Tag Archives: The Drama Workshop

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.

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.