Cruel Intentions, The 90’s Musical

Drawing you deep into the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most tempting liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil are seduced by revenge and fueled by passion. Set out to ravage the virtuous Annette Hargrove and anyone who gets in their way, the (step) siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, temptation, and the cruelest game of all: Love

Director’s Note

Nostalgia is a funny thing. I think it can be both a softening of the past and a reminder of how different things were. This piece is fun because I think it has found a way to do both; simultaneously making us laugh and gasp at the harsh words of the past and filling us with joy with the songs of our youth (at least my youth!)

Doing this show with this cast has been an incredible example of that same juxtaposition. When I was a young actress just starting in community theater, competition was fierce and often unkind. During this process, these humans have lifted each other up, praised each other’s immense talent, and held each other’s hands through every hard day. They have exemplified what community theatre should be, a place of friendship and play, of experiments and collaboration.

I hope you like what we’ve created together, and I hope every artist gets a chance to work on a piece with a team like this.

Cast

Sebastian Valmont

Jack Icke

Kathryn Merteuil

Sabrina Patten

Annette Hargrove

Erica Caruso

Cecile Caldwell

Helen Campbell

Blaine Tuttle

Chris Temple

Greg McConnell

Neil S Isales

Ronald Clifford

Jamien Geovante Walker

Bunny Caldwell

Suzanne Connors-Nepi

Manchester Prep Dancers

Ayden Armstrong, Sarah Novak, Savannah Poor, Dani Morris Tate, Harper Whitehead

Scenes

Act I

  • "Every You Every Me" (Placebo) - Full Cast
  • "I'm the Only One" (Melissa Etheridge) - Kathryn & the Manchester Prep Dancers
  • "Genie In a Bottle" (Christina Aguilera) - Kathryn and Sebastian
  • "Just a Girl" (No Doubt) - Annette & the Manchester Prep Dancers
  • "Kiss Me" (Sixpence None The Richer) - Full Cast
  • "Lovefool" (The Cardigans) - Annette and Sebastian
  • "Sex and Candy" (Marcy Playground) - Greg and Blaine
  • "Bye Bye Bye" (NSYNC) - Greg and Blaine
  • "Breakfast At Tiffany's" (Deep Blue Something) - Cecile and Ronald
  • "No Scrubs" (TLC) - Bunny and Kathryn
  • "Only Happy When It Rains" (Garbage)/Act 1 Medley - Full Cast

Act II

  • "The Sign" (Ace of Base) - Cecile
  • "No Scrubs (Reprise)" (TLC) - Bunny and Ronald
  • "I Don't Want To Wait" (Paula Cole) - Cecile
  • "I'll Make Love To You" (Boyz II Men) - Cecile and the Male Ensemble
  • "Torn" (Natalie Imbruglia version, originally by Ednaswap) - Annette, Sebastian
  • "Sometimes" (Britney Spears) - Greg and Blaine
  • "Colorblind" (Counting Crows) - Annette, Sebastian, and the Manchester Prep Dancers
  • "Sunday Morning" (No Doubt) - Kathryn and the Manchester Prep Dancers
  • "Iris" (Goo Goo Dolls) - Sebastian
  • "Foolish Games" (Jewel) - Annette
  • "Bitch" (Meredith Brooks)/"Losing My Religion" (R.E.M.)/Kathryn's Turn Medley - Kathryn and Sebastian
  • "Lovefool (Reprise)" (The Cardigans) - Annette
  • "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (The Verve) - Full Cast
  • "Cruel Megamix" ("The Sign"/"Bye Bye Bye") - Full Cast

Design Team

  • Lexie Lazear

    DIRECTOR

    Lexie (she/her) has been in love with story telling since she could talk. Starting as a performer in childhood, she eventually expanded into designing hair, makeup, and the occasional prop. Almost 10 years ago, she was approached to direct and she’s been pursuing directing since.

    Community theatre is a Third Space, and everyone deserves accessible, affordable, exciting theater. It should be a space where everyone feels seen and valued; a space that sparks joy and starts conversations.

    This show has been a team effort and a labor of love, and she hopes it sets the vibe for all future Shifted Lens endeavors. Enjoy the show!

  • Tanner Kelly

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Tanner Kelly is an active director, performer, teacher, and Henry-nominated music director/sound designer around the Denver Metro area. He received two Henry nominations for Outstanding Musical Director (Newsies and Hairspray), two nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical (Newsies and Spamalot) for PACE/Inspire and one nomination for Outstanding Sound Design (The Wizard of Oz) with PACE/Sasquatch. Tanner music directed and conducted the 2017 Henry’s, is the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Aurora Singers, and has directed, music directed and/or played in the pit with companies such as The PACE Center, Breckenridge Backstage, Town Hall Arts Center, Vintage Theatre, Performance Now, StageDoor, Sasquatch, Evergreen Players, Shifted Lens and The Arts Hub. Tanner is the Musical Theatre Director at Regis University, the Performing Arts Coordinator for PASB and sings with The Original Dickens Carolers. He holds a music degree from the Lamont School of Music at DU, teaching degree from MSU Denver and has a Master of Music Education degree from ASU.

  • Erin Carrino

    CHOREOGRAPHER

    Erin is an 80's baby, which makes her a 90's teen and *very* pumped to choreograph this production! Erin is a California Bay Area native, where she still lives with her husband and two dancing daughters. She studied Jazz through her childhood and then Ballet and Modern in college (SSU). She currently teaches young performers at Broadway Babies and Kids and participates in community theater whenever she can. Erin is honored to work with Shifted Lens in their inaugural year. She hopes you find this show fresh and dope.

  • Clove Love

    STAGE MANAGER

    Clove Love (they/them) is a disabled and non-binary Theatre Artist based in the Denver Metro Area. They are a Director, Intimacy Director, Playwright, Stage Manager, and overall Multidisciplinary Theatre Artist. Recently, they closed Cabaret at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre as Intimacy Director, and The Vagina Monologues with Theatre Company of Lafayette as Assistant Director. Clove feels so grateful to have been a part of this production and wants to thank Lexie for her tremendous belief in Clove as an artist. Up Next, you can catch Clove's Directorial Debut of a Staged Reading on September 20th with Shifted Lens Theatre Company's Fresh Looks Festival, and their Playwright Debut of a Staged Reading with And Toto too Theatre Company's Queer Reading Series on September 3rd. You can find them on Instagram: @clovedirects or explore their offerings at their Website: cloveslove.com

  • Justin Strickett

    ASSISTANT DIECTOR/

    ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

    Justin Strickett (He/Him) is beyond excited to step backstage in his first ever Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager role. Prior to working on Cruel Intentions, Justin has appeared on stage across Colorado. Some of his favorite roles were Emmett in “Legally Blonde”, The Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz”, and the Ghost of Christmas Present in “Scrooge”, all at Jesters Dinner Theatre in Longmont. Most recently, Justin played Keith in “Rock of Ages” and Slank/Hawking Clam in “Peter and the Starcatcher” at The Arts Hub in Lafayette. Having a degree in Creative Writing/Film and Television Writing. Justin would like to express his gratitude to Shifted Lens Theatre for helping him pursue his passion (beyond being on the stage). He’d also like to thank the cast and crew of Cruel Intentions for making his first experience backstage a dream come true.

  • Olivia Buntaine

    INTIMACY DIRECTOR

    Olivia Buntaine (she/her) believes in theatre, poetry, and prose that brings everyone to the table - starting with those of us who haven't been invited. Her directing, playwriting, and intimacy direction are all rooted deeply in her artistic practice of liberation after violence. As an Intimacy Director, she has trained with Intimacy Directors International and extensively assisted Jessica Steinrock, working in Los Angeles, New York, and as a professor at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting teaching Theatrical Intimacy for Performers. Olivia choreographs unconventional and creative intimacy scenes through a pedagogical lens of intersectionality, trauma-informed care and the investigation of power and privilege. She is especially skilled at navigating scenes of intimate violence, sex and power, and fantastical hyper-stylized moments of intimacy, and Cruel Intentions has been an absolute hoot and a half to work on. For more on Olivia’s work and secret plans for revolution, head to www.oliviabuntaine.com or check out her theatre company at www.projectnongenue.org. Happy hunting!

  • Kevin Douglas

    SOUND & PROJECTION DESIGN

    Kevin Douglas (he/him) is a playwright, film/theatre producer, and sound/projections designer from Denver. He is a co-founder of Two Cent Lion, an LGBTQ+ theatre troupe in-residence at The People's Building in Aurora. He recently won a Colorado Henry Award for Sound Design (Clink Clink, co-designed by Taelor Hansen). He completed both a BA and MS at the University of Denver (2021), and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from Raindance Film School in London. He is grateful to his family and friends for supporting his whackadoo journey across the globe! This is his first production with Shifted Lens, and he is honored to be involved in such a fabulous (and 90's-centric) show!! 

  • Dani Morris-Tate

    ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER/DANCE CAPTAIN

The Cast

  • Sabrina Patten

    KATHRYN MERTEUIL

    Sabrina is thrilled to be a part of Shifted Lens’ inaugural production. Recent credits include The Lightning Thief (The Aurora Fox, Female Swing), Sweeney Todd (The Arts Hub, Johanna), Princess Ida (Empire Lyric Players, Melissa), as well as Titanic (Ensemble) and The Lightning Thief (Silena) (University of Northern Colorado) In addition to acting, Sabrina is a full time student at the University of Northern Colorado studying to earn her BA in Political Science, and her BFA in Musical Theatre. She would like to thank her parents, sibling, friends, and family for their constant love and support! She would also like to apologize to them, for reasons they will soon understand. Instagram: @spowlgirl

  • Jack Icke

    SEBASTIAN VALMONT

    Jack Icke (instagram @jack.icke) is so thrilled to be taking part in this wonderful production with such a marvelous cast and crew. He is also very honored to be part of the inaugural show of Shifted Lens Theatre! Previous roles include Robbie Hart (The Wedding Singer), Melchior Gabor (Spring Awakening), and Officer Lockstock (Urinetown). He wants to send a special shoutout to his Rincon, Mines' Little Theatre, and Wedding Singer families; as well as his family family and all those who have helped him on his journey.

  • Erica Caruso

    ANNETTE HARGROVE

    Erica Caruso (Annette Hargrove) is honored to be a part of the inaugural production of Shifted Lens. Erica studied theatre at Millikin University in Illinois before returning home to Colorado to graduate from CU Boulder. She is currently finishing up her Masters in Arts and Culture Management at DU. Some of her favorite show credits include Ariel in Footloose, Nadia in Bare: A Pop Opera, Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages, and Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher. She is grateful to her parents for watching her puppy, Beatrice, on the late rehearsal nights and tech days. An additional thank you to the amazing team and all those who volunteered their time and energy to make this show possible.

  • Helen Campbell

    CECILE CALDWELL

    Helen Campbell (they/she) is entirely amused and excited to be playing Cecile in this campy 90’s fever-dream of a show. Some of their other favorite roles include Heather Duke in Heathers, Peter/Boy in Peter & The Starcatchers, and Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. When Helen isn’t on the stage, you may find her backstage wrangling children at CenterStage Theatre Company. They would like to thank her parents for always being her number one fans. And also Lexie, the director, for believing in them and congratulates her on a successful first production of Shifted Lens’s. Helen hopes you let the camp and nostalgia take you over at tonight’s performance and thanks everyone for supporting this production. IG: @helencampbell_arts

  • Chris Temple

    BLAINE TUTTLE

    Chris Tempel (They/Them) is so excited to be in Shifted Lens' first production, Cruel Intentions! Recent credits include Ensemble in Fiddler on the Roof at Boulder Dinner Theater, Franz in Rock of Ages at The Arts Hub, and Peter in Bare: A Pop Opera at The Arts Hub. In their free time, Chris likely partaking in a myriad of random and disconnected hobbies they love... or just throwing a football with some friends! Chris has had a passion for music and performing for over a decade, and they are incredibly grateful for their friends and family for always supporting that passion. Instagram: Chris_tempel7

  • Neil S Isales

    GREG MCCONNELL

    (SEBASTIAN U/S)

    Neil Soriano Isales, Jr. (he/him) (Greg McConnell) is very excited to be a part of Shifted Lens’ first show! This is Neil’s second community theatre production. Earlier this year, Neil was in Front Range Theatre Company’s “The Wedding Singer” as Ensemble/Billy Idol Impersonator. Outside of theatre, Neil is a bridge engineer for the state of Colorado, as well as a bass/baritone section leader for the Cathedral Basilica Choir. Neil thanks his family for their endless support, his vocal coach Jess, as well as Lexie for this wonderful opportunity and experience. The NEILSTER hopes you enjoy the show!

  • Jamien Geovante Walker

    RONALD CLIFFORD

    Change is a beautiful thing, if you let it happen. That’s exactly how Jamien has been operating these past few months. Opening up into the theatre scene, seeing new opportunities flow, getting the chance to do what inspires growth. More in his high school days, he was very much a sparkle of attention. Playing in Footloose as Jeter, Urinetown as Billy Boy Bill, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Carl, to name a few. Jamien continues where he left off to follow up not only as an actor or singer, but as a performer. He’s grateful for every single person that’s got him to this point & more to come!

  • Suzanne Conners Nepi

    BUNNY CALDWELL

    (DR GREENBAUM U/S)

    Suzanne is thrilled to help baptize SHIFTED LENS Theatre Company with Cruel Intentions the Musical!

    It’s been such joy to work with this very talented cast and crew, and to sing again after a musical hiatus!

    Most recently, Suzanne was seen at Benchmark Theatre in The Covid Wife, which she also wrote, as an autobiography of both her and her husband’s battle with critical Covid.

    Suzanne has worked at Arvada Black Box, Miners Alley, Aurora Fox, The Edge, Benchmark, THAC, Vintage, Firehouse, And Toto Too, with some favorite roles including Chaperone in Drowsy Chaperone, and Martha in Virginia Woolf? Thank you so much for supporting live theatre and brand new companies! Enjoy some 90’s!

  • Rosemary Smith

    DR GREENBAUM

    BUNNY U/S

    Rosemary is very pleased to be supporting another inaugural theatre company after her most recent appearance in Veritas Prod's "School of Rock". Although she is best known for her behind-the-scenes costuming work, her favorite on stage roles include Golde -Fiddler on the Roof, The Wicked Witch- Wiz of OZ and Oisser in Steel Magnolias. Congratulations to Shifted Lens - May you have many more wonderful experiences!

  • Ayden Armstrong

    MANCHESTER PREP DANCER

    Ayden is very excited to be joining Shifted Lense Theater’s first show! She grew up running around the Denver theater community with her parents being designers and directors her entire childhood. Ayden began performing at the age of five in the Aurora Fox’s production of Annie Jr. and has loved being a part of theater, whether it is on or off of stage ever since, even so far as to graduate with a BFA in musical theater from MSU Denver. She currently teaches in different capacities children of all levels from the age of 3 through graduating high school students. She would like to thank her friends and her family for never giving up on her, and for their endless support in her theatrical endeavors.

  • Sarah Novak

    MANCHESTER PREP DANCER

    Sarah Novak (she/her) is going into her junior year as a Theatre and Global Health double major at Northwestern University. Some of her previous appearances on the musical theatre stage include Little Woman (Jo), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and A Gentleman’s Guide for Love and Murder (Ms. Barley). She is also highly involved in music direction and piano performance, and has played in the pit and assisted on shows such as The Prom (Key 3), Funny Girl (Key 1), and Tuck Everlasting (Key 2) at Northwestern. This is her first community production in the Denver area, and she couldn’t be more excited! She would like to thank her parents and loved ones for their unwavering support and the Shifted Lens team for letting her be a part of their opening production.You can find her on instagram at sarah.novak98 .

    Go Cruel Intentions!

  • Savannah Poor

    MANCHESTER PREP DANCER

    Savannah Poor is a fresh face to Colorado! She’s moved here from Texas and has been loving the fact that there’s actually trees here! You can see Savannah normally at Casa Bonita, where she works as an entertainer, or in Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient, as a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast member. She’s most recently been seen in Ovation West’s The Wizard of Oz and Performance Now's Pirates of Penzance. She hopes you enjoy the show!

  • Dani Morris-Tate

    MANCHESTER PREP DANCER

    Kathryn U/S; Dance Captain

    Danielle is thrilled to be part of Shifted Lens debut production! As a 90’s baby, Cruel Intentions has a special place in her heart. Some of her favorite credits include:”Rosie” in Cabaret (Vintage Theatre), “Val” in A Chorus Line (Napa Valley Opera House), and “Columbia” in Rocky Horror Picture Show (Missouri Street Theatre).

    She wants to thank Lexie for taking her in like family and cheering her on during this project, on stage and backstage. She hopes you love the show as much as she loves working with this cast!

  • Harper Whitehead

    MANCHESTER PREP DANCER

    Harper Whitehead (She/Her; Manchester Prep Dancer) is so excited to be a part of this amazing show. She is currently getting her Associates of the Arts degree at Red Rocks Community College. Her past credits include Daughter (Trail to Oregon), Luke (Mosquitoes), and Ike (Newsies). Harper is so proud to be a part of Shifted Lens’s premiere show and can’t wait to showcase her hard work. Enjoy the show!!!

    Instagram: harper_whitehead

Meet the Band

  • Trent Hines

    KEYS

    Trent is a Henry-Nominated Music Director. Some of his favorite productions include: Musical Director/Keyboard/Conductor for ‘Dreamgirls’ at Lone Tree Arts Center; Musical Director/Pianist/Conductor for ‘Into the Woods’ at The Arvada Center; Pianist/Conductor/Actor for ‘The Wild Party’ at Denver Center for the Performing Arts; Musical Director/Pianist/Conductor for ‘Something Rotten’ at the University of Northern Colorado; Musical Director/Pianist/Conductor for ‘Memphis’ and Musical Director for ‘Raisin’ at Little Town Hall Arts; Musical Director/Pianist/Conductor for ‘Blues in the Night’ at the Aurora Fox.

  • Matt Rich

    GUITAR

    Matt is a Colorado native multi-instrumentalist who has been active in various music ventures his whole life. A lifelong lover of the theater, he has spent the past 10 years of his music career focused primarily on performing in music theater productions. He is honored to have been part of many wonderful productions across the front range, and he is thrilled to be part of Shifted Lens Theatre Company’s first show!

  • Corie Geare

    BASS

    Coire Geare (they/she) is a Denver area bassist, cellist, and educator. They play regularly in Music Theater and some notable recent performances are Legally Blonde (Sasquatch), Crazy For You (Candlelight DP), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vintage) and ONCE (Stagedoor). She also freelances in Jazz and Classical, and is a member of Denver-based femme pop-punk band MSTRX. Coire is very excited to be performing Cruel Intentions with such a talented cast, crew, and band!

  • Brian Jaffe

    DRUMS

    Brian graduated from the University of Denver with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and Jazz Studies/Drum Set Performance. While in college, Brian was the first beatboxer and second music director of Exit 205, one of DU's a cappella groups. Since 2011, He has been performing professionally in musical theater pit orchestras around the Denver metro area with Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical being the 100th musical theater productions he has performed in. Brian's band, Sir Captain, released their debut album, Rise Above, in 2015, and they are continuing to write, record, and perform more original music.