Tag Archives: Xavier University Theatre

(CINCINNATI, Feb. 4, 2019) – Love, loss and the challenges of living with mental illness take center stage as Xavier University Theatre presents the critically acclaimed musical Next to Normal. The award-winning show runs February 22 through 24 in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theatre.

Simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, Next to Normal explores the relationships within one seemingly typical suburban family where little is what it appears to be on the surface. That’s because mom, Diana, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and its 16-year-toll on her, her endlessly supportive husband, and their family leaves everyone struggling to keep their feet on firm ground.

The show by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey earned 11 Tony nominations during its 2009 Broadway run, winning three awards. In 2010, it became the rare musical to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a list that also includes A Chorus Line, Rent and Hamilton.

Stephen Skiles, Xavier’s director of theatre, will helm Next to Normal. He sees the production as an important opportunity to open dialogue about mental health at Xavier. “Mental health is, in many ways, one of the biggest issues facing young people today,” Skiles said. “I hope this show helps raise awareness about the issue for our students, serves as part of a broader conversation about how we take care of each other and reminds students about the resources available to them both on campus and within our community.”

The complex story also provides a learning opportunity for its cast of six. “I am incredibly proud of the way our students have approached this material,” Skiles said. “They have connected with the show on a deep level and are taking necessary risks to tell this story with honesty and compassion. They aren’t just students working on a show. Rather, they’ve become a strong community of artists. I feel privileged to be part of such an open, supportive and electric rehearsal process.”

For senior Cassie Delicath, who portrays Diana, Next to Normal has universal relevance. “Mental illness, whether someone personally experiences it or someone close to them experiences it, is something that everyone needs to understand and empathize with,” Delicath said. “Next to Normal isn’t just about mental illness. It’s also about the people who are affected by those struggling with it, which makes the show unique, in my opinion. I know this production will be something I am proud of for the rest of my life.”

“Telling stories like this is necessary to break the stigma of mental illness,” according to junior Matthew Wilkinson, who plays Dan in the show. “The cast and crew have developed such a great support system, creating the light-hearted environment necessary when working on difficult material.”

In addition to Delicath and Wilkinson, the cast also features first-year students Ryan Whitford as Gabe and Jo Dearman as Natalie; sophomore Dylan Van Camp as Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden; and senior Josh Carandang as Henry.

Additional members of the creative team include Scot Buzza (Music Director), Joe Beumer (Set and Lighting Designer), Jessica Pitcairn (Costume Designer), Kevin Semancik (Sound Designer), Joe Leonard (Technical Director) and Rachael Petranek (Choreographer). The stage manager is Abby Bricking. Assistant stage managers are Christine Gallagher and Andy Girmann. The assistant directors are Lauren Davidson and Victoria Forbes.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 23 and 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 23 and 24. Tickets for Next to Normal are available now through the Xavier University Theatre Box Office. They are $18 each for adults and $13 each for students, as well as Xavier faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.xavier.edu/theatretickets or call
513-745-3939.

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(CINCINNATI, Jan. 25, 2019) – Xavier University Theatre continues its 2018-19 season with William Shakespeare’s tragic and beautiful love story Romeo and Juliet. The show runs February 8 through 10 in Xavier University’s Gallagher Studio Theatre.

In fair Verona, tensions rise between two feuding families: the Capulets and the Montagues. Caught in the middle of their parents’ rage, a pair of star-crossed lovers comes together with tragic results.

Being “young and in love has not changed,” says Cat Sholtis, who plays Juliet. “We still have big parties, sneak out, defy our parents, make rash decisions and fall intensely in love.” The feelings of Romeo and Juliet are “so true that there is no room for hesitation or fear, there is just certainty. Where most lovers might be shy and tentative, these two are completely honest with each other, with some of the most beautiful words ever written.”

But Romeo and Juliet is not all drama. The show also includes crude comedy and high-stakes fights. It “competes with Hamlet for the title of Shakespeare’s funniest tragedy, and it offers one of his greatest minds in Juliet,” director Craig Wesley Divino said.

Divino is returning to Xavier University Theatre for his fourth year. “This is an opportunity for which I’m always grateful,” he said. “It’s a chance to spend a few weeks in a room with a handful of smart, dedicated students who want to find out what they’re capable of.”

Divino’s direction has “helped create a community with this ensemble where we are not afraid to take risks and play,” said Ellie Conniff, who plays Romeo. “We hope to make the piece our own by illuminating this story in a way that is fresh to audiences who have seen it before and exciting to those who might be seeing this play for the first time.”

In addition to Conniff and Sholtis, the cast for Romeo and Juliet features Gigi Relic (Mercutio), Kelsey Schwarber (Benvolio), Sam Martini (Nurse), Elliot Auch (Friar Lawrence), Christian Hall (Capulet), Connie Kavensky (Lady Capulet), Kertu Bell (Tybalt), Olivia Pletcher (Prince), Emmy Rice (Paris/Lady Montague), Tess Chadwick (Montague/Second Capulet/First Servant/Musician), Aiden Dalton (Peter/Apothecary/Second Watchman) and Jess Flake (Gregory/Friar John/First Watchman/Second Servant).

Led by Divino, the creative team also includes Joe Leonard (Set Designer/Technical Director), Joe Beumer (Lighting Designer), and Stephen Skiles (Producer). The stage manager is Trever McKenzie. Assistant stage managers are Peyton Wright and Tina Boffa. The assistant directors are Emily Jorgenson and Caroline Conard.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 and 9 and 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 9 and 10. Tickets for Romeo and Juliet are available now through the Xavier University Theatre Box Office. They are $18 each for adults and $13 each for students, as well as Xavier faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.xavier.edu/theatretickets or call
513-745-3939.

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