Digital Program: Head Over Heels
The Footlight Club Presents
HEAD OVER HEELS
songs by The Go-Go’s, based upon The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney, original book by Jeff Whitty, adapted by James Magruder
Head Over Heels is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. (www.broadwaylicensing.com)
Original Broadway Production produced by Christine Russell, Louise Gund, Donovan Leitch, Rick Ferrari, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scott Sigman, Hunter Arnold, Tom Kirdahy, Jordan Roth
The World Premiere of “Head Over Heels” took place at Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Bill Rauch/Artistic Director; Cynthia Rider/Executive Director)
Developed with the support of New York Stage and Film & Vassar's Powerhouse Theater, Summer 2016
NOTE TO AUDIENCE: The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.
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 2021, 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
What you're about to see is not your 2018 Head Over Heels, this is the rewrite! The original candy-coated extravaganza was exactly what we needed then. But in 2026, I'm a Gen-Z director craving the screlting, soul-filled rock and roll of the 70s and 80. That's what we need right now!
Scripts age. Culture shifts. So we moved forward, and we did it with intention. Our rewrite does four things: it honors the Go-Go's rock and roll legacy in full; it drags the language out of 2018 and into the present; it pulls YOU into the room with us; and it uses every second of this show as an act of protest.
The Go-Go's were one of the first all-female groups to top the Billboard Rock charts. We honor that every time we hit one of those earworm bass lines. And where the original treated queerness and identity as a plot twist, we treat them as what they are - normal and worth celebrating loudly.
This show is for you. We want your heart rate up. We want you thinking about your life, your choices, your voice. Then we want you out in the streets; voting, talking, and boldly being yourself! Art is protest. We will keep showing up, showing out, and moving forward. To be yourself is the cornerstone of rock and roll. Big love to my incredible team, my super talented cast, and the wonderful friends and family that have supported me as an artist. Now LET'S ROCK!!
Scenes/Songs List
Act I
We Got the Beat
Beautiful
Vision of Nowness
Get Up and Go
Mad About You
Good Girl
Vision of Nowness/Beautiful (Reprise)
Automatic Rainy Day
Cool Jerk
Vacation
How Much More
Our Lips Are Sealed
~ INTERMISSION ~
Act II
Head Over Heels
This Old Feeling
Turn to You
Heaven Is a Place on Earth
Lust to Love
Here You Are
Mad About You (Reprise)
Finale
Cast
Basilius - Rob Nunes
Gynecia - Adena Walker
Pamela - Morgan Kaplan
Philoclea - Tori Vance
Dametas - Jasper Pasciuto
Mopsa - Kat O'Connor
Musidorus - Peter Tone
Pythio - Dayna Reichert
Ensemble
Travis Burt (US Basilius)
Sadia Piatt (US Gynecia)
Haley Thompson (US Pamela)
Pamela Petterchak (US Philoclea)
Corey Freedman (US Dametas)
Sevi Ettinger (US Mopsa)
Sarah Koury (US Musidorus)
Jules McClendon (US Pythio)
Cate Maslan (Swing, Dance Captain)
Elaina Murdock (Swing)
Allie Villa (Swing)
Georgia Bowder-Newton
Production Team
Director - Jill Tokac
Assistant Director - Brenny O'Brien
Music Director - Bethany Aiken
Assistant Music Director - Elyza Tuan
Choreographer - Carly Martin
Producers - Esther Daube-Valois and Valerie Tracy-Indrakaran
Stage Manager - Bea Life
ASMs - Zoe Warre, Chelsea Zabel
Set Designer - Hannah Friedman
Master Carpenter - Kate “Hutch” Hutchinson
Scenic Painter - Jenn Bean
Lighting Designer - Rachel Leicher
Sound Designer - Mike McHugh
Sound Assistant - Charlotte Browder
Costume Designer - Maria-Renee Herman
Costume Assistant - Kathleen Carroll
Props/Set Dressing - Clifton Golz
Hair/Makeup - Liza Ulrich
Intimacy Coordinator - Anna Silva
Fight Choreographer - Amanda O’Donnell
Crew
Backstage Crew: Bea Life, Zoe Warre, Chelsea Zabel, Shannon Fay
Set Build Crew: Hutch Hutchinson , Hannah Friedman, Zachary Trznadel, Glenn Singer, Brandon Hung, Bethany Houston, Chad Fisher, Mike McHugh, Theo Hutchinson-Curtis, Georgia Bowden-Netwton, Chelsea Zabel, Pamela Petterchak, David Holton, XiHu Arfa, Esther Daube-Valois, Valerie Tracy-Indrakaran
Electricians: Julia Lavender, Jason Rosenman, Adeline Luperchio, Lia Davis, Nancy Brockway
Band
Keyboard/Conductor: Bethany Aiken
Drums: Anna Moorhouse
Bass: Ryne Aylesworth
Guitar 1: Ayden Bitanga
Guitar 2: Eric Wesling
Special Thanks
Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers who help with Front of House!
Cast and Crew Biographies
Adena Walker (Gynecia | she/her): This is Adena’s first show at the Footlight. Adena is a Boston native and Jewish professional. She has B.A from Wagner College majoring in musical theatre and minoring in psychology. She has worked in both Massachusetts and New York, off Broadway and regional houses and well known concert venues. Recently performed in a Hanukkah Carol reading in NY. Adena has been on ABC and is a professional model and influencer on Instagram and TikTok. You can follow her work as littledeanie_ on both platforms. She is really dedicated to building community and creating joy for others.
Allie Villa (Ensemble/Swing | she/her) is delighted to make her Footlight Club debut! Favorite credits include: Into the Woods (Lucinda), Anastasia (Countess Lily) with Weston Friendly Society, The Addams Family (Alice, Arlington Friends of the Drama), and Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew, Create.Inspire.Change.) Allie is a theatre teacher with Boston Public Schools, a proud Bay Area native, and dedicated dog mama. Huge gratitude to this amazing cast & crew and outstanding production team for making this show possible. Big thanks to Eli, Mom, Dad, Bonnie, Larry & fam for your endless support. Love you mucho!
Amanda O'Donnell (Fight Director | she/her) is a Boston-based fight director and performer with an MFA in theatre education from Emerson College. Recent fight direction credits include Fairview (SpeakEasy Stage), Spring Awakening (Brandeis), and Ariodante (Boston Baroque). You can learn more about her work at amandaodonnell.com
Bethany Aiken (Music Director | she/her) is a Boston-based pianist, composer, and teaching artist who has served as music director for more than 100 productions. Previous Footlight credits include Bright Star, A Man of No Importance, The Sound of Music, Seussical, and Willy Wonka. Bethany has also worked as a music director and/or pianist with Weston Drama Workshop, Greater Boston Stage, Trinity Rep, Lyric Stage, A.R.T., Hub Theater Company, UMass Boston, Northeastern University, and the Big Apple Circus, as well as four seasons at New Hampshire’s Weathervane Theatre, where she also created original scores for Little Red and the Wolf, Rumpelstiltskin, and The Wizard of Magic Island. She is a staff collaborative pianist at Boston Conservatory, a member of the performing arts faculty at Emerson College, and a proud member of MAESTRA and the NOMTI Advanced Writers Lab.
Brenny O'Brien (Assistant Director | she/her) is a Boston-based Director, Performer, Teaching Artist, and the Founder/Artistic Director of SouthStage Theatre Works. Regional Theatre: SouthStage Theatre Works (A Doll’s House, Matt & Ben, Steel Magnolias); Huntington Theatre Company (Merrily We Roll Along, IRNE Nomination for Promising Young Performer); Moonbox Productions (Mermaid Hour); Wheelock Family Theatre (James and the Giant Peach, Nightfall, Willy Wonka); SpeakEasy Stage Company (appropriate); Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (Richard III); ArtsEmerson (The State of Siege); Citi Shubert Theatre (Show Boat). Education: Boston Arts Academy. @brenny.obrien, sstw.org
Carly Martin (Choreographer) is super excited to be working with the Footlight for the first time! The process for putting this show together has been an absolute dream and she’d like to thank all of the cast, crew, and fellow production team members for all of their hard work to make it happen.
Cate Maslan (Ensemble/Swing, Dance Captain | she/her) is thrilled to be making her Footlight Club debut in Head Over Heels! Originally from Colorado, Cate moved to the Boston area in order to attend Boston College, where she graduated in 2024 with a minor in theater. In addition to her involvement with the Footlight Club, Cate has performed with DanceWorks Boston and Boston College’s Musical Theater Cabaret group while pursuing her master’s degree. In addition to her alma mater, Cate is a proud alum of Frenchwoods Festival of the Performing Arts and the Summit School of Dance. Her favorite theater credits include Ella in Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella", Shelby in Robert Harling’s "Steel Magnolias", and, most recently, Celia Willbond in Jessica Swale’s "Blue Stockings". Other musical credits include "Next to Normal", "Freaky Friday", "Mary Poppins", and more.
Chelsea Zabel (Assistant Stage Manager | she/her) is so happy to be back at the Footlight Club! Past productions stage managed include The Wolves at Hovey Players, Xanadu at the Footlight Club, The Addams Family and All Night Strut at Arlington Friends of the Drama, as well as Beehive:The 60s Musical at Colonial Chorus players. She has also directed wonderful casts in Pride and Prejudice with Skylight Theatre Collective and a staged reading of Paint Night with the Treehouse Collective.
Corey Freedman (Ensemble, U/S Dametas | he/him) is super excited to be a part of his first show at the Footlight Club! Some of his favorite past roles include Emmett in Legally Blonde, JD in Heathers, and Amos in Chicago. When Corey’s not onstage, you can find him playing piano and probably wearing a Spongebob t-shirt. He’d like to thank his friends and family for all of their support!
Dayna Reichert (Pythio | she/her) is excited to be returning to the Footlight Club stage, this time in a musical! Originally from California, after having bounced around from Maine to NH and finally to Jamaica Plain, she has grown a lifelong love for the New England theater community. She hopes that you too can fall in love with our production of Head Over Heels! Recent stage credits include Gonzali (The Tempest), Katherine (Radium Girls), Zangara (Assassins), Hyde (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), and Thomas Chapman (Ms. Holmes). She'd like to give a special thanks to her girlfriend Tina for supporting her through all her long nights at the theatre <3
Elaina Murdock (Ensemble/Swing | she/her) is ecstatic to be making her Footlight Club debut! Elaina grew up performing in shows at home in Upstate NY and graduated from Northeastern University last spring, where she had some favorite roles including Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre), Jojo (Seussical), and Erma (Anything Goes). Elaina is so grateful to have had the opportunity to get back onstage, and wants to especially thank her fellow dancers for being such a great team throughout this process. Enjoy the show!
Elyza Tuan (Assistant Music Director | she/her) is grateful to be on the Head Over Heels team! A junior at Boston College, she hopes to pursue musical theatre composition and music direction after she graduates. Over the past year she has music directed The Old Man and the Old Moon (Boston College Theatre Department), Urinetown (The Dramatic Society of BC), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Weston Drama Workshop), and assisted many more. She has composed music for Our Town (BC Theatre Department) and Rabbit Hole (Contemporary Theatre at BC), and she wrote an original musical called Not Anymore which was produced by the Musical Theatre Wing of BC last year. She's grateful for her mom, dad, and brother for their support!
Esther Daube-Valois (Producer | she/her) is delighted to be working on her first Footlight show. She is an art administrator and freelance director/producer who loves shows with strong women and queer themes - like Head Over Heels! Huge thanks to Val and the rest of the team for introducing her to the FLC with such open arms. Catch her production of Dry Land at Hovey Players in Waltham in May/June.
For 20 years Liza Ulrich (Hair & Makeup Design | she/her) has developed her dream career designing and teaching costume design and fiber arts in the Boston area and teaches at The Park School in Brookline, MA. Liza’s work has been seen on the Footlight stage since 2013, including this season’s Into the Breeches. Other costume credits Include the annual 6th-8th grade musical at the Baker school in Brookline [METG winner 2025: best costume design, The Lion King, Jr.] Liza would like to thank her family, and chosen "Footlight Club family" for always supporting her crazy designer habits!
Georgia Bowder-Newton (Ensemble | she/her): Oh, here we go / Down the road of uncertainty / I certainly do love you / It’s you and it’s me And oh, I know / How we hope for monotony / While secretly we love to / Mess around and see “That Old Song” by Elder Bee
Haley Thompson (Ensemble, u/s Pamela) is thrilled to be joining The Footlight Club for the first time for their production of “Head Over Heels”! Past credits include “SpongeBob SquarePants” (Electric Skate, Ensemble), “Beauty & The Beast” (Silly Girl), “Next to Normal” (Costumer), “The Prom” (Shelby & Emma Understudy), “Almost, Maine” (Gayle & Rhonda, Costumer), “Footloose” (Featured Dancer), “Something Rotten” (Assistant Costumer), as well as many others. So much love to the entirety of this cast, crew and production team, and to her friends and family for all their support and for traveling out to see her shows. Hope you all enjoy this “Beautiful” show!
Hannah Freedman (Set Designer | she/her) is delighted to be back with the footlight for another production, this time with more 80s glam! Previous footlight roles include Bright Star (set designer), Tuck Everlasting, Matilda (set crew). Thanks so much to Hutch, Jenn, Clifton, and the whole scenic team.
In lieu of a new Footlight club bio, Sadie will reprise the one she wrote ten years ago with only necessary updates:
Sadie Piatt (Ensemble, u/s Gynecia | she/her) is a third-year chemistry [professor] at [Northeastern University] from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she is thrilled to be participating in her [second] production with the Footlight Club. When Sadie is not doing jazz squares or [teaching] the laws of thermodynamics, she can be found eating mass quantities of cheese or quoting School of Rock. Favorite past credits include And the World Goes 'Round, Little Shop of Horrors, On the Town, and [Cinderella]. Enjoy the show!
James Magruder (Author): is a fiction writer, playwright, and translator. His stories have appeared in The Gettysburg Review, New England Review, Subtropics, Bloom, The Normal School, The Harrington Gay Men’s Fiction Quarterly, Mary, and the anthologies “Boy Crazy” and “New Stories from the Midwest.” His debut novel, “Sugarless,” (University of Wisconsin Press) was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, the VCU Cabell First Novelists Award, and shortlisted for the 2010 William Saroyan International Writing Prize. His second work of fiction is a novel-in-stories titled “Let Me See It.” His translations and adaptations for the stage include CHRISTMAS CAROL 1941 (Arena Stage), Marivaux’s THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE (Center Stage, Classic Stage Company, La Jolla Playhouse), the book for its musical version, TRIUMPH OF LOVE (Broadway and beyond, Germany, and Japan), Labiche’s EATING CROW (Dallas Main Street Theatre), Lesage’s TURCARET (Catalyst Theatre, Washington D.C.), Dancourt’s KNIGHT ERRANT, Molière’s THE IMAGINARY INVALID (Yale Repertory Theatre, People’s Light & Theatre), BOUGIE MAN, a version of “Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme” for South Coast Rep, THE MISER (Center Stage, Northlight Theatre), and Gozzi’s THE LOVE OF THREE ORANGES (La Jolla Playhouse). His plays PENELOPE & THE STERILE FIELD, TOO MUCH OF ME, NINE ROOMS WORTH, DEAD PARENTS, PISSING MATCH, and DUNKLER-RELATED DISORDERS have been staged in Baltimore, Atlanta, and New York, and published in “The Art of the One-Act,” “Third Coast,” and “Arts & Letters.” His “Three French Comedies” (Yale University Press) was named an Outstanding Literary Translation by the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA). Other projects include DER BOURGEOIS BIGSHOT, a reconstruction of the Moliere/Hofmannsthal/Strauss musical comedy “Der Bürger als Edelmann” for Princeton University. His writing has been supported by the MacDowell Colony, where he was a Thornton Wilder Fellow; the Maryland State Arts Council; the New Harmony Project; the Ucross Foundation; the Blue Mountain Center; the Jerome Foundation; and the 2010 Sewanee Writers’ Conference, where he was a Walter E. Dakin Fellow in Fiction. He holds degrees in French literature from Cornell and Yale and a DFA from the Yale School of Drama. He teaches dramaturgy at Swarthmore College, fiction at the University of Baltimore, and playwriting at Princeton University.
Jasper Pasciuto (Dametas, fight captain | they/them) is an actor and combat choreographer based in Boston. They are thrilled to return to the Footlight Club, where they were last seen as Stanford Adams in Bright Star. When not on a stage, Jasper can usually be found talking about Pokémon or fighting for their life on the MBTA (the MBTA usually wins).
Jeff Whitty (Author) won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for AVENUE Q. Plays include THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF HEDDA GABLER (appeared in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2008 season), THE HIDING PLACE, THE PLANK PROJECT, SUICIDE WEATHER, and BALLS. Theatres presenting his work include the Atlantic Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, the Vineyard Theater, the New Group, and New York Stage and Film/Vassar. He is currently at work on the libretto for a musical version of Armistead Maupin's TALES OF THE CITY. As an actor, he has appeared regionally, Off-Broadway, and in film and TV. Website: www.whitless.com
Jennifer Bean (Scenic Painter | she/her) has been volunteering as an actor, prop artisan and scenic artist with the Footlight Club for somewhere between one and two decades. She is a devoted fan of both the mainstage shows and the 7A Series. Many thanks to her friends, family, and Penelope Mews.
Jill Tokac (Director | she/her) is incredibly excited to be directing another musical at one of her favorite theater companies! Her selected directing credits include Misery (Stadium Theater, 2025), The Prom (The Footlight Club, 2025), and Cemetery Pub (Here Comes Everybody Players, 2025). A graduate from Emerson College (Business, 2021), Jill works for Boston Children’s Chorus during the day before rushing off to a rehearsal. She wants to thank the team for their creativity, the cast for their incredible talent, the Footlight Club for having faith in her to complete this project, and her family and friends for their unconditional support. Follow her @jilltokac on all socials to see what she’s doing next!
Jules McClendon (Ensemble, Pythio U/S | they/them) is thrilled to be performing in their 6th Footlight Club production! Jules also appeared in Sweat, A Man of No Importance, Out of Sight…Out of Murder, and most recently POTUS at the Footlight Club. They recently appeared in Blithe Spirit as Mme Arcati at Curtain Call Theater. Jules wants to thank their gorgeous wife, Lizet, for being their ride or die. Lots of love to Des and Dom.
Kat Murphy O'Connor (Mopsa | she/her) is very excited to make her Footlight Club debut! Kat most recently appeared in She Loves Me (Weston Friendly Society), Annie (Sullivan Rep), and Kinky Boots (The Company Theatre). When she’s not performing, she works as an Email Marketing coordinator at Harvard. Thank you to her family for their undying support! www.katmurphyoconnor.com
Kate “Hutch” Hutchinson (Master Carpenter | she/her) is the Master Carpenter for Head Over Heels and a proud member of The Footlight Club’s backstage crew. She previously worked on set construction for Matilda, Tuck Everlasting, Out of Sight, Out of Murder, and Bright Star. By day, she’s an executive communications strategist; by night, she thrives on creative problem-solving and bringing bold ideas to life on stage.
Kathleen Caroll (Costume Assistant | she/her) is a costume designer from Dorchester. This is her fourth show with the Footlight Club, having previously designed costumes for Matilda, POTUS, and The Prom – all last year! Shoutout to Maria Renee for her creative vision, guidance, and energy and Jill for the opportunity to collaborate again. Endless love to her husband and unpaid intern Bryce, pup Jackie, and all of her family and friends. Enjoy the show!
Maria-Renee Herman (Costume Designer | she/her) is a Theater Design major with a concentration in Costume Design and an Art History minor at Emerson College. At Emerson she has worked on the Emerson Stage productions as Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor for Second Star the Right (2024), Wardrobe Supervisor for I Love XXX (2025), Assistant Costume Designer for POTUS (2024), and Assistant Costume Designer for Confederates (2025). Through Emerson student orgs and other opportunities in Boston, she has costume designed for Almost, Maine (Kidding Around, 2024), On: Being Pluto (EIV productions, 2024), Rabbit Hole (BlueJay Theater, 2024), Bright Star (Footlight Club, 2024), Omniscient Bus (BlueJay Theater, 2025), and Macbitches (Emshakes, 2025). She would like to thank her family for giving her the opportunity to be in Boston costume designing!
Matt McKee (Poster Photography | he/him) is a commercial photographer based in Boston. He has created over 75 different posters for the amazing Footlight Club productions over the past 20+ years. Some of his past favorites include the poster for Matilda, The Musical, Yellowface, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and Steppin’ Out. But, his newest favorite will always be the next show. He loves applying the imaging and marketing principles he uses for his corporate clients to promoting the performing arts. More of his work can be seen at www.mckeephotography.com. He would also like to say, “Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the amazing world that is the Footlight Club!”
Mike McHugh (sound designer): This is Mike's sixth show with the Footlight Club after designing sound for Miss Holmes, A Man Of No Importance, Bright Star, POTUS, and After The Revolution. Mike is a relative newcomer to theater, but has a background as a performing musician, is a mobile DJ, and has a professional career in the audio industry. A big thanks goes out to the staff and community around FLC for being so welcoming!
Morgan Kaplan (Pamela | she/her) is thrilled to return to the stage at The Footlight Club. Previous credits include Bright Star (Margo Crawford). Offstage, she works in the legal field with a passion for community health and advocacy. Theater has always been a creative home for her, and she is grateful to share this space with such a vibrant and loving cast and crew. Love and utmost gratitude to Mom, Dad, Jenna, Billy, and G&G whose love makes everything feels possible. Gratitude to SMACKL for sharpening her wit, and to Angeli for keeping her grounded as her head drifts in the clouds. For Bubbie. Love radically, love freely, love always.
Pamela Petterchak (Ensemble, u/s Philoclea | she/her) is thrilled to be making her Footlight Club debut with Head Over Heels! Previous productions include Heathers (Veronica), The Lightning Thief (Clarisse), and The Last Five Years (Cathy). She has music directed shows for MIT Musical Theatre Guild and Theatre@First. When not onstage, Pamela works as a computer engineer, plays Dungeons & Dragons, and cross-stitches. Thank you to the cast and crew of Head Over Heels for being so welcoming and making this a fulfilling experience! Also, Pamela thanks her cat, Piccolo, for helping her run lines and review choreography.
Peter A. Tone (Musidorus | he/him) is a Peruvian-American actor, organizer, and engineer. Recently he was seen in Fresh Ink’s staged reading of KAYFABE (Adrian), Moonbox Production’s Fangirl (Troll/Ziggy), and The Burlington Players’ Fun Home (Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy). He has also worked with The Treehouse Collective, Hovey Players, and MIT Theater Arts. He is very excited to be making his Footlight Club debut! Hi mom!! Instagram: @peter.anthony.tone
Rachel Leicher (Lighting Designer | she/her) is excited to return to Footlight as Lighting Designer for this fun show! Previous LD credits include The Revolutionists (TCAN, 2024), Pippin and Twelfth Night (AFD, 2023-2024), Miss Holmes (Footlight, 2023, Theater III, 2026), The Power of Punctuation (Off Broadway, New York, NY, 2016), various theater and dance productions at Wesleyan University (2012-2015) and productions with Newton Country Players and Open Door Theater (2009-2012).
Roberto Nunes (Basilius | he/him): This is Rob’s first show at FLC and he couldn’t be more excited. Somehow, after playing Lewis (Pippin), Duke Orsino (12th Night) and Rapunzel’s Prince (ITW), he returns to the stage as a member of the gentry. Past roles also include Henry (Next To Normal), Jhonny Casino (Grease) and Sky (Mamma Mia). Thanks to all his friends who have once again been forced to support his acting endeavors.
Sarah Koury (Ensemble/U/S Musidorus | they/them): Is thrilled to be making their Footlight Club debut in Head Over Heels! Sarah is a 2nd semester Musical Theatre Vocal Performance major at Berklee College of Music and is a graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Past credits include: Shrek (The Ugly Duckling/Ensemble) at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, A Christmas Carol (Martha/Peter Cratchit) at North Shore Music Theatre, Fun Home (Medium Alison/Joan) at Burlington Players, and Pippin (Theo) at Arlington Friends of the Drama Theatre. After Head Over Heels, be sure to catch Sarah in the regional premiere of Jagged Little Pill as Jo at Marblehead Little Theatre, running June 19th - 28th! They would like to thank their friends, family, Jill, and the entire production team for their endless support. We're queer, we're here, get used to it. Enjoy the show! IG: @sarahkoury101
The singer-songwriter Sevi Ettinger (Ensemble, u/s Mopsa) gained early recognition as a teenager when she released her debut single, “Salty Water,” inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis. Collaborating with award-winning producers, she developed her EP, Salty Water, along with the singles “We Can Be The Universe” and “Dear Me.” She later served as music director and arranger for Boston University’s collegiate a cappella group, In Achord, which released its EP, Theoretically, Forever, in 2023. Alongside her music, she pursues a parallel interest in human health and behavior, studying pediatric cardiology and neurodevelopment at a research hospital. Sevi hopes to translate her passions into meaningful community impact and is honored to share her musical debut at the nation’s oldest community theater.
Tori Vance (Philoclea | she/her) is so excited to be in her first production with the Footlight Club! As a recent Northeastern graduate, Tori has most recently been involved in Northeastern University musical theatre company, where some of her past favorite roles include: Heather Chandler (Heathers), Mad Hatter (Mad Hatter, Wonderland), Sally (My New Philosophy, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown), Go-To-Hell Kitty (Chicago). Tori first fell in love with performing at her local community theatre, so she is very eager to return to the community stage. She would like to shout out her mom and dad for travelling so far to see her perform. Enjoy the show <3
Travis Burt (Ensemble, U/S Basilius | he/him), born and raised in Maine is making his Footlight Club debut! He moved to Boston a year ago after he worked at Syracuse Stage, NY, as an Electrician & Light Board Op for their 50th season. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Music. Travis has been seen on the stage in productions such as The Producers (Deertrees Theatre); Everbody (UMaine Theater); A Man of No Importance (UMaine Theater); and more. He can also be seen in the film Dragonfly Boy (Jake Hotaling Productions). Travis is beyond excited to go back to his roots of acting with this production and is incredibly grateful to be working with this wonderful creative cast & team. He’d also love to thank his supportive family and friends for being there for him through all of life’s crazy adventures!
Valerie Tracy-Indrakaran (Producer | she/her) is happy to be back at the Footlight, producing another joy-filled, life and love-affirming, hilarious show. (Those are her favorite kinds of shows to produce, if she's honest.) As the manager of a thriving video team in her day job, she's in her element when she's bringing boundless creativity into the realm of the practical, facilitating on-stage (or on-screen) magic. The Footlight is her favorite place to do it, and she's also the Productions Director sitting on the FLC BOD. Her favorite shows both on and off stage have been Xanadu, Tuck Everlasting, Cabaret, Music Man and the Sound of Music (FLC), and Much Ado about Nothing (Saugus). She lives in Dorchester with her husband, Laks, and their newly adopted cat, Pierogi.
Footlight Club Board of Directors
President: Elizabeth Bean
Vice President: Michael Colford
Secretary: Zachary Trznadel
Treasurer: Chris Stuck-Girard
Artistic Planning Director: Jim Ansart
Development Director: Maryann Zschau
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director: Juliette McClendon
Facilities Director: Jerry Wheelock
Front of House Director: Rachel Veto
Membership Director: Meredith Weaver
Productions Director: Val Tracy-Indrakaran
Promotions Director: Beth Curran
Technical Director: Zach Best
Volunteers Director: Courtney Breslin
Board Member At-Large: David Alger
Board Member At-Large: Ryder Nguyen
TRUSTEES OF ELIOT HALL
Shelley Icaza Norton (Chair)
Paul Campbell
Shannon Daly
Lorie Komlyn
Stephen Lussier
Matt McKee
Bill Shamlian
Jason Sheehan
Jerry Wheelock
Promotions and Publicity
Elizabeth Curran, Promotions Director
Kristin MacDougall
Michael Colford
Matt McKee, Photographer
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Juliette (Jules) McClendon, Michael Colford, Kara Chu Nelson, Ally Rzesa,
Amanda Bedford, Melissa Paz, Mordecai Choi, 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 Facilities 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.
Our most urgent need is clear: We need to restore our exterior façade, [carpentry, building envelope repairs, and painting] to ensure the historic character of Eliot Hall is preserved and to keep our building strong and safe. Our goal is to complete this work by January 2027, our 150th Anniversary!. This work will improve energy efficiency, safety and security; present the building as a welcoming neighborhood landmark; and ensure future generations enjoy the benefit of this important community resource. The Board of Directors voted to approve this approach in April 2024.
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.
