Part 87, page 59

Transcript

The scan is the source; the transcript is machine-generated from it.

FRED THOMPSON (Ben) is making his third appearance at The Cricket Theatre. Last season he was seen as Johnny Meeghan in THE TRIP BACK DOWN and as Eddie in RED ROVER, RED ROVER. This season he played Tournel in A FLEA IN HER EAR at Miami's Coconut Grove Playhouse and Geoffrey at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre's production of ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR. Mr. Thompson spent five seasons at Michigan's Meadow Brook Theatre where he played everything from Shakespeare to Shaffer.

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The Producing Director

Upon returning from his discovery of the headwaters of the Lualaba at age 16 Bill Semans decided firmly on a career in the fabulous arc-welding field. This passion existed until he also discovered that precious few arcs are being contructed these days, much less welded. From there, of course, it was an easy transition into theatre where many things are welded if you have the equipment which is often expensive unless one steals it. Bill is a graduate of the Bide-A-Wee Day school, Paticoat Tech and the Madame Hoernbecker School of Knowledge from whence he obtained an M.A. in Nocturnal Wombat Viewing with oak leaf cluster. During his bachelor days he could often be spotted scattering seeds and leading an all-girl aphid choir in Stravinsky's Le Sacre Du Aphid Printemps with cicada backup on percussion. Hobbies? Everyone has hobbies. Bill tends to dress and clean up before work and prefers a light perfume during daylight hours and camisoles of Spanish voille or vole replete with string tie, jodphurs and ormolu tiara. Contrary to popular legend Bill did not start The Cricket. In point of fact, he was driving between Joplin, Mo. and the Natchez Trace at the precise moment of The Cricket's founding by Welander Quist as a NE auxiliary to his far-flung empire which bears only a nodding acquaintance with Land-O-Nod. His hobbies? Of course, Bill's wife Gloriana and his two sons, Rark and Pudif reside in a comely nest of branches and twigs gaily festooned with bits of pastel yarn produced on the shores of Sturgeon Lake by itinerant weavers who later formed a singing group by a different name. Having become a legend, Bill has this to say about his future: "Bleak." Others, asked to comment on that subject have all responded with "bleak" making a unified chorus of praise and hope for this nearly 7 ft. gaunt man who can and will play the heron in your next production of TIME OUT FOR GINGER UP IN MABEL'S ROOM MURDER or THE LIFE OF DON STOLZ. Any questions regarding Bill or the myriad small lice nesting in his beard should be referred to H.V. Kaltenborn, NBC Red Network, Little Ossipee, N.H. Those who send 5¢ or 10¢ (whichever is larger) will receive a copy of this suitable for hanging from some part of your anatomy to be selected by our panel.

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The Choreographer

John Command is a highly experienced dancer and choreographer. He has appeared in and/or choreographed twenty-six shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre complex from their first show in 1968, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINES WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, to their current production of CAMELOT. Most recently, Mr. Command choreographed THE GARFIELD NUDE for Chimera Theatre. In addition, he teaches at Minnesota Dance Theatre and Nova Dance Center in Burnsville and is the choreographer for Minneapolis' Edgewater 8. A man of many interests, Mr. Command also runs The City Lakes Daily and sells real estate with Burnet Realty. During spare moments he indulges in bridge and walking his dogs, Buster and Missy.

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The Music Director/Arranger

Jimmie Martin is a noted pianist and composer and has been musical director for such musicals as THE FANTASTIKS, THE FLOWER DRUM SONG and MY FAIR LADY. Recently, his work was seen in Chanhassen's production of OH! COWARD and at The Cricket Theatre where he was musical director for this season's production of MOURNING PICTURES. Also an actor/singer, Mr. Martin has portrayed Herman in MOST HAPPY FELLA and has played numerous leads in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. His wide ranging interests include writing commercials, composing music for industrial films, arranging music for special programs in the Twin Cities, horseback riding, and crocheting and embroidering for his family. Mr. Martin majored in music education, piano and organ at the University of Michigan. (continued)

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DB Cooper-38407