"Camelot"
Directed by Harvey Cocks
July/August 1998
Fort Wayne Civic's Camelot Photo Album
Buy the original cast recording, with Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet, and Richard Burton from Amazon.com
Or the 1967 film soundtrack with Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris, and Alfred Newman
Director's Notes by Harvey Cocks
On a wintry morning many years ago, King Arthur's court parades forth to greet the arrival of Guenevere, the King's bride--be. Everyone is there except Arthur himself, who, nervous as any bridegroom, walks alone singing "I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight." Guenevere, more romantic but equally uncertain, dodges the welcoming committee and hides, wondering where are "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood." When she and Arthur meet in the forest without recognizing one another, he sings of the pleasures of life in "Camelot." Upon introducing themselves, they are each charmed and go forth happily to the wedding.
Arthur's mentor, the great magician Merlyn, is lured away from Camelot by the spirit of Nimue singing "Follow Me." But Arthur has learned the wisdom of peaceful ways from Merlyn and brings tranquility and justice to the land with the establishment of the celebrated Round Table. News of the Table even crosses the English channel to France, intriguing the young Lancelot, who arrives at Camelot proclaiming his intentions in "C'est Moi."
Arthur introduces Lancelot to the Queen and the court at a castle outing held during "The Lusty Month of May." Lancelot is insufferable and everyone, especially Queen Guenevere, takes an instant dislike to him. Guenevere goes so far as to make sport of him through her invitation to three Round Table knights in "Then You May Take Me to the Fair," When the knights are challenged to joust with Lancelot, the Queen permits them to carry her kerchief as a token of favor. The King tries to dissuade her from siding with the court against Lancelot, but Guenevere is adamant, and even King Arthur himself is forced to wonder "How To Handle a Woman."
Lancelot is victorious in the jousts and exhibits a strange power of purity and faith that gradually wins the respect of the court. His feelings toward the Queen quickly develop into a deep but silent love, which is in conflict with his great affection for King Arthur. To ease his war of emotions. Lancelot asks for Arthur's leave to depart on quests and Guenevere ponders what may happen "Before I Gaze at You Again." Upon Lancelot's return, Arthur makes him a Knight of the Round Table. Lancelot reveals his love in "If Ever I Would Leave You," but he and the Queen strive to conceal their feelings from Arthur The King is, however, aware, but he submerges his resentment to preserve the peace in Camelot.
The Knights of the Round Table grow restless with perpetual peace and inaction and cry "Fie on Goodness!" Arthur's illegitimate son, Mordred, arrives at Camelot and attempts to dishonor the King in order to take the throne. Mordred hates Arthur's dreams of peace with honor and sneers at "The Seven Deadly Virtues." Guenevere, still faithful to Arthur, tries to help him make light of royalty's burdens in "What Do the Simple Folk Do?"
Through a ruse of Mordred's, Arthur is trapped in the enchanted forest of Morgan le Fey overnight while Lancelot visits Guenevere in her chambers. There, she confesses "I Loved You Once in Silence." Mordred bursts into the room with a group a knights, accusing the Queen of treason. Lancelot escapes, but Guenevere is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake under the code of justice Arthur has worked so long to establish. At the last moment Lancelot rescues her and takes her to France, and Arthur is at last forced to make war on his friend. Just before the final battle, the King meets Lancelot and Guenevere and generously forgives them both.
Moments before the battle begins, Arthur discovers a young stowaway who aspires to join the Round Table. Arthur knights the boy in the field and sends him back to England, charging him, when he grows up, with teaching the next generation the noble ideas of Camelot.
Executive Director's Notes
Hic jacet Arthurus Rex -- quandam Rex que futurus. (Here lies King Arthur-the once and future king.)
So reads the inscription on King Arthur's tombstone, according to Sir Thomas Mallory in his version of the Morte d'Arthur, written while he was a prisoner during the War of the Roses in the 15'h century. It is asked whether Arthur was merely a figure of myth or whether he was an actual historical person. His existence, as legend or fact, would have been during the sixth century, after the fall of Roman authority in Britain, when no written records existed.<
CAMELOT is based on these stories of England's greatest king, marking the end of his era. Other endings occurred as a result of this great musical, too. The original production in 1960 began its pre-Broadway tour with all the problems of every unwieldy new show. On its first night it ran four hours long. The strain of getting it down to the standard two-and-a-half hours sent Alan Jay Lerner, who wrote the book and lyrics and was the guiding force behind the project, into the hospital. On the day Lerner was released, the director, Moss Hart, had a heart attack. He never fully recovered and died within the year. Lerner did recover, and although the show became a success, it was the last hit he was ever to have. It also marked the end of his partnership with composer Frederick Loewe. Together they had written BRIGADOON, PAINT YOUR WAGON, GIGI(the film) and, of course, MY FAIR LADY. But CAMELOT was their last full theatre score. In the years that followed, Lerner launched a series of ambitious but disappointing projects while Loewe opted for retirement.
Now, to launch the Civic Theatre's 70th Anniversary season we have chosen this classic tale of the tragic King Arthur. "Though powerful, wise and benevolent throughout his long life, in the end, he is cuckolded by his young wife and his best friend, both of whom he still loves and both of whom love him. By the end of the play, after a lifetime of success, he is found standing on a field, about to fight a last battle that he cannot possibly win. Even if he is technically victorious, this civil war means his idealistic values have crumbled. Then he finds a boy The boy, calling himself Tom of Warwick reguests to be knighted and to join in the fight. Arthur grants the first wish but denies the second. "The boy's task is to survive and to pass on the Arthurian stories. Tom is Thomas Mallory, author of Knights of the Round Table, which was to give the Round Table tales their classic form and all subsequent versions of Arthur's stories are derived from it, including T.H. White's The Once and Future King. This final scene where Arthur snatches a moment of triumph from the jaw of personal and political disaster, entrusting it to the collective memory of humanity, is among the most moving moments in Broadway history.
Entrusted to the collective memory of Fort Wayne, is the moving and exciting history of the Civic Theatre. For 70 years the Civic Theatre has produced plays and musicals using the resources the community has generously made available. The countless hours of volunteer time and the countless moments of artistic inspiration have brought us together through the years to this moment. And now, again, here we are, about to embark on another season, another production, another moment of inspiration, together. Thank you for being here and for helping us all celebrate this significant achievement.
Guest Director's Notes (Harvey Cocks)
It is the dream of all theatre directors that a special day will arrive when they are presented with the opportunity to direct a splendidly constructed play, with whopping good parts and glorious music. My "special day" became a reality when Al Franklin invited me to direct CAMELOT!
The Lerner and Loewe masterpiece had been on my "wish list" from the day I first attended a performance of it on Broadway in 1961. I have lost track of the number of plays that have come my way to direct--many of the wishful kind, many less so--but the gem of them all has been CAMELOT!
For accepting this directorial gift, I, in turn, was gifted with the Civic Theatre's outstanding staff of artists and technicians whose task it was to weave the Camelot "tapestry." The theatre soon became a beehive of activity with the sounds of hammers, saws, paintbrushes and sewing machines echoing throughout the Performing Arts Center. Endless hours, days and weeks of design and construction saw the creation of 20 sumptuous settings, 11 glorious backdrops and 150 magnificent costumes! The completed tapestry is a work of art to delight the eye and take your breath away!
My directorial joy increased by leaps and bounds when I was blessed with a superb cast composed of the finest actors, singers and dancers to be found in Fort Wayne's enormous pool of talent. They have, for more than 100 hours and six weeks of rehearsal, displayed devotion and affection to bring alive the colorful characters who compose the Arthurian legend. Our fine musical director has guided them through the learning of music that is a wellspring of melody and invention; and our equally talented choreographer has led them into delightfully varied dances and grand moments of pageantry.
And now the moment is at hand to spread wide the tapestry that was lovingly created for your entertainment and to transport you back to the time of CAMELOT!
"Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot."
Cast of Camelot
Todd Dillon (King Arthur) is an art consultant for Garland Art Galleries. In 1997 he received an Anthony Award for his work in THE SECRET GARDEN and last was seen on the Civic stage in GUYS AND DOLLS. Todd would like to thank God for the opportunity to play such a wonderful role, but mostly for the best wife and kids in the world.
Andrew Gross (Lancelot Du Lac) has done lots of shows at lots of theatres for lots of years. He is looking forward to portraying Lancelot for a second time, the first time being more than 20 years ago. As always, Andrew would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support and encouragement.
Jennifer Kennard Harrison (Guenevere) is thrilled to join such a talented cast and crew in this beautiful production. Jennifer last was seen on the Civic stage in her award-winning performance as Fiona in BRIGADOON. Some of her most favorite roles include Juliet ROMEO AND JULIET, Roxie in CHICAGO and Peggy in 42ND STREET.
Gregory R. Dostal (Mordred) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage as Motel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and in ANTIGONE this last year at PIT. At Homestead High School he appeared in BLOOD BROTHERS and HAROLD AND MAUDE. Gregory also teaches guitar and performs at a variety of venues around Fort Wayne.
Christopher J. Murphy (King Pellinore) returns to the Civic after a busy season at Arena Dinner Theatre, where he directed MOON OVER BUFFALO and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, along with performing in both of those shows and performing in SHE LOVES ME. Civic audiences will remember Christopher's dual role as Jacob/Potipher in Civic's production of JOSEPH .. .'96.
Michael Todd Harris (Merlyn/ Sir Dinadan) has been very active in the last year in local theatre and at the Civic especially. Civic audiences will remember him in BILOXI BLUES, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, FOREVER PLAID and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. A total theatre devotee, Michael Todd feels very blessed by such wonderful friends and would like his two-year-old niece, Kylie, to know how much he loves her.
Jennifer Poiry (Lady Anne/ Nimue/ Chorus) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage in SOME ENCHANTED EVENING and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, and in BROADWAY BABIES '98 for Bower North. She has appeared as Cinderella's stepmother in INTO THE WOODS at PIT and in NUNSENSE at Grey Lite Theatre. She extends special thanks to Scott Nedberg for his love and support.
Beverly McCavitt (Morgan LeFey) has been very busy in the local theatre scene this last year and is currently working as the marketing director for The Gueen Room, a local theatrical magazine. This year, Bev has performed in SOME ENCHANTED EVENING at the Civic, along with BROADWAY BABIES '98 for Bower North Productions.
Anthony Fumarolo (Tom of Warwick) is a ten-year-old, fifth grader at Haverhill Elementary School. At Fort Wayne Youtheatre, he had leading roles in THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, WINNIE THE POOH and THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. His future plans include becoming an actor or a catcher for the New York Yankees.
Ric Geist (Sir Lionel) is appearing in his second summer musical at Civic Theatre, having appeared in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF last summer. He feels fortunate and proud to have a great role like Sir Lionel during his summer break from Bellmont High School, where he is the vocal music director. He thanks his family and friends for their continued support.
H. Wayne Williams Jr. (Sir Sagramore) recently was seen in Civic's production of GUYS AND DOLLS and is a BFA graduate of Emerson College. He has recently directed BROADWAY BABIES '98 for Bower North Productions and was musical director for ZOMBIE PROM at Homestead. He would like to thank his wonderful parents, Hoot and Carol Williams for their support.
Brandy Leigh Wallace (Lady Sybil/ Chorus) is returning Civic Theatre stage after a seven-year absence. She last was EVITA and KISS ME KATE before she moved to Muncie. At thei Muncie Civic Theatre she has appeared in THE TAFFETAS, ISN'T IT ROMANTIC and DRACULA, THE MUSICAL.
Sharon V. Nelson (Lady Catherine/Chorus) last entertained Civic Theatre audiences as Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS. She also has appeared in NUNSENSE and ANNIE at Grey Lite Theatre. She would like to thank her husband for his unconditional love support and God for giving her the opportunity to do theatre.
Dale Vandegriff (Colgrevance/ Chorus) is making his Ci Theatre debut and always has been a lover of music. A customer account specialist for General Electric, Dale and his wife, Jo have two children, Daniel, 6, and Grace, 3. He enjoys all tyF sports and is an avid jogger.
Scott D. Rumage (Guilliam/Chorus) is enjoying his four production at the Civic Theatre and he earned an Anthony in the 1996-97 season for his role as the "drooler" in CUCKOO'S NEST. A chemistry instructor at IPFW, he will take on a chemistry teaching position at Canterbury High School in the fall.
David Lautzenheiser (Squire Dap/Chorus) is making his Civic Theatre debut and is the minister of music at Christ's Church at Georgetown, where he directs their Easter pageant. David is also the director of the Lincoln Life Choraliers. He would like to thank his wife, Mary, and children, Laura and Luke, for their loving support.
Shane M. Garver (Clarius/ Castor/ Chorus) is making his Civic Theatre debut, but is no stranger to the stage. He has appeared in productions of BYE, BYE BIRDIE, ANYTHING GOES, HELLO DOLLY and SWEET CHARITY in Ohio. New to the area, Shane works as the closing manager for Nation's Title Agency.
Don Norton (Bliant/Chorus) is proud to be making his Civic Theatre debut. Don is the father of two teenage sons and is a physics teacher for Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Josh Osbun (Page/Chorus) is currently involved in his 26th theatrical production in Fort Wayne before he departs this fall for Purdue University, where he will study performing arts. Well versed in all aspects of the theatre, Josh has worked on floor crew fly crews, lightboards, follow spots and has received his Master Technician certificate. He has appeared on stage in productions o: HELLO DOLLY, INHERIT THE WIND and MUSIC MAN.
David J. Mitsch (Herald/ Chorus) last was seen on the Civic Theatre stage in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. A graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School, he appeared in the productions of NO NO, NANETTE and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He would like to thank his family and friends who have been so supportive of him.
Noah DeLong (Herald/ Chorus) is excited to be making his Civic Theatre debut in CAMELOT. He has played leading roles in Woodlan High School's productions of KISS ME KATE, THE KING AND I, MOUSETRAP and INTO THE WOODS. This fall he will attend Wheaten College and major in mathematics.
Jill Nelson (Chorus) is making her Civic Theatre debut this summer and is a graduate of Snider High School. She appeared in Snider's productions of ANYTHING GOES, LEND ME A TENOR and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. She is a sophomore at Butler University where she is majoring in vocal music education.
Mary Fortman (Chorus) is an economics major at St. Joseph College and has previously trained for 10 years at Karen's School of Dance. She loves performing at the Civic Theatre and was seen in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF last summer. She also has performed in THE KING AND I, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, MUSIC MAN, BARNUM and OKLAHOMA.
Kara Divelbiss (Chorus) is making her Civic Theatre debut and is a freshman at IPFW. At Leo Jr. 1Sr. High School she performed in their productions of SOUTH PACIFIC, BYE, BYE BIRDIE, OKLAHOMA, and PETER I'AN. Full of boundless energy, Kara also owns two Ilamas named Tulio and Manet.
Tracey Buckmaster (Chorus) is working on her second Civic Theatre production, having recently appeared in GUYS AND DOLLS. Her favorite role to date was Sr. Robert Anne in the Grey Lite Theatre production of NUNSENSE. Tracey would like to say "go Shaniqua!"
Nina M. Shannon (Chorus) is a veteran of the St. Francis College theatre department and is excited to be making her Civic Theatre debut this summer. At St. Francis she appeared in GODSPELL, TAPESTRY and THE APPLE TREE. She would like to thank her husband, Stephen, for all of his support.
Edye M. Button (Chorus) last was seen in THE SECRET GARDEN and THE MUSIC MAN at the Civic Theatre and was a principle dancer/singer in the recent GERSHWIN GALA at the Embassy Centre with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Edye has a BFA in musical theatre from Milliken University and works as an account executive for Transworld Systems, Inc.
Nicole N. Kniskern (Chorus) is making her Civic Theatre debut but is no stranger to the stage. She has participated in more than 15 shows in the past four years on stage and backstage including MOON OVER BUFFALO, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, ANNIE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and STATE FAIR. She would like to thank everyone who has supported her, especially Chris, Emilie and Erik.
ORCHESTRA
Eunice Wadewitz, conductor/keyboard; Maria Cho, flute/ piccolo; Benjamin Wiseman, oboe! English horn; Mike Trentacosti, bassoon; Douglas Hofherr, trumpet; Jay Remissong, French horn; David Cooke, trombone; Kenneth Jordan, percussion; Sean McBryde, percussion.
The Production Team
Eunice Wadewitz (Music Director) again finds herself beginning another busy season as the music director for Civic's CAMELOT, THE WIZ, PETER PAN and RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN: A CELEBRATION. Eunice has been involved in more than 30 shows at the Civic Theatre and has enjoyed being the resident music director for the past three seasons. Eunice is also director of music ministries at Forest Park Methodist Church.
Abigail Ehinger (Choreographer) recently was seen in her Anthony Award-winning performance as Miss Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS. This marks Abigail's 22th production at the Civic theatre and her 69th production in her career where she has served as choreographer. She wishes to thank her Vera Bradley family for continuing to support and share in her love of theatre.
Bill Wunderlin (Stage Manager) is a retired grade school teacher who makes church banners for a hobby. He likes to travel and loves to work on musicals at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. To date, he has worked on more than 90 productions at this theatre.
Joyce Van Ry (Assistant Stage Manager) is back for another season on Civic's stage management team after a busy year, working on five shows last season. She is also the happy and grateful recipient of her second Technical Anthony Award statuette.
`Camelot' shines
Review by Steve Penhollow, The Journal Gazette
The Civic Theatre's visually opulent "Camelot" is a crowd pleaser. This has never been one of my favorite musicals, but I can't imagine a better Lerner and Loewe Guenevere than the one portrayed by Jennifer Kennard Harrison. Harrison has the sort of Madeline Kahn qualities that might interest Mel Brooks, if he ever remembers how to be funny: fantastic singing voice, real sexiness wedded -sometimes indistinguishably - to an ability to parody sexiness, and a prodigious sense of comic timing.
Andrew Gross is also excellent as a blithely pompous Lancelot.
Michael Todd Harris and Christopher J. Murphy, in their roles as Merlyn and King Pellinore respectively, remind us again that they are two of the area's best comic character actors.
My only quibble is with Todd Dillon's performance as Arthur. Dillon is at his best when all of Camelot is coming down about Arthur's ears, but, in general, his Arthur is far too ineffectual and fey to be satisfying.
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