(Cincinnati, OH) SH-BOOM! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) concludes its 2011-2012 main stage season with the regional premiere of Life Could Be a Dream, May 2-20, 2012. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers; Musical Director is Scot Woolley; and Choreographer is Patti James. Production sponsors include Judith Postler; John Goering, in Memory of Gloria Goering; Dr. and Mrs. Charles O. Carothers; and Thompson Hine.
From the Roger Bean, creator of sell-out hit The Marvelous Wonderettes, comes the Crooning Crabcakes, the boy group banned from the Springfield High School prom that made it possible for The Marvelous Wonderettes to perform. In an era before “American Idol” and “Star Search,” the guys get one more chance at fame and fortune as Denny, Eugene, Skip and Wally form a singing group to enter and win the local radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time! Featuring such classic songs as “Stay” (Just a Little Bit Longer),” “Runaround Sue,” “Tears On My Pillow,” “Unchained Melody,” “Earth Angel,” and of course the title song, Life Could Be A Dream is another musical trip down memory lane that will leave you laughing, singing and cheering!
“ETC is delighted that three of our actors will receive their Equity cards through this production. Additionally, Will Selnick, a former intern also received his Equity membership through Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati,” explains Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “Nurturing young talent and giving them a start on their professional path is a large part of our mission and it’s so wonderful we get to end the season on a high note with such a fun production,” she concludes.
About the Cast
Nick Laughlin (Denny) a Fairfield, Ohio native makes his Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati debut. At Wagon Wheel Theater, he performed in Big River, State Fair, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lend Me a Tenor, Godspell, All Shook Up and Cats. At CCM, he appeared in Oklahoma!, A Little Night Music, and ensemble in Hair, Evita, and Out of This World.
Cassie Levine (Lois), also makes her Ensemble Theatre debut. She is currently finishing up her junior year at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. There she was seen as Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Female Swing in Make Me A Song, Chloe in Out of This World, and a Tribe Member in Hair. Last fall, she was a soloist with the Cincinnati Pops. This summer, she will be seen as a sister in The Muny’s production of Pirates!.
James Oblak (Skip), a Cleveland native, is a senior in Wright State University’s musical theatre program. Mr. Oblak also makes his debut at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with this production. His credits include Disney’s High School Musical and The Papermill Theatre’s 2011 Summer Touring Children’s Theatre. Other university credits include, Rent, Hairspray, I love you Because, Cymbeline, The Light in the Piazza, Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Little Women, and Smokey Joe’s Café. This summer he will be performing at Maples Repertory Theatre’s production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Lee Slobotkin (Eugene), a Philadelphia native, is currently a junior pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre at Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and makes his Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati debut. His CCM credits include Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music, Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods, and Pluto in Out of This World. Other favorite roles include Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Linus in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Moonface Martin in Anything Goes. Mr. Slobotkin has performed with the Cincinnati Pops, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Broadway Dreams Foundation at the Kimmel Center.
Will Selnick (Wally) returns to ETC’s stage where previous performances include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Melancholy Play, the 2011 entry in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. His other Cincinnati credits include Singing’ in the Rain, and Cotton Patch Gospel. In addition to his onstage work, Mr. Selnick has also worked Next to Normal and Winter Wonderettes as assistant to the musical director and assistant stage manager, respectively. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, and proud former ETC Acting Intern.
Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Aaron Clements (Technical Operations Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), David Hunter (Sound Designer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Constance Dubinski.
Performance & Ticket Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Performance times: Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 p.m.
Ticket prices for weeknight (Tues-Thurs) performances are $36; weekend performances are $42.
Senior/student, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards, Over-the-Rhine Merchant gift cards, and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.
A full list of available discounts is available on ETC’s new website, www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
2011-2012 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Sponsors: John & Ruth Sawyer, LPK, and PNC Bank. Season Fairy Godmother Sponsor: William and Susan Friedlander. Season Media Sponsors: 91.7 FM WVXU and 90.9 FM WGUC. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 