Ian Fraser News

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Performances are November 24 - 26, 2023 at the Knox Memorial Theater. 112 E. High St, Mount Vernon, OH 43050, Tickets and more info at: https://www.mvac.org/wonderful-life

Saturday, March 25th, powerhouse vocalist Chris Pinnella (formerly of Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and his 10-Piece Orchestra will present an all new evening of Classics Reimagined. The night will showcase an electric list of songs that have stood the test of time plus some new classics as well.

Songwriter John Bucchino has revealed that Billy Porter will be performing his song 'A Mama Like Mine' on Mariah Carey's upcoming Christmas Special, MARIAH CAREY: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!, airing Tuesday, December 20th on CBS.

The Canadian heavy alt-rock duo cleopatrick have released the riff-heavy and quick-witted single “OK. 'Self-produced by the band and mixed by hip hop beat maker/producer/rapper Jonwayne, “OK” was produced from the back of the cleopatrick’s tour van during the band’s North American tour with Royal Blood and their recent Canadian festival dates.

The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Performances are July 9-17 at Knox Memorial Theater, 112 East High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. For tickets or more information, visit: https://mtvarts.com/

During the war Joe Keller and Steve Deever ran a machine shop which made airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts, causing the deaths of many men. Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe and the fact that the young Keller son was reported missing during the war dominate the action. The love affair of Chris Keller and Ann Deever, the bitterness of George Deever returned from the war to find his father in prison and his father’s partner free, are all set in a structure of almost unbearable power. The climax showing the reaction of a son to his guilty father is fitting conclusion to a play electrifying in its intensity. Director * Ian Fraser Ernsberger, Stage Manager * John Wareham, Season Production Manager * Megan Bell. The cast includes: Joe Keller * Bruce Jacklin, Kate Keller * Cate Blair Wilhelm, Chris Keller * Christopher Hartman, Ann Deever * Kelly Lauth, George Deever * Tony Montgomery, Dr Jim Bayliss * Glen Hissong, Sue Bayliss * Maureen Browning, Frank Lubey * Chuck Rogers, Lydia Lubey * Abigail Tayse, Bert * Briggs Swallow. Performances run May 6th thru the 8th, 2022 at the Knox Memorial Theater, 112 E. High Street, Mount Vernon, Ohio. For more information or tickets, visit: https://mtvarts.com/.

The latest Alcove Dinner theater opens February 4 through March 5 with Neil Simons Broadway classic “The Odd Couple”, directed by Bruce Jacklin with major support from MTVarts. One of the most celebrated American comedies of all time, and considered Neil Simon’s most well-crafted and popular play, “The Odd Couple” is a hilarious take on the conflicts between the two friends when they attempt to live together. “The Odd Couple,” opens February 4 and runs through March 5. Performances are every Friday and Saturday evening, with social hour beginning at 6:30 PM. There will be a matinee only on Saturday, February 19, at 2 PM. Matinee tickets can be purchased at the door. All other reservations and menu sections must be made on line at https://www.alcoverestaurant.com/

Jersey shore native and Manasquan High School alumni, Chris Pinnella is returning to his roots on DECEMBER 4TH, when he and his 14-Piece Orchestra take the stage at the Jack Nicholson Theatre (inside Manasquan High School). 

We are back! The Alcove Dinner Theatre opens its 2020-21 season with the hilarious production of Wally’s Café by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark. Wally’s Café opened on Broadway in 1981, starring James Coco, Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers. Performances dates are every Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 29-30, Nov. 5-20. Social hour is 6:30 p.m., dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins after dinner. Dinner selections and prices are on the Alcove and MTVarts website. The Alcove Restaurant, 116 South Main Street, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. For tickets or more information, visit: https://www.alcoverestaurant.com MTVarts gives generous support to the dinner theater. Please join us for “Welcome Home” an original musical based on the memoir by a Vietnam veteran. For tickets or more information, visit: https://mtvarts.com/

THE STORY: Two friends (guitarist/vocalist Luke Gruntz and drummer Ian Fraser) meet aged four in Hicksville, Nowheretown (real name: Cobourg, Ontario, population 19,000).

An exercise in anger and born out of frustration, “FAMILY VAN” acknowledges cleopatrick’s humble beginnings and DIY mentality, utilising their penchant for hip-hop arrangements for their biggest statement to date.

Heavy hitting single, “FAMILY VAN” was born out of frustration. “It’s an exercise in anger, and a conscious acknowledgement of the humble beginnings, independence, and DIY mentality that makes our band what we are,” comments Luke.

Along with two other like-minded-artists (Zig Mentality and Ready The Prince), the band formed the loose DIY collective “New Rock Mafia” as a means to offer support to one another.

Today cleopatrick reveal their new single and video “GOOD GRIEF” -- marking the beginning of a new era for the band. 

Welcome to 'Cabaret Corner', a series devoted to having meaningful conversations with change-making cabaret artists.

Much loved songwriters Amanda McBroom and John Bucchino will appear together on stage for the very first time in New York City on Dec.16th at the legendary Birdland Jazz. The show is titled a?oeSweet Dreams and Roses,a?? with a repertoire of mainly their own compositions, including some they wrote as a team.

MTVarts presents the classic musical 'The Wizard of Oz' on stage at Knox County Memorial Theatre July 6-14. Join us in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the treasured movie that inspired this stage musical. Performances are July 6th thru the 14th at the Knox County Memorial Theater, 112 East High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Tickets are available at http:mtvarts.com

The University of Washington Musical Theater program will present two events in May, a devised work of musical theater called This Moment and a panel discussion called Double Threats: Actors Who Sing, Singers Who Act.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.