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Sabrina Fair

A romantic comedy by Samuel Taylor. [G]

Directed by Gene Kato.

Sabrina Fair is a modern version of the Cinderella fable - with a twist. It involves a very rich family named Larrabee and Sabrina Fairchild, the daughter of the family chauffeur. Sabrina is bright, well-educated, and has just returned from five years in Paris.

Sabrina has come home to find out if she is still in love with the younger Larrabee son, David. The elder son, Linus, a cynical, good-humored tycoon who has taken control of the family fortune, detects Sabrina's feeling for his brother, and for his own amusement lays a trap to bring them together. It works: David falls in love with Sabrina and wants to marry her. At the same time, a rich young Frenchman who has known Sabrina in Paris turns up and asks her to marry him.

Three guys, one gal...who wins???

Director's Notes

This play has been a project that has been in the back of my mind since I was 16 years old. To share a bit of embarrassing history -- I bought a copy of the play because of another Sabrina that was in my life at the time - Sabrina Kemnitz. I had just started getting involved in the theatre and was in the grip of what was certainly (at least in my mind at the time) true love. As a teenager, I could identify with David and Paul in their all-consuming desire to make Sabrina their own, and I could also understand how Linus would ultimately fall for this simple girl who grows beyond anyone's pre-conceived notions of her. They had their Sabrina, and I had mine. That was the fairy-tale of youth. However, in the past 22 years, I have learned a little about the nature of love -- all of its wonders and cruelties. I believe it's fitting that I am directing this particular play at this time in my life. It's funny how life plays out that way. Now, more than ever, I have a deep desire to believe that love will eventually win out. Those who know me well, very much know why. As for you, the audience members -- I hope that you can be caught up in this tale of a love that was destined to be. Each of you that are here with your spouses or significant others -- take their hand as the show is happening and remember you own beginning to your journey together -- and before you go to sleep this evening -- tell them, "I Love You."

You know, I wonder whatever happened to Sabrina Kemnitz -

-- Gene Kato

Cast

Richard Arnold Larrabee

Rich has been involved with the Evergreen Players as an actor, stage manager and sound technician since 1996. His acting credits include Clifton Feddington in 1940's Radio Hour, Professor Van Helsing in Dracula and "Froggy" LeSueur in The Foreigner. Last spring's production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo featured Rich as Adolph Freitag, the last bastion of bachelorhood. In his other life, he is employed by the National Park Service in the Information Technology profession. Rich and his wife Pamela have lived in Evergreen for nearly 10 years and have thoroughly enjoyed working and playing with the Evergreen Players. Rich is very excited and grateful to be on stage with such a great cast, director and production team and is nowhere near as absent minded as.....who?

Wendell Bell Fairchild

This is Wendell's second performance with the Evergreen Players. After performing in Secret Garden in 2004, he and his wife, Jan decided that they liked Evergreen so much, they moved here. He has performed at the Country Dinner Playhouse, most recently in Annie Get Your Gun; at the Arvada Center; and for the last 15 years with Opera Colorado. When not singing, Wendell designs custom database software for small companies. He would like to thank Jan for her encouragement and support.

Monica Bergevin Betty

This is Monica's second show with the Evergreen Players and she is thrilled to be back! She played many wonderful roles in Lucky Stiff this past summer. Some of her favorite credits include the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Peggy in Godspell, and Rosie in Really Rosie. In upcoming months, Monica will portray Rizzo in Evergreen High School's production of Grease.

John Dyer Peter

John Dyer is a 9th grader at Lakewood High School. He has previously been in several shows including two versions of Inherit the Wind, Annie Get Your Gun, and Tied to the Tracks. He really enjoys working with the Players whether it is on stage or behind the scenes. He would like to thank his mom for driving him all over because he is not yet old enough to drive. He would also like to thank everybody with the Players for this wonderful opportunity to act with a superb group.

Nita Froelich Julia

Nita is pleased to be working with the Evergreen Players once again, having directed their musical Something's Afoot a few years back. A native of Chicago, she worked in regional theater and stock companies throughout the Midwest and East Coast. She has performed at many area theaters including The Arvada Center, Country Dinner Playhouse, Aurora Fox, Miner's Alley Playhouse, Town Hall Arts Center, and Colorado Stage Company where she just completed a sold-out run as Mama Wheelis in Daddy's Dyin, Who's Got the Will? Some favorite roles include Ms. Hannigan in Annie, Vera Charles in Mame, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Agnes in A Delicate Balance and Queen Eleanor in The Lion in Winter. She is also a theater director and a member of Screen Actor's Guild, having appeared on Perry Mason, Unsolved Mysteries, and the Father Dowling series as well as several films and commercials.

Susan Hickey Margaret

Susy has been an Evergreen Player for several years. Some of her favorite roles include Madame Arcati in Blythe Spirit, Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey and Cruella De Vil in 101 Dalmatians. Susy looks forward to the time when she will portray these fabulous characters on stage.

Patrick 'Red' Howard Lighting Design

Patrick is employed as the Master Electrician for Colorado Ballet, managing the lighting crew and programming, as well as running the lighting console for all of the ballet's productions since 1993. He is also the lighting director for the Ballet's popular production of Dracula. Other design credits include shows for Virginia Opera, Charlotte Opera, Central City Opera, and recently, the Colorado Children's Chorale. Patrick was the moving light programmer for Opera Colorado's Carmen. An Evergreen resident since 1990, he is pleased to be working so close to home.

Gene Kato Director

Gene's association with the Players has been as Director for Inherit the Wind and Lucky Stiff, as well as on stage for The Boy Friend and Over the River and Through the Woods. He owns his own theatre company, Next Stage, which recently produced the musical Assassins, both a critical and box office success. Next Stage and Gene were recently honored by Theatre critic John Moore of the Denver Post with numerous nominations - including Gene's acting nod for Best Actor in a Comedy for his portrayal of Ron in the 9/11 play Recent Tragic Events. Next up for Gene is producing and directing the musical Chess, which will open at the Phoenix Theatre in Denver on April 21st. Next Stage and the Evergreen Players will present a staged reading of Gene's newest work 18 Holes here at Center Stage on February 28th.

Fanny Marble Maude

Fanny has been involved in theater for 42 years, both in Illinois and since 1976, here with the Evergreen Players and the Evergreen Chorale. In all she has been involved with 68 shows - performing, directing and choreographing. Her last performance with the Players was as Claire in Neil Simon's Rumors, and some of her favorite roles include Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, M'lynn in Steel Magnolias, Mazzepa in Gypsy. While Fanny has taken several breaks from the footlights over the last 13 years while acquiring 8 grandchildren, she hopes to be involved in many more shows over the years to come.

Len Matheo Linus

Len is honored to be working with this incredibly talented ensemble cast. Len comes to Colorado via Taos, New Mexico, via New York City, where he started his acting career playing in many off Broadway and off-off Broadway productions. Some of Len's favorite roles include: Dan in Down the Road; Captain Keller in The Miracle Worker; Greg in Sylvia; Cliff in Cabaret; Joe Sharp in the U.S. Premiere of The Hired Man at New York's 47th Street Theater; Felix in Horton Foote's Blind Date at the T. Schreiber Studio Theater; as well as many other roles in regional theater. Len dedicates his performance in memory of his father, an actor himself.

Abby Miller Costume Design

A recent Denver transplant, Los Angeles native Abby Miller grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry. Having gone to a performing-arts-based high school, she was involved in numerous theatre productions over the years and worked in makeup and costuming for several shows, including Noises Off, Rashomon, and Little Shop of Horrors. This is her first Denver-area production.

Mandi McKibbin Ogle Gretchen

Even though she says, "Don't blink or you'll miss me in this show," Mandi is very glad to be part of this delightful cast which includes her husband, Scott! Her favorite roles include Lily in The Secret Garden, Marion in The Music Man, and Piglet in The Adventures of Christopher Robin (her first role when she was nine!) "Mrs. O" is the music teacher in Bergen Park and says she has the best students in Jeffco! She wants to thank her Mom & Dad, Alicia, G, and most of all Scott.

Scott Ogle David

Scott is excited to be acting again for the Evergreen Players. His last role was Doc in Crimes of the Heart a few years back. Scott has busied himself since with directing, including Lost in Yonkers, Sylvia and the Players' 2005 Colorado Community Theatre competition entry Down the Road, from which Scott took home a Best Director award. Chatfield Senior High School is Scott's day to day passion as Theatre Teacher/Director. He is so proud of all the success of his current and former students in a variety of fields. Scott has made Evergreen his mountain home for over 5 years with his own personal rock Mandi, who is actually playing his ex-wife in this show!

Stephanie Lynn Prugh Sabrina

Stephanie is thrilled to be working with the Evergreen Players for a fifth time. She recently was seen at Center/Stage as Sunny Freitag in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Aunt Ev in The Miracle Worker and Rachel Brown in Inherit the Wind. Backstage she worked as the Stage Manager for Lucky Stiff. Other performance credits include Amelia in Identity Theatre Company's The Credeaux Canvas, Zanetta in Town Hall Art's The Music Man, and the Lead Frug Dancer in Performance Now's Sweet Charity. Stephanie will be graduating this semester from UCD with a bachelor's degree in theatre. She wishes to thank Gene for his confidence and for allowing her to play one of her all time favorite roles; her family and friends for their support; and you, the audience, for helping to keep theatre alive.

Tico Rising Maurice

This is Tico's debut performance with the Evergreen Players, and she's thrilled to be part of this talented cast. Only eleven years old, this extremely gifted blue/gold Macaw has been working with her current Talent Manager, Diane Rising, for the past four years. Some of her favorite rolls include rye, sourdough and of course, peanut butter with cashew nuts. She'd like to thank Bluebird, for his constant support and encouragement, and for helping her rehearse her lines on a daily basis.

Peggy Morgan Stenmark Set Design

Peggy recently finished a two year term as Artist-in-Residence for the Evergreen Players. She has designed sets for six Player's productions and worked with other small theatre companies as well. Her set design for Down the Road won an All State award at the 2005 CCTC competition. She is happy to be working with the Players again on Sabrina Fair.

Jake Williamson Paul

This is Jake's second production with the Evergreen Players, and he is thrilled to be back playing yet another Frenchman! Some of Jake's favorite roles include Peter in Company, The Major General in Pirates of Penzance, various characters in Lucky Stiff, and Tibalt in Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet. Jake would like to thank his family and friends who give him constant support (and lessons on French dialects), and Gene Kato for another great opportunity.

Production Crew

Images from Sabrina Fair

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

Cast & Crew of 'Sabrina Fair'

Sabrina (Stephanie Lynn Prugh), David (Scott Ogle), Maurice (Tico Rising), Maude (Fanny Marble) and Julia (Nita Froelich)

David (Scott Ogle), Linus (Len Matheo) and Julia (Nita Froelich)