Category Archives: In Other News

2024-2025 Orchid Awards for The Drama Workshop

PLAY ON!

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Micheal Kiser
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Kathryn Muck
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Jessie Faye
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Direction – Victoria Covarrubias
  • Excellence in Producing – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Greg Schaper, Kent Smith, and Crew
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Dennis Murphy, Ray Persing, and Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Design – Greg Schaper
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Wendy Williams
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Elizabeth Hickerson
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Play On!’
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Wendy Williams

CRIMES OF THE HEART 

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Mary Jo Bissmeyer
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Jessie Faye
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Sophie Grant
  • Excellence in Program Art – George Hakim
  • Excellence in Properties – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Ray Persing & Crew
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Ray Persing, Megan Schultheis, and Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Jake Hart
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Brady Dunn
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Madelynn Meredith
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Stephanie Niles
  • Excellence in Dialect Coaching – Diane Senffner
  • Excellence in Direction – Jerry Wiesenhahn
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Crimes of the Heart’
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Dianna L. Davis
  • Excellence in House – Clint Bramkamp, Amy Eyers, Rusty Lacy, and Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Overall Technical Quality – The Crew of ‘Crimes of the Heart’
  • Excellence in Producing – Megan Schultheis
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Jason Cox
  • Excellence in Sound Execution – Jason Cox
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Mary Stone

MY THREE ANGELS

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Elias Dean
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Ken Macke, Christie Bishop, and Elias Dean
  • Excellence in Program Art – George Hakim
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Amy Eyers
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Christie Bishop
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Ken Macke
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Anne Connor Stanforth & Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Direction – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Dianna L. Davis
  • Excellence in Producing – Dane Rogers & Sarah Louise Rogers
  • Excellence in Properties – Mindi Emmons & Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Greg Schaper & Kent Smith

THE MOUSETRAP

  •  Excellence in Acting in a Play – Micheal Kiser
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Nick Dunker
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Anne Connor Stanforth & Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Direction – Amy Eyers
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Ray Persing & Crew
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Amy Eyers & Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing & Amy Eyers
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Amy Sullivan
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Elias Dean
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Katherine Anderson
  • Excellence in Dialect Coaching – Diane Senffner
  • Excellence in Lobby Display – George Hakim
  • Excellence in Program Art – George Hakim

BINGO! The Winning Musical

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Anne Connor-Stanforth
  • Excellence in Direction – Gina Kleesattel
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Alan Masters
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Hannah Dube
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Megan Magistrelli
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Tracie Puckett-Knight
  • Excellence in Producing – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Properties – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Bingo! The Winning Musical’
  • Excellence in Lobby Display – George Hakim
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Dana Kisor
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Leanne Greenberg
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Talibah Ashe
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – Alan Masters, Josh Toth, and Joe Klein
  • Excellence in Pre-Show – Jason Cox
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Set Design – Greg Schaper

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2024-2025 Orchid Awards for Merit Theatre

OLIVER! the Musical

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Direction – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Sam Level
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Matt Dentino
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Phil Nelson
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Marley Davis
  • Excellence in Set Design – Benjamin Iocco
  • Excellence in Stage Combat – Chelsea Russell
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Em Knudten
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Angie Baker
  • Excellence in Choreography – Haley Haskin
  • Excellence in Dialect Coaching – Kate Glasheen-Dentino
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Oliver! The Musical’
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Jerica Henline
  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Carter Perry
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Carter Perry
  • Excellence in Make-Up – Doug & Cathy Henderson, Heather Lacey, Moriah Lawson, and Erin Level
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Angie Baker & Benjamin Price
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Geri Campbell
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Adria Whitfill
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Corinne Baumann
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Jeff Carter
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – Benjamin Price & Orchestra
  • Excellence in Other – Gayle Spjut for Costume Management
  • Excellence in Producing – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Program Art – Benjamin Iocco & Eric Dean
  • Excellence in Properties – Rachel Cobbs, Benjamin Iocco, and Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Matt Dentino, John Dorney, Jeff Hanneken, Doug Henderson, Brad Hunkler, Benjamin Iocco, Gordon Iocco, Jessie Pie, and Steve Rawlings
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Benjamin Iocco
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Aaron Brueckman
  • Excellence in Dance Execution – The Cast of ‘Oliver! The Musical’

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2024-2025 Orchid Awards for Queen City Productions

THE PROM

  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Krissa Thayer
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Niki Rasmussen
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Spencer Jones
  • Excellence in House – Lisa Dunaway
  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Kevin Dunaway
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Max Bruns
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Gabi Homonoff
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Brandon Maertz & Jamie Rasmussen

A LITTLE BIT OF BROADWAY

  • Excellence in Lobby Display – Lisa Dunaway

12 ANGRY JURORS

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Matti Madariaga
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Rockford Koehler

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Gary Robinson
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Mia DeSalvo
  • Excellence in Sound Execution – Lauren Davidson & Nancy Cleary
  • Excellence in Video Production Design – Brandon Woodward
  • Excellence in Lobby Display – Terry Neack & Lisa Dunaway
  • Excellence in Make-Up – Matti Madariaga & Shell Bellamy
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kim Guzman
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Terry Neack
  • Excellence in Pre-Show – Kevin Dunaway
  • Excellence in Properties – Matti Madariaga & Lauren Davidson
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Brandon Maertz & Jamie Rasmussen

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2024-2025 Orchid Awards for Loveland Stage Company

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH JR.

  • Excellence in Direction – Michael Yarick
  • Excellence in Choreography – Jenna Schroeder
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Kathy Christopher, Nate Huitger, and Beth Swan
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘James & The Giant Peach Jr.’
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Cole Blevins, Justin Hanks, and Andrew Theademan
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Caitlin Linz
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Lauren Fritzsche
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Colton Perrmann
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Wren Dewald
  • Excellence in Producing – Kiya Fix
  • Excellence in Program – Michael Yarick
  • Excellence in Properties – Meredith Campbell, Blake Evans, Kiya Fix, Jae Liles, and Michael Yarick
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Blake Evans
  • Excellence in Set Design – Kiya Fix

DISENCHANTED 

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Melinda Hubbard
  • Excellence in Direction – Carissa Sloan
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Disenchanted!’
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Monica Weber
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Jun Holubeck
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kim Guzman
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Christina Siciliano
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – J.E. Kurzynski
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Pettrina Barresi
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kayla Haas
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – J.E. Kurzynski, Austin Bengal, and Bob Schwartz
  • Excellence in Producing – Jill Gornet

GODSPELL

  • Excellence in Choreography – Hunter Gee
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Emily Pine
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Brett Gregory Parr
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Justin Hanks
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Michael Yarick
  • Excellence in Direction – Amy Prestridge
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Godspell’
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Amy Prestridge & Bob Schwartz
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Ashley Merk
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Keilah Boone
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Tosha Love
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – The ‘Godspell’ Orchestra
  • Excellence in Overall Performance Quality – The Cast of ‘Godspell’
  • Excellence in Program – Peggy Goodwin and Carissa Sloan
  • Excellence in Properties – Doug Bruening
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Tom Cavano and Dave Wall
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Kyle Echols
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Nate Huitger
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Amy Prestridge

THE TOXIC AVENGER

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Tom Morris
  • Excellence in Direction – John Sloan
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Christina Siciliano
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Amanda Marasch
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Garrett Klaas
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Justin Hanks
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kayla Haas
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Nick Dunker
  • Excellence in Producing – Jill Gornet
  • Excellence in Properties – Jae Liles
  • Excellence in Choreography – Garrett Klaas
  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Vincent Eldridge
  • Excellence in Make-Up – Christina Siciliano
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Jon Scheiding
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – The Toxic Avenger Orchestra
  • Excellence in Photography – Mark Motz
  • Excellence in Program – Peggy Goodwin and Carissa Sloan
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Jeff Centrello
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Izy Jones
  • Excellence in Sound Execution – Josh Marcus and Leah Marcus
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Glenna Knapp
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Jon Scheiding

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CFF25: My Fringe Show Rankings

The question I get asked most by people with limited time and resources is, which shows are a “must see.” And I give them my bias answer, based on how I reacted to the shows. Please understand that differences between shows in the rankings can be infinitesimal. And I guarantee everyone’s list is different and just as valid.

And if you do decide to attend, I highly recommend you look at all the options. Aside from the fact that there are still plenty of shows I just haven’t seen yet. If a show sounds interesting to you, I highly encourage you to see it. Grab a friend, split a flex pass and hit three shows. You never know what you might discover. Happy Fringing.
-Rob

Updated 6/10/25

My Rankings

  1. ELEANOR’S STORY: LIFE AFTER WAR | Review |
  2. TEA TIME | Review |
  3. A CABARET OF LEGENDS | Review |
  4. MUTTNIK
  5. AMERICAN’T
  6. WHISPERS OF THE DEEP | Review |
  7. THE FAMILY CROW: A Murder Mystery
  8. Z IS FOR ZEBRA
  9. STUCK
  10. CLOCKWORK O’FRINGE
  11. EVERY GOOD STORY ENDS WITH ONE | Review |
  12. 1 GAY WEDDING AND ABSOLUTELY NO FUNERALS
  13. ARSENIC AND OLD SPICE | Review |
  14. WINNING: WINNING
  15. TRUMPETS! A Pretty Gay Video Game Play
  16. BUBBLEGUM
  17. TRAITORS

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