The cast, crew, and orchestra of You Never Know,
the Cole Porter musical that just finished its two-week run at the Grand Marais Playhouse, is very proud of its director, Sue Hennessy. On Saturday, August 7, 2010, Hennessy became Cook County’s 2010 Citizen of the Year. (See the article on her on the front page.)
Thanks to Sue’s professionalism with everything from set design and directing to motivating and encouraging as well as keeping people in line, You
Never Know
had a great run. Sue said she was getting rave reviews everywhere she went. Two people told me that of all the plays they’ve seen at the Playhouse, this was their favorite. One of the orchestra members talked to someone who was surprised to learn that the music was live and not professionally recorded.
Each cast, crew, and orchestra member made a major contribution to the show.
Kurt Anderson was completely believable in his role as an underconfident butler who dared to pretend he was his rich and sophisticated employer when a seemingly sophisticated lady came to call one evening.
The seemingly sophisticated lady, played by Karen Blackburn, was also a servant pretending to be a rich and sophisticated society woman. Karen effortlessly reached a high G at the end of a solo piece – quite a feat in itself.
Braidy Powers was truly frightening as a jealous, controlling husband who was also twotiming with a chorus girl. If I didn’t know him personally and professionally as the nice guy he really is, I would be afraid of him after the performance he gave.
Grace Bushard, the saucy, sultry chorus girl, pulled off one of the funnest songs and dances in the play and got to wear a spectacular evening gown with a matching sequined hat. It was quite a departure from her job as Cook County Human Services’ social work supervisor.
As many people know, Karina Roth, who played Braidy’s high-society wife, is blessed with a voice that is nothing short of enchanting. Even her brief moments humming a tune onstage were magical.
Rob Burgess, arriving from his other home in Anchorage, Alaska just weeks before opening night, kept getting funnier and funnier throughout the play, often ad libbing as the need arose. He’s pro caliber whether he believes it or not. I kept telling him how suave and sophisticated he was as the master who playfully took on the role of servant to humor his butler-indisguise as both of them made their moves on the lady visitor. He was uncertain whether he could pull off this role, because deep down inside, he still felt like Horton the elephant, his character in the Playhouse’s production of Seussical
several years ago.
Kerri Bilben, Cook County High School’s new band director and a fairly new Elvis fan, made being in the orchestra a totally fun experience. She pulled adults and teens into a happy, tight-knit group so dedicated to the music that they practiced together at the urging of enthusiastic musicians such as Luke Fenwick even before she lifted her baton for last-minute warmups on performance days. Cook County is very lucky to have her.
I (the piano player) was not the only performer to feel sad after the last performance. It was a lot of work and it took up a lot of our time, but it was completely worth it. We all walked away with a sense of satisfaction and pride and the pleasure of knowing that we had made lasting connections with a group of special people.
Jane Howard provides this
month’s behind-the-scenes look
at Grand Marais Playhouse
activities.
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