Scrooge in Rouge
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Scrooge served with a grown-up twist. Scrooge in Rouge is a quick-change, cross-dressing version of the Dickens holiday classic, set in a Victorian music hall where three actors play 23 roles. The show, full of entertainment, rousing songs, comedy and specialty acts, returns to Diversionary for a limited engagement by popular demand. Ditch your boring office party and celebrate with four of the campiest performers you’ll ever meet as they serve up Scrooge with a twist. Drinks are encouraged (wee ones aren’t) at this offbeat San Diego Christmas Tradition.
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[tab title=”About the Writer”]RICKY GRAHAM (Book & Lyrics) has co-written the Louisiana-themed Nutcracker called The Pecan Cracker with Sean Patterson, Jefferson Turner, and Mandy Zirkenbach. With Sean and Jefferson he’s also written The Money Box — a New Orleans R&B version of The Miser. Ricky’s written two long-running New Orleans comedies, And The Ball And All, and When Ya Smilin’. His post-Katrina show I’m Still Here, Me enjoyed a 13-month run at Le Chat Noir where he directed and performed in Crescent City for WWNO, an affiliate of National Public Radio. He is currently working on a new show with Jeffrey Roberson (if Varla Jean Merman can star in it!)
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SAMANTHA GINN (Vesta Virile) is thrilled to be returning to the Diversionary stage after recently performing in Señor Phil’s Casa del Ha-Ha! Samantha graduated from Sonoma State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. Some credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Much Ado About Nothing, 60 Minute Shakespeare (New Village Arts); Hickorydickory (Critics Circle Award), Coming Attractions (Moxie Theatre); The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse and Segerstrom Center); Plays by Young Writers (Playwrights Project); Almost, Maine (Scripps Ranch Theatre); Dog Sees God (InnerMission Productions); and The Warrior’s Duet (Circle Circle dot dot). Samantha also teaches Improv through Kids Act and is a proud company member of Circle Circle dot dot.
TONY HOUCK (Lottie Obbligato and Director) has been performing on the Diversionary stage since 2008. He was last seen as Suzie in the world premiere of She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!. Prior to that, he was musical director and accompanist for Marry Me a Little and played the title role in the cabaret show he co-wrote with the stunning Ms. Jacque Wilke, Miss Kitty’s Wild West Revue. Other Diversionary credits include: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler, Pippin, Harmony, Kansas, Next Fall, [title of show], Twist, Yank!, Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins, and Dear Harvey. This is his second year directing and third performing in the holiday hit Scrooge in Rouge, for which he has received a Craig Noel Award (2008) and LA Scenie (2012) award for his performance as Lottie and a LA Scenie (2012) award for his direction of the show. Diversionary Cabaret credits include: Heather and Tony: We Might Be Cousins, Señor Phil’s Casa del Haha, and Facts of Life: The Lost Episode. Elsewhere, Tony appeared as Helga in Cygnet Theater’s award winning Cabaret. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and can’t wait for his annual repeat viewings of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special AKA the best Christmas special ever.
JUSTIN WARREN MARTIN (Charlie Schmaltz) is a company member of the local community-based theatre company Circle Circle dot dot and can next be seen in their production of San Diego, I Love You, which is a site-specific walking adventure play coming to Hillcrest this February. Also with Circle he was in Street. Art. Prophets. and Deconstruction of a Drag Queen, which has been accepted into the 2013 New York Fringe Festival. He was seen in Man of La Mancha at Cygnet Theatre where he has also participated in the staged readings of Passion, On the 20th Century, and Man of La Mancha. Other credits include Gypsy (Yonkers) at ion theatre; Pinkalicious (Mr. Pinkerton) at North Coast Rep.; Parade (Leo Frank), I Love You Because (Jeff Bennett) and Metamorphoses (Orpheus & others) at The Stagehouse Theatre; and The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff) at the Camino Real Playhouse, where he got to perform with Daphne Rubin-Vega for Broadway Under the Stars. Justin also performed in various shows including Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! (Jamie) and Aladdin’s Oasis for the Disneyland Resort. Justin was also a host on Shamu TV for the Discovery Channel and his voice can be heard on The Earth Project (Los Angeles Unified School District animated educational video) and the Emmy Award-winning Singin’ the Wild West.
RICK SHAFFER (Alfred de Capo and Musical Director) Rick’s professional career in musical theater has spanned 45 years with over 400 musicals and plays to his credit. Since his early teens, he has worked continuously as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and musical director. Originally based out of New York City, Rick moved to San Diego in 1989 to continue his theatrical endeavors. Over the years, notable colleagues have included John Raitt, Alfred Drake, Andy Kaufman, Tom Wopat, Jonathan Larson, Marin Mazzie, and Dana Delany. Rick’s San Diego credits include dozens of productions for such theater companies as Diversionary Theatre, Coronado Playhouse, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Compass Theatre, PowPAC, Lamplighters, Pickwick Players, and the Honors Theatre Project of the SDUSD Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Scrooge in Rouge marks Rick’s 7th production at Diversionary.
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[tab title=”Creative Team”]TONY HOUCK (Lottie Obbligato and Director) has been performing on the Diversionary stage since 2008. He was last seen as Suzie in the world premiere of She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!. Prior to that, he was musical director and accompanist for Marry Me a Little and played the title role in the cabaret show he co-wrote with the stunning Ms. Jacque Wilke, Miss Kitty’s Wild West Revue. Other Diversionary credits include: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler, Pippin, Harmony, Kansas, Next Fall, [title of show], Twist, Yank!, Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins, and Dear Harvey. This is his second year directing and third performing in the holiday hit Scrooge in Rouge, for which he has received a Craig Noel Award (2008) and LA Scenie (2012) award for his performance as Lottie and a LA Scenie (2012) award for his direction of the show. Diversionary Cabaret credits include: Heather and Tony: We Might Be Cousins, Señor Phil’s Casa del Haha, and Facts of Life: The Lost Episode. Elsewhere, Tony appeared as Helga in Cygnet Theater’s award winning Cabaret. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and can’t wait for his annual repeat viewings of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special AKA the best Christmas special ever.
RICK SHAFFER (Alfred de Capo and Musical Director) Rick’s professional career in musical theater has spanned 45 years with over 400 musicals and plays to his credit. Since his early teens, he has worked continuously as an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and musical director. Originally based out of New York City, Rick moved to San Diego in 1989 to continue his theatrical endeavors. Over the years, notable colleagues have included John Raitt, Alfred Drake, Andy Kaufman, Tom Wopat, Jonathan Larson, Marin Mazzie, and Dana Delany. Rick’s San Diego credits include dozens of productions for such theater companies as Diversionary Theatre, Coronado Playhouse, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Compass Theatre, PowPAC, Lamplighters, Pickwick Players, and the Honors Theatre Project of the SDUSD Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Scrooge in Rouge marks Rick’s 7th production at Diversionary.
JEFFERY ROBERSON (Additional Material), aka Varla Jean Merman, starred in the musical Lucky Guy opposite Leslie Jordan in NYC. He recently completed shooting the feature films Girls Will Be Girls 2012 and Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads (now available on www.SethTV.com). He played the title role of Giancarlo Menotti’s opera The Medium in New York. He guest starred as Varla Jean on Ugly Betty and was also featured on Bravo’s Project Runway. He played the role of Mary Sunshine in the revival of Chicago on Broadway and also made his network television debut on All My Children. He shared the Outfest Film Festival “Best Actor” Award and the Aspen HBO Film Festival “Best Actress” Award with his costars Jack Plotnick and Clinton Leupp for his featured performance in the cult classic film Girls Will Be Girls. He has also appeared at the Long Wharf Theatre in Hartford Stage’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep, won an Elliot Norton Award for Best Musical Performance in The Phantom of the OPRAH, and starred as Mother Superior in SpeakEasy Stage’s production of The Divine Sister by Charles Busch. As Varla Jean, Jeffery has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London’s Soho Theatre, and LA’s Renberg Theatre. Jeffery wrote and starred in the short Improve Your History with Varla Jean: Stonewall, for the launch of the MTV’s television network Logo and was also seen in their One Night Standup: Dragtastic special.
JENNIFER BRAWN-GITTINGS (Costume Design) is proud to be an Associate Artist at Diversionary, where previous work includes She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!, Scrooge in Rouge ’08 (Craig Noel Award) and ’12, Dooley, The Marriage Bed, The New Century, The Little Dog Laughed (Stage Scene LA Award), No Exit, Yank!, Bluebonnet Court, and Bunbury (Patté Award). She has designed over 100 productions regionally. Local credits include designs for the La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, San Diego REP, A Noise Within, MOXIE Theatre (Design Ambassador), Cygnet, North Coast Rep, Mo`olelo, and ion, among others. Ms. Gittings is half of the design team of LEO DUO Costumes & Couture. Love and gratitude to my “boys”: Chris, Oliver, and Theodore. www.icostumedesign.com www.leoduo.com
LUKE OLSON (Lighting Design) is very excited to be back at Diversionary. Previous work at Diversionary Theatre includes the lighting for She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!, Marry Me a Little, The Divine Sister, Scrooge In Rouge ’08 and ’12, when last we flew, Pippin, Hot Guys Dancing, and Dance/Theatre, and the projection designs for Learn To Be Latina and Poster Boys. Other local lighting credits include The Fox & The Fairway and Stones in His Pockets (Summer Repertory Theatre); References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Bluest Eye, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, and A Raisin In The Sun (MOXIE Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (PLNU); The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Mira Costa College); Malashock RAW/2 (Malashock Dance); Hunters Trilogy and When Strangers Meet (San Diego Dance Theatre). He has a MFA from San Diego State University.
KEVIN ANTHENILL (Sound Design) previously worked with Diversionary Theatre sound designing She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!, Marry Me a Little, The Further Adventures Of Hedda Gabbler, Birds of a Feather, Edward II, Learn to be Latina, Next Fall, Harmony, Kansas, Pippin, and Scrooge in Rouge. Design credits include USD/Old Globe: A Measure for Measure, The Winter’s Tale, Twelfth Night, and Fathers and Sons; San Diego Repertory Theatre’s Zoot Suit; Cygnet Theatre’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Gem of the Ocean and Shakespeare’s R&J; and Moxie Theatre’s A Raisin in the Sun, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, and Freedom of Speech. He composed original music for San Diego Repertory Theatre’s Boom and In The Next Room, was the Sound Design Assistant at The Old Globe’s Summer Shakespeare Festival three times, and worked with The Old Globe’s education department sound designing their Summer Shakespeare Intensive four times. He Holds a B.A. in Theater Design from San Diego State University.
PETER HERMAN (Wigs & Make-up Design) is glad to return to Diversionary for this year’s production of Scrooge in Rouge! He has previously done wigs for many Diversionary shows including She-Rantulas from Outer Space- in 3D!, Scrooge in Rouge ’08 and ’12, Twist, Irma Vep, When Pigs Fly, and costumes for Cyber-Queer. Peter has also designed wigs and costumes for many local theaters, including Cygnet, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Moonlight, Starlight, and North Coast Rep. He currently teaches wigs and makeup at San Diego State University.
DAVID MEDINA (Prop Design) has been the prop master at Diversionary Theatre for the past 6 seasons. He spends his days as the properties buyer for The Old Globe Theatre Prop Shop and has worked on over 85 shows for The Globe. He has also been designing for the Globe MFA program and the undergrad Program at The University of San Diego for the past 3 seasons. David is a photographer, painter, floral designer, wedding designer, and a great dancer! Thank you for supporting the theatres in San Diego and for keeping artists, like myself and many more, working in an exciting creative field. Much thanks and love to MBY and Tiger Paw! Idoprops@yahoo.com
BRET YOUNG (Producing Director) Celebrating his 76th show this year, Bret began applying his creative energies to Diversionary in 2000 playing God in The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. While at Diversionary Bret has worked as Stage Manager, Scenic Designer, Seamstress, Carpenter, Painter, Patron Services Manager, Production Manager, Managing Director and now as Producing Director. Having seen and being instrumental in Diversionary’s growth over these years, Bret is thrilled to have been living the dream while working with an amazing array of artists, craftspeople and luminaries of the San Diego Theatre community. Special favorites include: The Killing of Sister George with Priscilla Allen, Gross Indecency, Beautiful Thing and Happy Endings are Extra with Rosina Reynolds, Love! Valour! Compassion! with Tim Irving, Bluebonnet Court with MOXIE, Yank!, Facing East with Dana Hooley, Twist, [title of show] and Pippin with James Vásquez, Bent with ion theatre company, Sextet with Cynthia Stokes and Nick Reveles, Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins with Shana Wride and Edward II with Richard Baird. Previous credits include work on and off stage at Mystery Café/Julia Holladay Productions, Sledgehammer Theatre, The Fritz Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Utah Musical Theatre and Ballet West. Thank you to the many artists and patrons who keep theatre alive at Diversionary.
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STUDENT STAND BY
Student tickets are $15 with a valid, school issued student or educator ID. These are guaranteed seats. You may purchase up to two tickets per valid ID. Student tickets are generally available for all shows, but subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
Purchase your ticket online by using the special code STUDENT (after selecting show date, choose the “Let me pick my seats from a seating chart” option, then click on “Have a promotion Code?” in the upper right corner. Or call the Box Office at 619-220-0097 Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM and ask for Student Tickets.
To be eligible, you must purchase your ticket(s) and check in with your Valid Student or Educator ID at least ½ hour prior to curtain. Your selected stand-by seat will be reserved, is guaranteed seating and may include folding chairs. You may be seated in regular seats if they become available, or moved based on theatre needs and demands.
STUDENT RUSH
Rush tickets are available at a cost of $10. There is a limit of two (2) tickets. Rush tickets are generally available for all shows, but subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
To be eligible, you must check-in at the Box Office no more than 1.5 hours before and no less than ½ hour prior to curtain, with Valid Student or Educator ID. Your name will be added to the list in the order you check in.
You may be seated, according to the list order, just prior to curtain as soon as all reserved seats have checked in. If Seating is available you must have cash available for purchase. Seating is not guaranteed, and may include folding chairs.
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[tab title=”Resource Links”]InDepth: Background, Notes and Information for Scrooge in Rouge
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Contact: Todd Nelms 619-220-6830 tnelms@diversionary.org
For immediate release
November 11th, 2013
Contact: Katie Harroff –katie.sddancetheater@gmail.com
Or Matt Harding- boxoffice@diversionary.org
(619) 220-0097
SCROOGE IN ROUGE
Diversionary Theatre’s slightly off and enormously hilarious Holiday tradition is back for more on December 5th, 2013!
Featuring brand-new cast members and music!
Book and Lyrics by Ricky Graham
Additional Material by Jeffrey Roberson
Other Interesting Bits by Yvette Hargis
Original Music Composed by Jefferson Turner
directed by tony houck
Starring: Samantha Ginn, Tony Houck, Justin Warren Martin,
and Rick Shaffer
*Opening Night/Press Night Performances*
December 7th, 2013 at 8:00pm
(Post-Show Reception Included)
December 8th, 2013 at 2:00pm
RSVP Required by December 1st, 2013
RSVP to Katie Harroff: katie.sddancetheater@gmail.com
November 11th, 2013 (San Diego, CA) – It wouldn’t be Christmas without Diversionary Theatre’s very own riotous seasonal ride: Scrooge in Rouge! And thanks to sold-out delighted audiences for 2 years, the British dance hall musical returns on Thursday, December 5th! Directed by and starring Tony Houck (Craig Noel Award-winner for outstanding featured performance in Diversionary’s 2008 production), and featuring Samantha Ginn (2012 Critics Circle Award-Winner), Justin Warren Martin, and Rick Shaffer on the piano.
Scrooge in Rouge is back to kick tradition in the Dickens with its quick-changing, cross-dressing take on the holiday classic, set in a Victorian music hall where three actors play 23 roles! San Diego favorites Samantha Ginn and Justin Warren Martin will be making their Diversionary Theatre debuts and diving into the production alongside the spirited return of the always hysterical Tony Houck who is reviving his role of Lottie for the 3rd year. This year’s holiday extravaganza will feature new infectious festive music, as well as mind and gender-bending quick-witted comedy.
“As a group of actors who really didn’t fit into any ‘normal’ Christmas program, we wrote Scrooge in Rouge in the tradition of British music hall and pantomime — a world where the perverse is preferred. We dedicate this show to the topsy-turvy world of performers who are a bit ‘off’ and the smart audiences who enjoy their foolishness.” – Ricky Graham, Scrooge in Rouge Book Writer & Lyricist .
Joining Houck in staging the enhanced production are Michael Mizerany (Choreography), David Medina (Sets, Props and Holiday décor), Jennifer Brawn Gittings (Costumes) who also won a Critics Circle award for her work on the 2008 production, Peter Herman (Wigs), Luke Olson (Lights), Kevin Anthenill (Sound), Sharon Strich (Stage Manager), Bret Young (Producing Director).
Tickets are available now at www.diversionary.org, by calling 619-220-0097 or by visiting 4545 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92116. Single ticket prices range from $25-39 (Prices are subject to change). Group rates, and Holiday Party bookings available!
IMAGES/PHOTOGRAPHS for SCROOGE IN ROUGE can be obtained by
e-mailing Katie.sddancetheater@gmail.com. Cast shot above by Ken Jacques.
ABOUT DIVERSIONARY THEATRE
Diversionary Theatre was founded in 1986 to provide quality theatre for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The mission of the theatre is to produce plays with gay, lesbian and bisexual themes that portray characters in their complexity and diversity both historically and contemporarily.
The goal of the theatre is to continue telling the story of the LGBT community, while providing a home and venue for the remarkable talents of the San Diego’s theater professionals.
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