Tag Archives: UC College-Conservatory of Music

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Review

CCM_The Government Inspector1

Photo by Mark Lyons.

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR presented by UC College-Conservatory, closed Oct. 7. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the Saturday matinee performance.

UC College-Conservatory of Music kicks off its 2018-19 MainStage season with Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of the 1834 play by Russian dramatist Nikolai Gogol, performed by CCM Acting.

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Carter LaCava as Ivan Alexandreyevich Hlestakov & Zoe Cotzias as Marya. Photo by Mark Lyons.

The two-sided, storybook set design by Lindsey Purvis impressed and worked really well for the production. The wig and make-up design by Kelly Yurko, combined with the wonderful costumes designed by Dean Mogle, made for a visually interesting and diverse set of characters. Regarding the make-up execution, I’m assuming the actors were responsible for their individual looks and were successful for the most part. The blending of some of the age lines could have used a bit more finesse here and there, but nicely done on the whole.

I was impressed with the character work by the ensemble. It was fun watching them find that mixture of over-the-top yet believable characters within the confines of the play. That being said, it could have been fun to see Ivan a bit more of a slave to his vices. This was the first time seeing this production and I thought the final reveal worked well. The intercepted letter at the end of the show did reveal a few plot points that didn’t necessarily come across in the performance. I was surprised to learn that The Mayor and the School Principal had known each other for 40 years. Visually they did not look like contemporaries to me. I also found the description of the Mayor’s wife in the letter as a woman with her best years behind her to be at odds with her on stage appearance.

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Carter LaCava as Ivan Alexandreyevich Hlestakov, Graham Rogers as the Mayor, Reid Robison as Bobchinsky & Trey Peterson as Dobchinsky. Photo by Mark Lyons.

I did find the pacing of the performance to be a bit sedate. Part of this was due to slow pickups among the cast, almost as if they were waiting for expected laughs. The structure of the show seemed to add to this problem. For example, several cast members, in succession, had an audience with the “government inspector.” As performed in the matinee, scenes came across more as individual vignettes instead of one scene flowing immediately into another.

Overall, an entertaining piece highlighted by smart character work and supported by a very strong design team.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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CCM MainStage Series Continues with Broadway Classic GUYS AND DOLLS

CCM_Guys and Dolls promoFeaturing iconic musical numbers like “Luck be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” this lavish production marks the 50th anniversary of CCM Musical Theatre.

CINCINNATI, OH — UC’s College-Conservatory of Music celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Musical Theatre program with a cherished musical comedy from Broadway’s golden age, Guys and Dolls. Named one of Cincinnati CityBeat’s “most eagerly anticipated fall productions” and listed in Cincinnati’s Magazine’s “10 can’t-miss performances,” Guys and Dolls opens at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium.

The musical tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a gambler trying to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while eluding the authorities. Detroit turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, who ends up chasing straight-laced missionary Sister Sarah Brown as a result.

Featuring iconic musical numbers like “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and more, this Tony Award-winning show takes audiences from the heart of Times Square to the cafés of Havana in a tale of saints and sinners and the lengths they will go for love.

Directed and choreographed by Professor Diane Lala, with musical direction by Professor Roger Grodsky, Guys and Dolls showcases the unbelievable on-stage talent of CCM’s musical theatre majors with live accompaniment by CCM’s world-class student orchestra.

CCM’s production also features a special appearance from dramatic performance alumnus Dain Alan Paige (BFA, 1992) as Arvide Abernathy. Paige has appeared in several productions at the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati including Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Most recently, Paige was on stage as Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka at the Carnegie Theatre in Covington, Kentucky.

“CCM established the first BFA musical theatre program in the country, and we are rated as one of the top musical theatre programs in the country,” Lala says. “Celebrate our golden anniversary with us as we present this award-winning classic musical.”

CCM Musical Theatre 50th Anniversary gala: Arts lovers are invited to get “all dolled up” for a special performance of Guys and Dolls followed by the one-night-only Saints and Sinners Bash on Oct. 20, 2018. Read more about this special performance and gala after party in the Cincinnati Business Courier.

GUYS AND DOLLS A Musical Fable of Broadway Based on a Story and Characters by Damon Runyon Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows

Creative Team

  • Diane Lala, director and choreographer
  • Roger Grodsky, musical director
  • Thomas C. Umfrid, scenic designer
  • Nicholas Smith*, lighting designer
  • Jason Sebastian, sound designer
  • Reba Senske, costume designer
  • Meredith Keister*, wig and make-up designer
  • Caroline Castleman*, production stage manager
  • k. Jenny Jones, fight coordinator
  • D’Arcy Smith and Kate Webster, dialect coaches
    * CCM Student

Cast List

  • Nick Berninger as Nicley-Nicely Johnson
  • Sam Pickart as Benny Southstreet
  • Hank Von Kolnitz as Rusty Charlie
  • Aria Braswell as Sarah Brown
  • Dain Alan Paige+ as Arvide Abernathy
  • Michael Canu as Harry the Horse
  • Stone Mountain as Lt. Brannigan
  • Kevin Chlapecka^/Matt Copley* as Nathan Detroit
  • Andrew Alstat as Angie the Ox
  • Kendall McCarthy^/Anya Axel* as Miss Adelaide
  • Frankie Thams as Sky Masterson
  • Eli Mayer as Joey Baltimore
  • Dylan Dougal as Hot Box MC
  • Bryn Purvis as Mimi
  • Elle Zambarano as General Matilda B. Cartwright
  • Elijah King as Big Jule
  • Sofie Flores as Agatha
  • Cole Harksen as Calvin
  • Britta Rae as Martha
  • Hot Box Girls: Bailee Endebrock, Jamie Goodson, Zoe Grolnick, Bryn Purvis
  • Sewer Boys: Leo Carmody, Christian Feliciano, Kai Horvit, Christian Kidd, Drew Minard, Eli Owens, Aaron Richert, Sammy Schechter
  • Ensemble: Andrew Alstat, Kurtis Brown, Michael Canu, Dylan DougaL, Sofie Flores, Haley Holcomb, Chip Hawver, Jack Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Eli Mayer, Jordan Miller, Britta Rae, Mikayla Renfrow, Erich W. Schleck, Veronica Stern, Quinn Surdez, Hank Von Kolnitz, Ethan Zeph
  • Dance Captain Bryn Purvis

Understudies:

  • Nicely-Nicely Johnson – Erich W. Schleck
  • Benny Southstreet – Andrew Alstat
  • Sarah Brown – Mikayla Renfrow
  • Sky Masterson – Ethan Zeph
  • Swings – Anna Chase Lanier, Brandon Schumacker

* Friday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 26; Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.
^ Satuday, Oct. 20; Sunday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
+ Denotes CCM alumnus

Performance Times

  • 8 p.m. Friday, October 19
  • 7 p.m. Saturday, October 20 (CCMpower gala event; special pricing applies)
  • 1 p.m. Sunday, October 21
  • 7 p.m. Sunday, October 21
  • 8 p.m. Friday, October 26
  • 2 p.m. Saturday, October 27
  • 8 p.m. Saturday, October 27

Location
Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village University of Cincinnati

Purchasing Tickets
Ticket prices start at $32. Discounts are available for UC and non-UC students. Service changes may apply for online orders.

Student rush tickets will be available one hour before each performance to non-UC students, based on availability. UC students can receive one free student rush ticket with a valid Bearcat ID, based on availability.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online through CCM’s e-Box Office.

Customizable subscription packages are also available for CCM’s 2018-19 Mainstage Series.

Parking and Directions Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.

Mainstage Production Sponsor: Macy’s

GUYS AND DOLLS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit us online at http://ccm.uc.edu.

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GODSPELL Runs Nov. 8-10

CCM_Godspell logoGODSPELL
UC College-Conservatory of Music Studio Musical Theatre Series
Nov. 8-10
Cohen Family Studio Theater [University Heights]

Directed & choreographed by Katie Johannigman
Music directed by Stephen Goers

Based on the gospel according to St. Matthew, Godspell is a perennial audience favorite, telling the well-known parables with comedy, improvisation and theatre games. Featuring the international hit, “Day by Day,” Godspell sports an eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville. By turns hilarious and moving, Godspell is a solid gold hit from the Off- Broadway season of 1971.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. Tickets become available at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5. Visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.

  • Thu-Fri, Nov. 8-9 at 8pm
  • Sat, Nov. 10 at 2pm & 8pm

Official page | Facebook event |

 

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CCM’s 2018-19 Studio Series Presents Sarah Ruhl’s EURYDICE

CCM_Eurydice logo

This play re-imagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Admission is free but reservations are required.

CCM kicks off its 2018-19 Studio Series with Sarah Ruhl’s retelling of EURYDICE on October 11-13. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists and breathtaking poetry, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.

Susan Felder, CCM professor of acting and movement, directs the production. In her director’s note, Felder explores the theme of grief in EURYDICE:

“The play is adapted from a myth by the Greeks, who believed that after we die, we travel through a river that washes and rids us of burdensome memories of life and loss. The play offers us just that proposition. What if we could rid ourselves of the passage through grieving times? What if it were that easy?” Felder asks.

Performances of EURYDICE take place Oct. 11-13, 2018, in CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Tickets become available at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, October 8. Visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.

On November 17, CCM and the Cincinnati Opera will also present an operatic version of this play, featuring music by 2018 MacArthur Fellow Matthew Aucoin. Admission to this Opera Fusion production is free, but reservations are required. Tickets will become available through the Cincinnati Opera box office on Monday, November 5 at 10 a.m; call 513-241-2742 to reserve.

EURYDICE Cast List:

  • Madison Pullman as Eurydice
  • James Egbert as Father
  • Jabari Carter as The Interesting Man
  • Duncan Weinland as Orpheus
  • Ella Eggold as Loud Stone
  • Madeleine Page-Schmit as Little Stone
  • Jack Steiner as Big Stone

Performance Times:

  • 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
  • 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
  • 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Location:
Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Admission:
Admission is free, but reservations are required. Tickets become available at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8. Visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.

Parking and Directions:
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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Acting Studio Series Sponsor: Neil Artman and Margaret Straub
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Story by CCM Graduate Student Alexandra Doyle

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CCM Celebrates 50 years of Excellence in Musical Theatre with Lavish Production of GUYS AND DOLLS and Gala Afterparty

CCM-MT50-Saints-and-Sinners-Bash

Arts lovers are invited to get ‘all dolled up’ for a performance of the Broadway classic ‘Guys and Dolls’ followed by the ‘Saints and Sinners Bash’ gala on Oct. 20, 2018!

Cincinnati, OH — The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary BFA program in Musical Theatre with a special gala event on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Arts lovers are invited to show their saintly support and have a sinfully good time during an evening that includes a lavish production of the classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls followed by CCM’s Saints and Sinners Bash after party. Ticket proceeds support scholarships, student travel funds and master class opportunities.

The Musical Theatre program at CCM is the oldest in the country and was the first of its kind. A four-year bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program, it was used by the National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating the guidelines for the accreditation of Musical Theatre programs nationwide. CCM Musical Theatre is widely recognized for its “triple-threat” approach to training and many of its graduates are following careers as performers and creative artists in every facet of the entertainment industry.

About The Show
CCM is celebrating the golden anniversary of its Musical Theatre program with a cherished musical comedy from Broadway’s golden age. Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a gambler trying to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while eluding the authorities. Detroit turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, who ends up chasing straight-laced missionary Sister Sarah Brown as a result. Featuring iconic musical numbers like “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and more, this Tony Award-winning show takes audiences from the heart of Times Square to the cafés of Havana in a tale of saints and sinners and the lengths they will go for love.

Directed and choreographed by Professor Diane Lala, with musical direction by Professor Roger GrodskyGuys and Dolls features the unbelievable on-stage talent of CCM’s musical theatre majors with live accompaniment by CCM’s world-class student orchestra. The performance takes place in CCM’s newly-renovated Corbett Auditorium.

About The After Party
After the performance of Guys and Dolls, attendees will be escorted to the Great Hall of UC’s Tangeman University Center for the Guys and Dolls-themed Saints and Sinners Bash. Guests can unwind in the Sinners Lounge, dance to music provided by the CCM Jazz Band and enjoy specialty drinks. Jeff Thomas Catering will provide themed food stations at the event, which also features a Graeter’s Ice Cream “Saints and Sinners” sundae bar.

The Saints and Sinners Bash will also celebrate the incredible history of CCM’s Musical Theatre program. CCM conferred the United States’ first BFA in Musical Theatre to Pamela Myers in 1969. Shortly after graduating, Myers received a Tony nomination in the category of Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her breakout role as Marta in Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical Company. Fifty years later, CCM Musical Theatre graduates continue to work on Broadway and throughout the nation in such productions as AnastasiaHamiltonWaitressThe Book of Mormon, Pippin, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Kinky BootsBig FishNewsies and The Lion King. During the 2017-18 season, CCM again took the #2 spot in Playbill Magazine’s list of “10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway,” coming behind only New York University. Graduates also represent CCM in national and international touring productions, in dinner theatres and theme parks, on cruise ships, on television, in talent agencies, as producers and in many of the related entertainment fields.

Attendees are invited to get “all dolled up” in 1940s attire for a fun-filled night out benefiting CCM’s student “stars of tomorrow.” The entire evening is hosted by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group comprised of fans, advocates and alumni. The funds raised by this event enable CCMpower to “fuel the future of the arts” by awarding student scholarships and grants. CCMpower is presenting Guys and Dolls and the Saints and Sinners Bash in lieu of CCM’s popular Moveable Feast gala fundraiser. Moveable Feast will return to CCM in January 2020.

The Saints and Sinners Bash is chaired by Heather Vecellio, with Dianne Dunkelman serving as honorary chair. The fundraiser will be the first event held during the tenure of new CCMpower President Arlene Katz. The gala fundraiser also celebrates the arrival of new CCM Dean Stanley Romanstein, whose tenure officially began on July 1, 2018.

CCM’s Mainstage Series will also present performances of Guys and Dolls on Oct. 19, 21, 26 and 27. Learn more about these performances at https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2018/08/n201024.html. 

GUYS AND DOLLS AND THE SAINTS AND SINNERS BASH
A Musical Fable of Broadway
Based on a Story and Characters of Damon Runyon
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Diane Lala, director and choreographer
Roger Grodsky, musical director

Date
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018

Schedule of Events:

  • Sponsor Reception at CCM’s Patricia Corbett Theater: 6 p.m. (only available for sponsors)
  • Performance of Guys and Dolls at CCM’s Corbett Auditorium: 7 p.m.
  • Saints and Sinners Bash at the Great Hall in UC’s Tangeman University Center: 9:30-11:30 p.m.

Location
University of Cincinnati

Dress
All Dolled Up (1940s attire encouraged)

Purchasing Tickets
Tickets are on sale now for general admission, young professional and CCM alumni. Order tickets over the phone at 513-556-2100 or online at  ccm.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/SaintsandSinnersBash2018.

Seating is limited. Event proceeds raised by CCMpower support student scholarships for CCM’s “stars of tomorrow” and also help fund student and ensemble travel, master class opportunities and collaborative projects.

Sponsorship and Host tickets to Guys and Dolls and the Saints and Sinners Bash are also available and can be purchased over the telephone at 513-556-2100. Sponsorship levels begin at $600, visit ccm.uc.edu/support/events for more details.

Host Options: 

  • Saint $250 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash, one ticket to CCM Musical Theatre’s “Not Famous Yet” Showcase on March 15, 2019, valet parking and program recognition
  • Sinner $175 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash, valet parking and program recognition
  • General Public Tickets: $125 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash and membership to CCMpower
  • CCM Alumni and Young Professional (40 and under) Tickets: $75 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash and membership to CCMpower

Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.

About CCMpower
The result of a merger of the Friends of CCM and the CCM Alumni Governing Board, CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more. This new organization is a combination of people who love and support the arts along with graduates of CCM investing back in their school. To learn more, visit ccm.uc.edu/ccmpower.

Declared “one of the nation’s leading conservatories” by The New York Times, CCM is a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts. The school’s educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at its core since that time.

CCM offers nine degree types (BA, BM, BFA, MFA, MM, MA, AD, DMA, PhD) in nearly 120 possible majors. The synergy created by housing CCM within a comprehensive public university gives the college its unique character and defines its objective: to educate and inspire the whole artist and scholar for positions on the world’s stage.

CCM is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit us online at ccm.uc.edu.

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