Book by Tom Godleski
Music and lyrics by Tom Godleski, David Hyatt, Mary Elaine Tasker, Bryan Colston Godleski, Loretta Freeman
Directed by Victoria Lamberth
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Director’s Note and Bio
About the Cast
About the Band
About the Production Team
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See what audiences had to say about The Sparrow & the Whippoorwill
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
In the summer of 2019, Katie Jones asked me if I would be interested in developing and directing a new Bluegrass musical. I was immediately intrigued, and once I met Tom Godleski, even more interested after listening to his storytelling yarns. The musical was still in its infancy, but the powerful story of a young nurse's friendship with a distinguished patient at the end of his life, and how that friendship transforms the nurse’s life was compelling. It was a story that already had elements of compassion, dignity, betrayal, resilience, and self-awareness. I jumped on board with enthusiasm.
The Sparrow and the Whippoorwill weaves humor, sadness, grief, and joy into a tapestry of Appalachian traditions: storytelling, Bluegrass music, and the culture of Western North Carolina. Tom’s story captures my heart because it relates to my life. In many ways, Cleo is my father, who I cared for in the last year of his life. And I am Paula, the young woman who struggled against her inner artistic voice. I hope you will recognize yourself in this story, too.
And finally, I want to say thank you to the Magnetic Theatre and the WNC theatre community. The Magnetic Theatre, cast, crew, and staff have worked tirelessly through a pandemic to bring this story to life for you. I am honored to be part of the WNC theatrical community, a community that thrives on laughter, excitement, and the joy of working together.
DIRECTOR
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Victoria Lamberth
Victoria Lamberth is an actor, director and writer who lives in Hendersonville. Her recent directing credits include Love, Loss and What I Wore at Hendersonville Community Theatre, Grimm’s Fairy Tales at Montford Park Players, and What Happens After Manhattan at The Magnetic Theatre. When she’s not in the theatre, she works as a graphic designer and marketing consultant.
ACTORS
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Brandi Andrade
Brandi Andrade is a recent transplant from Texas, where she was working variously as actor, director, dramaturg, administrator, and producer for the last 27 years. This is her third project with Magnetic since she arrived in Asheville, having played Raylean in In the Middle of Nowhere and directed “Like Ivy” for the One Act Play Festival. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre and American Women’s History and teaches online courses at UT Arlington. She does her print and broadcast work through Screen Artists Talent.
Karl Knierim
Daniel Sandoval
Daniel returns to the Magnetic Stage for his third show, after appearing in Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” and Adam Szudrich’s “Rosa & Leo.” He most recently appeared this season in the Montford Park Players world premiere of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. A seasoned choral singer, he has sung with several Asheville-area choral societies, and enjoys singing a wide variety of music alongside his wife Theresa. By day, he works as an Automation and Robotics Engineer, and loves to build gadgets and props and bake in his spare time. He is grateful to have been cast in his first actual musical production, with sincere thanks to his family, friends, cast and crew for their continued support.
Locksley Blanchard
Locksley has lived in Asheville for the past eight years and is working for the fourth time with the Magnetic Theater. He is excited to be "singing" on stage again and would like to thank his parents Roger and Sandy, his sister Stacey and his partner in life and enemy on stage Lauren.
Stephanie Nusbaum
Before moving to Asheville, she worked in Greensboro, NC as an actor for Shared Radiance and taught with Drama Kids. Her favorite credits include The Legacy of Amelia Aldean (Magnetic Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players), James and the Giant Peach (Montford Park Players), The Daughter in The Serial Killer's Daughter (Theatrical Premier - Shared Radiance), A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Christmas (The Barn Dinner Theatre), and the Tempest (Shared Radiance). Stephanie is grateful to her family, her boyfriend (David), cats (Hamlet and Sebastian), and friends for all their love and support.
Mike Yow
Mike is honored to be performing in his eighth show at The Magnetic Theatre since moving to the beautiful mountains of Asheville. In addition to productions at TMT, he has appeared in productions all across Western NC, including HART, SART, Parkway Playhouse, ACT, Attic Salt, Montford Park Players, The Center For Art & Entertainment, and others. Mike makes most of his livelihood as an entertainer, working not only in stage, film, and television, but also as a tour guide and summer camp and after-school event director. He is also a published author and game designer and will be directing the soon-coming David: The Faces of Love at the Diana Wortham Performing Arts Center as well as It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at the Black Mountain Center For the Arts in December. He resides in East Asheville with his lovely and talented spouse, Karen, who also happens to be a castmate in this production. Enjoy the show, folks!
Karen Covington-Yow
Karen is thrilled to return to The Magnetic stage alongside this amazing ensemble, including her hubby, Mike! She previously appeared here in Luna Gale (Cindy), Full Tilt Boogie at the Big Bang Diner (Helene), and What Happens After Manhattan (Jennifer). Regional credits include: Several shows with Murder Mystery for Hire, Inc., Love, Linda, Nuncrackers, Mame, Menopause the Rock Musical, Stardust, As It Is In Heaven, The God of Hell, Zombie Prom, Into the Woods, COMPANY, Nunsense, Bonnie & Clyde, Sister Act, The Musical of Musicals, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, and The Addams Family. Karen thanks Mike for his love and support, and Russ for showing her how it's done.
Lauren Otis
Lauren is thrilled to be joining the talented cast and crew of this production! Originally from Rochester NY, Lauren holds a BFA in Acting from Arcadia University, and has lived in Asheville for the past 9 years. Past credits include Alyx in Something I Cared About (Magnetic), Virgilia/Ensemble in Coriolanus 2020 (Nemesis), Perdita in 16 Years Tried (Montford PP), M in Crave (Anam Cara), and Bernadette in The Edge of Our Bodies (CAST). Lauren would like to thank the Magnetic Theatre for welcoming her into their artistic family, and her family, friends, and fur babies for their constant support.
BAND
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Brooks Butler
Brooks Butler is a native North Carolinian who teaches music at Claxton Elementary School in Asheville where he has also been involved in after school drama productions for 15 years. He has played guitar in a variety of music groups over the years and enjoys live music, the great outdoors, and time with family and friends.
Tom Godleski
To say that Tom is overjoyed to have “The Sparrow and the Whippoorwill” make its world premiere at The Magnetic Theatre, would be a huge understatement. This is the fifth play Tom has written. “A Turnpike Sunset” was staged at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, and at 35 Below. “Fresh Preserves” won the 2009 Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre Scriptfest competition. “The Crowin’ Hen” made its world premiere at The Folk Art Center in May of 2015. His most recent play, “Snowbound,” made its world premiere at Asheville Community Theatre in December 2016. As well as being a playwright, Tom has had two short stories published the literary magazines “Words of Wisdom,” and “The Timber Creek Review.” Tom has been working as an elementary school teaching assistant for the past 28 years. Tom believes that creativity is one of the most important things you can instill in children, and he tries to do something creative every day. He is a founding member, lead singer/bassist, primary song writer, and leader of the Asheville Bluegrass band, Buncombe Turnpike, as well as an award-winning wood carver, receiving the Heritage Crafts Affiliate Award, from The Southern Highland Craft Guild earlier this year. Tom lives on a small farm with his wife, and high school sweetheart Terri. They have two grown sons, two sweet daughter in laws, and four grandchildren.
Mark Moser
Mark Moser is the 5th generation of a family of mountain musicians and has performed in bands throughout the Asheville area for over 30 years. The science instructor also teaches Music Production & Recording and Music Appreciation, and delights in helping students learn to make music for themselves. Mark currently plays with Rafe Hollister, the Monkey Club, and the Black Mountain Community Band.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Book (Playwright)……………… Tom Godleski
Music and lyrics by…………… Tom Godleski
David Hyatt
Mary Elaine Tasker
Bryan Colston Godleski
Loretta Freeman
Director………….……………………… Victoria Lamberth
Asst Director………………………… Carole Saich
Stage Manager…………………… Dakota Mann
Music Director………………………. Tom Godleski
Asst Musical Director…………. Trissa King
Set Designer………………………… Victoria Lamberth
Board Operator……………………. Evergreen Ray
Costume/Props…………………… Janice Guazzo
Choreographer……………………. Jessica Garland Lowe
Dance Captain…………………… Stephanie Nusbaum
Fight Choreographer……… Mike Yow
Set Construction………………… Tyler Johnson
Tate Albert
Don Schwartz
Ray Williams
Dakota Mann
Sound Designer………………… Tate Albert
Lighting Designer……………. Abby Auman
Dramaturgy………………………… Beth Norris
Development Team…………… Jennifer Memolo
Allison Starling
Beth Norris
PHOTOS by CHEYENNE DANCY
GALLERY
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THE MAGNETIC THEATRE STAFF
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…………….….. KATIE JONES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR……………. JESSICA JOHNSON
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR…………... ABBY AUMAN
BOX OFFICE MANAGER…………. TIPPIN
MARKETING MANAGER…………. CHEYENNE DANCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE AWAD
ELIZABETH MCCORVEY
CARIN METZGER
JASON PHILLIPS
JOSH SULLIVAN
ELIZABETH ZIEGLER
SPECIAL THANKS
…to all of our supporters and sponsors, including season sponsor:
Hendersonville Community Theatre
Arnold Green
Kris and Mindy Mann