Category Archives: On Stage

Dare to Defy Productions Presents Nunsense December 5th and 6th at The Mathile Theater, Benjamin and Marian Shuster Performing Arts Center

Following the death of 52 of the 72 nuns, from the Sisters of Hoboken Parish due to their cooks’ unfortunate cooking abilities, Mother Superior has a dream that she should start a greeting card company to raise money for the funerals. The company is such a success that she accidentally spends all of the remaining money on a TV and VCR for the
convent, leaving her without funds to pay for the funerals for four of the dead sisters. The nuns are placed on ice and a variety show is staged to raise the necessary funeral expenses.

Participating in the project are Mother Superior/ Mary Regina (Angie Thacker), a former circus performer who can not resist the spotlight, her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert (Angele Price), Sister Robert Anne (Cassie Mikat), a streetwise nun from Brooklyn, Sister Mary Leo (Tori Kocher), a novice who is determined to be the world’s first ballerina nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia (Danielle Kubasky), who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The entertainment that they present includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and even an audience quiz!

Nunsense is a musical comedy with book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin. The show was originally written as a line of greeting cards that expanded into a cabaret and eventually a full-length, Off-Broadway musical. The original Off-Broadway production opened in December of 1985 and ran for a total of 3,672 performances, making it the second longest running Off-Broadway musical in history. The show was adapted for television and starred Rue McClanahan as Mother Superior.

The show will be staged at The Mathile Theatre located in the Benjamin and Marian Shuster Performing Arts Center on December 5th and 6th at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available at www.ticketcenterstage.com or you can call the box office at 937-228-3630. All seats are $20.00

Do not miss these witty and hilarious sisters blessing the stage one song at a time!

For more information on AN ILIAD click here.

As New Edgecliff Theatre (NET) enters its 17th year, its Board of Directors announced today that it has named Shawn Michael Maus as the nonprofit theater company’s new Managing Director. Currently, he is the Communications Coordinator for the Finneytown Local School District. He has also held the position of Theatre Director for the Finneytown High School, which during his tenure garnered numerous CAPPIES awards and an invitation to the International Fringe Festival in Scotland.

“I am thrilled that our Board has unanimously selected Shawn as our new managing director,” artistic director Jim Stump said. “He is one of the most exciting new leaders in the field of performing arts. His commitment to NET’s mission and values, his extensive training and his impressive performing arts network make him ideally suited to help lead us into our next stage of growth and development. Shawn’s desire to help us realize our commitment to achieving the stability of a permanent home − not only for New Edgecliff Theatre, but for local theater professionals as well − makes him a welcome addition to our team. I am enthusiastically looking forward to working with him.”

Maus succeeds Devon Campailla, who has been serving NET as Managing Director and who will remain on the NET’s board of directors.

Maus has been committed to the arts in Cincinnati as a member of the Springfield Township Arts and Enrichment Council. He’s developed after school playwriting programs for teens through Finneytown schools and produced and directed a show for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. He’s not only worked as a playwright and been produced as a screenwriter, but has performed as a standup comedian as well. “I do not think there is any other position that could have presented itself and really excited me like this,” says Maus, “because I really am committed to the arts in Cincinnati.” Working closely with Producing Artistic Director Jim Stump, Maus will take a leading role in developing strategies effectively geared to helping NET achieve its vision, as he oversees operations, fundraising and marketing.

He holds a BFA from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. “I’m excited to join Jim and the Board at this exciting time for NET,” Maus said. “I’m looking forward to reaching out to Northside, the Cincinnati theatre-goers and to broaden the reach and impact of the important productions and arts education work that is already happening here in spades.”

The mission of New Edgecliff Theatre is to create a powerful artistic experience utilizing local professionals and stressing the fundamental communion between actor and audience.