Written by
Stephen Sondheim
and Julia McKenzie
Directed by Vincent Musgrave
Produced by Judi Wobensmith
Performance Dates:
April 7 – May 6, 2023
Run time: 2h
Drawing its title from a song in Sunday in the Park with George, this musical revue celebrates Sondheim's incomparable career in musical theater. Featuring nearly thirty Sondheim tunes, Putting It Together is set at an all-night, black-tie party in a penthouse, the hosts, an older couple face their disillusions and marital troubles; a younger, less jaundiced couple struggle with their feelings and desires, and a commentator oversees and influences the action. The spouses deal with infidelity and divorce but finally reconcile before dawn. With a bit of imagination, the guests transform the apartment into the stage of an abandoned theater, an estate in Sweden, an island outside of Paris, a street off the Forum, the woods of a fairy tale and a mythical town in the Southwest.
To download the production postcard for Putting It Together to share with your friends, visit the Downloads page of our website and look under the Production Postcard heading. A PDF of the production playbill is also available in the same location.
About the Director
This is Vince’s Directorial Debut here at The Colonial Players. His primary background is in dance, and he continues to kick up his heels to this day. His choreography credits reach far and wide and recently include the acclaimed A Chorus Line at Dundalk Community Theatre. Past directorial credits include Crazy For You with Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and Children of Eden with 2nd Star Productions. An avid performer on the musical stage, his credits include National Tours, International Performances, Theme Parks, TV Commercials, and Regional and Local theaters. He would like to thank The Colonial Players for this opportunity, this incredible cast for their talent and dedication to excellence, this crew and production team for their unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to the craft of live theatre. He thanks his husband Peter for his never-ending love and support. Also, thanks to YOU, the audience, for your support and patronage to Live Theatre. Thank You! And Enjoy!!
About the Music Director
Andrew Gordon currently resides in northern Virginia and is elated to return to The Colonial Players alongside the incomparable Vince Musgrave and a truly stellar cast. A Signal Processing Engineer by day and Calculus tutor outside of the office, Andrew holds a BS in Mathematics and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He received the WATCH Awards for his music direction of Nine with The Colonial Players and choreography in Crazy For You with the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, in addition to nominations for his choreography in Singin' in the Rain, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls and Mary Poppins with 2nd Star Productions. Favorite onstage credits include West Side Story, Chicago, Can-Can, The Producers and Evita, among others. Also a classically trained pianist, Andrew has premiered original theatrical compositions alongside lyricist Danny Baird at venues throughout Manhattan and Washington including 54 Below, Signature Theatre and the Kennedy Center. Endless love and thanks to the cast and production team, his saintly family, his inspirational mentors both past and present to whom he attributes his entire work ethic, and of course, Damien. ODAAT!
Director's Notes
My first memory of Sondheim was the show Company. To say I fell in love is an understatement. I became mesmerized, not only by the haunting and intricate melodies and harmonies but also by the wonderful words. Sondheim’s ability to create a story through words and music was transformative for me. His words and his music are Master Classes in the unexpected. He delivers everything with a twist. I remember being totally caught off guard while listening to an interview with Sondheim one day. The subject was the musical Into The Woods. He revealed that in the writing his true meaning was that people would hear Into The Woulds. I immediately had to listen to the entire album again!! It truly gave me a completely different outlook on that particular piece of artistry. Putting It Together, while a “Review” of his writings, it is also a journey through the complexity of human emotion and condition. While you may immediately think of Putting It Together as a directorial on puzzles or any item purchased at IKEA, I ask that you join us in the journey of Putting “Lives” Together. A journey on navigating the intricacies of human relationships. We dedicate this show to the Late Great Stephen Sondheim. The Shakespeare of Musical Theater if you will. May we bring him and you, the audience, a bit of joy, laughter, tears and possibly something unexpected. Enjoy.
- VINCENT MUSGRAVE
The Cast
Ashley Gladden-Vellon (Women 2) - Ashley is excited to make her debut performance at The Colonial Players. She earned two Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from UNC Wilmington and completed her Master of Arts degree from Florida State University. Ashley has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, including Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Elisetta in Il matrimonio segreto, Nancy in Oliver!, Holly in The Wedding Singer, and more. She has also performed abroad as a choir soloist in Germany and Austria, and most recently played "Preppy Girl" in Wonder Woman 1984 and ate chicken for a Giant Foods commercial. Ashley is super grateful to Vince for giving her this opportunity and bringing together this amazing cast and crew of wonderful, talented people. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support and encouragement. And most importantly, she would like to thank her husband for not only his support, but also for holding down the fort at home with a 2-year-old. I love you! Hope everyone enjoys the show!
Alex Gubler (Man 2) - Alex is thrilled to be singing Sondheim somewhere that isn’t his car or his shower. Most recently, Alex was seen as Hunter in [title of show] with Spotlighters Theatre. Another recent credit includes Al DeLuca in A Chorus Line with Dundalk Community Theater. Much thanks to the cast and production team, his blood and work families, his friends, his therapist, and his partner Cole for all of the love and support.
Christian Hudspeth (Man 4) - Christian is excited to perform in his first show with The Colonial Players. A recent family move to the Annapolis area combined with a gap year break from his Biology/Theater studies a William & Mary in Virginia, led Christian to seek out the theater community. Some of his favorite roles include Bobby Strong in Urinetown and Mark Anthony in William & Mary's production of A Chorus Line. Christian would like to acknowledge Mom and Dad for their unwavering love and support. He would also like to thank all his friends and family for coming to see the show.
Tommy Malek (Man 3) - Tommy is thrilled to be appearing in their first show with The Colonial Players alongside this fabulous team! Tommy serves as the recently appointed Artistic Director of The Maryland Theatre Collective and has been proudly acting, directing, and designing in the DMV for the last 15+ years. Recent roles include Mr. Wormwood in Matilda with the Charm City Players, and The Baker in Into the Woods with Theatre3 of CBT. Gordon Schwinn in A New Brain with CCBC Catonsville, Emcee in Cabaret with Silhouette Stages (2020 Watch Award Winner-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical), and William Barfree in Spelling Bee with Artistic Synergy of Baltimore. Many thanks to this cast & production team for a delightful time at the party! Enjoy!
Josh Mooney (Man 1) - Josh is thrilled to be performing once again with The Colonial Players, last seen onstage here back in 2017 as Colin/Ethan in The City of Conversation. He was most recently seen in last summer's The Drowsy Chaperone at ASGT as the Latin lothario, Aldolpho. A newlywed and proud cat dad, Josh can be seen next in Silhouette Stages' upcoming production of Sondheim On Sondheim as Man 1 (no relation) from June 2nd through 18th. Favorite credits include Carl Hanratty (Catch Me If You Can), Bela Zangler (Crazy For You), Franz Liebkind (The Producers), Harry Bright (Mama Mia) "Sweaty" Eddie (Sister Act), Sir Lancelot & Various Others (Spamalot), Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) & Jack Kirby (King Kirby). Special thank you to Vince, Andrew and the production team; the PIT cast and crew; Mom, family, friends and all audience in attendance; and, of course, Rachel (my love!). As always, for Dad.
Liz Mulligan (Woman 3) - Liz is thrilled to be making her Colonial Players debut in Putting It Together! Originally from Chicago, Liz is a proud graduate of Northwestern University's Music Theater program and lover of all things Sondheim. Favorite past productions include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (British Players), A Little Night Music, Children of Eden, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Liz's other "life roles" currently include "Maeve and Madeleine's mom", ongoing "Project Manager” and “Uber Driver" for the Mulligan Family household, and Music Together teacher. Special thanks to her husband, Marty, for enthusiastically supporting her recent return to the stage, and to Stephen Sondheim for brilliantly and beautifully exposing all of our humanity on the stage. Here’s to… Being Alive.
Pam Shilling (Woman 1) - Pam is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a focus in theatre performance. Post-graduation, she was incredibly lucky to study acting and work in London. After returning to the States, she was semi-professional for several years - including commercial, film, and stage work as well as performing with a handful of DC-based jazz and funk bands - before founding a short-lived theatre in the DC metro. This endeavor, however, introduced her to the workings of the non-profit world where she's made a career ever since. With only a handful of opportunities to audition in recent years, Pam has been seen most often with 2nd Star Productions including Cinderella (Cinderella), Hello Dolly! (Miss Malloy), H.M.S. Pinafore (Buttercup) and Brigadoon (Meg). Sending my love and wholehearted thanks to: my husband and kids - my life, my heart and my soul - Cal, Alex and CeCe; to Dad, Nanny, my sister Karen and DAK, and to all of my amazing friends and family for their love and support. (I wouldn’t have walked back on stage without it!) This performance is dedicated to my Mom, Frannie, who would have loved this sweet and spectacular cast and every minute of this show. Here’s to us!
The Production Staff
Terry Averill (Set Designer) Terry is happy to be designing again at CP and working with such a talented cast and crew. He’s acted. directed and designed numerous shows over the past twenty years. His favorite role was as Arthur in Superior Donuts in 2014, but his biggest challenge was directing and designing 33 Variations in 2017. Terry enjoyed being CP’s president from 2010 to 2014. He has been an architect in Annapolis since 1995 and has taught architectural design and history at Anne Arundel Community College for the past few years. But designing for the stage is his passion has been since he designed Stage and Lighting for Dalhousie University before becoming an architect. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work with Vince Musgrave and the rest of the talented cast and crew of Putting It Together.
Lois Banscher (Properties Designer) What’s not to love when it’s a Sondheim musical! While the setting is minimalist, the music will transform into an ever-entertaining adventure, even if its loveliness turns a little “tipsy” shall I say! Lois is glad to be part of another CP musical and to be among such talented entertainers and a great production team! Since volunteering at The Colonial Players organization in 2009, she has worn different hats at times and is glad to be here for the 2023 segment. Thank you to the “behind the scenes” folks, family, friends and new friends I meet along the way in each production. They make these shows happen! Enjoy!
Wes Bedswoth (Sound Designer) Wes has been volunteering with The Players since early 2007 when he was a sound technician for Moon Over Buffalo. He's since taken on other roles including sound designer, lighting designer, lighting programmer, special effects coordinator, and technical consultant on more shows than he can count. Wes currently serves as Operations Director on the Board, where his responsibilities vary from plumber to electrician to network administrator to HVAC technician to locksmith to general handyman, depending on what broke this time. He also serves as Technical Director on the Production Team, and is part of the "Stream Team" — volunteers who have developed live stream capability for The Players. By day, Wes works for Cardinal Engineering, proudly supporting the United States Navy's COLUMBIA Class submarine program. Wes sends his love to his wife, Kaelynn; his parents; sister, Susan; and brother-in-law, Jon. “Abby & Charlie - always in our hearts.”
Jenn Smith (Stage Manager) Jenn is thrilled to be back at The Colonial Players as Stage Manager for this beautiful Sondheim show. Her previous work at CP includes Lighting Designer for The Children (WATCH Nomination), Assistant Lighting Designer for A New Brain and The Babylon Line, tech crew for Rumors and Quartet, and child wrangler for City of Conversation. Other stage management credits include Release the Gowns, an album release show for Baltimore band The Outcalls; Black Super Hero Magic Mama, Civil War Christmas, and The Drowning Girls at Strand Theater in Baltimore; Perfect Arrangement (WATCH Winner) at Silver Spring Stage; and Mamma Mia! and Crazy for You (WATCH Nomination), and Light Up the Stars, at Annapolis Summer Garden Theater. Thanks to Vince for trusting me with your show once again!
Beth Terranova (Designer) Beth has been designing costumes for community theaters for nearly 30 years. Putting It Together is her 17th costume design for The Colonial Players stage. Her previous costume designs were seen in A Christmas Carol (2021, 2018, 2016), Maytag Virgin, Nine (WATCH nomination), A Few Good Men, These Shining Lives, Coyote on a Fence, Going to St. Ives (WATCH nomination), Cinderella Waltz (WATCH nomination), Lettice and Lovage, The Diviners, The Lion in Winter, The Philadelphia Story, Hauptmann, and Mover Buffalo. In Maryland, she has also designed costumes for 2nd Star (Gypsy), Compass Rose (The Diary of Anne Frank and Eleanore), and Bay Theater (Beyond Therapy). Other costume design credits from years of theater in Florida include The Importance of Being Ernest, Beau Jest, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Call Me Madam, and Gypsy (yes, she has had the “joy” of costuming this show twice!). Beth was most recently on stage at The Colonial Players as Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky. Other work behind the scenes includes director, producer, set designer, play consultant, and tech crew. Beth currently serves on the CP Board as the Human Resources Director and is the long-time editor of CP’s News and Cues newsletter. Happily retired, these days you might catch Beth in colonial garb leading historic and ghost tours around Annapolis…when she isn’t doing “things” for the theater.
Dianne Trickey (Lighting Designer) Dianne’s passion for the theater started in local community theaters in Western New York with acting (including Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof, Martha Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Dotty Otley in Noises Off, Vivian Bearing in Witt) and directing (Christmas Carol, Barefoot in the Park, Nunsense, Godspell). But along the way she discovered her love for lighting design. Some of the shows she most enjoyed lighting included Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and 42nd St. When Dianne moved to Annapolis three years ago she was thrilled to discover the rich theater community here. She has had the pleasure of joining the team at The Colonial Players to design lighting for A Christmas Carol, assist with lighting design for The Lost Boy, and assistant designer for Rock of Ages at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre (lighting design nominated for WATCH Award 2022.) No bio for Dianne is complete without recognition of her family, especially Bill who is truly the “wind beneath her wings.”
Judi Wobensmith (Producer) Judi has been doing "theatre" since the age of 6 and has been involved in productions in the Annapolis/DC area both on and off stage. She has produced and directed shows at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, The Colonial Players, 2nd Star Productions, Petrucci's (yes, she's that old), Pasadena Theater Company and Children's Theatre of Annapolis. Directing credits include A Christmas Carol (4 times at CP), The Music Man, Gigi, Carnival, Something's Afoot, Mrs. California and the Sunshine Boys among others. She has served 3 terms on the board of The Colonial Players as well as having served on the boards of Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and Children’s Theatre of Annapolis and has been seen in various documentaries and commercials as well as on MPT Pledge Weeks. Judi has so many people she wants to thank...they know who they are, but immense and grateful thanks to all the production staffs in all the places she has worked...the show cannot go on without them! She especially thanks her husband for supporting her forays into Theatre for over 56 years! In her spare time, Judi plumbs the depths of drama in the offices of the Maryland General Assembly where she hones her dramatic as well as her production skills.
