Christmas Spirts Playbill 2017

QUILICI CUP

H owdoes she do it all? Bar Show performer, Road Show c oord inator, Playbill editor, previous Horse’s Ass Award winner, larger than life–Kathryn Kelly (our own “Kate”) is the winner of the 2016 Quilici Cup. The Quilici Cup recognizes a cast member who goes above and beyond, helping the show to shine–and surely Kate’s light is bright. It is especially fitting that she receive this prestigious award in her 25th year in the Bar Show. Joining the show in 1993 right after graduating from DePaul Law, Kate was relegated to small bits of dialogue before musical numbers. Eventually she was “discovered” and joined the singing chorus. From there her star has continued to rise and she received the 2012 Horse’s Ass Award for best individual performance in the show. Kate continues to sparkle in featured roles - some of her favorites include Miss Piggy, Hillary Clinton, an Avenue Q puppet, and a reporter singing about Tiger Woods’ rehab. But Kate’s light does not just warm the stage. She has a hand in many parts of the show–just the reason she is being honored with this award. Her big personality makes her a cast favorite, taking new cast members under her wing and acting as a confidant for any cast member who might need one. And then there’s her legendary sense of humor, which she brandishes to great effect, particularly when a little break in the tension is needed. She also

pulls it all together. With the help of co-chair Vita Levar, Kate organizes the photos, captions, articles and bios. Not a small task given the deadlines and editing needed to produce this product. You may think that these contributions earned her this award, but there are many more small ways that Kate makes this show work. From helping a cast member with a quick change to making prop signs, from reviewing choreography to being a sounding board for the steering committee, her contributions– large and small–make her a great piece of the production puzzle. It’s obvious that Kate enjoys the chance to perform on stage. Look for her tonight as Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Cecile Richards. But she notes that being a part of the Bar Show family is part of the experience. “While the chance to perform is lovely, it’s the wonderful people that make the experience whole. They are talented, accepting, and hilarious.” Just this year, she traveled with Joyce Wixson, sang at the wedding of Jacqueline Carroll, and hosted Bar Show bridal and baby showers. Kate is an Assistant United States Attorney. She also sings professionally and teaches at DePaul University. Kate can be found, first and foremost, rooting for her amazing kids (16 and 13). There is no doubt that Kate deserves the Quilici Cup for all she has done for the Bar Show. Thanks Kate! Shine on!

Kathryn A. Kelly

serves as the unofficial dance captain, a non-dancer who helps with movement on stage. Director/choreographer Marla Lampert often leaves it to Kate to get everyone coordinated–not too hard, as she is a certified aerobics instructor. Kate also leads the Road Show cast as they perform for charities throughout the Chicago area from January through June. Kate is the point of contact for the event, directs the show and keeps things humming (she’s quick to say she couldn’t do it without cast member and friend Rainell Rains). While coordinating the schedules of this group is akin to herding cats on steroids, these shows allow the Bar Show to spread joy and laughter to a larger audience while helping raise funds for charities: benef iciaries have included Oakton Community College, other local non-profits, and the Chicago Bar Foundation. For many years, Kate has contributed to the show’s playbill, the one you are reading now, and heads the committee which

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