CCM to Host 'Not Famous Yet' Musical Theatre Senior Showcase, 3/28-30

Cincinnati audiences will get a sneak peek of an original showcase created by the 2013 graduating class from the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Department of Musical Theatre during the annual "Not Famous Yet" Showcase, which runs from March 28 (Friends of CCM benefit performance) through March 30 in UC's Patricia Corbett Theater.

The March 28 benefit performance starts at 7 p.m. and features dinner by the bite and a post-performance celebration. Tickets for this benefit event are on sale now. The March 29 and 30 performances take place at 8 p.m. and are free, but reservations are required. Tickets for these free performances become available at noon on Monday, March 25.

Each year, seniors from CCM's musical theatre program travel to New York to present a showcase for the leading agents, casting directors and managers in the business. The show takes the format of a Broadway audition, with the actors showing off their solo and ensemble skills through song and dance numbers. The work is created by the students themselves under the supervision of program chair Aubrey Berg and with the assistance of musical director Julie Spangler.

This year's performance is the 21st edition of the CCM "Not Famous Yet" showcase. The annual showcase began with the establishment of the Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre in 1991. At the time of its inception, it was the only academic chair of its kind in the United States. Learn more about the 2013 CCM Musical Theatre Showcase at ccm.uc.edu/theatre/musical_theatre/overview/showcase.

The opening performance of the Musical Theatre Showcase on March 28 is part of a benefit for the Friends of CCM. The event begins a 7 p.m. and includes dinner by the bite served in the Atrium of UC's Corbett Center for the Performing Arts after the performance.

This event also includes the presentation of the Musical Theatre Young Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding professional achievement by a graduate of CCM's musical theatre program from the past two decades. This year's recipient is Aaron Lazar, originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who graduated from UC in 2000. Before disco dancing in Broadway's Mamma Mia, Lazar was in New Jersey studying to be both an actor and a doctor. After landing a role in the national tour of The Scarlet Pimpernel only months after moving to New York City, however, he abandoned his aspirations of being a medical doctor and went on to make his Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera. He continued to appear on Broadway in the revival of Oklahoma!, A Tale of Two Cities, The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center and on PBS, the world premiere of Impressionism opposite Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen and Marsha Mason, and the revival of LES MISERABLES for which Lazar's powerhouse performance as Enjolras garnered him critical acclaim and a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Tickets for the March 28 benefit are:

• Patron Tickets: $100 each; includes a patron reception before the performance honoring Aaron Lazar, general performance seating, dinner by the bite and garage parking.

• General Admission Tickets: $75 each; includes general performance seating, dinner by the bite and garage parking.

• Friends of CCM Member Tickets: $50 each; includes general performance seating, dinner by the bite and garage parking.

• Young Professional (40 and under) Tickets: $35 each; includes general performance seating, dinner by the bite and garage parking.

Proceeds benefit student career development grants and scholarships. Seating is limited. To reserve a ticket, call CCM External Relations at 513-556-2100 or visit ccm.uc.edu/giveto/friends.

Admission to the Musical Theatre Showcase on Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30, is FREE. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, March 25; visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to make a reservation. Limit two tickets per order.

Performance Times

• 7 p.m. Friday, March 28 - Friends of CCM Benefit
• 8 p.m. Saturday March 29
• 8 p.m. Sunday March 30

Performance takes place at Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village, University of Cincinnati.

Tickets to the Friends of CCM benefit performance are on sale now. Ticket options include $100 patron level tickets (includes pre-show patron reception), $75 general public tickets, $50 Friends of CCM member tickets and $35 young professional tickets (age 40 and under). Seating is limited. To purchase, call CCM's Office of External Relations at 513-556-2100. Learn more at ccm.uc.edu/giveto/friends.

Admission to the Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30, performances is FREE, but reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, March 25. Please visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to make a reservation. Limit two tickets per order.

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

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the leading conservatories for the performing and electronic media arts, composition, scholarship and pedagogy. CCM is the largest single source of performing arts events in Ohio with an annual calendar of nearly 1,000 performances and presentations, ranging from solo recitals to full-scale opera and musical theatre performances.

All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events or to view CCM's 2012-2013 season brochure, visit http://ccm.uc.edu.

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