Tag Archives: Merit Theatre Company

June 19, 2022 · 9:22 am

2021-2022 Orchid Awards for Merit Theatre Company

MTC_logo12 ANGRY MEN

  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – Benjamin Iocco
  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – Bob Dronberger
  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – Carter Perry
  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – John Dorney
  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – Matt Dentino
  • EXCELLENCE IN ACTING IN A PLAY – Matt Hudson
  • EXCELLENCE IN COSTUME DESIGN – Benjamin Iocco & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTION – Leah Perry & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • EXCELLENCE IN ENSEMBLE – Leah Perry, Kaitlyn Iocco and the Cast
  • EXCELLENCE IN LIGHT DESIGN – John Siedenberg
  • EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCING – Benjamin Iocco & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • EXCELLENCE IN SET CONSTRUCTION – Benjamin Iocco and Crew
  • EXCELLENCE IN SET DÉCOR – Benjamin Iocco & Kaitlyn Iocco and Crew
  • EXCELLENCE IN SET DESIGN – Benjamin Iocco

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June 8, 2022 · 9:59 am

JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama Runs July 8-16

MTC_Jane Eyre logoJANE EYRE: A Musical Drama
Merit Theatre Company
July 8-16
Anderson Center

Directed by Leah Perry
Vocal direction by Carter Perry
Featuring Merit Company Orchestra, conducted by Samuel T. Owens
Produced by Benjamin and Kaitlyn Iocco

Cast: Rachel Kimberlin Cobbs as Jane Eyre, Maria Zierolf as Young Jane, Sydney Orndorff as Mrs. Reed, John Dorney as Mr. Brocklehurst, Sally Modzelewski as Miss Scatcherd, Athena Updike as Helen Burns, Holly Price as Mrs. Fairfax, Don Price as Robert, Isabel Ashley as Adele, Rachel Handkins as Grace Poole, Alex DeVore as Edward Fairfax Rochester, Adria Whitfill as Blanche Ingram, Marnie Lemma as Lady Ingram, Adam McCoy as Lord Ingram, Margaret Lemma as Mary Ingram, John Dorney as Mr. Eshton, Madeline Arn as Louisa Eshton, Mariah Smith as Amy Eshton, Benjamin Iocco as Colonel Dent, Sally Modzelewski as Mrs. Dent, Josh Stothfang as Richard Mason, Olivia Reese as Bertha Mason & Max Hunkler as St. John Rivers
Lowood Schoolgirls: Millie Baer, Elena Escamilla, Kylie Hodge, Gianna Lemma, Margaret Lemma, Sabrina Lemma, Zoe Lemma
Ensemble: Madeline Arn, John Dorney, Max Hunkler, Ben Iocco, Marnie Lemma, Adam McCoy, Sally Modzelewski, Carter Perry, Don Price, Anna Rape &, Mariah Smith

Jane’s story begins at Gateshead, where she lives with her cruel aunt who sends the young orphan away to attend Lowood School for Girls. When Jane grows up, she leaves Lowood to work as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets the mysterious and magnetic Edward Fairfax Rochester, master of the house and warden of her pupil. Though drawn to each other, they are haunted by a secret that threatens to keep them apart.

  • Fri, July 8 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, July 9 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, July 10 at 3pm
  • Thu-Fri, July 14-15 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, July 16 at 2pm & 7:30pm

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May 18, 2022 · 11:08 am

Cast Announced for JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama at Merit Theatre Company

MTC_Jane Eyre logoAnnouncing the cast of JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama!

The cast includes:

  • Jane Eyre—Rachel Kimberlin Cobbs
  • Young Jane—Maria Zierolf
  • Mrs. Reed—Sydney Orndorff
  • Mr. Brocklehurst—John Dorney
  • Miss Scatcherd—Sally Modzelewski
  • Helen Burns—Athena Updike
  • Lowood Schoolgirls—Millie Baer, Elena Escamilla, Kylie Hodge, Gianna Lemma,
  • Margaret Lemma, Sabrina Lemma, Zoe Lemma
  • Mrs. Fairfax—Holly Price
  • Robert—Don Price
  • Adele—Isabel Ashley
  • Grace Poole—Rachel Handkins
  • Edward Fairfax Rochester—Alex DeVore
  • Blanche Ingram—Adria Whitfill
  • Lady Ingram—Marnie Lemma
  • Lord Ingram—Adam McCoy
  • Mary Ingram—Margaret Lemma
  • Mr. Eshton—John Dorney
  • Louisa Eshton—Madeline Arn
  • Amy Eshton—Mariah Smith
  • Colonel Dent—Benjamin Iocco
  • Mrs. Dent—Sally Modzelewski
  • Richard Mason—Josh Stothfang
  • Bertha Mason—Olivia Reese
  • St. John Rivers—Max Hunkler
  • Ensemble—Madeline Arn, John Dorney, Max Hunkler, Ben Iocco, Marnie Lemma, Adam McCoy, Sally Modzelewski, Carter Perry, Don Price, Anna Rape, Mariah Smith

JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama runs July 8–16, 2022, at the Anderson Center Theater in Cincinnati, OH.

Tickets on sale June 1st!

Produced by Benjamin and Kaitlyn Iocco and directed by Leah Perry, with vocal direction by Carter Perry. Featuring the Merit Company Orchestra, conducted by Samuel T. Owens.
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Book and Additional Lyrics by John Caird
Based on the Novel by Charlotte Brontë

JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

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May 10, 2022 · 11:18 am

Actors Needed for JANE EYRE at Merit Theatre Company

MTC_logoSeeking to fill the roles of Edward Fairfax Rochester and St. John Rivers in Merit Theatre Company & Orchestra’s production of JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama.

We need to fill these roles as soon as possible. Below are the character descriptions. If interested, please email Kaitlyn Iocco at kaitlyniocco@gmail.com.

Rehearsals begin May 16 and will be held in Newport, KY, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings in May, with the addition of Friday evenings in June. (No rehearsals will be held on Memorial Day or Independence Day.) Tech week begins July 2 and performances will be held July 8–10 and 14–16.

Edward Fairfax Rochester (baritone/high baritone, vocal range B2–G4): An intelligent and powerful male presence, he has been greatly damaged by life and is therefore quite prickly and demanding, but has a keen sense of humor and engaging personality. Age 20s–40s.

St. John Rivers (tenor, vocal range C3–G4): The appealing and handsome curate of the parish of Gateshead who is caring for Mrs. Reed at her death. He is a complex young man, passionately devoted to his faith and duty. Age 20s–30s.

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March 14, 2022 · 12:19 pm

Auditions Announced for JANE EYRE at Merit Theatre Company

MTC_logoAuditions for JANE EYRE: A Musical Drama
Presented by Merit Theatre Company & Orchestra

Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Book and Additional Lyrics by John Caird
Based on the Novel by Charlotte Brontë

  • Friday, May 6, 7–9pm
  • Saturday, May 7, 2–5pm
    By appointment only
    Also accepting video auditions

Charlotte Brontë’s hauntingly beautiful gothic classic is a heart-wrenching journey of faith and love, with music to lift your heart and set your spirit soaring. Both suspenseful and inspirational, this Tony Award-winning musical features a grand, sweeping score and a powerful story of passion, forgiveness, and redemption.

Sign up to audition at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4eacac2ba2f49-auditions3

Seeking adults of all ages with strong vocal and acting abilities as well as children, especially girls ages 6–18 to play Lowood School students.

Please prepare:

  • A 60-second dramatic classical monologue with British dialect from a play or novel, or French dialect for young girls auditioning for the role of Adele.
  • 16–32 bars of a musical theatre song in the style of the show that best showcases your range and ability.

Please bring:

  • Sheet music in the correct key with cuts marked. An accompanist will be provided. No acapella or accompaniment tracks.
  • An acting resume, headshot, and completed AUDITION FORM. On your audition form, please include your list of conflicts between May 16 and July 16.

We are also accepting video auditions. Please follow the same audition requirements above, film your audition (full body shot please), and upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo. Email the link to production@merittheatre.org. Attach your resume, headshot, and completed audition form to the email. (If you are auditioning by video, you may use an accompaniment track.)

Callbacks will be held on Monday, May 9, at 7pm.

Auditions, callbacks, and rehearsals will be held at First Baptist Church of Newport (801 York St, Newport, KY 41071).

Rehearsals will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings in May beginning May 16, and on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings beginning June 6. No rehearsals will be held on Memorial Day or Independence Day.

Performances will be held July 8–10 and 14–16 at the Anderson Center Theater in Cincinnati, Ohio (7850 Five Mile Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230).

Directed by Leah Perry
Conducted by Samuel T. Owens
Vocal Direction by Carter Perry
Produced & Designed by Benjamin and Kaitlyn Iocco

Jane Eyre: A Musical Drama is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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