We the People...

A Patriotic & Political Musical Commentary

Produced & Directed by Paul and Priscilla Barton

Read the Showcase Review of this show

Other Programming at the Arts Center...

Past GP Seasons....

2006-2007
How the Other Half Loves
The Fantasticks
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
Into the Woods
The Road to Mecca

2005-2006
Cemetery Club
Little Shop of Horrors
No Sooner Won Than Wed
Laura
Quilters

2004-2005
1776
A Voice of My Own
The Pirates of Penzance
Run For Your Wife
Pippin

See a list of all previous shows!

January 11-13, 18-20, 2008

The late political insider Molly Ivins said “It’s a good thing we’ve got politics, finest form of free entertainment ever invented”. In that spirit, on the two weekends following New Hampshire’s first in the nation Presidential Primary, Garrison Players presents a celebration of America and pokes a little fun at politicians. We the People is a historical and musical journey from 1776 to the present, guided by our second President John Adams (played by veteran newsman and actor Don Briand). There will be brief appearances by other presidents including Abraham Lincoln and by newsmakers such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B Anthony, Will Rogers and Mark Twain. A cast of both newcomers and veteran Garrison Players will lend their voices to both familiar and inspirational tunes. “We the People” is compiled and directed by Priscilla Barton with Michele Boulanger at the keyboard.

Priscilla Barton

	The Cast....


	Russell Bolian has been an onstage and backstage presence for GP for more than a decade...lending his vocal and acting talents to many productions including Guys and Dolls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Russell has also appeared for Dramedy Productions and the Prescott Park Arts Festival. His carpentry skills and “I can do that” attitude have been part of many GP sets and the restoration of the Garrison Players Arts Center. Russell and wife Vicki are long time residents of Rollinsford.


		Don Briand is pleased and honored to kick-off his thirty-second year as a member of GP. Favorite roles include John Adams in 1776, Curly in Oklahoma, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun and Maude in My Fatal Valentine. He was nominated for a "Spotlight Award" for his performance as Waldo Lydecker in Laura and was seen as Peter Smedfordson in Academia Nuts. Don has also performed at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Prescott Park, Hackmatack Theatre and numerous other regional theatre groups. Don is an award-winning radio News Director, and was named the 2005 New Hampshire "Broadcaster of the Year."


	Earl Case has been a part of The Garrison Players for 10 years. His first role was as Andrew McNair in 1776. He has had other roles in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and a Vaudeville Revue. He lives in Barrington with his wife, Elaine, daughter, Samantha, and mother-in-law, Gloria.


			Maryann Cooper reconnects with GP every five or ten years, to sing in a chorus as in Fiddler on the Roof in the 70’s or play a bit part, as in No Sooner Won Than Wed. She also enjoyed hauling out the old wall slats during renovation of the Arts Center. She and husband Daryle enjoy their daughters and many grandkids. Other important interests are song-leading at church, golfing, clogging, cross-coutnry skiing and home window decorating.


	Carol Davenport is a long-time member of GP, where she has acted, directed, done musical direction and designed sets and costumes. She has also appeared at Hackmatack Repertory Theatre, Hackmatack Playhouse, the Mill Pond Center, New London Barn Playhouse and Cortland Repertory Theatre, Cortland, NY. Acting credits include roles in over 100 productions, ranging from Little Mary Sunshine to Lady Macbeth. Personal favorites include Amanda in Private Lives, Eleanor in The Lion in Winter and the title role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She played Lucille in Garrison Players' Spotlight award-winning production of The Cemetery Club, and was last seen as Madame Arcati in the Player's Ring production of Blithe Spirit. Carol is also looking forward to the next GP production, where she will be appearing as The Madwoman of Chaillot---type casting?


			Barbara Dunnington has been associated with Garrison Players since 1973 and currently is the Treasurer of the organization. For the past several years, she has been most active behind the scenes and this will be her first performance on stage at the Arts Center. Her most recent role was Lily Parker Doomsbury in the Murder Mystery, A Fatal Combination. She will be performing again in March in the upcoming production The Mad Woman of Chaillot. It's great being on this side of the curtain!!


	Tom Dunnington has been involved with Garrison Players since 1973 and has appeared in over 50 productions - too many to list here. He was last seen as Shem in Two By Two. He has also designed and built sets for GP shows for the past 30 years. His two favorite roles are Sancho in Man of LaMancha and Ben Franklin in 1776. Tom served as GP President 3 times and has been on the Board of Directors for as long as he can remember. Of course, when you are as old as Tom, the memory isn’t what it used to be. Tom and a group of dedicated GP’ers have been working for years to find a home for GP and Tom is pleased to say that dreams do come true!


			Judy Edwards has always loved going to the theater and has done some behind the stage work but hasn’t been in a show since she was in 6th grade. She has sewn costumes for Garrison Players, Dover High School and The Bell Center and even dressed up as a nun for the DHS Variety Show one year. “What a hoot that was!” She took her daughter to enough theater that she now has a degree in stage management and is currently on a Disney Tour of High School Musical - The Ice Show.


	Jerry Finley has been a member of GP for many years, and has performed in The Fantasticks, 1776 and Pirates of Penzance. He directed many productions, such as No Sooner Won Than Wed, The Miracle Worker, and Luv, as well as wielding hammer, nails, and paint brushes on occasion. He has also performed at UNH, Hackmatack Playhouse, the former Dover Repertory Theatre, and Theatre-by-the-Sea in Portsmouth. Favorite roles include Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Jeeter Lester in Tobacco Road and the King in Once Upon a Mattress. When not on stage, Jerry is an avid gardener.

			Tinka Finley has acted (Two by Two, Quilters, Fiddler on the Roof, ‘night, Mother), and directed (Pirates of Penzance, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music,) as a long-time member of GP. She spent 19 summers on stage at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick and has also performed at the former Dover Repertory Theatre, Gamaliel Theatre in Durham, and the Rochester Opera House. Some of her favorite roles include the psychiatrist in Agnes of God, Katisha in The Mikado, and Lotte Schoen in Lettice and Lovage. Offstage, Tinka runs the computer lab at Horne St. Elementary School in Dover.


	Carolyn Russell Harriman is thrilled to return to the GP stage with her dad, John and her first performance since Quilters in 2006. She is a native of Dover where she "got her start at Westwood". She credits them for creating her love of music, which she carried through Spaulding High School and UMass. While not working for Hannaford Bros. she is an active participant of the music, youth, and mission programs at First Parish Church. Her other GP credits include No Sooner Won than Wed and Pirates of Penzance. She sends a BIG "Thank You!" to her husband, Dan, who, without complaint, puts up with her crazy schedule.


			Kristen Palazzo is on stage in her first Garrison Players production, having gotten the acting bug from appearances in the Dover Main Street "Reveals". In her "spare?" time, she quilts. She and Judy Edwards made the wonderful quilt and prop blocks featured in last seasons Quilters. She also helps with costumes for Dover High School plays. She answers international callers’ questions about their immigration at the National Visa Center (across the street from Priscilla). She has one daughter living in Dover and hopes you enjoy the show.


	Brian Parker is pleased to be back on stage with Garrison Players. This is his fourth GP show, other performances being Pirates of Penzance, Pippin and No Sooner Won Than Wed. Brian has also performed at the Bell Center and sings with Amare Cantare and the Rockingham Choral Society and is very lucky to be married to Sandra.


			Sharon Parker is excited to do another Garrison Players show with Priscilla, She sure gets a great show together. Sharon has performed in various other Garrison shows as well as performances with Hackmatack and Rochester Players. When not working, Sharon enjoys time with her grandchildren.


	Mark Wiley has been with GP on and off for more years than he cares to admit. His favorite roles include Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes and Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Mark lives in Dover, directs the UNH Marine Docent Program, has five wonderful kids, and a loving and understanding wife. In his spare time (?) he helps run the Bluegrass Jam and Coffeehouse that takes place here at the Arts Center each month. Drop in!