Amadeus

by Peter Shaffer

Feb. 9-13, 2006

Directed by B. Michael Quale
Assisted By Russell Larson

When Peter Shaffer's Amadeus opened at the National Theatre of Great Britain in November 1979, it was received enthusiastically by audiences and critics alike. One year after its premiere, London audiences began to line up at ticket offices at six in the morning on the day of performance. Shaffer revised the play extensively before its American debut in Washington, D.C., in November 1980. Soon after, the play opened on Broadway, where it won five Tonys, including a Tony for best drama of the 1980 season. The popularity of the play ensured the success of the 1984 film version, directed by Milos Forman, which received nominations for eleven Oscars and won eight, including best picture, best director, and best actor. Amadeus has also gained appreciative audiences internationally.

The play explores the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, the court composer for the Emperor of Austria in the late eighteenth century. Shaffer became interested in the relationship between the two composers after learning about Mozart's mysterious death. Although failing to find evidence that Salieri murdered Mozart, Shaffer admits, in an interview with Roland Gelatt, that ''by then the cold eyes of Salieri were staring at me. . . . The conflict between virtuous mediocrity and feckless genius took hold of my imagination, and it would not leave me alone." Critics have praised the play's craftsmanship and its penetrating psychological study of the effects of success and failure and the search for spirituality.

CAST

Salieri's Valet……………..Ted Lindseth

Salieri's Cook……………..Jim Ryen

Venticello 1……………..Matt Rolfson

Venticello 2……………..Eric Pozgay

Antonio Salieri……………..Mike Daniels

Joseph II Emperor of Austria……………..J.C. LaBar

Von Strack Groom of the Imperial Chamber……………..Dave Richter

Orsini-Rosenberg Director of Imperial Opera……………..Brad Dokken

Van Swieten Prefect of Imperial Library……………..Bruce Conway

Guiseppe Bono First Kapellmeister……………..Larry Finke

Teresa Salieri……………..Susan Snyder

Katherine Cavalieri……………..Paula Swenson

Constanze Weber……………..LeeAnn Clark

Wolfgang Amadeus Motzart……………..Justin Parkinson

Major Domo……………..Vern Ryan

Flower Girl……………..Kaylee Seven

Frau Weber……………..Liz Seven

Leopold Mozart……………..Earl Westereng

Lori……………..Stephanie Lorenz

Schickaneder……………..Patrick May

Citizens & Valets:

Nathan Wellumson, Ted Lindseth, Jim Ryen, Gordon Anderson, Patrick May, Kevin Duttenhefner, Kim Bryson, Susan Sinclair

CREW

Director……………..B. Michael Quale

Assistant Director……………..Russell Larson

Scenic Design……………..B. Michael Quale

Stage Manager……………..Kim Bryson

Set Construction:

Gordon Anderson, Brad Dokken, Kevin Duttenhefner, Russell Larson, Eric Pozgay, Matt Rolfson, Vern Ryan, Klae Ryan, Jim Ryen, B. Michael Quale

Costumes:

Susan Snyder, Tasha Anderson, LeeAnn Clark, B. Michael Quale

Wigs:

Susan Snyder, Angela Johnson

Lighting Board Technician……………..Maureen Healy

Sound Technician……………..Russell Larson

House Volunteers……………..Dennis Gendreau

Concessions……………..Mary Jo Harstad

Box Office……………..Liz Seven