Tag Archives: Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

May 13, 2015 · 7:32 pm

Cast Announced for A CHORUS LINE at Covedale Center

CCPAThe Covedale Center for the Performing Arts has announced the cast for A CHORUS LINE, the first production of their 2015-2016 season.

The cast includes: Matt Dentino as Zach, Jameson G. Ward as Larry, Hannah Aicholtz as Cassie Ferguson, Jules Shumate as Sheila Bryant, Afton Shepard as Val Clark, Renee Stoltzfus as Diana Morales, Kate Stark as Judy Turner, Jane Hofmann as Kristine DeLuca, Melissa Campbell as Maggie Winslow, Allison Evans as Bebe Benzenheimer, Mikayla Renfrow as Connie Wong, Andrew Maloney as Mike Costa, Donovan Smith as Richie Walters, Chris Darnell as Don Kerr, Ben Goodman as Paul San Marco, Kelcey Steele as Mark Anthony, Robert Fields as Greg Gardner, Korey Worthington as Bobby Mills & Tyler Kuhlman as Al DeLuca. The ensemble includes: Clare Miller, Savannah Slaby, Emily Egner, Greg Moore, Nick Godfrey, Sam Johnson and Cassidy Steele.

Running Sept. 3-27, A CHORUS LINE is directed by Matthew Wilson, music directed by Michael Kennedy and choreographed by Angela Kahle.

For more information visit http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/ccpa/Default.aspx.

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May 11, 2015 · 3:55 pm

THE SOUND OF MUSIC 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.

The Vontrapp Children (not in photo order): Margot Grom as Liesl, Alexander Mullins as Friedrich, Annabel Forman as Louisa, Jackson Higgason as Kurt, Jordan Darnell as Brigitta, Aine Steele as Marta & Violet Hicks as Gretl. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The Vontrapp Children (not in photo order): Margot Grom as Liesl, Alexander Mullins as Friedrich, Annabel Forman as Louisa, Jackson Higgason as Kurt, Jordan Darnell as Brigitta, Aine Steele as Marta & Violet Hicks as Gretl. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC presented by Covedale Center for the Performing Arts through May 24. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Friday performance.

Closing out the 2014-2015 season at the Covedale is a solidly cast production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Angela Alexander Nalley as the Mother Abbess. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Angela Alexander Nalley as the Mother Abbess. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Favorite numbers included: “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” performed by Margot Grom as Liesl & Mason Taylor as Rolf. Both handled the vocals, and the choreography by Dee Anne Bryll, well. The children’s acapella version of “The Sound of Music” that greeted their father’s return was extremely well-done. Angela Alexander Nalley sends the audience into intermission with an excellently-sung, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” The number “No Way to Stop It” featuring the trio of Captain Georg Von Trapp (Justin Glaser), Max Detweiler (John Langley) and Elsa Schrader (Laurie Wyant-Zenni), was well-staged number and both Langley and Wyant-Zenni brought nice characterizations to their respective roles.

For me, the show seemed to stumble on the technical side. I can’t say I was a fan of the pre-recorded music. The brass sounded tinny and there were volume issues throughout the performance. Several times, musical numbers that began acapella were jarred, by a faster-tempo track kicking in.

Justin Glaser as Captain Georg Von Trapp & Helen A. Raymond-Goers as Maria Rainer. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Justin Glaser as Captain Georg Von Trapp & Helen A. Raymond-Goers as Maria Rainer. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

I liked the idea of bringing the mountains into the set design, but the choice of colors were not ideal. The marble-ization technique used on the bigger white areas worked, but on smaller surfaces, such as the door frames, it read as dirt from my seat in the audience.

As the cyc carried the sky color all the way to the floor behind the set, I did find it distracting when every exit upstage exposed a burst of color to the audience. I also question why the stage curtain wasn’t pulled for some of the set changes. The show is written with small transitional scenes to be played in front of the curtain during theses changes. With the curtain open, the loud and hurried scene changes drew focus away from the performers downstage.

Overall a well-performed production, at times lacking in attention to detail, and with some technical issues.

My rating: 3.75 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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May 5, 2015 · 6:25 pm

LCT Review of THE SOUND OF MUSIC

LCT_VThis review has been reposted courtesy of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. For more LCT reviews click here to visit their reviews page.

The Covedale Theater concludes its season with a solid, enjoyable and touching rendition of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”.   The key to a successful show is Maria and the children and both perform very well in this version. Maria, played by Helen Raymond-Goers, transitions well between the naïve postulate to the mature woman who helps the family deal with the Nazi threat and eventually escape Austria. She also has an excellent voice and handles the variety of songs from the comic and boisterous to the delicate love songs with equal aplomb. The children, a critical part of the play, who help Mariawith that transition, excel in their roles as believable and distinct characters with good voices.   Margot Grom, as Liesl, was the best singer and dancer among the children and Violet Hicks was delightful as the youngest, Gretl. Justin Glaser found the arch in the role of the Captain and his big bass/baritone voice was powerful and appropriate.

Justin Glaser as Captain Georg Von Trapp & Helen A. Raymond-Goers as Maria Rainer. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Justin Glaser as Captain Georg Von Trapp & Helen A. Raymond-Goers as Maria Rainer. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Much of the success for the show must be attributed to co-directors Dee Anne Bryll and Ed Cohen who keep the action moving without falling into the trap of being overly sentimental. The set design by Brett Bowling was very cleverly constructed to easily represent both the abbey and the Von Trapp living room with a minimum of alterations. My quibble is that the music was canned and robotic. Initially, the singers were out of sync with the music but that improved as the evening progressed. Some of the scene changes could have been done with more blackout – the scene changes were long and somewhat disruptive.   Overall, I recommend the show and hope people will “Climb Every Mountain” to see it.

For more information on the production, click here.

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April 18, 2015 · 2:14 pm

CLP Seeks Actor for Bobby Mills in A CHORUS LINE at Covedale Center

CLPCincinnati Landmark Productions is seeking one male to play the role of BOBBY MILLS in A CHORUS LINE, the Covedale’s 2015/16 season opener.

Requirements: Seeking a fit male to play the role BOBBY MILLS (bari/tenor vocal range). Auditionees will be tested for dance ability first, then will be asked to sing. Auditionees should prepare 16 bars of a song that best showcases his vocal ability. Auditionees will also dance may be asked to read from the script. Please dress appropriately.

MUST HAVE A RESUME listing theatrical experience in order to audition. A headshot/picture is appreciated but not required. Please prepare 16 bars of a song that best showcases vocal ability.

If interested in setting up an audition, please contact Jennifer Perrino at jenniferperrino@covedalecenter.com

Please note: No more than two conflicts will be accepted during the rehearsal process for this production.

Bobby Mills, Sheila’s best friend who jokes about his conservative upbringing in Buffalo, New York. (84)

A CHORUS LINE
September 3 – September 27, 2015
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett; Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante; Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Edward Kleban; Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian; Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.

A CHORUS LINE is a stunning musical-vérité about a chorus audition for a Broadway musical. It tells of the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies to land a job in the show, and is a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration. Memorable musical numbers include I Can Do That, At the Ballet, Dance: Ten; Looks: Three, The Music and the Mirror, What I Did for Love, One (Singular Sensation) and I Hope I Get It. It is a brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song and compellingly authentic drama. The show was instantly recognized as a classic.

Matthew Wilson, Director/; Michael Kennedy, Music Director; Angela Kahle, Choreographer; Production Stage Manager, Melanie D. Hall.

Rehearsals begin: Monday, July 27, 2015

Performance Dates:
Thurs. Sept. 3 – Fri. Sept. 4 – Sat. Sept. 5 – Sun. Sept. 6
Thurs. Sept. 10 – Fri. Sept. 11 – Sat. Sept. 12 – Sun. Sept. 13
Thurs. Sept. 17 – Fri. Sept. 18 – Sat. Sept. 19 – Sun. Sept. 20
Thurs. Sept. 24 – Fri. Sept. 25 – Sat. Sept. 26 – Sun. Sept. 27

Performances run Thursday 7:30 pm.; Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

For more information on auditions, contact us at (513) 241 – 6550. Check us out on the web at www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

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April 16, 2015 · 1:21 pm

CLP Seeks Actress for Val Clark in A CHORUS LINE at the Covedale

CLPCincinnati Landmark Productions is seeking one female to play the role of VAL CLARK in a A CHORUS LINE, The Covedale’s 2015/16 season opener. 

Requirements: Seeking a not so shy and fit female to play the role VAL CLARK. It’s a belt role, vocal range G3-D5. Auditionees will be tested for dance ability first, then will be asked to sing. Auditionees will be given a song cut to sing (no need to prep a song separately) and finally, may be asked to read from the script. Please dress appropriately.

MUST HAVE A RESUME listing theatrical experience in order to audition. A headshot/picture is appreciated but not required. Please prepare 16 bars of a song that best showcases vocal ability.

If interested in setting up an audition, please contact Jennifer Perrino at jenniferperrino@covedalecenter.com

Please note: No more than two conflicts will be accepted during the rehearsal process for this production.

Val Clark, a foul-mouthed but excellent dancer who couldn’t get performing jobs because of her looks until she had plastic surgery (179)

A CHORUS LINE
September 3 – September 27, 2015
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett; Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante; Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Edward Kleban; Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian; Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.

A CHORUS LINE is a stunning musical-vérité about a chorus audition for a Broadway musical. It tells of the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies to land a job in the show, and is a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration. Memorable musical numbers include I Can Do That, At the Ballet, Dance: Ten; Looks: Three, The Music and the Mirror, What I Did for Love, One (Singular Sensation) and I Hope I Get It. It is a brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song and compellingly authentic drama. The show was instantly recognized as a classic.

Matthew Wilson, Director/co-choreographer; Michael Kennedy, Music Director; Angela Kahle, Co- Choreographer; Production Stage Manager, Melanie D. Hall.

Rehearsals begin: Monday, July 27, 2015

Performance Dates:
Thurs. Sept. 3 – Fri. Sept. 4 – Sat. Sept. 5 – Sun. Sept. 6
Thurs. Sept. 10 – Fri. Sept. 11 – Sat. Sept. 12 – Sun. Sept. 13
Thurs. Sept. 17 – Fri. Sept. 18 – Sat. Sept. 19 – Sun. Sept. 20
Thurs. Sept. 24 – Fri. Sept. 25 – Sat. Sept. 26 – Sun. Sept. 27

Performances run Thursday 7:30 pm.; Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

For more information on auditions, contact us at (513) 241 – 6550. Check us out on the web AT www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

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