Saturday Night

Book by Julius J. Epstein, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on the play Front Porch in Flatbush
by Julius Epstein and Philip G. Epstein

Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood, Ohio, March, 2002


Rebecca Borger as “Celeste,” Colin James Cook as “Bobby,” David Robeano as “Hank,” Craig Recko as “Gene,” Terry Sandler as “Artie,” Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”
and R. Scott Posey as “Dino”

Best Musical — Saturday Night
Cleveland Scene ‘Best of Cleveland 2002’

“This jubilant encapsulation of youthful love, written by Stephen Sondheim when he was 24, was by far the most infectious musical experience of the season. Beck Center took a great gamble — and won — in presenting this unknown early work. The joyful material brought out the best in an ideally realized production.”


Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” R. Scott Posey as “Dino,” Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”
and
Terry Sandler as “Artie”

Excerpts from the Cleveland Scene review

“the best musical experience of the season thus far”

“the cast excels”

“Director Fred Sternfeld …staging abounds in warmth and high spirits”

“cast loaded with charisma, performing a show that thrives on unalloyed charm”

“In the same blissful category as first love, first car, and first hot pastrami sandwich is the exuberance elicited by Beck Center’s current production, Saturday Night. Perhaps its greatest bounty is that it reminds audiences that musical theater, when it clicks, can be one of life’s indisputable pleasures”

Keith A. Joseph, Cleveland Scene, 2002

link to complete review


R. Scott Posey as “Dino,” Rebecca Borger as “Celeste,” Jason Yachanin as “Ted”
and Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”


Kimberly Lauren Koljat as “Mildred”

Cast of Characters
Dino — R. Scott Posey
Artie — Terry Sandler
Ray — Kenneth Bentley
Ted — Jason Yachanin
Bobby — Colin James Cook
Celeste — Rebecca Borger
Hank — David Robeano
Gene — Craig Recko
Pinhead — Allen Branstein
Mildred — Kimberly Lauren Koljat
Vocalist — Kevin Joseph Kelly
Attendant — Tim Hnat
Helen — Jennifer Goodson*, Laurel Held-Posey**
Plaza Hotel Party — Betsy Kahl, Colin James Cook, Curtis Proctor, David Robeano, Jonathan Sweet, Kimberly Lauren Koljat, Laura Rightnour, Rebecca Borger, Terry Sandler, Alison Hernan
Plaza Waitpersons — Jason Yachanin, Allen Branstein
Movie Ushers — Kevin Joseph Kelly, Curtis Proctor
Flower Seller — Alison Hernan
Homeless Woman — Laura Rightnour
Clune — Tim Hnat
Mr. Fletcher — Kevin Joseph Kelly
Fantasy Butler — Tim Hnat
Fantasy Dancers — Laura Rightnour, Betsy Kahl, Jonathan Sweet
Mr. Fisher — Curtis Proctor
Florence — Betsy Kahl
Dakota Doran — Alison Hernan
Headwaiter — Tim Hnat
Waiter — Curtis Proctor
Lieutenant — Curtis Proctor

*Jenn Goodson performed the role of Helen March 22 – April 4
** Laurel Held-Posey performed the role of Helen April 5 – 14
^ – member of Actors’ Equity Association


Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” R. Scott Posey as “Dino,” Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”
and
Terry Sandler as “Artie”


Kimberly Lauren Koljat as “Mildred,” Kenneth Bentley as “Ray” and Terry Sandler as “Artie”

Excerpts from the Cleveland Plain Dealer review

“Under Sternfeld’s direction, the production that opened Friday radiates musical verve and the gentler glow of wholesome, but still sharp-witted humor”

“Sternfeld’s show … a model of theatrical craftsmanship, from the expertly rendered supporting characterizations to the lively pacing. It makes Saturday Night fun”

“the director has chosen his actors well” “they convey a wry common sense and affectionate humor that keep the story warm and engaging” “the cast’s vocal talents are both individual and collective: clear, strong, expressive, accurate voices that shine alone or in gleaming blend”

“Charles Eversole leads an exceptionally tight onstage band through numbers that have charm”

“pretty darned good”

Carolyn Jack, The Plain Dealer 2002


R. Scott Posey as “Dino,” Terry Sandler as “Artie,” Colin James Cook as “Bobby,”
Kenneth Bentley as “Ray” and
Jason Yachanin as “Ted,”


Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” R. Scott Posey as “Dino,” Jenn Goodson as “Helen,” Terry Sandler as “Artie” and Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”


Production Staff
Beck Center Artistic Director — Scott Spence
Director — Fred Sternfeld
Music Director — Charles Eversole
Choreographer — Martin Cespedes
Set Design — Richard Gould
Lighting Design — Jeff Lockshine
Costume Design — Ali Hernan
Sound Design — Casey Jones
Stage Manager — Jean Fyfe
Assistant Stage Manager — Tod Huffman


Kevin Joseph Kelly as “Vocalist” and “The Orchestra”


Colin James Cook as “Bobby”

Excerpts from The Free Times review

“agreeably adept and sunny mounting”

“fresh and inspiring are the birthmarks of Sondheim’s superior musical gifts, to which Beck’s appropriately youthful and energetic cast, under director Fred Sternfeld’s knowing guidance, does rousing justice”

“the score … sparkles with an abundant, natural musical and lyrical flair”

“Beck rates congratulations, both for doing such a project and doing it so well”

James Damico, The Free Times, 2002


Rebecca Borger as “Celeste,” Kimberly Lauren Koljat as “Mildred,” Betsy Kahl as “Florence,” David Robeano as “Hank,” R. Scott Posey as “Dino” and Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”


Craig Recko as “Gene” and Jenn Goodson as “Helen”

Excerpts from the Cleveland Jewish News review

“wonderful” “stellar production”

“delightful and entertaining”

“a spirited ensemble that sings and acts its heart out”

“enchantment”

“special mention must be made of Fred Sternfeld, a director whose passion for the theater is matched by his commitment and dedication to peerless standards of artistry”

Fran Heller, Cleveland Jewish News, 2002


Betsy Kahl

Kimberly Lauren Koljat, Colin James Cook and David Robeano


Rebecca Borger, Laura Rightnour and Kimberly Lauren Koljat

The Orchestra

Piano
Keyboard/Reh. Accompanist
Drums
Bass
Trumpet
Trumpet
Trombone
Reed
Reed
Charles Eversole
Marc Baker
William Hart
Bruce Amsel
Matt Wirfel
Kevin Mulder
Kevin Wenner
Dave Nelson
Karen Langenwalter


Rebecca Borger as “Celeste,” Colin James Cook as “Bobby,” Terry Sandler as “Artie,” Craig Recko as “Gene,” Jason Yachanin as “Ted” and Kenneth Bentley as “Ray”

The story follows an ambitious young man from Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue who dreams of wealth and glamour across the bridge in the Manhattan of 1929.

Written in 1954, Saturday Night began as a play by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein, the authors of the screenplay for Casablanca. Producer, Lemuel Ayers, wanted to make a musical of the script, and the young Stephen Sondheim was engaged to write the score. Money was secured to back a production, but Ayers died suddenly, and the project ceased. Saturday Night became part of the Sondheim lore, with individual songs from the show occasionally turning up in various retrospectives and albums. A new life for the musical began with The Bridewell Theatre Company in London, where it was given its world premiere production in 1997, with the blessing of the composer.


Terry Sandler as “Artie,” Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” and R. Scott Posey as “Dino”
and Allen Branstein as “Pinhead”


Jenn Goodson as “Helen”
and Craig Recko as “Gene”


Rebecca Borger as “Celeste” and Craig Recko as “Gene”

 
Craig Recko as “Gene” and Laurel Held-Posey as “Helen”


Laurel Held-Posey as “Helen,”
David Robeano as “Hank,” Rebecca Borger as “Celeste”
and Craig Recko as “Gene”


Jason Yachanin as “Ted,” Laurel Held-Posey as “Helen,” Colin James Cook as “Bobby”
and Craig Recko as “Gene”


Craig Recko as “Gene” and Jenn Goodson as “Helen”


Saturday Night is dedicated to the memory of
Steven Sterlekar