SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Director Christopher d'Amboise, underwriters Laurie Smits Staude, Sarah J. Anderson and Thomas B. Rogers

Susan and Bob Ehrlich, actor Nancy Lemenager, S.L. Huang, Laurie Brown and Betty Huang

Actor Nancy Lemenager, Board President Chris Anderson (r) and his son Paul

"THE STUDIO" THRILLS FIRST NIGHTERS
By Ann Conway

Not only did the world premiere of Christopher d' Amboise's The Studio —a two-act tour de force about the behind-the-scenes workings of the New York dance world—thrill First Nighters when it opened April 10 on the Segerstrom Stage, it thrilled the actors to play before such an upbeat and sophisticated audience.

"It was on us to bring this show to them... and this is a show that is very heady, very intellectual and very dense that speaks up to people," said Tony Award-winning actor (Beauty and The Beast) Terrence Mann, who made his SCR debut playing the role of angst-ridden choreographer, Emil. "And we felt like every man and woman in the audience was with us and compelled by it. Opening night audiences tend not to be as 'up and in' it, but that's not true here. We love the OC audience!"

Mingling at the post-performance bash on Ela's Terrace, theater-goers oohed and aahed over the masterful dance techniques displayed by dancers Nancy Lemenager (playing Lisa with a nickname of "Jello" in reference to the way she jiggles in one dance sequence) and John Todd (Jackie). "It was like watching moving art—the brush strokes were their arms and legs and The Studio was the canvas," said theatre buff Laurie Mendenhall. "For the choreographer, it's all about vision and then being able to translate that into movement."

As "Jello" mingled amid the milling throng, SCR board President N. Christian Anderson offered her the chance to down a colorful "Jello shooter," whipped up for party guests by Mark's Catering. "I feel like I'm at a frat party!" Lemenager joked, eyeing a tiny mass of wiggly red gelatin. "I can't drink that! I have two shows tomorrow." "Ahh, it's only Jello," reassured Anderson.

From onstage pre-showtime, SCR Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson thanked members of The Playwrights Circle, who, along with American Airlines, helped underwrite the production. Members include SCR Trustees Laurie Smits Staude, Toni and Steve Berlinger; Matthew E. and Bernice L. Massengill; Marion and Roger Palley; Thomas B. Rogers and Sarah J. Anderson.

Also on the scene: Ruth and Bob Bein, Jeff Golden, Craig Gunther, Helen and Van Holland, Susan and Jamie Klein, Anne Nutt, Lois and Matt Osborne and Mark Smith.

Dennis Keith, Kae Ewing, Bart Brown	Actor Terrence Mann and Board President Chris Anderson
Director Christopher d'Amboise and underwriter Laurie Smits Staude	Actor John Todd, Dana and Mark Smith
Frank Lynch, Olivia Johnson	Actor John Todd, Jennifer and Nick Dauderman