Tag Archives: The Drama Workshop

The nuns of Mount Saint Helen’s school seem to be tied up this Christmas. But it’s all in fun at TDW’s production of NUNCRACKERS, playing through December 18. Left to right, John Kushman, Russ McGee, Joe Hamzy, Michelle Shaffer, Dianna Davis, Naomi Stoner, Catherine Schultz, Amy Waldfogle, Samantha Cline & Evie Herrmann. Image by Tammy Cassesa.

(Cheviot, OH) The Drama Workshop’s production of Dan Goggin’s NUNCRACKERS is bringing a holiday treat to its theater in Cheviot at 3716 Glenmore Ave. Showtimes are 8 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, and at 2 pm on Sunday afternoons through December 18.

The hilarious sequel to TDW’s 2014 production of “Nunsense” features The Little Sisters of Hoboken’s first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement. It stars the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil, and four of Mount Saint Helen’s most talented students. Featuring all new songs including ‘Twelve Days Prior to Christmas’, ‘Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House’, ‘We Three Kings of Orient Are Us’ and ’It’s Better to Give than to Receive’, this show is filled with typical “Nunsense” humor, some of your favorite carols, and a “Secret Santa” audience participation.

NUNCRACKERS is directed by Lizanne Ingram and produced by Valeria Amburgey, with music direction by Linda Abbott. The cast includes Samantha Cline, Dianna Davis, Joe Hamzy, Evie Herrmann, John Kushman, Russ McGee, Catherine Schultz, Michelle Shaffer, Naomi Stoner, and Amy Waldfogle.

Among the characters are Sister Robert Anne and Sister Mary Hubert, played by real-life sisters-in-law Amy Waldfogle and Michelle Shaffer. While both have been involved in community theatre for many years, this is the first time they’ve ever appeared on stage together.

Amy convinced Michelle to audition when the actor originally cast as Mary Hubert had to drop out of the production. “This is the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to spend time with Michelle that didn’t also involve other family members,” she said. “It’s actually a big part of why I encouraged her to audition, to get that opportunity.”

Michelle agreed, “I see her with some frequency at family events, but have never done a proper show with – it’s nice to get some one on one we’ve never really had.”

While Amy has worked with TDW before, this is the first show that Michelle has done with the 62-year-old theatre company. “My experience with TDW has been really nice. Everyone’s been very welcoming and it’s really nice working with a group that has their own space. I haven’t gotten to do that much.”

Amy introducing Michelle to TDW mirrors something that Michelle did for her years ago. “Michelle is largely responsible for the existence of my family. She and my now husband met during the same show where Michelle met my brother,” she explained. “The cast bonding from that show led to a “gang” that continued to hang out together….which is how Michelle got to know Greg…..and a few years later, she invited me to the birthday celebration outing for this guy named Mark, as a chance to see some people I knew while I was in town for Christmas.”

Mark and Amy are now married, with a daughter. Amy grinned, “So the whole “theatre is one big family” idea is definitely demonstrated in our world.”

To order tickets to NUNCRACKERS, please either order online at http://www.thedramaworkshop.org or via the 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303.

All performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave, Cheviot, 45211. Ticket prices for the show are $16 in advance, or $17 the day of the show. Seating is extremely limited, and some performances are already sold out. A discounted prices is available for groups of 10 or more.

Richard (Rick Hunt) confronts Queen Eleanor (Karen Romero) in his attempt to gain the throne of England in TDW’s production of THE LION IN WINTER. Tammy Cassesa image.

The Drama Workshop is thrilled to open the classic, “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman, on Friday, October 7th, and running through October 23rd at The Glenmore Playhouse, TDW’s intimate 96-seat theater in the heart of Cheviot.

With sibling rivalry, adultery and dungeons, “The Lion in Winter” is a modern day classic. Comedic in tone and dramatic in action, the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family who are locked in a free for all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both the kingdom and King Henry’s young paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.

“The Lion in Winter” was adapted for film in 1968, featuring Peter O’Toole as Henry and Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor. Hepburn won second Best Actress Academy Award for her performance.

TDW’s production of “The Lion in Winter” is directed by Francis Boyle, and produced by Dennis Murphy, and features performances by Michael Gettinger (Geoffrey), James Gilhooley (John), Hannah Goodman (Alais), Rick Hunt (Richard), Robert Hyer (Phillip), Wallace Johnson (Henry), and Karen Romero (Eleanor).

Long-time TDW member and Westwood resident Karen Romero considers Eleanor of Aquitaine to be a ‘bucket list’ role. “Eleanor of Aquitaine would be a remarkable woman in today’s world, but in 1183 she was truly unique,” Karen explained. “This is a real life ‘Game of Thrones’ that happened over 800 years ago! Adultery, power struggles, betrayal, and love – the show has it all.”

Newcomer Rick Hunt is the legendary Richard the Lionheart, son of Eleanor and Henry, and also loves the storyline. “You don’t really know what’s going to happen until the last few minutes of the show,” he said. “Audiences will love it!”

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 14, Oct 15, Oct 21, and Oct 22, and 2 p.m. on Oct 9, Oct 16, and Oct 23. Advanced reservation seats are $16 each, or tickets may be purchased for $17 at the box office the day of the show.

For more information or to order tickets, please call TDW’s 24/7 ticket line at 513-598-8303 or order on line at www.thedramaworkshop.org. Discounts are available for groups over 10. Shows frequently sell out, so reservations are recommended. The 96-seat theater uses festival seating, except for season subscribers.

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 has a long history of being selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference, including last season’s production of UNNECESSARY FACE. TDW is also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2017 American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in Champaign, Illinois. 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.