The Full Monty

Shubert Theatre

On Thursday, October 4, 2001, members and guests of Sarah Siddons Society attended a performance of The Full Monty at the Shubert Theatre. The musical comedy is adapted from the hit 1997 British movie about six unemployed and down-on-their-luck steelworkers who try to earn money by putting together a male stripper act. Set in Buffalo, N.Y., the show features music and lyrics by David Yazbek and is directed by Jack O'Brien. Book is by playwright Terrence McNally. Nominated for ten Tony awards, The Full Monty is hysterically funny but at the same time poignant. We all needed to laugh and The Full Monty hit the spot!

Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at Nick's Fishmarket.
 


Betty Jeffreys, Stanley Paul, Mary Lou Bilder-Gold


Don Boroian and Susan Downing


Members & Guests enjoying the evening

Fossils  

Victory Gardens Theatre  
 

Sarah Siddons Society congratulates Victory Gardens Theatre , 2001 Tony Award Winner for excellence in regional theatre.

On June 21, 2001, members of the Sarah Siddons Society attended Victory Gardens for an outstanding performance of Fossils, the newest play of local playwright, Claudia Allen. A bed and breakfast on the shores of Lake Michigan is the setting for this story of relationships and opening one's heart to another. Playing retired teachers, the talented two member cast consists of Yolanda Lyon Miller and Ann Whitney. Fossils is directed by Sandy Shinner.

Prior to the performance, a reception and dinner were held at John Barleycorn Pub.
 


Discussing Fossils after the performance:
L. to R. Yolanda Lyon Miller, Claudia Allen, and Ann Whitney


Sarah Siddons members and guests enjoying the evening

Mamma Mia

Cadillac Palace Theatre

On May 18, 2001, members of the Sarah Siddons Society attended  a performance of the hit musical, Mamma Mia. The musical debuted in London's West End in 1999 and tells the upbeat story of a wedding and the search for one's father. The story is set to 22 of the greatest hits of ABBA, the Swedish pop rock quartet popular in the '70's. The musical is produced by ABBA songwriters, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. The music and show are totally  captivating !

Before the performance a reception and dinner were held at the Allegro Hotel. The event was chaired by Donna Atwater and Wendi Mancini. 

Waa-Mu

Northwestern University

On May 8, 2001, the Sarah Siddons Society attended the 70th anniversary production of Northwestern University's acclaimed Waa-Mu show.  At a pre-performance dinner party, Dominic Missimi, Director of Northwestern's Music Theatre Program and Director of Waa-Mu, announced the recipient of the annual Sarah Siddons Scholarship. Winner of the scholarship for 2001 is Jennifer Powers.  Also announced was the Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship  recipient for 2001, Amber Makalous.

Jennifer Powers (who also is the current Miss Illinois) sang  at the reception as did the scholarship winners for 2000, Janette Zilioli and Willis White.

This year's Waa-Mu show, Sorry, We're Booked, featured an entirely original score and took a tour through the land of books.  As always, we were in awe at the wealth of talent represented in Waa-Mu.

The evening was chaired by Mary Lou Bilder-Gold, President of Sarah Siddons Society, and Norbert Gold.
 

Jennifer Powers receives Sarah Siddons Scholarship

L. to R. Amber Makalous; Dominic Missimi, Director of Northwestern's 
Music Theatre Program and the Waa-Mu Show; Jennifer Powers

Amber Makalous 
The Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship 2001

Merle Reskin Tribute   

The Sarah Siddons Society saluted Merle Reskin for her generous contribution of a display cabinet exhibiting a rare collection of memorabilia from past Sarah Siddons honorees. This cabinet is on display at the Merle Reskin Theatre.   Board members were invited to attend this special unveiling on April 21, 2001, and to meet Karen Aldridge and Brian McKnight, the Sarah Siddons Society Scholarship recipients from the Theatre School at DePaul University.   John Culbert, Acting Dean of the Theatre School at DePaul, commented on the School's proud association with the Sarah Siddons Society. "Some of our most successful graduates have been recipients of the Sarah Siddons Society Scholarships."   Brian McKnight and Karen Aldridge unveiled the display cabinet , and Merle Reskin was presented with a brass plaque and a bouquet.   Following this tribute was a Theatre School performance of Eric Overmyer's Duke Kahanamoku vs. The Surfnappers , directed by Ric Murphy.
 

L. to R. Karen Aldridge, Merle Reskin, Brian McKnight

L. to R. Hope Abelson, Merle Reskin, Donna Atwater)
(portrait of Sarah Siddons on wall and display cabinet in background

The Producers

Cadillac Palace Theatre

Smash of a Show!   On February 22, 2001, members of the Sarah Siddons Society attended a pre-Broadway production of Mel Brooks' musical comedy, The Producers and were treated to an hysterically funny show with outstanding performances from the energetic Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick , beautiful costumes and sets, and choreography to set us all dancing!   Prior to the show, a reception and dinner were at the Allegro Hotel.
 


Co-Chairs of the Event: Donna Atwater and Wendi Mancini


Members of Sarah Siddons Society and Guests at The Producers

School for Scandal

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Wit, Wile, and Scandal!

To kick off the new year, on January 17, 2001, members of the Sarah Siddons Society attended  a  performance of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's  The School for Scandal at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  Based upon the Stratford Festival of Canada production, the 18th Century comedy  was directed by the acclaimed Brian Bedford who also starred as  Sir Peter Teazle in the show.

Prior to the show, dinner was at Riva Restaurant.