Tag Archives: UC College-Conservatory of Music

December 11, 2014 · 1:24 pm

PLAID TIDINGS Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, John Battagliese as Francis and Thomas Knapp as Smudge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, John Battagliese as Francis and Thomas Knapp as Smudge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

PLAID TIDINGS presented by the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts through Dec. 21. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

It’s all about the Plaids, ’bout the Plaids…no argyle.

For the holiday season, Cincinnati Landmark Productions has re-gifted the cast of The Showboat Majestic’s 2013 production of FOREVER PLAID, wrapped them in a bow, and delivered them to the Covedale Center stage for PLAID TIDINGS. Best. Re-gift. Ever.

Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Charlie Meredith as Sparky. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Charlie Meredith as Sparky. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Plaids are comprised of four UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Musical Theatre students. Seniors Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, Charlie Meredith as Sparky and Thomas Knapp as Smudge plus Junior John Battagliese as Francis. Individually, each member has their moment in the spotlight to showcase their great voices. But it is their incredible four-part harmonies that take the show to another level. It is also great to see their growth as actors since their first production together.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky & John Battagliese as Francis. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky & John Battagliese as Francis. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Music director Steve Goers returns with The Plaids, this time taking on the additional role of director. The show flows smoothly and the blocking creates some really nice stage pictures. I look forward to seeing Goers take on another show. The choreography by Patti James was fun, adding a nice touch to several of the numbers. My only complaint is that the pacing in Act I didn’t seem as tight as Act II at the matinee.

The set design by Brett Bowling worked well. I liked how the two side pieces and the central large arch helped pull the performance downstage and center, giving the big space an intimate feel. Technically, I thought the Perry Como video worked really well.

PLAID TIDINGS is a fun-filled, holiday treat. If you haven’t visited the Covedale yet, this production is definitely worth a trip to the west side.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5

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December 9, 2014 · 2:26 pm

Covedale’s PLAID TIDINGS Earns 4 Star LCT Rating

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Tyler Huckstep as Jinx.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Tyler Huckstep as Jinx.

The League of Cincinnati Theatre (LCT) announces the Covedale Theatre’s PLAID TIDINGS is a 4-Star Show. Special recognition goes to Steve Goers for Musical Direction and Direction of a Musical, as well as the whole ensemble.

After an unfortunate accident,the 1950’s boy band returns to earth. Their angelic mission: bring a little heavenly ‘harmony’ to an apathetic world at Christmas. The cast includes Tyler Huckstep (Jinx), Charlie Meredith (Sparky), John Battagliese (Francis), and Thomas Knapp (Smudge), all juniors and seniors at CCM.

A panelist notes that “from the very beginning, the quartet engaged the audience and maintained this rapport and participation throughout the show.” Another states “it was the beautiful harmony and comic timing that really stands out.” A final panelist encourages the audience with PLAID TIDINGS is a Christmas revue like the old time TV shows and one you’ll remember for seasons to come…and you don’t need to have a cardigan sweater to enjoy the fun!”

Contact www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com for tickets to “Plaid Tidings.”

Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT party in the summer.The League of Cincinnati Theatres was founded in 1999 to strengthen, nurture and promote Cincinnati’s theatre community. LCT provides its member companies and individual members with education, resources and services to enhance the quality and exposure of the theatre community in Cincinnati and increase community awareness, attendance and involvement. More information about the League can be found at www.leagueofcincytheatres.info.

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November 17, 2014 · 2:31 pm

METH: A LOVE STORY On Nov. 22

CCM_MethMETH: A LOVE STORY
UC College-Conservatory of Music Student Production
Nov. 22
University Heights

Written and directed by AC Horton

Cast: Carli Rhoades, Bartley Booz, Andrew Iannaci, Laura McCarthy, Annie Grove & Connor Lawerence

After a long night of partying, two college kids wake up in a meth house with no idea who each other are, what exactly they did last night or how they got there. They are quickly confronted by the meth addicts that live in the house. Hijinks ensue.

  • Sat, Nov. 22 at 7pm & 9pm

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November 13, 2014 · 3:31 pm

Free November Play Reading Series CONFLICT Runs Nov. 17-20

CCM_logoCONFLICT: Dramatic Treatment of War and Aggression
Presented by UC College-Conservatory of Music Drama
Nov. 17-20
University Heights

CCM Drama will again offer a free play reading series in November of 2014. With a focus on CONFLICT, this play reading series will shine a spotlight on human aggression and the near constant state of war that seems to be part of the human condition. From England to Vietnam to Africa and beyond this series will allow students in CCM Drama to consider global and historical conflict through the lens created by the playwright. All events will be free, non-ticketed and open to the public.

All readings will be held in 4735 Corbett Center at 7pm

  • A PIECE OF MY HEART
    Directed by k. jenny jones
    Nov 17
  • WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE HERERO OF NAMBIA, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOUTHWEST AFRICA, FROM THE GERMAN SUDWESTAFRIKA, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1884-1915
    Directed by Richard E. Hess
    Nov. 18
  • HENRY V
    Directed by Diane Kvapil
    Nov. 19
  • THE HUNCHBACK OF SEVILLE
    Directed by Brant Russell
    Nov. 20

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November 11, 2014 · 4:28 pm

SPEECH AND DEBATE Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Ryan Garrett, Katie Langham & Owen Alderson. Photo by Richard E. Hess.

Ryan Garrett, Katie Langham & Owen Alderson. Photo by Richard E. Hess.

SPEECH AND DEBATE presented by UC College-Conservatory of Music Drama on Nov. 6-8. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the Saturday matinee performance.

Talk about not being able to judge a book by its cover…or in this case a play by its show description and video trailer. To be truthful, my expectations were a little confused about SPEECH AND DEBATE. I wasn’t sure how those two things fit together. What I wasn’t expecting, was to walk out of the theater about 100 minutes later, having seen one of the best shows of the season.

The script is laugh-out-loud funny, surprising, touching and very well-written by Pulitzer-prize nominated playwright Stephen Karam. The show features excellent direction by Richard E. Hess, and is extremely well-cast with a committed and fearless leading trio.

Both Sarah Davenport as Teacher and Colleen Ladrick as Reporter gave strong, supporting performances and were able to “age-up” their characters into believable, young adults.

Owen Alderson as Solomon, Ryan Garrett as Howie and Katie Langham as Diwata all give outstanding performances. Their characterizations are fully-realized, honest and relate-able. Their interactions and relationships build naturally and together the three of them have a wonderful synergy on stage.

The character of Diwata is the linchpin of the show. She in a huge, loud personality and it is her actions that bring the three together and then cajoles/bullies/blackmails the other two, into joining her speech and debate team. Langham does amazing work, making Diwata a unique and memorable character whose bravado, humor and vulnerability doesn’t get lost in the exuberance of the character or upstage her fellow actors.

The simple set design (not credited in the program) with the three bedrooms upstage and several classroom desks downstage worked well. Assistant director Patrick Kevin was also responsible for designing the projections that injected some fun visuals into several scenes.

Overall, my biggest complaint is that the run was not longer, so more people could see this excellent production.

My rating: 4.75 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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