Tag Archives: The Drama Workshop

The Drama Workshop Celebrates Another Successful Season

TDW_The Honk

TDW’s production of THE ODD COUPLE garnered 17 awards from the Association of Community Theatres, highlighting a very successful year for the Cheviot-based theatre company. The group’s 2017-2018 season starts on August 11 with the musical comedy A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Pictured are Chris Bishop as Oscar Madison & Eric Thomas as Felix Ungar. Photo by Kristy Rucker.

(Cheviot, Ohio) The Drama Workshop has concluded another great year of theatre in its home in the Cheviot business district, and is excited to build on last year’s success as it prepares for its 2017-2018 season.

For the 2016-2017 season, The Drama Workshop set a record for attendance, with over 4,000 patrons. Additionally, the group set a record for recognition received from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati, with 69 awards for excellence in acting, direction, and other performance and technical areas ranging from scenic design to properties to costuming.

TDW’s production of THE ODD COUPLE, directed by Ray Persing, led the group with 17 awards. “I think a lot of our success is due to attention to detail, whether it’s performances or the different technical areas,” he said. “People know that when they come to TDW that they’re going to see a great show, and at a great price. It’s a cheaper evening out than going to a movie.”

Tobie Braverman, TDW’s president, is extremely proud of the group’s accomplishments. “We have been overwhelmed by our attendance numbers as well as the recognition we have received in both awards and patron feedback.   It’s sometimes easy for people to forget that this is an all-volunteer group, which year after year, presents theatre of outstanding quality.”

In addition to the local accolades, TDW was selected to participate in the Ohio Community Theatre Association state festival this year, restaging a portion of last season’s hit, ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, over Labor Day weekend. The group also represented the State of Ohio at the American Association of Community Theatres 5-state regional festival with a restaged version of the 2016 hit, UNNECESSARY FARCE.

TDW’s new five-show season kicks off on August 11, with the hysterical musical comedy, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, followed by four more shows between October 2017 and May 2018: the dark comedy, NATURAL CAUSES; the uproariously funny farce, INSPECTING CAROL; a new thriller by a local playwright, “THE GIRLS OF MILLER’S COURT: THE HUNT FOR JACK THE RIPPER; and the stage adaptation of the classic comedy, THE STING.

Season tickets are $70 each, and may be ordered by phoning the TDW box office at 513.598.8303. In addition to a discount over the regular ticket prices, season ticket holders also receive reserved, preferred seating in what is normally a general seating venue. 285 patrons have already signed up for the next season, representing almost one-third of the available seats.

In addition to season tickets, single show tickets for A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM are also on sale, and can be ordered through the TDW box office. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are strongly recommended.

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 been selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference, including this past season with our 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 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.

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A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Runs Aug. 11-27

A Funny Thing logoA FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
The Drama Workshop
Aug. 11-27
Glenmore Playhouse [Cheviot]

Directed by Dennis Murphy
Music directed by Linda Abbott
Produced by Gretchen Gantner

Cast: Joe Penno as Prologus/Pseudolus, Chuck Ingram as Senex, Samantha Toberman as Domina, Alex Cottle as Hero, Rob Bucher as Hysterium, Burt McCollom as Erronius, Jon Vater as Miles Gloriosus, Gary Herman as Marcus Lycus, Victoria Covarrubias as Tintinabula, Whitney Ball as Panacea, Adrianna Boris & Mary Ingram as the Geminae, Rachel Kazee as Vibrata, Kaitrin McCoy as Gynmasia, Regina Stack as Philia and Mark Waldfogle & Jonny Hofmann as The Proteans

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 11-12 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 13 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 18-19 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 20 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 25-26 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 27 at 2pm

Official page |

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2016-2017 Orchid Awards for The Drama Workshop

TDW_VERTNOISES OFF

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Natasha Boeckmann
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Stefanie Adams
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Bill Keeton
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Tim Binzer
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Dennis Murphy and Cast
  • Excellence in Producing – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Set Construction Crew
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Elaine Michael
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Choreography – Jeff Nieman
  • Excellence in House – Tobie Braverman and Michele Fortman
  • Excellence in Overall Technical Quality – Elaine Volker and Crew

THE LION IN WINTER

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Wallace Johnson
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Karen Romero
  • Excellence in Ensemble – Francis RTM Boyle and Cast
  • Excellence in Direction – Francis RTM Boyle
  • Excellence in Producing – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Dennis Murphy, Ray Persing and Karen Romero
  • Excellence in Light Design – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Jason Cox
  • Excellence in House – Tobie Braverman and Michele Fortman
  • Excellence in Overall Performance Quality – Francis RTM Boyle and Cast

NUNCRACKERS

  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Amy Waldfogle
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Catherine Schultz
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Evie Yvonne Herrmann
  • Excellence in Direction – Lizanne Ingram
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Linda Abbott
  • Excellence in Producing – Valeria Amburgey
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Elaine Volker, Ray Persing, Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Properties – Elaine Volker and Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Tobie Braverman
  • Excellence in Choreography – Lizanne Ingram and Amy Waldfogle
  • Excellence in House – Elaine Volker and Michele Fortman

THE ODD COUPLE

  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Mark Waldfogle
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Adam Drake
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Scott Unes
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Chris Bishop
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Eric Thomas
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Kristen Vincenty
  • Excellence in Acting in a Play – Meagan L. Blasch
  • Excellence in Direction – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Producing – Ray Persing and Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Kent Smith
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Ray Persing and Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Light Design – Beth Boland
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Jason Cox
  • Excellence in Lobby Display – Dan Phares
  • Excellence in Program – Elaine Volker
  • Excellence in Program Art – Marsha Moore

ALWAYS PATSY CLINE

  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Cynthia Mottel
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Jennifer Keith
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – The Bodacious Bobcat Band
  • Excellence in Direction – Robert Weidle
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Linda Abbott
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Linda Abbott
  • Excellence in Producing – Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Set Design – Ray Persing
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Gretchen Gantner
  • Excellence in Light Design – Eric Bardes
  • Excellence in Costume Design – Dennis Murphy
  • Excellence in Lobby Display – Gretchen Gantner and Ray Persing

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2016-2017 Orchid Awards

ACT_purpleThe Orchid Awards are presented at the end of each season determined by an adjudication system of providing three judges per production for each of the ACT of Greater Cincinnati member groups. Orchid awards for the 2016-2017 Season:

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The Drama Workshop Presents HOME BREW THEATER

TDW_Homebrew Theater 2 promo

The Drama Workshop welcomes all those who enjoy good beer and good theatre to Home Brew Theater, running June 9 through 11. The collection of six short plays includes Peggy Allen and Chris Bishop in SMOKING by Herb Duval. Photo by Kat Reynolds.

(Cheviot, Ohio) The Drama Workshop is thrilled to present HOME BREW THEATER, an event featuring six new plays and locally brewed beer June 9-11. Performances will be June 9 and June 10 at 8 pm, and June 11 at 2 pm at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave, Cheviot. All proceeds benefit the Glenmore Playhouse Fix-the-Roof-Fund.

This program is an event unique to The Drama Workshop. The six short plays are all locally written; the playwrights are a combination of people returning from last year’s well-received inaugural HOME BREW THEATER, and newcomers. The 10 minute short-plays make for a fun and fast-moving evening of entertainment. Each performance will be followed by a reception for ticketholders with beer provided by the Christian Moerlein brewery.

The plays, authors, and casts are:

MAGPIE by Teri Foltz, with Bill Keeton, Lori Kirstein, Amber Potter, and Michael C. Potter: Maggie learns a lesson from the birds.

FIRST LOVE by Alan Jozwiak, with Mary Vosseberg and Sam Kerns: breaking up is hard to do.

NOT BAD NEWS by Angela Forbes, with Ray Persing, Gretchen Gantner, and LeAnna Homandberg: what do you suppose is their daughter’s big announcement?

SMOKING by Herb DuVal, with Chris Bishop and Peggy Allen: sometimes, you have to get their attention first!

ESCAPE2FUN by Clint Bramkamp, with Jazz McMullen and Victoria Garcia: Richard and Ellie might get somewhere if it wasn’t for the interruptions .

I QUIT by Betsy Bossart, with Peyton Hahn, Jeffrey Surber, Emily Brinkman, Roxanne Millman, Amy Waldfogle, and Jim Bussey: who knew it could be so hard to quit a job?

The shows are directed by Kat Reynolds, and produced by Clint Bramkamp.

Seating is limited, and reservations for this unique event are strongly recommended. Tickets are $12 each, and may be ordered by phone at (513) 598-8303 or purchased online 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. In 2015, they were the most-recognized group in the greater Cincinnati area for theatrical excellence.

TDW productions are frequently been selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Drama Workshop has been recognized 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.

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