Author Archives: robbucher

July 8, 2023 · 9:03 am

2022-2023 Orchid Awards for Mason Community Players

MCP_sm logoNUNSENSE

  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Nunsense’
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Julie Poux
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kelley Flaugher
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kimberly Toft
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Lara Gonzalez
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Mary Margaret Taylor
  • Excellence in Program – Katie Werner
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Lara Gonzalez & Pete Padolik
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Gail Rudolph
  • Excellence in Direction – Jay Fultz
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Pete Padolik
  • Excellence in Other – Wes Ledyard (Sister May Antoinette – Puppet)
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Linda Geering

PUFFS

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Amy Sullivan
  • Excellence in Direction – Trisha Cooper
  • Excellence in Producing – Lara Gonzalez assisted by Cori Bauer
  • Excellence in Properties – Gail Rudolph & Monika Rudolph
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Tess Catlin
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Abby Farmer
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Corey Meyer
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Lora Pateras
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Mike Pateras
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Cori Bauer
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Trisha Cooper and the Cast
  • Excellence in House – Dana Davis & Sonya Neff
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Jess Bunn
  • Excellence in Program – Susan Berger
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Mary Stan Fizer & Ilana Milberg
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Robert Terry
  • Excellence in Sound Execution – Jim Cronin & Robert Terry

THE DINING ROOM

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Linda Geering
  • Excellence in Set Design – Laureen Catlin and Gail Rudolph
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘The Dining Room’
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Rich Rudolph
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Cori Bauer

THE LAST FIVE YEARS 

  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Gunnar Shoemake
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Lexi Zapata
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Stephanie Dalsfoist
  • Excellence in Direction – Jason Gonzalez
  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Michael Morehead
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Brian Bisig
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – Brian Bisig & Band
  • Excellence in Producing – Jim Cronin
  • Excellence in Program – Susan Berger
  • Excellence in Program Art – Julie Poux
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Laureen Catlin & Crew
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Brian Bisig

THE YELLOW BOAT

  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Kevin Dunaway
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Charlie Rader
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Pia Rader
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Sofie Todesco
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Taylor Duecker
  • Excellence in Direction – Kevin Dunaway
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘The Yellow Boat’
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Cori Bauer & Niki Rasmussen

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July 8, 2023 · 8:19 am

Casting Call Announced for THE THRILL at Vulcan’s Forge Performing Arts Collaborative

VFPAC_logoVulcan’s Forge Performing Arts Collaborative is holding auditions by appointment only for its production of THE THRILL by Judith Thompson, directed by Don Schlosser at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

The production dates are November 17, 18, & 19.

Please call Juan at 513.250.8848 or Don at 513.608.5521 for an appointment.

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July 7, 2023 · 8:17 pm

Elevate Your Dance Skills with NKU’s Summer Dance Institute

NKU_Summer Dance InitiativeHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts (NKU SOTA) is thrilled to announce the return of the Summer Dance Institute (SDI), an immersive collegiate dance program tailored for aspiring young artists. Taking place from August 4-6, 2023, this program offers an exceptional opportunity for participants between the ages of 14 and 23 to receive a comprehensive introduction to the field of dance and campus life, culminating in a performance showcase.

  • What: NKU SOTA Summer Dance Institute
  • When: August 4-6, 2023
  • Where: Health Innovations Room 125, NKU
  • Register: nku.edu/sdi by July 15

The NKU SOTA Summer Dance Institute provides an immersive experience for young dancers, encompassing dance courses, industry and pedagogical training, and valuable network building opportunities. Participants will have the privilege of learning from NKU’s faculty, including Jacqui Haas, who will lead the program, along with guest faculty members Lyndsay Barto, Anaya Ni’kole McNair, Shane Ohmer, Jeaunita Olówè, Rowan Salem, and Cat Schmeal-Swope. The state-of-the-art dance studio at NKU will serve as the ideal environment for honing skills and gaining insight into the diverse career options available in the field of dance. The program concludes with a showcase at Greaves Concert Hall, allowing participants to demonstrate their talents.

Registration is now open, and the deadline for registration is July 15, 2023. The registration fee is $35, and the program fee is $300. Interested students can visit nku.edu/sdi to register and find further details about the program.

About NKU: Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 15,000 students served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near Cincinnati. Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky—just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati—we have become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students’ names. For more information, visit nku.edu.

About SOTA: The Theatre and Dance, Art and Design, and Music programs make up the School of the Arts that sit in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. Theatre and Dance relies on intensive student involvement both inside and outside the classroom. Our staff, resources and facilities serve the developing artist. At the program’s center is a vital balance of process and production, giving each student opportunities to stretch boundaries and discover new possibilities. Graduates are working in professional theatres in every major city in the United States and on five continents, having successful careers on Broadway and in regional theatre, on cruise ships, in theme parks and film and television. For more information, visit theatre.nku.edu.

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July 7, 2023 · 8:09 pm

A Powerful Portrait of Jazz Legend Billie Holiday Opens at The Carnegie in Covington, KY.  

TC_Lady DayThe biomusical, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL runs July 15–August 20. 

COVINGTON, Ky. (July 4, 2023) – This summer, The Carnegie is inviting audiences back in time to 1959 with the biomusical, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL. This gripping theatrical experience will take audiences on an unforgettable journey into the life and artistry of the legendary Billie Holiday, who is to be portrayed by decorated local actress Brandi La’Sherrill. Performances for LADY DAY… run July 15 through August 20, 2023. 

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL is a riveting portrait of Billie Holiday and the songs that made her famous. In a captivating evening of story and song, audiences will be transported to the gritty Philadelphia bar where the legendary jazz singer gave one of her final public performances in 1959. The hard-hitting musical chronicles the singer’s life story and celebrates the music she gave the world including “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do.” 

LADY DAY… will be brought to life by Director Darnell Pierre Benjamin, who recently received acclaim for the sold-out run of SWEAT at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Benjamin is returning to The Carnegie after choreographing its 2018 production of DREAMGIRLS. Also joining the creative team is Music Director Jason Alexander Holmes, the Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Boychoir. Holmes is making his Carnegie homecoming as well: in 2021 he music directed their outdoor production of The Wonderful Music of Oz. Additionally, Holmes is known for working with local organizations like The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Opera.  

With her magnetic stage presence and soulful vocal prowess, Brandi La’Sherrill is set to mesmerize audiences as Billie Holiday. La’Sherrill is a Resident Artist at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and a five-time BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Award Winner. 

“We are thrilled to have Brandi La’Sherrill bring her immense talent to the stage as she takes on the iconic role of Billie Holiday,” said Director of Theatre, Tyler Gabbard. “Brandi will undoubtedly deliver a gripping performance that showcases both Holiday’s extraordinary talent and turbulent personal life.” 

La’Sherrill will be supported on piano by local musician and Northern Kentucky University graduate Devon Moore, also known as Dev Marvelous. 

Tickets to LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.  

The Carnegie season continues this summer with KINKY BOOTS and GUYS AND DOLLS: 

KINKY BOOTS, the winner of six Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, is a huge-hearted, high-heeled hit featuring music and lyrics by pop legend Cyndi Lauper. Factory owner Charlie is struggling to save his business when he meets Lola, a drag queen with a wildly exciting idea that just might save the day. Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS tells the story of a mismatched pair of friends who together learn that sometimes, the best way to fit in… is to stand out! 

KINKY BOOTS runs June 30 – August 19, 2023. Tickets may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.   

GUYS AND DOLLS, A Musical Fable of Broadway is musical theatre at its show-stopping best! Hailed by many as the perfect musical comedy, this colorful classic follows a rowdy bunch of gamblers and showgirls in a wild game of chance and love. Set in bustling 1950s Manhattan, GUYS AND DOLLS features some of the most memorable showtunes of all time, including “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and the irrepressible anthem “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” 

GUYS AND DOLLS runs July 29 – August 18, 2023. Tickets may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.    

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About The Carnegie 

The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.  

The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival. 

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July 7, 2023 · 7:59 pm

Auditions Announced for WINTER WONDERETTES at The Drama Workshop

TDW_VERTThe Drama Workshop will hold auditions for WINTER WONDERETTES on Sunday, July 30 and Monday, July 31.  The auditions begin at 7 p.m. each evening and will be held at the Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave. Cheviot, OH 45211. The theater’s doors will open at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

WINTER WONDERETTES, by Roger Bean, finds the all-girl vocal group The Wonderettes entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring great ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages!

Performances for WINTER WONDERETTES will be December 1 thru 17.

The show requires four women who can harmonize and play friends who grew up together. Director Linda Abbott asks that each person auditioning for the show prepare a song that shows off their vocal range.

An accompanist will be provided for auditions. Please bring sheet music in your key with cuts clearly marked.  Also bring a headshot and resume, and any conflicts September 20 through December 17th.

Please use this link to sign up for an audition slot.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094FA8A622A6FC1-winter

Performances for WINTER WONDERETTES will be December 1 thru 17.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

MISSY: Always the over-achiever of the group, Missy has now blossomed into a full-fledged adult overachiever. She is an elementary school teacher with cat-eye glasses. She has recently returned from her honeymoon with her new husband Bill, an audience member. She controls the evening’s events, even when Betty Jean is in charge: Missy is the one to cover for mistakes, and is always ready to jump in and save the day. She has an inner-sexiness (even slightly kinky) that comes out every once-in-a-while, much to her surprise and embarrassment. She has been best friends with Suzy since elementary school. (Soprano with belt. Range: F#3–A5)

CINDY LOU: Cindy Lou is the ‘bad girl’ of the group, now reformed (to a point). She is sexy with a dry and sassy wit, and has a miles-high jet-black beehive, a cross between the Ronettes and early Priscilla Presley. She has a tattoo on her left upper arm that reads “Billy Ray,” her boyfriend who passed away a few years back (from “The Marvelous Wonderettes”). Until that time it seemed that things always went her way, making Betty Jean crazy. She has an incredible soft side and inner depth, revealed in her Act Two monologue and ballad. (Mezzo Soprano with belt – sings lead vocal line on most group songs. Range: A3–E5)

SUZY: Suzy is happy-go-lucky, a little giddy, a little silly, and a little pregnant. She’s always willing to go along with anyone and anything, and she seems to giggle at just about anything.She finds great pleasure in everything she does; the sillier it is, the more fun she finds it. Her pregnancy has brought out her attention-deficit disorder, and she reverts to her childhood on the drop of a dime. She is married to Ritchie, her high-school sweetheart, who is running the lights for the performance. Her honey-blond hair is reminiscent of early Marlo Thomas/”That Girl.” Her best friend is Missy. (Mezzo/Alto with big belt. Range: C#3–E5)

BETTY JEAN: Betty Jean is the self-anointed clown of the group, always vying for attention from her best friend Cindy Lou. She loves that she is in finally in charge of the group, if only for this one performance. She has worked at Harper’s Hardware since High School and is now in Corporate Sales, a fact she’s very proud of. After a few tumultuous years, she married her high- school boyfriend Johnny, who also used to work at Harper’s Hardware. We learn that they have recently separated for good. She has a strength that belies her goofiness. This strength is what gives her empathy; she has no ‘poor me’ in her attitude. This pays off in her Act One closing song. Her hair is red/auburn. (Strong Alto with big belt. Range: D3–Eb5)

 Produced by special arrangement with Stage Rights (www.stagerights.com)

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