Tag Archives: UC College-Conservatory of Music

October 29, 2014 · 4:23 pm

LEGALLY BLONDE 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.

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

LEGALLY BLONDE presented by UC College-Conservatory of Music through Nov. 2. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Saturday matinee performance.

For their fall Mainstage performance, CCM Musical Theatre mounts a high-energy production of the movie-musical, LEGALLY BLONDE. Directed and choreographed by Diane Lala.

One thing you can always count on at CCM is great vocals. From ensemble to leads, the show sounded great, supported by the orchestra under the music direction of Craig Dalton. From my seat, I did encounter some sound execution issues with the balance between the cast and orchestra.

Lawson Young does well as Elle Woods. I did feel that she came off a bit tentative at times in the first act, but she really came into the role in act two. Young’s chemistry with Emmett, played by Chris Collins-Pisano, was believably and grew appropriately with the well-done “Take it Like a Man” serving as a natural turning point for their relationship. I would have like to have seen a bit more energy out of Emmett sooner in the show.

Photo by Mark Lyons.

Photo by Mark Lyons.

“There! Right There” was very funny from start to finish and a comedic highlight of the show for me.

Strong support work from the other legal interns: Emily Trumble as Vivienne, Ben Biggers as Warner and Gina Santare as Enid. I also enjoyed Adam Zeph as the loathsome Callahan.

Madeline Lynch does well as Paulette, but considering how big the character is in the movie, I would have liked to have seen Paulette be a bit more bawdy and not quite so sophisticated. Conversely, Paulette’s ex-boyfriend Dewey, played by Jay McGill, was taken to such a trailer-park-trash extreme that it strains the credibility of the two as a couple for ten years. Mills does a good job as Kyle, but his sexy strut needs work.

The choreography by Lala worked well, with the “Legally Blonde Remix” being a great production number. There were a couple of numbers that brought performers all the way downstage to the right and left of the orchestra pit, which blocked my sight-line for a couple of the numbers. That afternoon, the jump ropes were not being very cooperative for “Whipped into Shape.”

CCM_Legally Blonde6011

Photo by Mark Lyons.

I was very impressed by the set design of guest artist, Joe Leonard. The two towers in the opening number immediately brought Barbie’s Dream House to mind. The brick facade on the back side of the towers, in different combinations with the suspended bridge, the three archway walls with multiple inserts and other pieces did a great job of creating unique looks for the many different locations.

A very fun and entertaining show. Excellent work.

My rating: 4.5 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.

1 Comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

October 24, 2014 · 4:46 pm

CCM’s LEGALLY BLONDE Awarded a 4.5 Star Recommendation

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have awarded University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music production of LEGALLY BLONDE with a 4.5 star recommendation.

In LEGALLY BLONDE, Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat musical that is ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish. Based on the adored feature film of the same name, this musical about self-discovery stays true to form with a peppy score and playful book. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2011, this all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you are and showing what you’ve got!.

Panelists loved the CCM’s production: “Going back to college for the opening night of CCM’s Legally Blonde did not disappoint! the stage becomes a powerhouse of song and dance…Ohmigod you guys, just go see this show and have a lot of fun.” Panelists praised Diane Lala’s “well designed and executed” choreography (“the highlight of the show”) and scenic designer Joe Leonard’s “spectacular” scenic design: “Sophisticated…transforms constantly and seamlessly.” Lead actress Lawson Young as Elle, Lead actor Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett, and supporting actress Madeline Lynch as Paulette were all singled out for their outstanding performances, but they gave kudos to all the performers: “the real strength of this musical was the total ensemble singing and dancing their hearts out for the pure joy felt by the audience.”

CCM’s LEGALLY BLONDE runs through Nov. 2. Tickets can be purchased at http://ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice.

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.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as ,

October 20, 2014 · 6:34 pm

CCM Continues 2014-2015 Mainstage Series with Upbeat Musical LEGALLY BLONDE

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

Lawson Young as Elle & Chris Collins-Pisano as Emmett. Photography by Mark Lyons.

CCM continues its 2014-15 Mainstage Series this week with the upbeat musical, Legally Blonde.

Directed and choreographed by Professor of Musical Theatre Diane Lala with musical direction by second-year graduate student Craig Dalton, Legally Blonde makes its CCM debut Oct. 23 – Nov. 2 in Patricia Corbett Theater.

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the MGM motion picture of the same name, Legally Blonde is a modern-day coming of age tale featuring perky and lovable sorority girl Elle Woods. Elle enrolls in Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back her lost love, Warner. In order for Elle to make it at Harvard she must prove to everyone, including herself, that she has what it takes. When her resolution is tested, Elle discovers what she is truly made of, surpassing her own wildest expectations and finding her inner strength and intelligence.

Guest artist Joe Leonard provides the scenic design for this musical movie adaptation. A 1989 graduate of CCM’s Department of Theatre Design and Production, Leonard’s vision for Legally Blonde was incredibly dynamic. This result is a set in which everything moves, flips, turns and flies. “The positive energy of Elle’s story is carried through to every element of the production,” Lala explains.

Legally Blonde features 16 memorable musical numbers by the Drama Desk and Tony Award nominated composer and lyricist team of Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, with a book by Heather Hach.

The role of Elle Woods is incredibly fun but is also very demanding. Because Elle appears in every scene of this high-energy musical, the role has been double cast and will be played by Sarah Bishop and Lawson Young, both senior musical theatre majors. Likewise, the role of Emmett will be played by senior Nathanial Irvin and junior Chris Collins-Pisano.

Legally Blonde also features two special performers who are brand new to the CCM stage. Jackson and Jilly will play the parts of Rufus and Bruiser, two of musical theatre’s most beloved dogs. Jilly is a Legally Blonde veteran, having played the part of Bruiser in Covedale Theater’s production of Legally Blonde last spring. Jackson is making his acting debut in this fun-filled production.

Legally Blonde is a lively musical romp with a touching lesson. Audiences will thoroughly enjoy this production and may even learn not to judge a book by its cover!

Read more about the production here.

About Diane Lala
CCM Professor of Musical Theatre Diane Lala choreographed for Tulane University, Black Hills Playhouse, Loyola University, True Brew Theatre, NOLA, Indian Hills High School, Cincinnati Men’s Chorus and various regional and dinner theaters. Her choreography credits at CCM include Babes in Arms, Sweet Charity,The Wild Party, Oklahoma!, West Side Story and On the Town. Also at CCM, she was director/choreographer for Song and Dance, Under Construction andSongs for a New World. She taught summer workshop for Ballet Iowa and various jazz master classes in Kharkov, Ukraine. In 2003 she directed and choreographed CCM’s Musical Theatre students as well as Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Denyce Graves and Nick Clooney in the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra’s “Patriotic Broadway,” which was televised on PBS.
On stage, Lala has appeared as Velma Kelly in Chicago, Woman 2 in Songs for a New World, the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Morales in A Chorus Line, Anita in West Side Story and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Nominated numerous times, Lala has received Big Easy Entertainment Awards in New Orleans and a Storer Boone Award for Best Choreography for Tulane Summer Lyric’s production of The Will Rogers’ Follies. She also received a Marquee Award for best actress in a musical for Chicago.

In addition, Lala is a certified Pilate’s instructor, studying directly with Romana Kryzanowska, a Joseph Pilates protégée. She is also an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

About Joe Leonard
A 1989 graduate of CCM’s Theater Design and Production Department, Joe Leonard has designed shows for the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, LaComedia Dinner Theater, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Great America and Canada’s Wonderland. His design credits include such shows as Into the Woods, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Pippin, Twelfth Night, One Flew Over the Cuckcoo’s Nest, A Christmas Carol, The Drowsy Chaperone, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray and Mary Poppins.

Leonard has used his training in a wide variety of mediums including theme park rides, exhibits, and graphic and architecture design work with companies such as Paramount Parks D+E, Herschend Family Entertainment and Walt Disney World. He designed the themed environments of Outer Limits: Flight of Fear, an indoor roller coaster and was the lead designer of the award-winning attraction, Star Trek: the Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Leonard has worked with a variety of production companies designing sets for special events and conventions like the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati.

In addition to live entertainment, Leonard has used his set design talents in the creation of museum exhibits including the current Jellyfish Exhibit at the Newport Aquarium, the fully automated Global Village Experience at Matthew 25 Ministries in Blue Ash and the traveling exhibit, Titanic: The Movie on Tour.  Leonard is thrilled to return to the CCM Stage where his work was last seen in the 1989 productions of The House of Bernarda Alba and The Wonder Years for Hot Summer Nights.Performance Times

  • 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23
  • 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
  • 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
  • 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
  • 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
  • 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2

Location
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Purchasing Tickets
Tickets to Legally Blonde are $31-35 for adults, $20-24 for non-UC students and $18-22 UC students with a valid ID, with $12-$15 student rush tickets available for both of the Saturday matinees beginning at 1 p.m. on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

Customizable subscription packages are also available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/legally-blonde-mainstage.

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 new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

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

CCM Season Presenting Sponsor and Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Mainstage Season Production Sponsor: Macy’s

Mainstage Production Sponsor: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Community Partner: ArtsWave

Legally Blonde: The Musical 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 | Phone: 212-541-4684 | Fax: 212-397-4684 | http://www.MTIShows.com

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as

October 15, 2014 · 5:32 pm

BLOOD BROTHERS 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.

Hannah Kornfield as Mrs. Johnson.

Hannah Kornfield as Mrs. Johnstone.

BLOOD BROTHERS presented by UC College-Conservatory of Music through Oct. 11. Click here for more information on the production.

CCMs Studio Series presents an intimately-staged and vocally powerful production of BLOOD BROTHERS.

Hannah Kornfeld as Mrs. Johnstone, Thomas Knapp as Mickey and Karl Anumdson do excellent work in creating believable characters in this tragic tale. The production included solid supporting performances by Kaela O’Connor as Linda, and Brianna Barnes and John Battagliese as the Lyons. Characters’ accents are handled well and sound natural throughout, thanks in part to dialect coach Kate Glasheen.

The cast, under music director Steve Goers, sound phenomenal. Favorite numbers include “My Child,” “My Friend” and “I’m Not Saying a Word.” There were times, usually when the piano was played full-out, that the music overpowered the vocals.

Director Vince DeGeorge does well in staging the production, keeping the story-line clear and easy to follow. This is my first time seeing a production of BLOOD BROTHERS, but it felt like the Narrator was a bit under-used.

Definitely one of my all-time favorite musical productions in the Studio Series.

My rating: 4.5 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.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

October 12, 2014 · 5:02 pm

CCM’s BLOOD BROTHERS Receives 4.5-Star LCT Rating

Hannah Kornfield as Mrs. Johnson.

Hannah Kornfield as Mrs. Johnstone.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized the College Conservatory of Music’s production of BLOOD BROTHERS with a 4.5 Star Rating.

BLOOD BROTHERS is the haunting story of the Johnson twins, separated at birth and brought together by the power of friendship. A tale of superstition, class distinction and adolescent love loosely based on The Corsican Brothers by Alexandre Dumas, Blood Brothers was the winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1983.

Panelists praised director Vince DeGeorge “for his tight direction and bare-bones concept – he showed that one needs not have a big set and scenery to put together a powerful production.” Steve Goers received strong kudos for his rearrangement of the score for voices: “the vocal ensemble provided the full harmonic textures of the score that Goers’ lone piano could not. His overture had the ensemble sing the string, brass and wind parts to create a very evocative opening.” The entire cast was commended: “a bonded ensemble that was used expressively and expertly…every performer was beautifully cast and resonated with me.” In particular, leads Thomas Knapp as Mickey, Karl Amundson as Eddie, and Hannah Kornfeld as Mrs. Johnstone were singled out for touching and believable performances. Overall panelists found BLOOD BROTHERS “an outstanding production of a weird and wonderful show…smashing!”

League of Cincinnati Theatre panelists evaluate productions on a 5 star scale and recommend shows at either a 4 star or 5 star level. Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT gala in the spring.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as ,