The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor
by Neil Simon
directed by Kim Frick-Welker

March 19, 20, 23, 25, 26, 27, 2010

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The Cast:
Writer-Bruce Welker

"The Sneeze"

Ivan Cherdyakov-Patrick Mannle
Mrs. Cherdyakov-Amy Vickers
General Brassilhov-Andy Cannon
Mrs. Brassilhov-Beverly Hedgepeth
Ushers-Dan Fenlon,Keith Adkisson
Audience-Nancy Lyn Hargis,Philip Horn, Sarah Nelson,
Kyle Guth, Monnica Cline,Richard McMahon

"The Governess"
Mistress-Nancy Lyn Hargis
Governess-Katie Mannle

"Surgery"
Sexton-Patrick Mannle
Kuryatin-Travis Flatt

"Too Late For Happiness"
Man-Philip Horn
Woman-Beverly Hedgepeth
Young Couple (vocalist)-
Elissa Longfellow, Keith Adkisson
Young Couple-Sarah Nelson,
Kyle Guth
Little Boy-Nathan Longfellow
Father-Dan Fenlon

"The Seduction"
Peter-Travis Flatt
Husband-Patrick Mannle
Wife-Katie Mannle

"The Drowned Man"
Popnichefsky-Philip Horn
Sailor-Richard McMahon
Gentleman-Patrick Mannle
Policeman-Andy Cannon

"The Audition"
Voice-Bruce Welker
Young Girl-Elissa Longfellow
Young Assistant-Nathan Longfellow
Girl-Katie Mannle

"A Defenseless Creature"
Pochatkin-Dan Fenlon
Kistunov-Patrick Mannle
Woman-Monica Cline

"The Arrangement"
Father-Travis Flatt
Anton-Kyle Guth
Girl-Sarah Heggie
Ladies of the Night-Monica Cline,
Sarah Neslon, Nancy Lyn Hargis, Beverly Hedgepeth
Madame-Amy Vickers
Gentleman Callers-Philip Horn, Richard McMahon

Production Team
Producer-Chad McDonald
Director-Kim Frick- Welker
Stage Managers-Liv Sinclair,
Jeffrey Burnsides, Joanne Longfellow
Stage Crew-Andy Cannon,  Philip Horn,    
Richard McMahon, Keith Adkisson, Kyle Guth
Technical Director-Brandon Walls
Props Coordinator-Randi Finger
Props Crew-Randi Finger, Dan Fenlon,
Jeffrey Burnsides, Beverly Hedgepeth,
Bruce Welker, Patrick Mannle,Kim Frick-Welker
Set Design-Kim Frick-Welker
Light Design-Brandon Walls
Sound Editor-Bruce Welker
Light Technician-Brandon Walls
Sound Technician-Kim Frick-Welker
Costume Design-Kim Frick-Welker
Costume Crew-Kim Frick-Welker,
Dan Fenlon, Whitney Martin,Jodie Nabors & Cast
Dressers-Live Sinclair, Elissa Longfellow
Set Construction/Paint Crew-Brandon Walls,
Tom Longfellow, Kim Frick-Welker,Randi Finger,
Roger Long, Kyle Guth,Jeffrey Burnsides,
Joanne Longfellow,Elissa Longfellow,
Nathan Longfellow,Keith Adkisson, Chad McDonald
Poster/Program-Steve Gwilt
House Manager-Kim Frick-Welker
C.A.S.T Coordinator-Kim Frick-Welker
Publicity Photos-Kim Frick-Welker,Tom Longfellow

Acknowledgements
Jean Armstrong, Steve Hunter, Bill Davis, Tom Longfellow, James L. Vaden, D.D.S.,Plateau Oral Surgery, Gail Cole,
Terrell Edward Jones, D.M.D.,Entertainment Unlimited Costume Rentals,Herald-Citizen,Mark Creter, Backdoor Playhouse,
Charles Long, Wesley Arena Theatre, Mary Boring,
Meredith Mannle

This Broadway hit is a composite of Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov. In one sketch a harridan storms a bank and upbraids the manager for his gout and lack of money. In another, a father takes his son to a house where he will be initiated into the mysteries of sex, only to relent at the last moment and leave the boy more perplexed than ever. In another sketch, a crafty seducer goes to work on a wedded woman, only to realize that the woman has been in command from the first overture. Let us not forget the classic tale of a man who offers to drown himself for three rubles. The stories are droll, the portraits affectionate, the humor infectious and the fun unending.

"A great deal of warmth and humor in his retelling of these Chekhovian tales."-Newhouse Newspapers

"There is much fun here. Mr. Simon's comic fancy is admirable."-The New York Times
Biographies
Bruce Welker (The Writer) is thrilled to be back on the CPAC stage for a Backstage Production.  You might remember him as Selsdon in Noises Off, Hector Nations in Foxfire, President Harding in Camping with Henry and Tom, John in An Experiment with an Airpump, and Mayor Shinn in last summer’s Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Bruce would like to thank the talented cast and crew for their commitment, to the CPAC staff for their hard work, and especially to his wife and director, Kimberly Frick-Welker for her untiring dedication to the Good Doctor. It has truly been “a joy, a marvel, a heavenly paradise!”

Patrick Mannle (Ivan Ilyitch Cherdyakov, Sexton, Husband, Gentleman, Mr. Kistunov) is thrilled to be returning to the CPAC backstage series having last appeared as Reuben in the award winning Escanaba in da Moonlight.  He most recently was seen as Hamlet in Dogwood Park’s Shakespeare V.  He holds a BA in acting from UT Knoxville, and has performed in more than 80 productions around the country.  He is honored to be working with such a talented cast and thanks Kim for the wonderful opportunity and to get to share the stage again with his beautiful wife Katie.  He sends thanks to all of the CPAC staff for their hard work; love and many thanks to his parents and in-laws for all that they do; and all of his love to his wife and wonderful daughter Meredith, who can make even the darkest days seem bright.  Lastly, a thousand thanks to you the patrons without whom none of this would be possible.

Amy Vickers (Mrs. Cherdyakov, Madame) is thrilled to be back on stage in Cookeville. She acted in and stage managed numerous shows while in college in North Carolina, but this is her first time back on the CPAC stage since high school. She'd like to thank her friends and family, especially her parents, who always encouraged her to act.

Andy Cannon (General Brassilhov, Policeman) and his wife Sherrie own Discovery Depot & The Candy Caboose here in Cookeville, TN.  Andy  and Sherrie have one daughter, Tori.  Andy was Charlie Cowell last summer in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man at CPAC, and Prospero in The Tempest last fall. Andy is thrilled to be in another CPAC production and would like to thank to Sherrie and Tori for encouraging him to audition again.

Beverly Hedgepeth (Mrs. Brassilhov,Woman, Lady of the Night) After having the good fortune of being in the Backstage production of 8x10 last year, I am excited to be working with Kim Frick-Welker again this year.  This is a wonderful group of actors and I am especially indebted to Phil Horn for all his support, patience and encouragement.

Nancy Lynn Hargis (Mistress, Lady of the Night) is extremely happy to be appearing in another exceptional Backstage production. Her experiences as Susannah/Ellen in An Experiment With An Air Pump and the time-travelling, Victorian explorer, Mary Baltimore in On The Verge were memorable and lots of fun. It's a pleasure to work with all the people at CPAC, as their dedication and professionalism make the job of performing so easy. Thanks to Kim, for casting me again; you are a JOY to work with! You chose a dedicated, hard-working and very funny group of actors for this show and I've had a great time working with all of them. A big thank you to my husband, for putting up with my nights away from home for rehearsals. And finally, thanks to God for all the blessings in my life, and allowing me to be born and live in the greatest country on earth!

Katie Mannle (Governess, Wife, Girl-"The Audition") is excited to be back at CPAC! She was last seen as Zaneeta Shinn in Meredith Willson's The Music Man and Wolf Moon Dance in Escanaba in da Moonlight. Katie would like to send shout outs to: Kim...for her wonderful guidance, the talented cast and crew (particularly the person(s) running the revolve...have a bucket handy...), the Davis and Mannle families...for (insert something sappy here), the audience for supporting community theatre, and (save the best for last) her super-talented husband, Patrick, and sweet baby Meredith; “You two really are 'the dearest, sweetest, loves of my life'....” Oh dear, I think I'm going to be sick....where's that bucket?

Travis Flatt (Kuryatin, Peter, Father) spent the better part of the last ten years working for various charitable organizations in underprivileged Asian countries teaching children's classes on knife-fighting and English as a third Language. Recently he appeared in the Blockbuster Bat Boy: the Musical, the prior show in this very Backstage series. Next up he will appear at the Backdoor Playhouse in the Out on a Limb production of A. R. Gurney's The Dining Room in May. He wishes to thank YOU for supporting community theatre, his fellow Good Doctorians, and the CPAC.  (My family likes it when I write goofy Bios.)

Philip Charles Horn (Man, Popnichefsky, Gentleman Caller) is thrilled to be working in yet another Backstage Series production. After his success of the last year portraying Stefano in The Tempest, Conductor/Gothic Farmer in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man and Abel in 8x10 and a corrupt cop in the movie Brain Dump he is pumped for this production! Kim, you hold a special place in my heart and it is inspiring to watch you weave your magic as the process all comes together! All goodness and love to my past directors, Kathy G., Mark C., Lucas F., Charles L., Dave J., and Steve G. Cast-how much more fun can you have doing something that isn't illegal? Love you guys! Crew- you guys are the hardest working crew in show biz! Thank you. To my beautiful wife Mary-HARRAH! HARRAH! HARRAH! Last but not least, to the audience- you are the "straw that stirs the drink" and allows us to bring you all the wonderful theater you have available in this area. THANK YOU! SUPPORT THE ARTS!

Dan Fenlon (Pochatkin etc.) has 45 years experience on the stage and behind the scenes. Time and age restrict his availability these days. So the show and the Director have to be right. This show fits both of those. The last time Dan did A Neil Simon Play he met his soul mate and fell in love!  Some of Dan’s favorite roles have been Uncle Billy (twice) It’s A Wonderful Life, Zara Spook and Other Lures, View From the Light Booth, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Fiddler on the Roof, Barefoot in the Park. Rehearsing with this cast is a challenge and great fun. Dan is marred to Barbara Fenlon and has a daughter Amanda, A son Drake and a beautiful granddaughter London. Dan would like to thank his lovely wife Barbara (Corie) for her constant love and support.

Sarah Heggie (Girl) burps babies by day, fights crime by night and somehow still makes time to be a full time student at TTU, stay active in theatre and in phimu. You last saw her on the CPAC stage as a featured Shipoopi dancer in Meridith Willson’s The Music Man. Although she feels likes a hypocrite for being a deputy in real life and a prostitute in the show, she loves every minute of it! Thanks and much love to the cast, crew, her family and friends and especially Kim, for dealing with her hectic schedule and craziness. Enjoy the show!

Monica Cline (Lady of the Night, Woman) is thrilled to be making her return to the stage after a very long six year hiatus. In the 17 years she has been involved in theater, Monica has enjoyed every aspect of the world from acting and directing to sound, lights, and stage-management.  She is humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to what she loves.

Richard McMahon (Sailor, Gentleman Caller) Making his second appearance at CPAC, Rico is once again enjoying being on stage.  His last performance was being a professional goofball as Marcellus in Meredith Willson's The Music Man, and he has also performed at the Backdoor Playhouse as the assassin Zangara.  From the depths of Ooltewah, Rico hopes you enjoy the show.

Elissa Longfellow is a sophomore honor student at Cookeville High School.  She is a member of CHS Choir and Speech team, loves singing and acting, and is thrilled to be a part of another Backstage Series production.  She was most recently seen dancing and screaming in Hope Falls, discovering Wonderland, and dancing around River City.  She would especially like to thank Mrs. Kim for always believing in her and her wonderful family and friends for their support.

Keith Adkisson is a graduating senior through Daniel 1 Academy and is planning to attend college this fall. This is his first Backstage production and his third show at CPAC. He has been known to spontaneously sing songs he found in his head that have never been sung before, and never heard again after their debut, he also enjoys singing in a youth choir, and playing the piano.

Kyle Guth is a 10th grader from White County. He is excited to be performing with the Cookeville Performing Arts Center for his first season! Recent Credits Include: Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, A Year With Frog and Toad, Alice In Wonderland Jr., Cookeville Children's Theatre's Gift of the Magi, and Bat Boy: The Musical. "I would like to thank Mrs. Kim Frick-Welker for this wonderful opportunity, and all of the CPAC staff for being so welcoming to me. Thank you for supporting CPAC and enjoy The Good Doctor!"

Sarah Nelson recently moved to the Cookeville area from upstate New York where she was actively involved with a dinner theater group. She also participated in a number of variety and improv shows. This is her first appearance at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center.

Director’s Notes
Fifteen years ago, back in southern Illinois, Stan Hale, a very close friend of mine asked me to take on a role in a play he was directing. He wanted me to meet and work with Bruce Welker, a talented actor he had in mind for the lead. I had just performed in my third play of the season and was tired so I politely declined. Three weeks later I found myself in The Good Doctor learning lines as the Mistress in The Governess. Stan’s matchmaking resulted in a wedding on the stage where it all happened. The Good Doctor will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Stan did more than direct a show that year, he changed my life forever. Sadly, yet appropriately, Bruce and I attended Stan’s memorial service on our twelfth wedding anniversary. The “Gentle Giant” passed away as he would have wanted; sitting in the director’s chair, changing lives forever…
I’d like to thank my cast and crew for trusting me to showcase their enormous talent. Most of all I thank them for their patience with a sentimental old broad and her eccentric style of directing.
I hope you will enjoy this production as much as I have loved bringing it to you. -Kim Frick-Welker