Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

(Cincinnati, OH) SH-BOOM! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) concludes its 2011-2012 main stage season with the regional premiere of Life Could Be a Dream, May 2-20, 2012. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers; Musical Director is Scot Woolley; and Choreographer is Patti James. Production sponsors include Judith Postler; John Goering, in Memory of Gloria Goering; Dr. and Mrs. Charles O. Carothers; and Thompson Hine.

From the Roger Bean, creator of sell-out hit The Marvelous Wonderettes, comes the Crooning Crabcakes, the boy group banned from the Springfield High School prom that made it possible for The Marvelous Wonderettes to perform. In an era before “American Idol” and “Star Search,” the guys get one more chance at fame and fortune as Denny, Eugene, Skip and Wally form a singing group to enter and win the local radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time! Featuring such classic songs as “Stay” (Just a Little Bit Longer),” “Runaround Sue,” “Tears On My Pillow,” “Unchained Melody,” “Earth Angel,” and of course the title song, Life Could Be A Dream is another musical trip down memory lane that will leave you laughing, singing and cheering!

“ETC is delighted that three of our actors will receive their Equity cards through this production. Additionally, Will Selnick, a former intern also received his Equity membership through Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati,” explains Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “Nurturing young talent and giving them a start on their professional path is a large part of our mission and it’s so wonderful we get to end the season on a high note with such a fun production,” she concludes.

About the Cast
Nick Laughlin (Denny) a Fairfield, Ohio native makes his Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati debut. At Wagon Wheel Theater, he performed in Big River, State Fair, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lend Me a Tenor, Godspell, All Shook Up and Cats. At CCM, he appeared in Oklahoma!, A Little Night Music, and ensemble in Hair, Evita, and Out of This World.

Cassie Levine (Lois), also makes her Ensemble Theatre debut. She is currently finishing up her junior year at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. There she was seen as Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Female Swing in Make Me A Song, Chloe in Out of This World, and a Tribe Member in Hair. Last fall, she was a soloist with the Cincinnati Pops. This summer, she will be seen as a sister in The Muny’s production of Pirates!.

James Oblak (Skip), a Cleveland native, is a senior in Wright State University’s musical theatre program. Mr. Oblak also makes his debut at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with this production. His credits include Disney’s High School Musical and The Papermill Theatre’s 2011 Summer Touring Children’s Theatre. Other university credits include, Rent, Hairspray, I love you Because, Cymbeline, The Light in the Piazza, Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Little Women, and Smokey Joe’s Café. This summer he will be performing at Maples Repertory Theatre’s production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Lee Slobotkin (Eugene), a Philadelphia native, is currently a junior pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre at Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and makes his Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati debut. His CCM credits include Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music, Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods, and Pluto in Out of This World. Other favorite roles include Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Linus in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Moonface Martin in Anything Goes. Mr. Slobotkin has performed with the Cincinnati Pops, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Broadway Dreams Foundation at the Kimmel Center.

Will Selnick (Wally) returns to ETC’s stage where previous performances include Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Melancholy Play, the 2011 entry in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. His other Cincinnati credits include Singing’ in the Rain, and Cotton Patch Gospel. In addition to his onstage work, Mr. Selnick has also worked Next to Normal and Winter Wonderettes as assistant to the musical director and assistant stage manager, respectively. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, and proud former ETC Acting Intern.

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Aaron Clements (Technical Operations Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), David Hunter (Sound Designer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Constance Dubinski.

Performance & Ticket Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Performance times: Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 p.m.

Ticket prices for weeknight (Tues-Thurs) performances are $36; weekend performances are $42.

Senior/student, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards, Over-the-Rhine Merchant gift cards, and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.

A full list of available discounts is available on ETC’s new website, www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2011-2012 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Sponsors: John & Ruth Sawyer, LPK, and PNC Bank. Season Fairy Godmother Sponsor: William and Susan Friedlander. Season Media Sponsors: 91.7 FM WVXU and 90.9 FM WGUC. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.

UNVEILS NEW BRAND AND WEBSITE,
ANNOUNCES RENEWED FOCUS ON
$6.5M NEXT STAGE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WITH BUILDING FACADE IMPROVEMENTS

(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) this week draws back the curtains on its new brand and website, renewing its position as a community and artistic anchor in its historic neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine and setting the stage for the further advancement of the burgeoning arts district. The new look, which was developed by Cincinnati-based firm LPK, is an evolution of the ETC’s brand, but now better captures and reflects the innovative spirit and energy audiences have come to expect on the theatre’s stage since its inception. This is the first multi-dimensional branding campaign for ETC, which has been producing compelling and often socially conscious contemporary theatre for over twenty-six years in Over-the-Rhine. ETC now attracts 30,000 patrons annually through more than 140 performances during its main stage season and produces a robust array of education outreach programs that target economically disadvantaged children who typically have little or no arts programs in their schools.

“As an organization, Ensemble Theatre has consistently challenged ourselves as artists, producers, and educators to become better and to explore new ways of presenting the best contemporary plays. However, we also need to take the excitement that happens onstage outside of our front door, “explains Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers.

Starting on Monday, April 16 at noon, patrons will be able to access ETC’s new, more userfriendly website at its new location, http://www.ensemblecincinnati.org. Following in ETC’s tradition of community engagement, the new website will also give patrons useful information about where they can eat, shop, and play to supplement their visit to the theatre. “Over-the-Rhine is now a whole-day experience. Not only can you attend the theatre, but you also can dine at any number of great new restaurants, shop for gifts, grab a drink after a show, or take an historic tour, all without having to move your car (or bicycle!),” continues Meyers.

Additionally, ETC plans to renew its focus on its Next Stage Capital Campaign, a $6.5M renovation plan intended to make significant improvements to the organization’s facilities, which span 1117-1127 Vine Street. Once completed, the campaign (which was initially announced in  2008 only a few months preceding the economic recession) will expand lobby space, upgrade electrical and HVAC equipment, and improve overall patron experience and accessibility with new seats and other amenities. In addition to several private donor contributions along with property donations of its current facilities, ETC has received $1.2M from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, for which the organization is actively working to match in order to release the funds for use from the State and implement its first major renovation phase that will include the lobby expansion. GBBN Architects and Messer Construction have been working with ETC on renovation plans.

“We are thrilled that with so many improvements in the Over-the-Rhine Gateway Quarter over just the past few years, along with the renovation of Washington Park, there is so much renewed energy in the area and it makes sense to plan for ETC’s next chapter,” explains Meyers. To that end, over the next few weeks, ETC will be repainting its building façade at 1127 Vine Street and add prominent banners to improve the organization’s street presence and assist patrons in easily identifying the theatre. “This will especially help to draw new patrons to our theatre who may not be as familiar with our performing space or are unaware of the range of programs and ticket options we offer,” continues Meyers. “We’re truly honored to share this neighborhood with a wide variety of unique restaurants and shops who have helped shape the character and interest in Over-the-Rhine and hope this next step for Ensemble Theatre will not only propel the organization forward, but will also contribute substantially to the Gateway Quarter’s value, stability and appeal to residents and visitors,” concludes Meyers.

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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2011-2012 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Sponsors: John & Ruth Sawyer, LPK, and PNC Bank. Season Fairy Godmother Sponsor: William and Susan Friedlander. Season Media Sponsors: 91.7 FM WVXU and 90.9 FM WGUC. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.