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<h6 style="font-size: 18px; ">‘Amadeus’ Depicts the Fierce Rivalry Between Two Famous Musicians in a
Fight between Competence and Genius</h6><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 20px; ">Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-Winning Play Pits the
Outrageous Mozart Against the Favored Court Composer Salieri</p><p class="MsoBodyText2"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#fe2b17">Weathervane Playhouse</font> continues its 77<sup>th</sup> Mainstage season with the
Tony Award-winning drama, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus</i>.
This tale depicting a fierce rivalry between two real-life musical composers is
presented live on stage between March 29 and April 15, 2012. The production is
directed by Eric van Baars.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Vienna, Austria in the late 18<sup>th</sup> century – a
glorious mecca for musicians – is the setting for this brilliant and highly fictionalized
dramatization of a great struggle for power and artistic dominance between two
famous yet absolutely dissimilar composers: Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">The action in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus </i>unfolds
in<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>flashbacks as an elderly Salieri
looks back on his tempestuous encounter years earlier with Mozart. In the late
18<sup>th</sup> century, Salieri reigned as the securely established and
favored composer in the court of Austrian Emperor Joseph II. From a distance,
Salieri had always admired the work of his fellow composer Mozart. Up close,
however, Mozart’s outrageous personal attributes prove to be too much to handle
for the refined Salieri.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">The ferociously uncouth, giggly, loud and profane Mozart
delights in flouting social conventions – thus enraging the controlling,
conformist Salieri. As Mozart’s fame increases, Salieri’s professional jealousy
begins to burn. And even when he ignores Mozart’s bizarre behavior, Salieri is
also smart enough to realize that Mozart’s prodigious talents as a composer
serve to expose just how average his own musical talents are.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Salieri begins to question why God would grant such
beautiful ability to such a coarse opportunist as Mozart. Unable to accept that
God would choose Mozart over himself as the beneficiary of such musical genius,
Salieri rejects God and vows to destroy Mozart as a means of revenge against
his Creator.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">As Salieri mounts his campaign of destruction, he deludes
Mozart and pretends to be his friend in order to manipulate and undermine him.
But in the face of Mozart’s precocious talent, can Salieri accept his own
mortal mediocrity?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Thrilling in its theatricality, and often wickedly funny, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus</i> reveals the consequences of a
battle between competence and genius. The play poses a simple question: If
genius is truly an uncommon gift, can those who pursue fame of fortune accept
the destiny of ordinariness that is the fate of most people?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">
<h3><span style="font-family:Arial">Weathervane’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">Amadeus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i>Performance
and Ticket Information<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Amadeus </span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">plays on
the Weathervane Playhouse Founders Theater stage between March 29 and April 15,
2012.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-family:Arial">The
low-cost preview performance is Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.; the official
opening-night performance is Friday, March 30 at 8 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial">Between March 29 and April
15, 2012, the performance days and times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays
and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and two Sundays only – April 1 and 15 – at 2:30 p.m.
(There is no performance on Easter Sunday, April 8.) In addition, one
“school-day matinee” performance is scheduled for Thursday, March 29 at 10 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Tickets for the March 29 preview performance only (at 7:30
p.m.) are $15 each. Tickets for performances after March 29 are $21 each. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">$19 tickets for seniors are available for Thursday and
Sunday performances. Tickets for children (ages 17 or younger) and college
students are $5 each at all performances. Additional discounts for groups of 12
or larger are also available. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">The Weathervane Playhouse Box Office is open Mondays between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and is
also open beginning one hour before each performance. For tickets, visit or
call the Weathervane Box Office at (330) 836-2626 during Box Office hours or
connect online to <a href="http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/"><span class="MsoPageNumber"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none">www.weathervaneplayhouse.com</span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">
<h3><span style="font-family:Arial">The<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">
Amadeus </i>Cast and their Ohio Residences<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Alex Cikra</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of
Hartville) plays the role of Antonio Salieri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-family:Arial">Ryan Nehlen </span></b><span style="font-family:Arial">(of Canton) plays the role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Anna
Bradley </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">(of Kent) plays the role of Costanze Weber<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Donald
Hillenbrand</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Jackson Township) plays the role of Joseph II, Emperor
of Austria<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Todd
Shaver</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Akron) plays the role of Count Johann Kilian von Strack<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Richard
Worswick</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Bath Township) plays the role of Count Franz
Orsini-Rosenberg<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Timothy
Kelley</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Akron) plays the role of Baron Gottfried van Swieten<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Jason
George</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Kent) plays the role of Venticelli No. 1<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Chase
Zeigler</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Kent) plays the role of Venticelli No. 2<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">John
Grafton</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Bath Township) plays the roles of Major-Domo and
Kapellmeister Guiseppe Bonno<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Jasen J.
Smith</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Akron) plays the role of Salieri’s Valet<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Kim
Gunzinger</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Canton) plays the role of Salieri’s Cook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Shannon
Brown</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Akron) plays the role of Teresa Salieri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Emily
Schrader</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> (of Kent) plays the role of Katherina Cavalieri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus </i>Backstage Team and
their Ohio Hometowns<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial">Stage Manager – Lane Smerglia </span></b><span style="font-family:Arial">(of Akron)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Costume
Designer – Jasen J. Smith</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of Akron)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Sound
Designer – Ian S. Haberman</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of Sharon Center)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Properties
Designer –</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Karen Burridge</b>
(of Brimfield Township)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Lighting
Designer – Mike Sferro</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of Medina) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Julia
McAdams</b> (of Cuyahoga Falls)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Scenic
Designer – Todd Dieringer</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of Wadsworth)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Technical
Director – Alan Scott Ferrall</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (of Cuyahoga Falls)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Assistant
Technical Director – Kathy Kohl </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">(of Akron)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">
<h3><em><span style="font-style:normal">About the Show’s Director <o:p></o:p></span></em></h3>
</div><p class="MsoBodyText"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">ERIC VAN
BAARS</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"> previously directed Weathervane Playhouse's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Pippin</i> in 2011, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Sum of Us</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> in 2010
and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Wiz</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> in 2002.
He also choreographed Weathervane's </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Fiddler on the Roof</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> in 2002.
As Assistant Artistic Director for Porthouse Theatre, he has directed </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Pump Boys and Dinettes</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Dames at Sea</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and
choreographed </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A
Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum</span></em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Once on This Island</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Big River</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">. He has
choreographed for the Halle Theatre (</span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A…My Name Will Always Be
Alice</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">), St. Louis Repertory (</span><em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Into the Woods</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">),
Connecticut Repertory (</span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt">Once on This Island</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">) and Cain Park (</span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Big River</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Fiddler on the Roof</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Sound of Music</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">) and
directed productions of </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt">The Melody Lingers On</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> for Berea Summer Theatre, and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Tintypes</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Grease</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> for Cain
Park. At Kent State University, where he is a professor in the School of
Theatre and Dance, his directorial credits include </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Diviners</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Lysistrata</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">On the Verge</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Honk!</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">, </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Wild Party</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> and </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A New Brain</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial">About the Show’s Production History and Adaptations<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Amadeus</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal"> was first
performed at the National Theatre of Great Britain in London, England, where it
opened on Nov. 2, 1979. The production then transferred to London’s West End
theater district for a commercial run. In England, the play was nominated for
four Olivier Awards and won the 1979 </span></em><em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Evening Standard</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal"> Award for
Best Play. In America, the play opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York
City on Dec. 17, 1980. After five previews and 1,181 performances, the Broadway
production closed on Oct. 16, 1983. The New York production won five Tony
Awards (including Best Play). During the 1980s, playwright Peter Shaffer
returned to his play, revising and rewriting his script several times. In 1998,
a new production featuring Shaffer’s changes opened at the Old Vic in London.
This revival also came to America, playing first at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los
Angeles prior to its Broadway opening at the Music Box Theatre on Dec. 15,
1999. The New York revival earned two Tony Award nominations, and it ran for
173 performances before closing on May 14, 2000. Most audiences know </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Amadeus</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal"> from its
1984 film adaptation. Directed by Milos Forman, the movie version of the play
was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won eight (including Best Picture).</span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt"><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-family:Arial">About the Playwright<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size:6.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial">PETER SHAFFER </span></strong><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">was born
May 15, 1926, in Liverpool, England. His twin brother, Anthony Shaffer, would
also grow up to become a playwright (</span></em><em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Sleuth</span></em><em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal"> and </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Whodunnit</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">). After
his schooling at St. Paul’s School in London, he was conscripted by the British
government to work in England’s coal mines during and shortly after World War
II. At the end of his service, he gained a scholarship to continue his higher
education at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied history and graduated
in 1950.<o:p></o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal">In 1951, Shaffer and his brother Anthony published a mystery
novel, </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Woman
in the Wardrobe</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-style:normal">, under the joint pen name </span></em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Peter
Anthony. In collaboration, the Shaffer brothers would eventually publish two
more mystery novels. However, Peter </span><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">Shaffer’s next writing assignment
was a solo act: His first radio play, </span></em><em><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Prodigal Father</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">, was
broadcast on the BBC in 1951. Next, he wrote two screenplays for British
television, </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt">The Salt Land</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-style:normal"> and </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Balance of Terror</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">. In
between his early writing gigs, Shaffer also worked a variety of odd jobs
(including a stint at the New York Public Library).<o:p></o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal">In 1958, Shaffer’s play </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Five Finger Exercise</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal"> was
produced on the London stage to great success (and a two-year run). The show
was also produced on Broadway the next year. This theatrical achievement
encouraged Shaffer to continue writing plays for both the stage and for motion
picture screens.<o:p></o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-style:normal">In addition to </span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Amadeus</span></em><em><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-style:normal">, Shaffer’s other plays include </span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial">The Private Ear</span></i><span style="font-size:
12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> (first produced on stage
in 1962) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Public Eye</i> (1962), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Establishment</i> (1963), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Merry Roosters Panto</i> (1963), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Royal Hunt of the Sun</i> (1964), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Black Comedy</i> (1965), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The White Liars</i> (1967), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Equus</i> (1973), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">Lettice and Lovage</i> (1987) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The
Gift of the Gorgon</i> (1992). His screenplays include adaptations of his two
best-know stage plays, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Equus</i> (1977)
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus</i> (1984).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Among his many honors, Shaffer won the 1975 Tony Award for
Best Play (for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Equus</i>), and he won the
same award again in 1981 (for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amadeus</i>).
In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II named him a Knight Bachelor of the Order of the
British Empire. He received the William Inge Award for Distinguished
Achievement in the American Theater in 1992. In 1994, Oxford University
appointed him as the school’s Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of
Contemporary Theatre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Weathervane Playhouse and its dedicated volunteers offer
vital performing arts resources for the people of Northeastern Ohio. We create
exciting and thought-provoking shows with impressive production values. Through
educational programs and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and
backgrounds, Weathervane serves the theater community, our patrons and our
volunteers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">The Ohio
Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage
economic growth, education excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Additional
2011-2012 season sponsors<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">89.7
WSKU-FM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">OMNOVA
Solutions Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Sisler
McFawn Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Akron
Community Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Kenneth L.
Calhoun Charitable Trust<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">The
Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<h2>Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation</h2>
<!--EndFragment--><div>
<div>Janis Harcar</div><div>Director of Advancement</div><div>Weathervane Playhouse</div><div>330-836-2626 X16</div><div><a href="mailto:jharcar@weathervaneplayhouse.com">jharcar@weathervaneplayhouse.com</a></div><div><br></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
</div>
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