Tag Archives: Sunset Players

SSP 2013-2014 Orchid Awards

SSP_logoTHE 39 STEPS

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Merritt Beischel as Annabella/Pamela/Margaret
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Peter Merten as Clown 2
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Nik Pajik as Richard Hanney
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – John Funcheon as Clown 1
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Mike Burke & Cast

THE HALLELUJAH GIRLS

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Jeri Nakamura as Crystal Hart
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Marcia Grant as Nita Mooney
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Cathy Woodruff as Mavin Flowers
  • Excellence in Costumes – Jan Yearout
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Don Frimming & Cast
  • Excellence in Program – Angela Klocke Forbes
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Dave Myers

This information was entered by hand. You can notify me of corrections at robbucher@fuse.net.

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SSP Present Local Community Theater Premiere of NEXT TO NORMAL

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.  Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.
Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

CINCINNATI, OH – June 30, 2014 —Sunset Players will be the first Greater Cincinnati community theater to present the Pulitzer-Prize winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL by Tom Kitt with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey.

“NEXT TO NORMAL offers several firsts for Sunset Players,” explained show director Jerry Yearout. “The theater group is premiering the show in the Greater Cincinnati area. It is also the first summer show for Sunset Players and goes outside the theater group’s usual comedic fare into a serious musical.”

NEXT TO NORMAL tells the story of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact.

The cast for the Sunset Players’ performance includes real-life husband and wife (Jen and Jared Ryan) who portray husband and wife Diana and Dan Goodman. The entire cast is:

  • Jen Ryan as Diana Goodman
  • Jered Ryan as Dan Goodman
  • Megan Callahan as Natalie Goodman
  • Robert Breslin IV as Gabe Goodman
  • Gregory Shaffer as Dr. Fine
  • Luka Ashley Carter as Henry

Hear from the cast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8d5CzMLpdqi1TkMf5qsfw17w7lrnlgNW

Show dates for NEXT TO NORMAL are: July 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 & 26. All performances begin at 8 pm with a 2 pm Sunday matinee. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $14 for students, seniors or groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased through the Sunset Players website (www.sunsetplayers.org) or reserved by calling 513-588-4988.

Sunset Players, Inc. is a community theater group located on the west side of Cincinnati. Founded in 1979, the group performs at the Arts Center at Dunham and has produced more than 120 plays. For more information, visit our website at www.sunsetplayers.org or like us on Facebook.

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NEXT TO NORMAL runs July 11-26

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.  Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.
Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

NEXT TO NORMAL
Presented by Sunset Players
July 11-26
West Price Hill

Directed by Jerry Yearout

Cast: Jen McGuire Ryan as Diana, Jered Ryan as Dan, Megan Ainsley Callahan as Natalie, Robert Breslin IV as Gabe, Luka Ashley Carter as Henry & Greg Shaffer as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine

This Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Diana Goodman, mother and wife, struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. Meanwhile, her husband and daughter try to cope—one attempts to forget while the other confronts. This contemporary story is an emotional powerhouse addressing such issues as grieving, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, Next to Normal shows how far two parents will go to keep their family’s world intact.

  • Fri-Sat, July 11-12 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, July 18-19 at 8pm
  • Sun, July 20 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, July 24-26 at 8pm

Official page |

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SSP Announces Cast of THE ADDAMS FAMILY

SSP_logoThe Sunset Players would like to announce the cast of the Cincinnati Community theater premier of The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy.

  • Gomez – Gregory Good
  • Morticia – Anne Schneider
  • Wednesday – Victoria Garcia
  • Pugsley – Alexander Mullins
  • Fester – Doug Bruening
  • Grandma – Victoria Covarrubias
  • Lucas – Matthew Prater
  • Mal – Kent Smith
  • Alice – Lindsey Morgan
  • Lurch – Sam Johnson
  • Addams Family Ancestors – Nick McDonough, Hannah Lewis, Russ D. McGee, Amanda Borchers, Karra Robinson, Devon Riddle, Hannah Johnson, Don Frimming

Show dates are October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, and 18.

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THE 39 STEPS Run May 2-17

Merritt Beischel, Nik Pajic, John Funcheon, Peter B. Merten perform in Sunset Players’ THE 39 STEPS.

Merritt Beischel, Nik Pajic, John Funcheon, Peter B. Merten perform in Sunset Players’ THE 39 STEPS.

THE 39 STEPS
Presented by Sunset Players
May 2-17
West Price Hill

Directed by Mike Burke

Cast: Nik Pajic, Merritt Beischel, Peter B. Merten & John Funcheon

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit with nonstop laughs. A man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! This hysterical thriller features an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance.

  • Fri-Sat, May 2-3 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, May 9-10 at 8pm
  • Sun, May 11 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, May 15-17 at 8pm

Official page |

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