Theater - Side Man

February 21–24, 2007

A play by Warren Light

 

Production Staff

Director: Michael Abbott

Scenic Designer: James Gross

Lighting Designer: Ryan Koharchik

Costume Designer: Caroline Stine

Stage Manager: Cody Grady '10

Asst. Stage Manager: Anthony Morton '10

 

Cast List

Clifford: Braden Pemberton '07

Terry: Jenny McKnight

Gene: Matt Goodrich '09

Ziggy: Patrick McAlister '10

Al: Spencer Elliott '10

Jonesy: Sterling Carter '07

Patsy: Anna Ardizzone

 

Production Assistance

Lightboard Operator: Nick Kraynak '08

Soundboard Operator: Tim Closson '09

Makeup and Hair: Kathleen Zwiener

Makeup Assistant: Nelson Barre '08

Flute: Erick Martin '07

Trumpet: Jay Brouwer '09

Wardrobe Head: Clay Zook '10

Stagehands: Dustin Foster ’09, Mason Upton '08, Roosevelt Washington '08, Clay Zook '10

 

Winner of the 1999 Tony Award for Best Play, Side Man spans three decades in the life of a Manhattan musician. Playwright Warren Leight, whose father was a sideman, incisively captures the pulse and climate of the New York jazz scene, with crisp dialogue and clearly drawn characters. It is a tender, deeply personal memory play about the turmoil of a jazz trumpeter’s family as his career crumbles at the dawn of the age of rock-and-roll.

 

Set in 1953 and traveling to 1985, this funny and poignant memory play unfolds through the eyes of Clifford, the only son of Gene, a jazz trumpet player, and Terry, an alcoholic mother. Alternating between their New York City apartment and a smoke-filled music club, Clifford narrates the story of his broken family and the decline of jazz as popular entertainment. Clifford recalls the key moments in his life, such as the day when he, fresh out of college, picked up his first unemployment check and was congratulated by Gene and his band mates. Gene’s music career on the big band circuit ultimately crumbles with the advent of Elvis and rock-n-roll. Terry begs him to get a nine-to-five job to support the family, but Gene refuses to enter the "straight world" of regular paychecks, mortgages and security. For Gene, who knows jazz better than his own son, music is not just a job; it’s his life.

This page is part of an ongoing project to document the history of the theatre productions performed at Wabash College.  If you have information not included on this page, please contact the Theater Department or Professor Dwight Watson (watsond@wabash.edu).