Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC)
Fred Sternfeld, Artistic Director
presents
the Ohio Premiere of
The logo design was created by Gabriel Firestone
L to R: Kyle Cohen, Codie Higer, Aric Floyd, Dan Hoy, Elle Vertes, Miles Sternfeld, Daniel Sovich, Caroline Hatch, Alexis Floyd, Sam Welch, Dani Apple, Jordan Brown & Jessie Gill
Book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn
DIRECTOR
- Sean Szaller
MUSIC DIRECTOR - David Williams
CHOREOGRAPHER - Bebe Weinberg Katz
SET DESIGN - Ben Needham
COSTUME DESIGN - Craig Tucker
SOUND DESIGN - Carlton Guc
STAGE MANAGER - Morgan Greene
PRODUCER - Fred Sternfeld
OPERATIONS MANAGER - Pam Grodzik
FPAC is happy to announce that 13 will return for another run this fall with the same company. Details to follow soon!
CAST of CHARACTERS
PATRICE
- Dani Apple
ARCHIE - Jordan Brown
SIMON - Kyle Cohen
CASSIE - Alexis Floyd
MALCOLM - Aric Floyd
KENDRA - Jessie Gill
MOLLY - Caroline Hatch
CHARLOTTE - Codie Higer
BRETT - Dan Hoy
EDDIE - Daniel Sovich
EVAN - Miles Sternfeld
LUCY - Elle Vertes
RICHIE - Sam Welch
Tia Karaplis (Cassie, Molly, Charlotte), Leah Saltzer (Molly, Kendra),
Sam Welch (Eddie), Mark Oet (Malcolm, Richie, Simon)
“an irresistible cast of young performers” “Brown has a facility for writing some catchy tunes, and the FPAC cast delivers them with style”
“Under the spirited direction of Sean Szaller and aided by Bebe Weinberg Katz’s exuberant choreography, the production often attains an aura of professionalism”
“As Evan, Miles Sternfeld has an easy command of the stage, blending a touch of Woody Allen dorkitude with youthful resolve”
“Dani
Apple is ideal as the super nice Patrice, crafting her songs with an actor’s
touch and, at time, belting with gusto”
"The comic relief is Archie … Jordan Brown, in a nicely calibrated
performance”
“Blonde Kendra and dark-haired Lucy are this show’s Betty and Veronica, and Jessie Gill and Elle Vertes handle their respective roles of ditz and schemer with panache”
“Dan Hoy is every bit the doltish jock as Brett”
“one of the standout moments in this production is when Malcolm (Aric Floyd) and Eddie (Daniel Sovich) indulge in a bit of soulful backup singing and dancing as their main guy Brett tries to cozy up to Kendra. Floyd and Sovich’s moves are loose, limber and downright hilarious. Later, they are also joined by Sam Welch and Kyle Cohen in the show-stopping “Bad Bad News.” Somebody’s got to put these bits on You Tube so they can go viral”
“…
is often spun into gold by the young talent at FPAC”
View the entire review here.
News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier
Member, International Association of Theatre Critics
"FPAC’s triple-threats deliver an outstanding '13'”
“Clip this review and store it for future reference. Chances are that before the ink fades these names will be featured in a playbill of a Broadway musical: Dani Apple, Jordan Brown, Kyle Cohen, Alexis Floyd, Aric Floyd, Jessie Gill, Caroline Hatch, Codie Higer, Dan Hoy, Daniel Sovich, Miles Sternfeld, Elle Vertes and Sam Welch.”
“The original Broadway cast of "13" did not measure up, resulting in a disappointing three-month engagement. This troupe of FPAC players, under the superb direction of Sean Szaller, music direction of Rob Kovacs and very creative choreography by Bebe Weinberg Katz, most certainly has what it takes.”
“Each and every one of the 13 has the goods and displays a level of savvy and kinetic energy found only on the professional stage. Everyone performs all-out for the duration of the 90-minute production, takes immense risks without a moment of self-consciousness or self-doubt and, in Sunday's sold-out performance, hit each and every mark.”
“This show is a sum of its parts, but some featured parts need mentioning. They include the palatability of Miles Sternfeld's vulnerability in his depiction of the new boy in town; Dani Apple's soaring voice, which adds depth and dimension to her portrayal of a local outcast; and Jordan Brown's use of his character's degenerative muscle disease to inform his character rather than to define it.”
“Oh, and Aric Floyd and Daniel Sovich are flat out brilliant as the comically soulful sidekicks to the school jock.”
“The production's
only hiccup is that some ensemble players did not sufficiently dumb down
their incredible dancing and singing so to better blend with the rest
of the cast, who are merely superb singers and dancers. Imagine, a show
so stacked with talent that some performances are too damn good.”
View the entire review here.
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association), The Times Newspapers - Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times
“The opening night audience, consisting of relatives and friends of the cast and crew, loved all the goings on and gave the performance a screaming standing ovation … their reactions were justified. They came, they saw, they enjoyed.”
“The cast is enthusiastic, and in the main quite talented”
“The cast highlights included Dani Apple as Patrice, the outcast girl. Apple, who has a long record of local and national successes, continues to mature as a singer and actress …very strong musical abilities”
“Alexis Floyd rocks, rolls, wails, and dances up a storm in the dynamic after-curtain call”
“Miles Sternfeld has a nice presence as Evan. He has a pleasant singing voice and develops a clear character”
“Aric Floyd and Daniel Sovich, as the shrimp-sized sidekicks of the football hero, are totally delightful. The duo sing and dance with spirit and are fun to watch”
“Jordan Brown nails the characterization of Archie, the “cripple,” who plays his illness for all it’s worth. “Terminal Illness,” his duet with Evan, is a joy”
“Other strong songs and production numbers are: “Hey Kendra,” “Get Me What I Need,” “What It Means to be a Friend,” and “Tell Her.”
“The music is well played”
“’13’ is a slight script, which will have strong appeal to tweens and teens”
“it does itself proud on its own level”
“Adults
should will themselves back to the age of teen angst. Teens should revel
in life as they know it. And they should go and enjoy a group of kids
who are having a wonderful time, making their personal dreams of being
“stars” come true.”
View the entire review here.
This production features some of Cleveland's most talented teenage performers! It is sure to be a show that you and your family won't want to miss!!
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Dani Apple (Patrice) is eternally grateful to Sean, Mike, Bebe, Morgan, and everyone else for giving her the opportunity to be in this incredible production! Previous roles include Narrator in Joseph…Dreamcoat at Beachwood Theatre, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof at Beck Center, Johanna in Sweeney Todd at Stagedoor Manor, Arachne in Spin, The Musical at JCC Playmakers/Cleveland Play House, Annie in Annie at Heights Youth Theatre, Oliver in Oliver at Beachwood Theatre, Opal in Opal at Kalliope Stage, and Maria in The Sound of Music at JCC Playmakers. She also appeared as Josephine in Friends Forever for Time Warner Cable and in the National Tour of Evita. She is a three-time Playhouse Square Rising Star Talent winner, and was recently seen internationally when she performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade finale. Dani has attended five incredible years of FPAC’S summer professional training. Dani would like to thank everyone involved in this outstanding cast and crew, and she would especially like to thank her Aunt Staci, and everyone else who has given her great direction through the years! Enjoy the show!
Jordan Brown (Archie) is thrilled to be playing Archie in the Ohio Premiere of Thirteen, and will also appear in FPAC's upcoming production of Eat (It's Not About Food). He is a sophomore at Orange High School and has been seen in various productions around Cleveland. Recent credits include Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Theodore in Spin: a Musical Myth, Woof in Hair, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Charlie Bates in Oliver! He has had training from FPAC’s summer program and French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. Jordan would like to thank his family for supporting and loving him. He would also like to thanks Sean and the entire production staff for giving him this opportunity, and the cast for being so great to work with and SO much fun to be around!
Kyle Cohen (Simon) is very excited to be playing Simon in the Ohio premier of Thirteen, the Musical. He has been singing and acting ever since he was eight years old when he was first cast as Theo in Beachwood High School’s production of Pippin. After numerous shows at Beachwood Community Theatre and JCC Playmakers, this is his first performance at FPAC and he is very excited! Some of his favorite roles include: JoJo in Suessical the Musical, Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Michael in Peter Pan. Besides performing, Kyle is passionate about his school work, loves watching football, and playing baseball. Kyle wants to thank his family for pushing him and always being there for him. Also he wants to thank Sean, his new “family” at FPAC, and everyone in Thirteen the Musical and cannot wait until showtime!
Alexis Generette Floyd (Cassie) a sophomore at Hawken School, has received critical acclaim for performances including Clarissa in Dream/Home with Dobama Theatre at the Cleveland Play House, Broadway with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan at the Beck Center, Emmie in Caroline, or Change with Dobama and Karamu Theaters, and U/S Dorothy/Ensemble in The Wiz at Cain Park. Alexis will also be appearing in HYT's production of Once On This Island as Ti Moune and as Amy in FPAC's upcoming production of Eat (It's Not About Food).. She currently studies voice with Cynthia Wohlschlager at the Cleveland Institute of Music where she also studied violin for ten years. She has studied dance at Shaker Dance Academy, Duffy Liturgical Dance, Cleveland School of Dance, and the School of Cleveland San Jose Ballet. As grand prize winner of the 2009 Jean L. Petit Memorial Music Scholarship Competition, Alexis will sing with the Cleveland POPS orchestra at Severance Hall this season. She is an alumnus of the New York Summer Theatre Institute, Fairmount Performing Arts Camp, and Camp Cleveland Play House.Aric Generette Floyd (Malcolm) made his theatrical debut as Tiny Tim in the Great Lakes Theater Festival production of A Christmas Carol. Since then he has also appeared as Tiresias' Boy in Antigone at Baldwin Wallace College, Mohammed in Der Rosenkavalier for the Cleveland Orchestra, Gabriel in Shenandoah at University School, head monkey/winkie/munchkin in The Wiz at East Cleveland Theater and U/S Artful Dodger, Fagin's Boy, Workhouse Boy in Oliver! at Cain Park. Winner of the 2007 Times Newspaper Theatre Tribute for his performance as Little Guido in Nine at Cain Park, Aric has also received critical acclaim for performances as Jackie in Caroline, or Change at Karamu House Theatre, and Travis in A Raisin in the Sun at the Cleveland Play House and Arizona Theatre Company in Tucson and Phoenix during the 2008-09 season. He is an alumnus of Fairmount Performing Arts Camp and Camp Cleveland Play House. Aric is an eighth grade student at Hawken School.
Jessie Gill (Kendra) is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Thirteen! Jessie has been involved in theater since the age of seven. She has performed in various productions all over Cleveland such as Little Red in Into the Woods at FPAC, The Applewood Video Project with WVIZ/PBS, Annie in Annie, Bird Girl in Seussical the Musical and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan at Beachwood Theater, Little Jesus in The Pillowman at Dobama/Cleveland Playhouse, Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain at Playmakers Youth Theater, Jessie in Overrated Understudies for Time Warner Cable Productions, Ensemble in Oliver! at Cain Park, Ensemble in Godspell at Heights Youth Theatre and a vocalist in Contemporary Youth Orchestra Broadway Series at Cleveland State. Jessie has trained at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory for four summers. Thanks so much to everyone for making this amazing show possible!
Caroline Hatch (Molly, Patrice u/s) is thrilled to be part of this wonderful production! She has previously appeared on the FPAC stage as the Baker in Joseph...Dreamcoat and Cinderella in Into the Woods. Caroline has also performed at Heights Youth Theater, Stagecrafters, Mercury Summer Stock, The Beck Center, on Adelphia Cable TV, and in The Nutcracker with the Pennsylvania Ballet. Her favorite roles include Gabriella Montez in the Ohio Premiere of Disney's High School Musical 2, Ariel Moore in Footloose, Lily St. Regis in Annie, and Oliver in Oliver! Caroline has trained at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory for five summers. She would like to thank Sean, Bebe, and Mike for this opportunity of a lifetime, Joan Ellison for her fantastic voice coaching, Carly Cott, and her friends and family for their endless love and support.
Codie
Higer (Charlotte), 15, is rapturous to be part of this
insanely talented cast and crew of Thirteen.
Previous roles at FPAC include The Witch in Into
The Woods, The
Laramie Project, Maureen in Rent:
Student Edition and Baker / Ensemble in Joseph
... Dreamcoat. Other favorites include A
Year With Frog and Toad at the Cassidy Theatre, as well
as Sour Kangaroo in Seussical and Jasmine in
Aladdin. Codie has trained at Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory for three summers. She credits
acting coach Mitchell Fields and voice instructor Leslie Varnick, and
thanks Sean, Fred, Mike, and Bebe for always believing in her and her
mom and dad for their support.
Daniel Hoy (Brett) is a 14 year
old from Sagamore Hills, Ohio. He is currently in eighth grade and attending
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Daniel is a member of the awesome bass
section with the Cleveland Singing Angels. He has attended Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory’s Professional Training
and is premiering in his first show with FPAC. Daniel has also
performed in a number of other productions, including Beauty
and the Beast. His passion is performing and he looks forward
to a challenging and rewarding future with FPAC!
Tia Karaplis (u/s Cassie, Charlotte,
Molly) is 12 years old and a seventh grader at Amherst Junior High. She
has been involved in theatre since she was 7. Some of her favorite roles
include Ida in Honk!, Dorothy in The
Wizard of Oz, and the Butler in Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (at FPAC).
Most recently she was seen in FPAC's Into
the Woods as Rapunzel.
Training includes, 5 years at Beck Center for the Arts and 2 years at
Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory. She was featured as
a Superstar Kid on Robin Swoboda's That’s Life and she was in a
commercial for the IX indoor Amusement Park. She represented FPAC on Around
Noon with Dee Perry. Tia is thrilled to be part of this show!!!
Break a Leg everyone!!!!!!!
Mark
Oet
(u/s Eddie, Richie, Simon) is ecstatic about working with this fantastic
cast and crew! Mark's favorite roles include Jack in Into
the Woods, Jojo in Seussical,
Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka, and Jeremy in
Griller. Mark has attended the Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory for the past two years.
Also, Mark is a straight "A" student in the 7th grade at Solon
Middle School. In his free time, Mark likes to read and play chess. Mark
would like to thanks his family and friends for their support. But most
of all, he would like to thanks Sean Szaller for this amazing opportunity.
Mark can't wait until showtime!
Ben
Needham
(Scenic & Lighting Designer / Technical Director) is excited to be
working on this production with FPAC. For FPAC, he has designed Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Romeo
and Juliet, The
Odd Couple, Rent: School Edition, Into
the Woods and The
Laramie Project and will design their upcoming
productions of Eat
(It's Not About Food), Children
of Eden, Honk!
Junior and Pride
and Prejudice. He is the founder of Digital Squirrel
Studio (www.digitalsquirrel.net)
and animation, design & architectural illustration studio. Ben has
designed over 140 productions for a number of theaters including Geauga
Lake, Virginia Musical Theatre, Signstage on Tour, Atlanta Lyric Theatre,
Porthouse Theatre, LaGrange Opera, Augusta Players, Knoxville Opera, Lyric
Opera of Cleveland, Beck Center for the Arts, the Fine Arts Association
and Circle Theatre Orlando. Ben would like to thank Christie, Helen &
Aaron for all their support.
Leah
Saltzer (u/s Kendra, Molly) is thrilled to be part of
the amazing cast of Thirteen the Musical in
her first FPAC production. Some of her past roles include the Narrator
in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
the Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach,
Merryweather in Sleeping Beauty, and Slightly
Soiled in Peter Pan. Leah is a 7th grader at
Solon Middle School who also enjoys cheerleading and playing the tuba.
She would like to thank her parents for all their love and support, her
sister for always being there for her, and Sean for providing her with
this wonderful opportunity!
Daniel Sovich (Eddie) is a seventh-grade
student at Harmon Middle School in Aurora. He recently performed at The
Cleveland Playhouse as Scut Farkas in A Christmas Story.
Other roles include the children’s chorus in Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Aurora Community
Theater. He also played Shelby in There’s a Monster
in My Closet at Harmon Middle School and Little
Mermaid at Chagrin Valley Little Theater. Daniel spent a
week in New York City this past summer at a performing arts camp - “Broadway
Artist Alliance.” He studies voice and dance at Keithe Williams
Performing Arts Academy in Streetsboro. His first love is musical theater;
however, he also enjoys playing the piano and loves to run in local running
races. Daniel is very excited to be part of the cast of Thirteen
and to be working with such a talented group of kids.
Fred
Sternfeld (Artistic Director - Fairmount Performing Arts
Conservatory, Producer – Thirteen) most
recently directed the highly acclaimed Yellowman
at Karamu Performing Arts Theatre. At Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC) he directed teen
productions of Into the Woods and Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as the inaugural
professional production of The Odd Couple. Fred
is widely represented on Northeast Ohio stages through diverse projects,
garnering numerous honors and awards. Recently he directed the award-winning
productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
at Beck Center and Ragtime, the musical at the
JCC. He previously served as Artistic Director at Lakewood Little Theatre
- Beck Center for the Arts and the Cleveland, Seattle & Dallas Jewish
Community Centers. Other selected credits: Fiddler on the
Roof, Oliver! & The Sound of Music
at Cain Park; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife
& The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek at Dobama
Theatre; A Shayna Maidel, Jolson and Company, Man of La Mancha,
Modern Orthodox, Rags, From Door to Door, South Pacific, The God of Isaac,
Beau Jest, Crossing Delancey, The Twilight of the Golds, The Immigrant
& Conversations With My Father for the Cleveland
JCC; Bad Seed at Ensemble Theatre; Amadeus
at Willoughby Fine Arts; Table Settings, Isn’t It Romantic,
The Diary of Anne Frank & Broadway Bound
at JCC Center Stage in Seattle; Peter Pan (1987 &
2008), On the Town, Of Mice and Men, La Cage aux Folles, Saturday
Night, Foxfire, Noises Off, Children of a Lesser God &
The Importance of Being Earnest at Beck Center;
Proof at GLTG and All My Sons
& Enter Laughing at the Dallas JCC. His
next directing projects are Baby,
the musical, opening at TrueNorth in March, and
Eat (It's Not About
Food) and Children
of Eden for FPAC this April and July. For pictures
and reviews for any of the shows listed here you can go to this
link.
Miles
Sternfeld (Evan) has trained for six years at FPAC
and is thrilled to be playing Evan in the Ohio Premiere of Thirteen.
Miles just finished playing a Wickersham Brother in Seussical
at HYT. He played Chip for three consecutive years in Disney's Beauty
and the Beast at the Beck Center for the Arts,
and was in Fagin’s gang in Oliver!
at Cain Park. Miles starred as Jojo in Seussical
at The Fine Arts Association and at Mercury Summer Stock. Also at Mercury,
he played Young Patrick/Peter in Mame and Charles
in The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall. A finalist
this year at the State Theatre’s Rising Star Talent Competition,
Miles has done four shows with FPAC, playing Jack in Into
the Woods, Aaron Kreifels in The
Laramie Project, Gad in Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Waiter/Squeegee
Man in Rent: Student Edition. His on-camera
work includes the starring role of Duke in Tall Tale, a Cleveland Clinic
Theatre Company educational video.
Sean Szaller (Director) is thrilled
to return to FPAC where he directed last season's Rent: School
Edition. He was a founding member of the Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory summer program and served
on faculty there from 2004-2007. As an actor, Sean has been seen on stage
at every major Cleveland venue including Great Lakes Theater Festival,
The Cleveland Play House, The Cleveland Orchestra, and Cain Park. He is
also a busy freelance director/choreographer and stage manager whose work
has been seen in Ohio, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Idaho. Sean
is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and the National Association
of Teachers of Singing. He will be returning to his home in NYC in March
to seek out his next adventure. Thanks to everyone who has made this amazing
Ohio premiere such an astounding event -- it will truly stand as a testament
to the amazing young talent who reside in Cleveland!
Elle Vertes (Lucy) is so excited and grateful to be making her FPAC debut as a part of the cast of Thirteen. Elle is a sophomore at Hathaway Brown and has been involved in theatre around Cleveland including performances at Heights Youth Theatre and Stagecrafters. Elle's most recent credits include Nancy in Oliver!, a cheerleader in the Ohio premiere of Cheerwars, and Sonia in Godspell. Elle would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her through out this process. Also, thank you to Sean, Mike, Bebe, and this phenomenal cast for bringing this great new show to FPAC!
Sam
Welch (Richie, u/s Eddie) is happy to be back at Fairmount
Performing Arts Conservatory! Sam was most recently
seen as Ensemble in Disney's Beauty & the Beast
at Fine Arts Association. Other FAA productions: Charlie Bucket in Willy
Wonka Jr. for which he was awarded Favorite Actor in a Youth
Production, and Cadet of Who in Seussical. Sam
has been a student of the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory and appeared
as Benjamin in the 2008 production of Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Additional
performances include: Fagin's Boy in Oliver!
at Cain Park, Slightly Soiled in Peter Pan at
Beachwood Community Theater, Fluff in Honk! at
CVLT, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
at Fairmount's Youth Theatre Lab. Further credits: Ohio Children’s
Honor Choir – 2008 & 2009. Sam plays the oboe, and sings in
the Chagrin Falls Middle School Select Choir where he is in seventh grade.
David
A. Williams (Music Director) began his career as music
director for The Gene Carroll/Entertainment 5 variety show (WEWS-TV) at
the age of fifteen. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory
of Music with a Bachelor's in Jazz/Studio Music in 1988 and a Master's
in Orchestral Conducting in 1993. Collegiate show credits include Carousel;
Flora, The Red Menace; Two Gentlemen From Verona; Chess; Evita;
and Into The Woods. He then sailed around the
world as a pianist for Princess Cruises. This led to over 600 performances
of Smokey Joe's Cafe including premieres in
Germany, Switzerland, and Brazil - then a world tour of West Side Story
performed in Italy, Holland, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and premiering
in China. He also traveled Germany with productions of Grease
and Beauty And The Beast. A U.S. tour of I
Can't Stop Loving You (a Ray Charles tribute) followed visiting
twenty states. Since returning home, he has worked with the Cleveland
Pops and The Cleveland Play House. Local show credits include Ragtime;
She Loves Me; Five Guys Named Moe; Smokey Joe's Cafe; Side Show; Dreamgirls;
Eliot Ness In Cleveland; The Boys From Syracuse; 1940's Radio Hour; The
Sound Of Music; Jesus Christ Superstar; Chorus Line; Legally Blonde;
and 13, The Musical.