Friday, June 23 & Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 7pm

Cast

(In Alphabetical Order)

Molly Alexander

Ethan Goble

Cami Nicole Hall

Andrew Hillis

Justin P. Kent

Gwen Leahy

Lauren Ledger

Mark Poticny

JoJo Ward

Written, Produced, and Directed by

Rick Garman

Lighting Design

Erin Muller

Contributing Music Artist

Chris Stanley

Lighting and Sound Operator

Travis Harold Coles

Spotlight Operator

Toria Nicole Shaw

This Show is Lovingly Dedicated to Jon Fryman, Mary Herczog, and Chris Trousdale

The First City Pride Center was born in 2017 out of a need many of us felt for connection, support, and understanding of who we are, not just as members of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow but as proud Savannahians as well.  It was a desire to create a community.  One that would welcome everyone with open arms, without judgment or reservation, allowing us to come together and work as one to provide crucial services, to find a way to connect, and to amplify our common voices .

We opened our doors as a collection of service providers under one roof and over the next three years, these organizations developed a relationship that would eventually unite them as one.  In 2020, the Savannah LGBT Center became the First City Pride Center and unified First City Network, Savannah Pride, Jeffrey’s Place, and the Center into one cohesive organization.

Today, the FCPC stands ready to be Savannah’s home for the LGBTQIA+ community.  It’s not just a building, it’s people.  It’s our past, our present, and our future.  We are doctors, accountants, and construction workers.  We are the sons and daughters of the Stonewall riots, the AIDS crisis, and the fight for marriage rights.  We are students, professionals, and essential workers.  We are gay, lesbian, trans, pansexual, and allies.  We are worthy, we are enough, we are not going to be silent, we are never going to forget where we’ve been, and we are never going to stop moving toward where we want to be.

We are Savannah.  We are family.  We are First City Pride Center.

To learn more, become a part of our organization, or donate, please visit us online at FirstCityPrideCenter.org

Set List

“Fuck You”

Justin P. Kent

Although originally written in 2008 as a send-off to then US President George W. Bush, outspoken singer/songwriter Lily Allen has frequently dedicated the song to other public figures who have made homophobic, transphobic, or bigoted comments.  Allen has performed at LGBTQ+ festivals around the world and is a strong supporter of the community.

“Firework (Acoustic)”

Cami Nicole Hall

Singer Katy Perry was awarded Human Rights Campaign’s National Equality Award in March 2017 for her tireless efforts championing LGBTQIA+ rights. She dedicated “Firework,” to the “It Gets Better” campaign aimed at combatting the harassment of gay youth.

“Titanium (Acoustic)”

Lauren Ledger

“Titanium” was written by legendary music producer David Guetta, a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and queer artist Sia, who performed this acoustic version at a beneft for the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

“Soulmate”

Ethan Goble

Co-written and performed by Lizzo, “Soulmate” is a one of her strongest statements about the importance of loving yourself.  The singer, who says she is unable to label her sexuality due to the spectrum of sexuality, is a huge LGBTQ+ advocate and regularly performs at Pride events around the world.

“Anyone”

Andrew Hillis

“Anyone” was co-written and performed by pansexual and gender-fluid artist Demi Lovato, who was presented with the GLAAD Media Vanguard Award and Celebrity of the Year honor at the British LGBT Awards.

“Don’t Rain on My Parade”

JoJo Ward

If you don’t know how this classic from the musical and film “Funny Girl” connects to the LGBTQIA+ community, we’re taking away your gay card. One word: Barbra.

“True Colors”

Rick Garman and Lauren Ledger
Instrumentation and Arrangement by Chris Stanley

In interviews, singer Cyndi Lauper has said “True Colors” resonated with her because of the death of her friend, Gregory Natal, from HIV/AIDS. Years later after its recording, Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating LGBT youth homelessness.

“Somebody to Love”

Mark Poticny

“Somebody to Love” was written by Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the classic rock band Queen.  Although never publicly open about his homosexuality or bisexuality, Mercury had several same-sex long-term relationships throughout his life.  He passed away in 1991 at the age of 45 from complications due to AIDS.

“Love Who You Love”

Justin P. Kent

“Love Who You Love” was written by openly gay composer Stephen Flaherty and writing partner Lyn Ahren for the musical “A Man of No Importance,” which tells the story of a young man’s journey to the acceptance of his sexuality as he attempts to stage a production of “Salome” at a church in Dublin.

“You Have More Friends Than You Know”

Molly Alexander, Gwen Leahy, Cami Nicole Hall, Rick Garman

This song was written by Jeff Marx, co-creator of “Avenue Q,” and Mervyn Warren for a stage production entitled “It Gets Better,” and an early recording of it benefitted The Trevor Project.  It was featured on the TV show “Glee” sung by Melissa Benoist, Darren Criss, Chord Overstreet, and non-binary Tony winner Alex Newell.

INTERMISSION

“We Are Family”

Ensemble

“We Are Family” was written by Bernie Edwards and Niles Rodgers of the group Chic and recorded by “Sister Sledge” in 1978. It’s message of solidarity and inclusion has made it one of the most enduring anthems for the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Uninvited”

Molly Alexander

Alanis Morissette wrote and performed “Univited” for the movie “City of Angels.”  Throughout her career, Morissette has championed LGTBQIA+ causes and even changed the lyrics to her song “Ironic” to “It’s like meeting the man of your dreams / And then meeting his beautiful husband.”

“Think”

Lauren Ledger

“Think” was co-written and performed by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.  Franklin was a solid supporter of LGTQ+ rights, performing at a gay wedding in 2011 and embracing her sister who identified as queer.

“Beautiful”

Cami Nicole Hall

“Beautiful” was written by openly gay songwriter Linda Perry and performed by Christina Aguilera, an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community who has performed at Pride events and actively protested against anti-gay legislation including Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” laws.

“Fight Song”

Molly Alexander and Ethan Goble

Co-written and performed by Rachel Platten, “Fight Song” has become an anthem for the LGBTQIA+ community, so much so that when the UN produced a video for the International Day Against Homophobia, Platten donated the use of the song as its soundtrack.

“For Forever”

Rick Garman

“For Forever” is from the musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” written by openly gay composer Benj Pasek and songwriter Justin Paul. It was sung by the character of Evan Hansen, originally played on Broadway by openly gay artist Ben Platt. The show won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor.

“Love Shack”

Justin P. Kent, Molly Alexander, Lauren Ledger

“Love Shack” was the biggest hit for The B-52s, a group consisting of openly gay singer Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, and Keith Strickland. Wilson’s brother Ricky was also a member of the band, but died of complications due to AIDS in 1985.

“Found/Tonight”

Andrew Hillis and Mark Poticny

This mashup of “The Story of Tonight” from the musical “Hamilton” and “You Will Be Found” from “Dear Evan Hansen” was created in 2018 by ally Lin-Manuel Miranda and openly gay performer Ben Platt to benefit the March For Our Lives protest of gun violence.

“Proud”

Ensemble

“Proud” was co-written and performed by Heather Small and has become an anthem for the LGBTQIA+ community.  It was included on the “Queer as Folk” soundtrack .

The Cast

Molly Alexander

Molly Alexander is a STEM-major sort of person who has been successfully infiltrating the musical and theatrical world for years. One day, the people in charge will realize that she has degrees in Wildlife and Veterinary Technology and never actually studied the arts, but they haven’t wised up yet so she keeps getting away with it. She has sung a capella with The Ecotones, presented the Bard’s works with Savannah Shakes, gotten weird with Odd Lot Improv, and voice acted for various audio dramas. She also moonlights in stage management because there is nothing quite like a color-coded spreadsheet. Now she is delighted to be on stage with the Savannah Cabaret!

Ethan Goble

Ethan is so excited to be performing with the Savannah Cabaret. He is currently working towards earning his BA in theatre from Georgia Southern University. Some of his recent acting credits include Eurydice (GSU), The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (GSU), Time Flies (GSU), and The Rocky Horror Show (Bay Street Theatre). In addition to acting, he has also contributed his technical skills to Master Class (Collective Face) and Spitfire Grill (Savannah Repertory Theatre) among others. When he’s not working on shows, Ethan enjoys traveling, writing music, and riding roller coasters.

Cami Nicole Hall

Cami Nicole Hall was raised in rural Indiana and has been performing since she was born (just ask her mom). She grew up singing around the world with the prestigious Logansport Children’s Choir. Her first role in a musical was as a flying monkey in The Wizard of Oz, but some of her favorite roles to portray include The Cat in the Hat in Seussical and Marty in Grease. This Hoosier has been in the peach state for 12 years: paralegal at Morgan & Morgan by day, sound engineer at the Bay Street Theatre by night. When Cami isn’t on stage, you can find her watching wild birds with her wife and taking too many pictures of her dogs.

Andrew Hillis

Andrew is a born and raised Savannahian. Andrew returned to the “Hostess City” in 2009 where he continued to perform and sing across the Coastal Empire and east coast in local churches and on stage. Andrew has received many awards as a soloist, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Roger in Grease through BroadwayWorld.com, has been a featured soloist with Savannah’s Premier Chamber Ensemble, I Cantori and featured with the University of Dubuque’s Chamber Winds Ensemble. His performance repertoire includes Faure’s Requiem, Handle’s Messiah, Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, and Amahl. Some of their favorite castings include Enoch Snow in Carousel, Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls, Paul in Company, Courfetrac in Les Miserables, Max in The Sound of Music, Dan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has reprised the role as Oliver Hicks in The Music Man with four separate companies. Andrew has always enjoyed performing and is thrilled to be returning to work with such a great company as the Savannah Cabaret.

Justin P. Kent

Justin has been in Savannah for 20+ years, and lives here with his beautiful wife, Valerie, and wonderful son, Logan! He is the co-founder of Odd Lot Improv, which has been performing in Savannah for over a decade. His favorite roles include Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Don Quixote in Man Of La Mancha, and Bobby in Rockabye. He is consistently delighted to work with Savannah Cabaret and this amazing group of talented people. Look to see him in August in Guys and Dolls at the Savannah Theater! You can also find pictures of him drinking coffee on his Instagram: @grandmoffjustin

Gwen Leahy

Gwen Leahy is thrilled to be a part of another show with the Bay Street Cabaret! They have been working with The Bay Street Theatre for 5 years, The Club One Cabaret as stage manager for 2 years, and The Bay Cabaret since its inception; basically, if it happens on the Club One mainstage, they are there! Gwen hopes you enjoy the show!

Lauren Ledger

Lauren Ledger (she/they) is a recent graduate of SCAD where she received a BFA in Performing Arts on a full-ride scholarship for being in a performance ensemble with American Idol Winner Candice Glover and Showtime at the Apollo Winner George Lovett. You may have seen her sharing local stages with Hamilton’s Isaiah Johnson and Grammy Nominee Stacie Orrico, and her recent credits include Marty in Grease at the Savannah Theatre, Featured Choir Member in Hulus’ The Girl from Plainville, and Zoe (principle) in Lifetime’s Nobody Will Believe You. She would like to thank her friends, family, partner, and fellow artists for being such a light in this world.

Mark Poticny

Being born and raised in Savannah Ga, Mark Louis Poticny has had his fair share of music exposure, usually from behind the scenes. Having studied music at Armstrong State University as a percussion major, he used his talents to play in several musical productions around Savannah, including Spamalot, The Little Mermaid, Pippin, Rocky Horror and many, many more. Mark is a security guard at Club One and in his free time enjoys playing video games, napping and spending time with friends and family. He is ecstatic to be sharing the stage for the very first time with his Savannah Cabaret family and also, EVER!

JoJo Ward

JoJo Ward is a Savannah native and familiar face to the community theatre scene. He has performed with the Armstrong Masquers, Asbury Memorial Theatre, Bay Street Theatre, and Savannah Children’s Theatre, where he can be found teaching performance classes to the worlds’ next generation of talent, and can be seen with the Club One Cabaret as his bubbly and confident alter-ego – Carman iCandy. His most recent roles include: Rocky in Rocky Horror Show Live, Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA the Musical, Woof in HAIR, and The Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical. JoJo is always excited to perform with his friends on any stage or in any classroom and plans to make performing his Full Time career, hopefully in NYC!

Written, Directed, & Produced by Rick Garman

Rick Garman grew up in Iowa but moved to Los Angeles as soon as he was old enough to be sure that his parents couldn’t send a sheriff to bring him back. He studied theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his writing debut with a stage production 17 Days which was produced in Los Angeles and in small theaters around the country.  His second play Mountains won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Los Angeles Theater Production.  Rick has published several novels including three volumes of the Savannah-set Interitas series and has written or produced more than three dozen movies for the Hallmark Channel and other networks including A Shoe Addict’s Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart; Valentine in the Vineyard starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Brendan Penny; and Christmas at Pemberley Manor starring Jessica Lowndes and Michael Rady.  He currently resides in Savannah and is thrilled to be producing the Savannah Cabaret.

UPCOMING SAVANNAH CABARET SHOWS

Join our mailing list and follow us on Facebook to get updates and exclusive offers!

UPCOMING LIVE THEATER IN SAVANNAH