Digital Program: Stepping Out
The Footlight Club Presents
STEPPING OUT
By Richard Harris
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
Eliot Hall, 7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Information: 617-524-3200
The Footlight Club is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a program of the state of Massachusetts administered through a collaborative arrangement between MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Footlight Club is also supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.
Our newly accessible Eliot Hall, completed in February 2022, is supported by grants from
the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund, the Community Preservation Fund, and the George B. Henderson Foundation.
Director’s Note
In 1990 I met Liza Minnelli. Very long story short, we had an acquaintance-type relationship for the next 20 years.
The first time I had a substantial visit with Liza was backstage at Symphony Hall in Boston in 1992. I tell you all this because I remember our conversation vividly. We were talking about Liza’s most recent film Stepping Out.
I was telling Liza how much I loved the film. A feel-good movie with Liza Minnelli and tap dancing? What’s not to love?! The one thing I will never forget is that at the end of the film, the entire audience leapt to their feet and gave the movie a standing ovation. I had never seen that before in a movie theatre. I haven’t seen it since.
Liza was at a crossroads in her life at that time and we chatted about what the term “stepping out” meant. It means taking a chance, getting out of your comfort zone, challenging yourself to grow, having faith, believing in yourself and taking a leap.
There is not a single person in this audience who doesn’t have problems. We’ve all gone through challenging times. It’s how you handle those challenging times that makes the difference. And of course, the people we surround ourselves with is of utmost importance.
That’s what this play is about—growing, learning, challenging yourself, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and succeeding.
Stepping Out has always had a very special place in my heart. I’ve wanted to direct it for as long as I can remember. I still can’t believe I have been given the opportunity. I’d like to thank Brian, Eleza, The Footlight Club Board of Directors, Rachel, Meredith, Peter, Bill, Zach, Paul, Sherilyn and everyone who helped make this possible.
And last but certainly not least, I’d like to thank the ten actors who took this ride with me, some of whom had never tap danced before. Each and every one of them is a gift and I couldn’t be more proud.
Thank you for joining us and for supporting the Footlight Club. Enjoy the show!
Be well,
David
Cast
Maxine – Lauren Basler
Sylvia – Elizabeth Bean
Vera – Maria De Vries
Mavis – Carlee Fallon
Andy – Cassidy Guimares
Mrs. Fraser – Mary Beth Murphy
Rose – Chantel O’Brien
Dorothy – Alicia Powell
Geoffrey – Anthony Rinaldi
Lynne – Marie Siopy
Production Team
Producer – Brian Bakofen
Director – David Costa
Stage Manager – Rachel Veto
Asst. Stage Manager – Meredith Weaver
Choreographer – David Costa
Set Design – David Costa
Lead Carpenter – Zach Best
Set Dress – David Costa, Meredith Weaver, Brian Bakofen
Costume Design – David Costa
Costume Assistant – Sherilyn Levy
Props Designer – David Costa, Meredith Weaver
Lighting Designer – Peter Kates
Sound Designer – Bill Shamlian
Piano Recordings – Shawn Gelzleichter
Technical Director – Paul O’Shaughnessy
Set Build Volunteers
Brian Bakofen, Grace Barry, Elizabeth Bean, Zach Best, John Carroll, Carlee Fallon, Cassidy Guimares, Rob Guptill, Olivia Huang, Carol Kemp, Sonia Lee, Cynthia Lin, Kenzi Martin, Bob Mulloney, Ryder Nguyen, Leslie Nordstrom, Paul O’Shaugnessy, Alicia Powell, Autumn Rhonemus, Marie Siopy, Jeffrey Snyder, Michael Wagner, Meredith Weaver
Light Hang Assistants
Mark Sherman, Gwen Trueblood, Paul O’Shaughnessy
Special Thanks
Brian Crete, Michael Colford, Mike McHugh, Liz Rouse, Rylan Gonzalez
Cast Biographies
Lauren Basler (she/her) (Maxine): Lauren is delighted to be back up on stage (and in tap shoes, no less!) for the first time since that pesky pandemic. Previous roles at the Footlight Club include Fighting Prawn in Peter and the Starcatcher, Sabrina Daldry in In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play, Agnes in Marion Bridge (7A production) and Paige in The Great God Pan (7A production). Other credits include Major General in Pirates of Penzance (Longwood Players), Hermia in Dead Man’s Cellphone (MMAS) and Woman in Autobahn (MMAS virtual production). Lauren is a Registered Drama Therapist with the North American Drama Therapy Association and currently is the Director of the Veronica B. Smith Senior Center in Brighton were she runs a lively Senior Theater class! Thanks to Andy, and enjoy the show!
Elizabeth Bean (she/her) (Sylvia): Liz first arrived at the Footlight in 2008, after a nine-year theatre hiatus to audition for Singin’ in the Rain, and she’s been a Footlight regular ever since. Some favorite Footlight Club roles include Ida (Honk!), Bird Girl (Seussical), Nun Ensemble (The Sound of Music), a Phantom (The Rocky Horror Show, DASH Award Winner, Specialty Ensemble), the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (staged reading), Ensemble in Singin' in the Rain, and performing in the Cabar7A as part of the Footlight Club’s 7A Series. Liz has also performed with Divine Stageworks’ productions of Father of the Bride (Bridesmaid), a servant in Stoops!, and in a staged reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Producer credits include The Odyssey, and See Rock City & Other Destinations (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, Ragnarok Productions), as well as RENT, The Three Sisters, Frankenstein, August: Osage County, Bat Boy: The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Legally Blonde the Musical (all with Footlight). Liz is also the President of The Footlight Club, and has previously served as their Volunteers Director, and Development Director. She is thrilled to be part of this really special cast and tapping on Footlight’s stage once again. T-Rex Tappers 4-eva.
Maria De Vries (she/her) (Vera): Maria feels so lucky to be joining The Footlight Club after a pandemic move from NYC. Favorite credits include Maria in The Sound of Music (Lakes Region Summer Theatre, NH), Masha in Chekhov’s Three Sisters (UNC-Greensboro), Kate in Squirrel Screams and Other Dating Sounds (Gallery, NYC) and the UK tour of As You Like It (Oxford Shakespeare). Love to JBug, Little C, L-Pants, Peggy, and Scuttle.
Carlee Fallon (she/her) (Mavis): Carlee is over the moon to be making her Footlight Club debut! And with such a talented and truly wonderful group of people! Recently, she was seen as Bebe in A Chorus Line (Weston Friendly Society) and as Sebastian in Cinderella (Vokes Theater). When not on stage as a Tap Instructor, Carlee is still dancing in classes as a Zumba® Instructor, with a special shout out to my Millis Crew! She would like to thank her family and friends for their support in her doing what she is most passionate about. Carlee’s performance is dedicated to anyone who has ever wanted to step out and push past those who try and hold them back. Oh, and this is also dedicated to Liza.
Cassidy Guimares (she/her) (Andy): Cassidy is a writer, dancer, and actress from Pembroke, MA, and is beyond excited to make her Footlight Club debut! Past roles include Echo (Eleemosynary), Bradley (Buried Child), Priscilla (Priscilla Dreams the Answer), and Marci/Waitress/Suzette (Almost, Maine). She graduated from Emmanuel College, where her theater work was honored by KCACTF, and currently works in marketing. Love to her family and friends, shout out to the T-Rex Tappers and Stepping Out production team, and gratitude always for her first dance teacher, Kathy Reed. @cass_guimares
Mary Beth Murphy (she/her) (Mrs. Fraser): Mary Beth is a Boston-based actor who is delighted to return to the Footlight Club stage after having played Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. Her most recent performance was in the one-person show Every Brilliant Thing, which played at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison, Maine, and locally at Curtain Call Theatre (DASH Award for Best Play and directed by Best Director David Costa!) She counts among her favorite roles Fraulein Schneider (Cabaret, Hingham Civic Music Theater, DASH Award for Best Supporting Actress—Musical), Reverend Mother (Nunsense and Nuncrackers), Millet (Fuddy Meers), Margie (Good People), Miss Hannigan (Annie), Annie Wilkes (Misery), and Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd). She can be found most Saturday mornings circling Jamaica Pond with parkrun. She thanks LT, Mirabel, and Louisa for keeping the kettle on. Miss you, Mum.
Chantel O’Brien (she/her) (Rose): Chantel is thrilled to be back at The Footlight Club, having previously performed in Company (Jenny) in 2014 and Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) in 2016. Other theater credits include Rent (Joanne, Riverside Theater Works), The Bodyguard the Musical (Rachel, Riverside Theater Works), A Chorus Line (Diana, Riverside Theater Works) Freaky Friday (Katherine, Mass Arts Center), Hot Mikado (Katisha, Belmont Dramatic Club), Shrek the Musical (Dragon, The Wellesley Players), Titanic the Musical (Madame Aubert, Little Theater of Fall River), and Hairspray (Lorraine/Ensemble, New Bedford Festival Theatre). Thanks to fellow Dartmouth native, director David, for trusting me with bringing Rose to life, the production team for their hard work to make us all look and sound good, fellow cast-mates for an incredible summer experience, and, of course, thanks to my husband, Kris, for being my biggest fan and advocate.
Alicia Powell (she/her) (Dorothy): Alicia is positively delighted to be tapping again at FLC with this fiercely talented cast and crew. Her last non-musical play was on a screen (FLC/7a’s Talking With….), but she mostly has been living her dancing dreams on the FLC stage as: Fastrada in Pippin; Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show(EMACT-DASH nom); Rosie in Cabaret; and a Turkey Lurkey Girl in Promises, Promises. Other favorites include Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical with Wellesley Players and Fanny in the Urban Nutcracker. Huge thanks to David for inviting me to portray Dorothy, Jamie Alley for believing I could memorize a monologue, friends and family for their steadfast support, and everyone supporting community theater in ways big and small. YES!
Anthony Rinaldi (he/him) (Geoffrey): Anthony is a Boston-based actor who is super ecstatic to work with this amazing cast and crew in his debut performance at The Footlight Club. Performing up and down the I-95 and I-93, some of his favorite performances include Prince Topher (Cinderella), Frank Farmer (The Bodyguard), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), Captain Stache (Peter and the Starcatcher), Mickey Johnstone (Blood Brothers) and Orin Scrivello (Little Shop of Horrors), Carlo Nucci (A Comedy of Tenors), and Rapunzel's Prince (Into the Woods). When he is not moonlighting as an actor, he likes to bake commissioned cakes for special occasions! He would like to thank his family, friends, and Zach for always supporting his passions! Instagram: @bakingwithanthony
Marie Siopy (she/her) (Lynne): Marie is a theater and film artist based in the Boston area with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Media/Screen Studies. Last year, she starred in Northeastern University’s production of Polaroid Stories, and Moonbox Productions’ New Works Festival. She has also further developed her film credentials, starring in Homespun with Hazel, which was recently nominated for Best Student Film in the New York International Film Awards, and directing TV Pilot, “Joe’s Pizza,” as part of her senior capstone. In her free time, she loves to write songs, read novels, make funky furniture, and spend time with her cat. Marie would like to thank her amazing parents, Christos and Linda, for always supporting her, as well as her truly steadfast friends Minna, Ryan, Sam, Lauren, and Autumn for showing her how surrounding yourself with the right people truly makes all the difference.
Production Team Biographies
David Costa (he/him) (Director, Choreographer, Set Designer, Costume Designer, & Props Designer): David is thrilled to make his Footlight Club directorial debut with STEPPING OUT! Last season David won the DASH Award for “Best Director of a Play” for Every Brilliant Thing at Curtain Call Theatre. Other directing/choreography credits include: Nunsense (DASH nominations for “Best Direction of a Musical” and “Best Choreographer”), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Forever Plaid, Chicago (Cider Mill Playhouse, NY), Fiddler on the Roof (IRNE Nomination), The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Hairspray, A Grand Night for Singing, Oliver! and Every Brilliant Thing (Deertrees Theatre, ME). David will be directing the upcoming production of Murder on the Orient Express at Milton Players. As an actor, David won the IRNE Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” for Crazy for You. He can be seen in the upcoming film, All Saints Day. David would like to thank Brian, Eleza, Michael and the entire Footlight Club board for this opportunity. Stepping Out is dedicated to David’s “real-life Vera” and dear friend Sarah.
Brian Bakofen (he/him) (Producer): This is Brian’s first time producing a mainstage show at The Footlight Club, but he has worked both on and off stage at the Footlight for over 10 years. He has been seen on our stage in The Wild Party (Eddie), Peter and the Starcatcher (Slank), Seussical (Bass Wickersham), and The Music Man (Quartet), to name a few. He has also co-produced a somewhat-annual 7A show (Cabar7A), including a virtual show during the pandemic. He has performed with other companies around Boston as well, including Curtain Call (Forever Plaid), Fiddlehead (JCS and The Wiz), Moonbox (Company), and Concord Players (Secret Garden, The Scarlet Pimpernel). He is also currently the Artistic Planning Director on The Footlight Club Board of Directors. Brian is really excited to work with David, Rachel, and Meredith as well as the rest of our cast and crew to bring this story to life.
Zach Best (he/him) (Lead Carpenter): Zach is pleased to be part of another show at The Footlight Club. Previous credits at The Footlight Club include Our Town (Mr. Webb), Honk (Lead Carpenter), The Importance of Being Earnest (Set Design and Lead Carpenter – DASH Award), Harvey (Director), The Doll’s House (Torvald), and Miss Holmes (Set Design and Lead Carpenter). Zach currently serves on The Footlight Club’s Board of Directors. Thanks as always to Kelley for her support.
Shawn Gelzleichter (he/him) (Piano Music Recordings): Shawn is an active musician, actor, director, and music director throughout the greater Boston theatre community. Recent music director credits include Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief with Firehouse Center for the Arts, Mean Girls with both Melrose and Boston Collegiate Charter High Schools, Jesus Christ Superstar with Broken Leg Productions, and Little Shop of Horrors with Theatre Company of Saugus. He is thrilled to be returning to The Footlight Club, where he has worked on 13 productions in as many years. Thanks always to Jen and the fur-fam (Oscar, Audra, and Ella) for their constant love and support.
Peter Kates (Lighting Designer): Peter has designed lights for Bay Players, Curtain Call Theatre, Walpole Footlighters, the Massachusetts Hospital School, the Family Performing Arts Centre, Derby Academy and the INLY School. He has directed, designed, performed, stage managed, built scenery and worked backstage for all of these as well as for Milton Players, TaDah, and the King Philip Savoyards and Opera By the Bay. He directed the Marshfield High School Drama Club for nineteen years, and for thirteen years taught Technical Theatre and Shakespeare at the Derby Academy Summer Arts Program.
Matt McKee (he/him) (Poster Photographer): Matt is proud to have been collaborating with the enthusiastic and creative members of The Footlight Club for the past two decades, creating photography and photo illustrations for over 70 posters. Stepping Out represented an opportunity to help brand the Director’s vision for the production and work with the fantastic talents of the actors and production team. During the day, Matt can be found creating photography for a wide variety of companies and industries in the Greater Boston area (samples at mckeephotography.com). And, at night? He is wondering if tap shoes can count as a business expense.
Bill Shamlian (he/him) (Sound Designer): He is a professional Location Sound Recordist who has worked on Oscar winning films and documentaries, television shows from Nat Geo to HGTV. He has covered Presidential Politics for major news outlets like ABC &NBC and has attended multiple Presidential Conventions and speeches since 2000. But still, his passion is theatre sound. Bill is happy to be back in “his house”, working with this wonderful cast, crew and director.
Rachel Veto (she/her) (Stage Manager): This is Rachel's third show as a Stage Manager at the Footlight Club, having worked on The Doll's House and Miss Holmes. She also served as Stage Manager for Dream Role Players' production of As You Like It last summer. She was very active on stage and backstage at Macon Little Theatre and Theatre Macon in Georgia before moving here three years ago. She works as a French teacher at Beaver Country Day School. Rachel is enormously grateful to the production team and the cast for allowing her to be a part of their community and support their incredible work.
Meredith Weaver (she/her) (Assistant Stage Manager, Props Designer): This is Meredith’s second show as Assistant Stage Manager, having worked on Miss Holmes at the Footlight in February. She also serves as The Footlight Club’s Membership Director. Following many years of childhood ballet performances and high-school promotional art design, she is very excited to be a part of Stepping Out. Many thanks to the production team for all their support and instruction and to the cast for being such a delight!
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Bean, Michael Colford, Zach Best, Rob Guptill, Brian Bakofen, Gabrielle Jaques, Sara Schonour, Shantel Schonour, Jude Torres, Jen Ryan Gelzleichter, Val Tracy, Meredith Weaver, Lorie Komlyn, Paul O’Shaughnessy, Amanda Bovoso, Ryder Nguyen
Board of Trustees
Gabrielle Jaques, Paul Campbell, Shannon Daly, Katie Taylor, Shelly Norton, Stephen Lussier, Lorie Komlyn
Promotions and Publicity
Michael Colford, Promotions Director
Jonathan Drapinski, Social Media Coordinator
Matt McKee, Photographer
Kristin MacDougall
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Jude Torres, Michael Colford, Kara Chu Nelson, Lessie Tyson, Ally Rzesa, Amanda Bedford, Melissa Paz, Mordecai Choi, Samuel Botsford, Steven Key
Special thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who continue to help keep the Footlight Club running day in and day out, from front of house, to club clean-outs, we appreciate you!
If you are interesting in becoming a volunteer, please contact us at volunteers@footlight.org
And to our loyal members and patrons, thank you for continuing to support the Footlight Club!
Thank You to Our Footlight Family
We Are So Grateful for Your Support
As you walked in this evening, you no doubt noticed the beautiful new accessible entrance to the Footlight. This project – a new exterior ADA-compliant ramp and interior elevator to all four floors of Eliot Hall – ensures that all our guests can fully access all our spaces. Along the way, extensive repairs needed to be made to the foundation and existing chimneys. New spaces in our basement and on the third floor will provide essential props storage, and we’re already feeling warmer with an upgraded furnace system.
These upgrades were only possible through the generous financial support of our community partners. We extend our thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilitates Fund, the Community Preservation Fund, and the George B. Henderson Foundation. Most of our funding came from donations large and small from our Footlight Family. Thank you to everyone who donated.
The continued revitalization and restoration of Eliot Hall will always be one of Footlight’s top priorities. Your contributions will continue to make it possible to take on large-and-small-scale restoration projects, as well as maintaining the day-to-day operations of the building.
Every Gift Counts
If you are thinking about making your first gift, now is the time to make a gift in any amount.
Please give now at: www.footlight.org/donate
Or mail a check payable to The Footlight Club to:
Treasurer, The Footlight Club, 7A Eliot Street , Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Other Ways to Give
Email Treasurer@Footlight.org to make a gift of stock.
Become a Footlight Club Monthly Sustainer. For gift of over $500, your donation will renew, and your credit or debit card will automatically be billed each month. Please email Development@Footlight.org for more details
