Tag Archives: The Drama Workshop

Mistaken identities, romance, and two visitors at cross-purposes headline The Drama Workshop’s production of NATURAL CAUSES, opening October 6 in Cheviot. Jeff Neiman as Vincent & Eric Thomas as Walter Bryce. Photo by Kristy Rucker.

(Cheviot, Ohio) The Drama Workshop presents the second show of its exciting 2017-2018 theatrical season with the side-splitting comedy ‘Natural Causes.’

The production opens October 6, and runs through October 22 with performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for three weekends. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm, while Sunday afternoon matinees begin at 2 pm. All performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot.

This is a hilarious tale of Vincent and his unusual occupation as a “professional suicide merchant.” When Vincent is invited to Walter’s lovely country house to assist in the disposal of Walter’s wife, Celia, he senses something is wrong. Why are the suicide notes unsigned? What is the role of Walter’s attractive secretary? Why has the Samaritan been sent for? Will any of them die, willingly or unwillingly, from natural causes? ‘Natural Causes’ is a sure-fire prescription for laughter!

TDW’s production is spearheaded by an award-winning production team led by director Ray Lebowski and producer Ray Persing, and includes an accomplished technical team of Melissa Smith, Jason Cox, Jef Brown, Elaine Volker, and Dennis Murphy. The show features the talents of Elizabeth Beatty, Adam Drake, Rusty Lacy, Jeff Neiman, and Eric Thomas.

Over the last few years, Eric Thomas has become a regular performer at The Drama Workshop, last appearing as Felix in ‘The Odd Couple.’  He was drawn to ‘Natural Causes’ because of the characters. “Flawed as they are, they are quickly sympathetic and somehow you don’t mind that they are pursuing some rather dark goals,” he explained. “There are some truly laugh-out-loud moments in this show.  When the same lines the cast and crew have heard dozens of times in rehearsals are still getting laughs, you know it’s a good one.”

Tickets to ‘Natural Causes’ are $18 each if ordered in advance, or $20 at the door. Show dates and times are October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 8 pm, and October 8, 15, and 22 at 2 pm. Shows frequently sell out, and reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets can be ordered through The Drama Workshop’s ticket line at 513.598.8303, or ordered online via the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

TDW’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM brings laughter, music, and a tale of mistaken identity to The Glenmore Playhouse in downtown Cheviot, opening August 11. Chuck Ingram as Senex, Joe Penno as Pseudolus, Rob Bucher as Hysterium & Gary Herman as Lycus. Photo by Kristy Rucker.

The Drama Workshop opens its exciting 2017-2018 theatrical season with the classic musical comedy, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. This Tony-award winning comedy is sure to thrill audiences with its combination of slapstick humor and toe-tapping songs.

The production opens August 11, and runs through August 27 with performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for three weekends, with an added Thursday performance before the final weekend. Sunday performances begin at 2 pm; all others begin at 8 pm. All performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot.

Inspired by the farces of ancient Rome, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The show is filled with puns, slamming doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The title derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: “A funny thing happened on the way to the theater.”

The musical’s original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “Forum” has enjoyed several Broadway and West End revivals and was made into a successful film starring the original lead of the musical, Zero Mostel.

TDW’s production is spearheaded by an award-winning production team led by director Dennis Murphy, music director Linda Abbott, and producer Gretchen Gantner. The show features the talents of Whitney Ball, Adrianna Boris, Rob Bucher, Victoria Covarrubias, Gary Herman, Jonny Hofmann, Chuck Ingram, Mary Ingram, Rachel Kazee, Burt McCollum, Kaitrin McCoy, Joe Penno, Gina Stack, Samantha Toberman, Jon Vater, and Mark Waldfogle.

Jon Vater is a newcomer to the TDW stage, but is no stranger to theatre, being a regular performer at the Stained Glass Theatre in Newport. “As a child of about ten, I saw the movie on local television one afternoon and its lunatic plot-line caught my attention,” he explained. “I was startled by the actor who played Miles Gloriosus as he was so brawny and basso profundo, never dreaming that one day I would not only sing and act myself, but step into that very part!”

TDW veteran Victoria Covarrubias plays the courtesan Tintinubula, and says she’s thrilled to be part of such a diverse and talented cast. “I love participating in TDW productions because it’s fun and it’s truly a group effort,” she said. “Everyone is really welcoming and accepting and works hard, but we always have a good time. The show itself is a timeless story of love and mistaken identities. How could anyone help but love it?”

Vater agreed with her, adding “The story is just simple, slapsticky, door-slamming fun with no agenda. It’s a way for audiences to leave all cares at the door and just watch the frantic tale as it spirals into further craziness while also enjoying some fun music. Its goal is to put a smile on one’s face rather than to change the world.”

Tickets to A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM are $18 each if ordered in advance, or $20 at the door. Show dates and times are August 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26 at 8 pm, and August 13, 20, and 27 at 2 pm. The Thursday, August 24 performance is at 7:30pm. Shows frequently sell out, and reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets can be ordered through The Drama Workshop’s ticket line at 513.598.8303, or ordered online via the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

The Drama Workshop was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati.

TDW productions are frequently selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference, including this past season with a production of “Aways…Patsy Cline”. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 and 2017 American Association of Community Theatre regional conferences. The Drama Workshop has been recognized by the Cincinnati Preservation Association for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse.

Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513.598.8303.