Tag Archives: NKU School of the Arts

Gothic Thriller DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE Comes to NKU

NKU_Dr Jkeyll & Mr. Hyde promoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts continues its Theatre & Dance season with DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, running Oct. 27 – Nov. 6, 2022, at NKU’s Stauss Theatre. DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

  • What: DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE
  • When: Oct. 27 – Nov. 6, 2022
  • Where: NKU Stauss Theatre
  • Tickets: nku.edu/tickets or (859) 572-5464

Dr. Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who explores the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his ‘second’ nature. Unfortunately, his experiments transform him into Mr. Hyde – his evil alter ego who doesn’t repent or accept responsibility for his evil crimes and ways. The struggle to keep his alternate nature contained leads Dr. Jekyll down a path of death and destruction in this Gothic thriller. This exciting stage adaptation of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is a narrative about the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature.

The cast features Ellie Bennett, Hunter Broyles, Keenan Deaton, Antwnazia Fant, James Pinkley, Mark Schutzman, Jordan Whittaker, and Lexie Woodruff. Stage Manager: Ray Archer; Scenic Designer: Ron Shaw; Costume Designer: Shelby Smith; Lighting Designer: Luke Eisner; Sound Designer: Jo Sanburg. The show is directed by Michael Hatton.

About NKU: Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 15,000 students served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near Cincinnati. Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky—just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati—we have become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students’ names. For more information, visit nku.edu.

About SOTA: The Theatre and Dance, Art and Design, and Music programs make up the School of the Arts that sit in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. Theatre and Dance relies on intensive student involvement both inside and outside the classroom. Our staff, resources and facilities serve the developing artist. At the program’s center is a vital balance of process and production, giving each student opportunities to stretch boundaries and discover new possibilities. Graduates are working in professional theatres in every major city in the United States and on five continents, having successful careers on Broadway and in regional theatre, on cruise ships, in theme parks and film and television. For more information, visit theatre.nku.edu.

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VIOLET Quick Review

VIOLET presented by NKU School of the Arts through Oct. 2. I attended the closing Wednesday night performance. 

NKU_Violet 1

Let’s cut to the chase: NKU School of the Arts is currently presenting an impressive production of VIOLET.

Vocally the show is excellent with powerful solos from Jeremiah Savon Jackson (Flick), Yolee Louis (Almeta), Chloe Hedrick (Music Hall Singer), and Chloe Esmeier (the Violet understudy in the title role for this performance). The harmonies were beautiful.

I also enjoyed the excellent character work by Hailey Watson (Young Vi), Rachel Gardner (Old Lady), Sylas Craven (Preacher), and Tre Taylor (Virgil).

NKU_Violet2

Hailey Watson as Young Vi & Trey Finkenstead as Father.

Both Chris Monell (Monty) and Trey Finkenstead (Father) created solid, believable characters and handled their songs very well.

The orchestra, under the leadership of Scot Buzza, sounded great and were hot miked. Thankfully, so were the actors so I could hear well when there were one or two vocalists. In the group numbers, there were times when the combination caused the lyrics to get muddy.

Director Jamey Strawn keeps the action clear and easy to follow as the story takes us to various locations and back and forth in time. The set design worked well and set changes were made with efficiency and never drew my focus.

Overall, an impressive, smartly presented, not often produced musical that my guest and I thoroughly enjoyed.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE Runs Oct. 27-Nov. 6

NKU_Dr Jkeyll & Mr. Hyde logoDR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE
NKU School of the Arts
Oct. 27-Nov. 6
Stauss Theatre [Highland Heights]

Directed by Michael Hatton

Dr. Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who explores the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his ‘second’ nature. His experiments transform himself into Mr. Hyde – his evil alter ego who doesn’t repent or accept responsibility for his evil crimes and ways. Jekyll tries to control his alter ego, Hyde, and for a while, Jekyll has the power. The struggle to keep his alternate nature contained leads Dr. Jekyll down a path of death and destruction in this Gothic thriller. This exciting stage adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is a narrative about the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature.

  • Thu-Sat, Oct. 27-29 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 30 at 2pm
  • Wed-Sat, Nov. 2-5 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 6 at 2pm

Official page |

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VIOLET the Musical Opens NKU’s Theatre & Dance Season

NKU_Violet logoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts presents “Violet: The Musical” to open the 22/23 Theatre & Dance season. “Violet” will run Sept. 23-Oct. 2, 2022, at NKU’s Corbett Theatre. “Violet” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

  • What: VIOLET the Musical
  • When: Sept. 23–Oct. 2, 2022
  • Where: NKU Corbett Theatre
  • Tickets: nku.edu/tickets or (859) 572-5464

As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she travels across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. Winner of the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, “Violet” is a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems ranging from American roots to folk to gospel.

Director Jamey Strawn notes that Violet’s scar is present through various scenic elements and lighting. “This, along with song lyrics and topical scenes, delivers a world that challenges us and unashamedly addresses racism, ableism and prejudice,” he said. “Violet is the kindred spirit that holds us to higher moral integrity. She showcases that equality for people, regardless of differences, can bring true healing.”

The cast features Tasha Conzelman, Sylas Craven, Chloe Esmeier, Zachary Farmer, Trey Finkenstead, Rachel Gardner, Chloe Hedrick, Jeremiah Jackson, Annie Jennings, Maggie Komp, Yolee Louis, Chris Monell, Ellie O’Hara, Dylan Perez, Tre Taylor, and Hailey Watson. Stage Manager: Jasmine Cosma; Choreographer: Jeri Deckard Gatch; Music Director: Scot Buzza. The show is directed by Jamey Strawn.

About NKU: Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 15,000 students served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near Cincinnati. Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky—just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati—we have become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students’ names. For more information, visit nku.edu.

About SOTA: The Theatre and Dance, Art and Design, and Music programs make up the School of the Arts that sit in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. Theatre and Dance relies on intensive student involvement both inside and outside the classroom. Our staff, resources and facilities serve the developing artist. At the program’s center is a vital balance of process and production, giving each student opportunities to stretch boundaries and discover new possibilities. Graduates are working in professional theatres in every major city in the United States and on five continents, having successful careers on Broadway and in regional theatre, on cruise ships, in theme parks and film and television. For more information, visit theatre.nku.edu.

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VIOLET Runs Sept. 23-Oct. 2

NKU_Violet logoVIOLET
NKU SOTA Theatre & Dance
Sept. 23-Oct. 2
Corbett Theatre [Highland Heights]

Directed by Jamey Strawn
Music directed by Scot Buzza

As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she travels across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. Winner of the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Violet is a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems ranging from American roots to folk to gospel.

  • Fri, Sept. 23 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Sept. 24 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Sept. 25 at 2pm
  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 2 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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