Side Man
February 21–24, 2007
A play by Warren Light
Production Staff
Cast List
Production Assistance
Winner of the 1999 Tony Award for Best Play, Side Man spans three decades in the life of a Manhattan musician. Playwright Warren Leight, whose father was a sideman, incisively captures the pulse and climate of the New York jazz scene, with crisp dialogue and clearly drawn characters. It is a tender, deeply personal memory play about the turmoil of a jazz trumpeter’s family as his career crumbles at the dawn of the age of rock-and-roll.
Set in 1953 and traveling to 1985, this funny and poignant memory play unfolds through the eyes of Clifford, the only son of Gene, a jazz trumpet player, and Terry, an alcoholic mother. Alternating between their New York City apartment and a smoke-filled music club, Clifford narrates the story of his broken family and the decline of jazz as popular entertainment. Clifford recalls the key moments in his life, such as the day when he, fresh out of college, picked up his first unemployment check and was congratulated by Gene and his band mates. Gene’s music career on the big band circuit ultimately crumbles with the advent of Elvis and rock-n-roll. Terry begs him to get a nine-to-five job to support the family, but Gene refuses to enter the "straight world" of regular paychecks, mortgages and security. For Gene, who knows jazz better than his own son, music is not just a job; it’s his life.
This page is part of an ongoing project to document the history of the theatre productions performed at Wabash College. If you have information not included on this page, please contact the Theater Department.
The Elephant Man
October 4–7, 2006
A play by Bernard Pomerance
Production Staff
Cast List
Production Assistance
This page is part of an ongoing project to document the history of the theatre productions performed at Wabash College. If you have information not included on this page, please contact the Theater Department.
Two Gentlemen of Verona
April 18-21, 2007
A play by William Shakespeare
Production Staff
Cast List
Production Assistance
This page is part of an ongoing project to document the history of the theatre productions performed at Wabash College. If you have information not included on this page, please contact the Theater Department.
