsettos (Marvin). Thanks to Fred, Rick, Sean, and as always, The Moms.

Shane Joseph Siniscalchi (Danny) is thrilled to be working alongside both Fred and Rick again. He has performed at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, Cassidy Theatre, Lorain County Musical Theatre, Olde Towne Hall, ESTA, Joe E. Brown Theatre and more. He recently played Jesus in a production of Godspell that went on to place first in the state at the Ohio Community Theatre Association conference in September. Other recent acting credits include Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Dearly Beloved, 1940’s Radio Hour, Joseph…Dreamcoat, High School Musical, The Music Man and A Christmas Carol. He is a student at Kent State University and is currently in his third year working as choreographer for Avon High School. Last summer, Shane was director of TrueNorth Cultural Art’s youth summer camps and directed /choreographed the production of Honk! In 2007 he had the pleasure of performing on a dance team in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Next up Shane will be playing Tulsa in Gypsy at Brecksville Theatre on the Square. Thanks to Fred, Rick, Mikey, Kim, the amazing family, and most of all, God.

Lauren Skirbunt (Lady, Ensemble) is excited to be working with such an amazing cast and crew for Baby! It’s been 3 years since she’s been on stage and she’s thrilled to be back! During the day she works as the Property Manager of Bridgeview and Perry Payne Apartments in downtown Cleveland. She is a graduate of Miami University where she studied psychology and neuroscience. Her recent credits include Sausage Curl Girl / Measuring Spoons in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Ensign Janet McGreggor in South Pacific, Missy in By Jeeves, Jocaste in Oedipus Rex, Robin in Godspell, and The Dining Room, among others. Enjoy the show!

Maggie Stahl-Floriano (Pam) is really happy and excited to be doing Baby, the favorite show of her best friend… Maggie has had the joyful opportunity to work at various other Cleveland theaters in some wonderful shows. To name a few; Yonah in Children of Eden at Cassidy Theater, Hope in Urinetown at The Beck Center and Mother in Ragtime, the musical at Tri-C East in partnership with the JCC. “This is my first time at TrueNorth Cultural Arts and I’m so impressed with the beautiful theater and natural surroundings! Thanks to Fred and Rick for seeing Pam in me, or me in Pam, whichever! I’d like to send lots of love to my babies and my hubby for always being so understanding and supportive. For the Sunshine in my life, ‘La ringrazio per splende su di me.'”

Fred Sternfeld (Director – Baby, the musical) most recently directed the critically acclaimed, award-winningYellowman at Karamu Performing Arts Theatre. At Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC) he directed teen productions of Into the Woods and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as the inaugural professional production of The Odd Couple. Fred is widely represented on Northeast Ohio stages through diverse projects, garnering numerous honors and awards. Recently he directed the award-winning productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Beck Center and Ragtime, the musical at the JCC. He previously served as Artistic Director at Lakewood Little Theatre – Beck Center for the Arts and the Cleveland, Seattle & Dallas Jewish Community Centers. Other selected credits: Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver! & The Sound of Music at Cain Park; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife & The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek at Dobama Theatre; A Shayna Maidel, Jolson and Company, Man of La Mancha, Modern Orthodox, Rags, From Door to Door, South Pacific, The God of Isaac, Beau Jest, Crossing Delancey, The Twilight of the Golds, The Immigrant & Conversations With My Fatherfor the Cleveland JCC; Bad Seed at Ensemble Theatre; Amadeus at Willoughby Fine Arts; Table Settings, Isn’t It Romantic, The Diary of Anne Frank & Broadway Bound at JCC Center Stage in Seattle; Peter Pan (1987 & 2008), On the Town, Of Mice and Men, La Cage aux Folles, Saturday Night, Foxfire, Noises Off, Children of a Lesser God & The Importance of Being Earnest at Beck Center; Proof at GLTG and All My Sons & Enter Laughing at the Dallas JCC. His next directing projects will be at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC) – Eat (It’s Not About Food), opening in April, and Children of Eden, opening in July. For pictures and reviews for any of the shows listed here you can go to this link.

Susan Watson (Lady) is thrilled to be making her True North debut with this incredible cast and crew! She just finished playing Cassie in Rumors at Olde Towne Hall and Mrs. Pugh et al. in Annie with Mighty Goliath Productions. Her favorite roles include Jewel in GI Jukebox and Mother Superior in Nuncrackers both at Workshop Players, where she can always be found either onstage or behind the scenes. Susan has also worked on shows at FPAC and is excited to be working with Fred again. Thank you to my family and friends for all their love and support. I hope you enjoy the show.