Tag Archives: Cincinnati Music Theatre

2014-2015 Orchid Awards for Cincinnati Music Theatre

CMTCRAZY FOR YOU

  • Excellence in Choreography – Brian Anderson
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Elaine Michael
  • Excellence in Direction – Sarah Mizelle
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Sarah Mizelle & Cast
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Charles Wilhelm
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – John Woll as Bobby Child
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kaitlyn Lory as Polly Baker
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Rick Kramer as Bela Zangler
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Gregory Good as Lank
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – Charles Wilhelm & Orchestra
  • Excellence in Original Program Art – Fred Martens
  • Excellence in Overall Performance Quality – Sarah Mizelle
  • Excellence in Overall Technical Quality – Kathy Beiting & Ethan Chamberlain
  • Excellence in Producing – Kathy Beiting & Ethan Chamberlain
  • Excellence in Program – Fred Martens & Kendra Struthers
  • Excellence in Set Design – Rick Kramer
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Les Rupp
  • Excellence in Sound Execution – Les Rupp
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Julie Beelman

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Kathi Sullivan & Karen Sowards
  • Excellence in Direction – Jerry Wiesenhahn
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Jerry Wiesenhahn & Cast
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Charles Wilhelm
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Charlie Harper as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Jeff Richardson as Igor
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Kate Mock Elliott as Elizabeth Benning
  • Excellence in Orchestra – Charles Wilhelm & Orchestra
  • Excellence in Original Program Art – Fred Martens, Mikki Schaffner & Eric E. Bardes
  • Excellence in Overall Performance Quality – Jerry Wiesenhahn
  • Excellence in Producing – Eric Bardes
  • Excellence in Program – Fred Martens
  • Excellence in Set Design – Rick Kramer
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Xan Waddell Jeffery

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Cast Announced for MARY POPPINS at Cincinnati Music Theatre

CMTWe are so pleased to announce the cast of Cincinnati Music Theatre’s fall production of MARY POPPINS.

Produced by Bill Geraghty & Karen Sowards
Directed by Arlene Borock-Balczo
Music Direction by Charlie Wilhelm
Vocal Direction by Kathy Kramer
Choreography by Karen Sowards

  • Mary Poppins – Megan Osborn Williams
  • Bert – Greg Shaffer
  • George Banks – Rick Kramer
  • Winifred Banks – Laurie Schneider Brinkman
  • Jane Banks – Janie Nalbandian and Chelsea Carnder (alternating performances)
  • Michael Banks – Sam Harper and John Kushman (alternating performances)
  • Katie Nanna – Regina Stack
  • Policeman/ Northbrook – Rob Warfel
  • Miss Lark – Andrea Squires
  • Admiral Boom/ Von Hussler – Bill Schuler
  • Mrs. Brill – Sarah Flerlage
  • Robertson Ay – Andrew Cunningham
  • Park Keeper – Cody Hendershot
  • Neleus – Brian Anderson
  • Bank Chairman – Harold Murphy
  • Bird Woman – Rita Winters
  • Mrs. Corey – Barb Timmins
  • Valentine – Eli Prather
  • Ms. Andrew – Samantha Toberman
  • Ensemble: Karl Bolinger, Adrianna Boris, Marypat Carletti, Tia Casey, Meagan Cornett, Nicole Folop, Jay Louden, Jessica Nguyen, Tony Nguyen, Michelle Shaffer
    Haley Vaughan, Will Warfel & Monica Weber

Performance dates are Nov. 13-21, 2015. For more information visit www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org.

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CRAZY FOR YOU Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child.

Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child.

CRAZY FOR YOU presented by Cincinnati Music Theatre through May 16. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Saturday performance.

Cincinnati Music Theatre ambitiously tackles the dance-heavy musical comedy CRAZY FOR YOU as their season closer.

Leads Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child give solid performances and have a cute chemistry together. I would have liked to see a bit more of an emotional connection between the two since their relationship comes together so quickly.

Rick Kramer is spot-on and fun as (the real) Bella Zangler and his duet, “What Causes That,” with doppelganger Woll is a highlight of the show. Also fun were Jen Drake and Gregory Good in “Naughty Baby.” Allison Hinkel does well as Tess, but I think she could have been used more in supporting Bobby and Polly.

The cast.

The cast.

At the performance I attended, the cast seemed to struggle with maintaining their energy throughout the show. Several times (once due to a costume change delay) the momentum of the show dropped out almost completely.

The choreography suffered a bit from the same problem. There were times when the dancers’ faces dropped to concentrate on the choreography. The priority has to be convincing the audience that you are having fun. I’m not sure if this is an option, but a couple of the longer dance sequences could have used a bit of editing. That being said, the ensemble should be commended for the hard work that shows in the dance numbers, especially “I Got Rhythm.”

Jen Drake as Irene Roth & Gregory Good as Link.

Jen Drake as Irene Roth & Gregory Good as Link.

Director Sarah C. Mizelle creates some really nice stage pictures in her blocking. There were a few times where scenes with much of the ensemble on stage could have used a bit more focus on the leads.

The orchestra, under the direction of Charles Wilhelm sounded strong and it was very nice to hear the score played live by a talented ensemble of musicians.

On the technical side, Rick Kramer was also responsible for the smart set design. Also well done was the costuming work by Elaine Michael. I can’t recall any sound issues of note for the leads, but there were several instances where mics were not live for ensemble solo lines.

Overall a light-hearted and fun musical comedy. A bit uneven, easily rectified by the cast maintaining its focus, energy and spontaneity throughout the performance. Enjoy the rest of your run.

My rating: 3.25 out of 5

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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Auditions Announced for MARY POPPINS at Cincinnati Music Theatre

CMTCincinnati Music Theatre is proud to announce auditions for MARY POPPIINS

Sunday and Monday, May 31st & June 1st, 2015
Clifton United Methodist Church, 3416 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati

AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT.

Children’s auditions: Sunday, May 31 from 3-5:30pm,

Adult auditions:

  • Sunday, May 31 from 7–10pm
  •  Monday, June from 7–10pm

Please reserve your time as soon as possible by emailing Karen Sowards at ikarens@me.com or by calling 859.250.9410. Slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis, so include your 1st and 2nd choices for audition times.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS, SO YOUR AUDITION TIME CAN BE CONFIRMED. AUDITION DETAILS AND FORMS WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
Walk-ins are welcome, but you must wait for the next available slot.

PLEASE PREPARE & PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR AUDITION:

  • Appropriate shoes and clothing for a dance audition (dance tights/leotards or athletic gear and jazz/character or ballet shoes preferred;
  • 16-32 bars of a Broadway-style ballad that best demonstrates your vocal range;
  • Sheet music in the proper key with cuts marked. An accompanist will be provided (no CD’s, tapes or a cappella numbers);
  • A copy of your resume and headshot.

Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:00pm.

Rehearsals will tentatively begin in late August, 2015.

Production dates: November 13 – 21, 2015 at the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre of the Aronoff Center for The Arts. (9 performances)

PRODUCERS: Bill Geraghty and Karen Sowards;
DIRECTOR: Mark Femia
CHOREOGRAPHER: Julie Carroll Keeney;
VOCAL DIRECTOR: Kathy Kramer;
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Charlie Wilhelm

Character Breakdown

  • ADMIRAL BOOM – A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Boom doubles as the Bank Chairman, he can be a baritone.
    Male, 50-60 yrs old
  • BANK CHAIRMAN – The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lyrics if necessary. Male, 50-60 yrs old. Range: C3 – D4
  • BERT –
    The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent, and is a song-and-dance-man. Male, 30-39 yrs old. Range: B2 – F#4
  • BIRD WOMAN – Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passerby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy qulaity to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life. Female, 50-60 yrs old. Range: Gb3 – C5
  • ENSEMBLE – Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers
  • GEORGE BANKS – The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary. Male, 40-45 yrs old. Range: Bb2 – Eb4.
  • JANE BANKS – The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Female, 11 yrs old. Range: A3 – F#5
  • JOHN NORTHBROOK – An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England. Male. 30-50 yrs old.
  • KATIE NANNA – Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children. Female, 30-40 yrs old.
  • MARY POPPINS – Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key. Female, 20-30 yrs old. Range: Gb3 – C6.
  • MICHAEL BANKS – The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
    Male, 9 yrs old. Range: A3 – E5.
  • MISS ANDREW – George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with the range. Female, 40-60 yrs old. Range: Gb3 – F5.
  • MISS LARK – The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if he were her child. Female, 30-40 yrs old.
  • MISS SMYTHE – The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary. Female, 40-50 yrs old.
  • MRS. BRILL – The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer. Female, 50-60 yrs old. Range: F#3 – D#5.
  • MRS. CORRY – Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic). Female, 40-50 yrs old
  • NELEUS – The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
    Male, 16-20 yrs old.
  • PARK KEEPER – Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood. Male, 40-60 yrs old
  • POLICEMAN – A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of the households on his beat.
    Male, 30-50 yrs old
  • QUEEN VICTORIA – A statue in the park. Female, 40-60 yrs old
  • ROBERTSON AY – The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy, and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but his “Spoonful” solo can be a fun surprise. Male, 20-30 yrs old. Range: F3 – G#4
  • VON HUSSLER – A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent. Male, 30-50 yrs old
  • WINIFRED BANKS – George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be a model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more. She has a great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
    Female, 30-40 yrs old. Range: A3 – D5.

Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

– See more at: http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000329#sthash.aghzyICG.dpuf

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CRAZY FOR YOU Runs May 8-16

Rick Kramer as Bela Zangler & John Woll as Bobby Child.

Rick Kramer as Bela Zangler & John Woll as Bobby Child.

CRAZY FOR YOU
Presented by Cincinnati Music Theatre
May 8-16
Downtown

Directed by Sarah Mizelle
Music direction by Charlie Wilhelm
Vocal direction by Marie Kramer
Choreographed by Brian Anderson

Cast: John Woll as Bobby Child, Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker, Rick Kramer as Bela Zangler, Jen Drake as Irene Roth, Greg Good as Lank Hawkins, Allison Hinkel as Tess, Charlie Greer as Mingo (and Cowboy Ensemble), Robert Workley as Sam (and Cowboy Ensemble), Chris Weidner as Moose (and Cowboy Ensemble), Marcie Brooks as Patricia Fodor, David Shough as Eugene Fodor, Catherine Shultz as Mother Child & Rob Warfel as Everett Baker
Follies Girls: Katie McCarthy as Patsy, Megan Williams as Mitzi, Jillian Schwab as Elaine, Liz Koch as Louise, Yenny Ho as Susie, Kate Stark as Betsy, Karen Sowards as Margie, Mary Stone as Vera & MaryPat Carletti as Sheila
Cowboy ensemble: Peter Merten as Harry, Shane Talbott as Custus, Garrett Wallace as Pete, Jay Louden as Junior & EJ Montgomery as Jimmy

CRAZY FOR YOU is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include I Can’t Be Bothered Now,Bidin’ My Time, I Got Rhythm,Naughty Baby, They Can’t Take That Away from Me,But Not for Me, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me.

  • Fri-Sat, May 8-9 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, May 10 at 2pm
  • Wed-Sat, May 13-16 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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