SEASON 2025 Behind the Scenes

APPALACHIAN PHOENIX PLAYBILL ADDITIONS

AND A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PRINTED PLAYBILL

DETAILED NOTES FOR

APPALACHIAN PHOENIX (world premiere)

Choreography by Heather Maloy

Lighting and Projection Design by Joshua Paul Weckesser

Costume Design by Heather Maloy, realized by Becky Ewing

Rivers of Clothes created by E. Scott Thompson

Backdrop concept by Heather Maloy, realized by the People of WNC

The Musical Score (commissioned by the Charles and Joan Gross Family Foundation)

Performed by Chris Rosser, River Guerguerian, Madelyn ILana, Datrian Johnson

THE WATER

Dedicated to all flood victims, in WNC and across the globe

Music - Traditional African-American Spiritual

Jeff Ewing with

Tyler Diggs, Cecily Khuner, Lucia Lorenzo, Phoebe Magna, Garret McNally, Ryland Mettee,

Morgan Stillman, Gretchen Vander Bloomer, Alexandra Zakharchenko

1,000 Hands

Dedicated to all the Distribution Site Heroes who stepped up to clothe, feed, and comfort our community.

Music written by, Chris Rosser

Phoebe Magna with

Tyler Diggs, Jeff Ewing, Cecily Khuner, Lucia Lorenzo, Garret McNally, Ryland Mettee,

Morgan Stillman, Gretchen Vander Bloomer, Alexandra Zakharchenko

Hope

Dedicated to Jill Stolz for her efforts to reunite families with precious heirlooms, to the many kind souls who cared for our children, and to those who worked tirelessly to procure, haul, and distribute water.

Music written by Jeff Schmitt w/River Guerguerian, Madelyn ILana, Chris Rosser, with lyrics by Datrian Johnson

Lucia Lorenzo & Tyler Diggs with

Jeff Ewing, Cecily Khuner, Phoebe Magna, Garret McNally, Ryland Mettee,

Morgan Stillman, Gretchen Vander Bloomer, Alexandra Zakharchenko

Reunion

Dedicated to the many heroes who reunited families who were separated in the storm, restoring hope and healing in the face of tragedy.

Music - Traditional arranged by River Guerguerian, Chris Rosser, w/Madelyn ILana w/ an additional sound scape by Jeff Schmitt

Cecily Khuner, Garret McNally, Alexandra Zakharchenko

Clearing the Path

Dedicated to the countless individuals, crews, and organizations who worked—and continue to work—to clear our roads, repair our water supply, fix our bridges, and restore the beauty of WNC. A special mention to 4-year-old Mikey Palomo Ramos, born with the heart of a hero, who helped clear his neighbor’s driveway so that they could evacuate.

Music written by Jeff Schmitt, w/River Guerguerian, Madelyn ILana, Chris Rosser

Tyler Diggs with

Cecily Khuner, Lucia Lorenzo, Phoebe Magna, Garret McNally, Ryland Mettee,

Morgan Stillman, Gretchen Vander Bloomer, Alexandra Zakharchenko

Rebirth

Dedicated to those who risked their lives to search for the missing in the most dire situations and bring them to safety.

Music written by Jeff Schmitt

Jeff Ewing & Morgan Stillman

Together We Rise

Dedicated to the WNC community, who have faced adversity with strength, unity, and countless acts of generosity and kindness. This is a prayer for our continued journey toward rebuilding a better, more unified community—free from judgment and filled with love.

Music - I'll Fly Away, written by Albert E. Brumley

Morgan Stillman

Cecily Khuner

Garret McNally

Jeff Ewing

with Lucia Lorenzo, Phoebe Magna, Ryland Mettee, Gretchen Vander Bloomer, Alexandra Zakharchenko