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"
“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"
Artie
Ray
Ted
Bobby
Celeste
Hank
Gene
Pinhead
Mildred
Vocalist
Attendant
Helen
Plaza Hotel Party
Plaza Waitpersons
Movie Ushers
Flower Seller
Homeless Woman
Clune
Mr. Fletcher
Fantasy Butler
Fantasy Dancers
Mr. Fisher
Florence
Dakota Doran
Headwaiter
Waiter
Lieutenant
Terry Sandler
Kenneth Bentley
Jason Yachanin
Colin James Cook
Rebecca Borger
David Robeano
Craig Recko
Allen Branstein
Kimberly Lauren Koljat
Kevin Joseph Kelly
Tim Hnat
Jennifer Goodson*
Laurel Held-Posey**
Betsy Kahl, Colin James Cook, Curtis Proctor, David Robeano, Jonathan Sweet, Kimberly Lauren Koljat, Laura Rightnour, Rebecca Borger, Terry Sandler, Alison Hernan
Jason Yachanin, Allen Branstein
Kevin Joseph Kelly, Curtis Proctor
Alison Hernan
Laura Rightnour
Tim Hnat
Kevin Joseph Kelly
Tim Hnat
Laura Rightnour, Betsy Kahl, Jonathan Sweet
Curtis Proctor
Betsy Kahl
Alison Hernan
Curtis Proctor
Tim Hnat
Curtis Proctor
** 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"
"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
Director
Music Director
Choreographer
Set Design
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Sound Design
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Fred Sternfeld
Charles Eversole
Martin Cespedes
Richard Gould
Jeff Lockshine
Ali Hernan
Casey Jones
Jean Fyfe
Tod Huffman
Kevin Joseph Kelly as "Vocalist" and "The Orchestra"
Colin James Cook as "Bobby"
“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"
"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
Keyboard/Reh. Accompanist
Drums
Bass
Trumpet
Trumpet
Trombone
Reed
Reed
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