Beginning on May 11, 1995, ownership of Pope Joan changed. Michael Butler, who had optioned the play before its opening, became producer. In a cooperative venture with Bailiwick, Butler ran the play for three more weekends. New a nd replacement company and crew members from May 11, 1995 through May 28, 1995 were added. The run at Bailiwick Repertory closed on May 28, 1995.
With the Bailiwick Repertory production finished, the next phase of Pope Joan had begun -- the Pope Joan Chicago Company. Butler and Christopher Moore then agreed that a rewrite was the first order of business. The playwright retired, with the assistance of Dramaturg Marjie Rynearson, to work on the show's book. Moore and musical director Gene De Luca also began preliminary plans to expand the score from three to nine musicians.
Meanwhile, Butler began staffing the Pope Joan Chicago Company for the next production of the show, slated for February 8, 1996. Imaginary Landscape was commissioned to design the Internet site you're now reading. Butler hired Will Hepp as Company Manager. Butler, Hepp, Moore, and Production Coordinator Susan Lersch began the many levels of pre-production plans.
After the Chicago Company production, Butler plans a short tour with the company. A recording of the score is planned around this time. From there, Butler will cast the national commercial tour in New York, and it will begin winding its route around the country.
The Past News of the Week serves as an archive of the events that have been shaping the production history since June 18, 1995.
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