Yearly Archives: 2013

October 2, 2013 · 8:29 am

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL Runs Nov. 1-16

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL
Presented by Playhouse South
Nov. 1-16
Kettering

Directed by Brian Kester

Cast: Vicki Tucillo as Violet, Danielle DeLorme as Doralee, Laura Dell as Judy, Matthew Owens as Franklin Hart, Becki Norgaard as Roz Keith, Bobby Mitchum as Joe, Matthew Poliachik as Josh, Bobby Gray as Dick, Desmond Thomas as Dwayne, Sandy Coleman as Missy, Kristen Erdman as Maria, Jessica Jones as Kathy, Donna Cason as Margaret, Daniel Pfister as Bob Enright & James Spencer as Mr. Tinsworthy
The Boys Club: Brett Norgaard, Bobby Mitchum, Bobby Gray & Daniel Pfister

From multiple Grammy Award-winning songwriter Dolly Parton, comes 9 To 5: The Musical, a production based on the hit movie about three ladies who are “just a step on the boss man’s ladder.”

When their plan to get even with their egotistical, lying, bigot of a boss spins wildly out of control, the situation becomes hilarious and the laughter is non-stop!

Fri-Sat, Nov. 1-2 at 8pm
Sun, Nov. 3 at 2pm
Fri-Sat, Nov. 8-9 at 8pm
Fri-Sat, Nov. 15-16 at 8pm

Official page |

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October 1, 2013 · 11:53 pm

MOBY DICK REHEARSED Review

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

MOBY DICK REHEARSED presented by Northern Kentucky University through Oct. 6. Read the show description.

The cast of MOBY DICK REHEARSED

Northern Kentucky University Theatre and Dance kick off their 2013-2014 Season with a well-done production of Orson Wells’ MOBY DICK REHEARSED.

The set was very-well done. It took me a few minutes, after being seated, to remember that I was in the Stauss Theatre, NKU’s black box. The constructed stage and proscenium looked great, right down to the footlights. The set pieces also worked well in form and function. I look forward to seeing more work by scenic and properties designer Emily M. Graver in the future. A small issue, I would have liked to have seen the bottom of the painting raised off the floor, so it could have been seen a bit better as it was pieced together.

Nothing sells a show more than an ensemble fully-committed to what they are doing on stage. In that regard NKU’s season opener succeeds. Their hard work was especially evident in both the first act church scene and in the second act’s hunt for the great white whale. It was nice to scan through the ensemble during these scenes and see the individual character choices and reactions. Wes Carman as Starbuck and Kat Moser as the Stage Manager were personal favorites.

At times, I did have issues with the line delivery. MOBY DICK REHEARSED is a very wordy show and it might help if you give the audience a chance to process what is being said. Several of the monologues could use some well-chosen pauses or tempo changes to keep us in the moment.

Several of the monologues were delivered out to the house, but I was unclear if the actors were breaking the fourth wall. If you were, and trying to engage the audience and pull them in, it might help to shift where you are looking from the back wall.

I also felt that in several of the intense scene, the cadence of the speakers seemed to pick up speed as lines switched from actor to actor. In the climatic confrontation, the sound-effects began to overpower Ishmael, causing him to almost yell, further distorting the lines.

Speaking of the sound effects, I was a little confused by the decision to go from on stage effects and musical accompaniment to recorded sound effects and underscoring.

Wes Carman as Starbuck, Chris Darnell as Captain Ahab & Chandler Taylor as Ishmael.

The costumes, designed by Ronnie Chamberlain, were nicely done and appropriate to the time period. I did find the beard and hat combination for ship owner Mr. Peleg, made him look a bit like Tevye from “Fiddler.” Also a reminder men, that hats should come off when you come indoors in the opening scene. This would also keep the Actor Managers face from falling into shadow when he is in front of the stage.

Overall a well-done and entertaining production that keeps the audience involved in this classic tale of obsession.

Complete list of show times for MOBY DICK REHEARSED.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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October 1, 2013 · 9:38 pm

Revival of CARRIE: THE MUSICAL Opens CCM’s 2013-2014 Studio Series

A CHILLING REVIVAL OF ‘CARRIE: THE MUSICAL’
OPENS CCM’S 2013-14 STUDIO SERIES

From outcast to prom queen to mass murderer with paranormal abilities, Carrie isn’t exactly your typical high school student. CCM resurrects this Stephen King classic just in time for Halloween with a modern twist and more terror (and singing) than ever before.

Jennifer Hickman as Margaret White & Hannah Freeman as Carrie White. Photograph by senior Lighting Design major David Seitz.

Cincinnati, OH — The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) opens its 2013-14 Studio Series with a newly reworked and fully re-imagined musical adaptation of Stephen King’s CARRIE running Oct. 10-12 in CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater. Under the direction of Aubrey Berg, Chair of CCM’s Department of Musical Theatre, with musical direction by Steve Goers and choreography by Vince DeGeorge, this Carrie promises to be both riveting and terrifying!

A pariah at school and a victim at home, Carrie is the story of a girl who, when pushed too far, discovers just how special she really is. Her paranormal abilities allow her to take matters into her own hands and strike back at those who have wronged her. But this isn’t the same old Carrie that you’ve seen before; this is Carrie modernized with a terrifying rock n’ roll edge, and there’s no escape!

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL was adapted from Stephen King’s 1974 bestselling novel by screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen, who also authored the classic screenplay. New music by dream-team Michael Gore (composer) and Dean Pitchford (lyricist) will dazzle audiences. Gore and Pitchford garnered accolades for their previous collaboration on the Broadway play, Fame, together winning an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.

A unique configuration of CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater presents seating on all sides and on every level of the performance space, allowing the audience to literally become part of the production. This intimate style of seating will have audience members twisting and turning in their seats at Carrie’s terrifying transformation, as the carefully choreographed chaos it creates happens all around. With live music, shocking special effects and spectacular acting, singing and choreography, Carrie is sure to amaze and frighten.

Tickets for all Studio Series productions are extremely limited, so get in line early. You don’t want to miss this performance of a lifetime! Recommended for mature audiences.

Learn more about CCM’s 2013-14 Studio Series of Opera, Musical Theatre, Drama and Dance productions by visiting uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=18288.

Performance Times

8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Location
Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Reserving Tickets
Admission is free but reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, Oct. 7. Visit the CCM box office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.

Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.

CCM Season Presenting Sponsor & Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Community Partner: ArtsWave

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the leading conservatories for the performing and electronic media arts, composition, scholarship and pedagogy.

All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events or to view CCM’s 2013-2014 season brochure visit our website at ccm.uc.edu.

UC’s College-Conservatory of Music – Define Your Inspiration

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October 1, 2013 · 9:24 pm

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Runs Oct. 31-Nov. 30

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Presented by Human Race Theatre Company
Oct. 31-Nov. 30
Dayton

Directed by Kevin Moore
Choreographed by Chris Crowthers

Cast: Drew Pulver as Tevye, Rachel Coloff as Golde, Christine Zavakos as Tzeitel, Charity Farrell as Hodel, Ashley Campana as Chava/Fruma Sarah, Abby E. Cates as Sphrintze, Hannah Sayer/Jordan Vandersluis as Bielke, Drew Helton as Motel, Adam Brown as Fyedka, Josh Kenney as Perchik, Caitlin Larsen as Yente/Grandma Tzeitel, Saul Caplan as Lazar Wolf, K.L. Storer as The Rabbi, Ryan Heinrich as Mordcha, Linda June Snyder as Shandel, Matty Rickard as Mendel/Bottle Dancer, Joshua Silver Hughes as Yussell/Bottle Dancer, Jeff Sams as The Constable, Adam Lendermon as Sasha/Bottle Dancer, Eric Byrd as Boris/Bottle Dancer, George Abud as The Fiddler, Joel Greenberg as Zev/Mandolin, Jay Brunner as Nachum/Accordion/Guitar & Brent Eresman as Seth/Clarinet

Welcome to the village of Anatevka, where tradition is everything. But change is sweeping across the land and into poor dairyman Tevye’s house. When his daughters want to break with the old ways and choose their own husbands, Tevye must decide which he loves more – his family’s happiness or his long-held beliefs. Filled with timeless songs and wonderful dance numbers, this Broadway blockbuster is a heartwarming tale for young and old.