Omaha Interviews

2020 NEBRASKA THESPIANS FESTIVAL Hits Omaha
by Christine Swerczek - January 08, 2020, Omaha

The Nebraska Thespian Society held its 2020 festival this past weekend at the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Double Tree Omaha. Nebraska Thespians is one of the chapters of the Educational Theatre Association which sponsors the International Thespian Society....

Tommy McDowell of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Orpheum
by Christine Swerczek - November 21, 2019, Omaha

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR has been around for half a century and is still going strong. The national tour heading to Omaha in December has a new style and I'm particularly eager to see it. I spoke with Tommy McDowell who plays Peter to see what he has to say....

Derrick Davis of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Lied Center For The Performing Arts
by Christine Swerczek - October 11, 2019, Omaha

On October 23 the Lied Center for Performing Arts will be filled to the magnificent chandelier with glorious sets, costumes, music, and 52 cast members and musicians, making this one of the largest touring productions. Derrick Davis, the first African American Phantom on national tour, is an artist ...

William Stephan Discusses the Upcoming Special Showcase BROADWAY AT THE LIED
by Christine Swerczek - September 07, 2019, Omaha

Every other year the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska hosts a special event for all Broadway fans. BROADWAY AT THE LIED will be held this year on Wednesday, September 11, at 7:30 pm....

LITTLE WARS Goes to Scotland
by Christine Swerczek - September 05, 2019, Omaha

The University of Nebraska Omaha Theatre Department has devised something new: a student developed and enacted play that recently appeared in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the largest arts festival in the world. Come celebrate their accomplishment this weekend. September 6 & 7 at 7:3...

Erin Poor of GROW A SHOW: ASCAP NEW MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP at the Lied Center For Performing Arts
by Christine Swerczek - August 26, 2019, Omaha

The Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska has announced their fourth biennial GROW A SHOW, a development program for new musical theatre. The workshop, although it is ticketed, is free to the public. Tickets are available online at www.liedcenter.org. This is an incredible free event ...

Claire Wilkinson of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Pinewood Bowl
by Christine Swerczek - July 01, 2019, Omaha

The Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln, Nebraska has been producing a summer musical every year since 1949. This July, the rural villagers of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will take the stage in Lincoln's outdoors. This family favorite with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman, was adapted from t...

Ellen Struve Writes EPIC New Play for Great Plains Theatre Conference
by Christine Swerczek - May 28, 2019, Omaha

Ellen Struve, respected Omaha playwright, has created an 'epic' play for the 14th annual Great Plains Theatre Conference. Her play called EPIC will take place in the Metropolitan Community College/ South Omaha Campus in ITC room 120 on May 29, 30, and 31 at 7:30 pm....

Kevin Lawler of GREAT PLAINS THEATRE CONFERENCE at Great Plains Theatre Conference
by Christine Swerczek - May 24, 2019, Omaha

The 14th Annual Great Plains Theatre Conference is almost here! Opening May 26 and running through June 1, this is an ideal place to participate in workshops, develop your skills as a playwright or a theatre professional, or simply watch some excellent new plays....

Matthew Overberg of MISS SAIGON at Orpheum Theatre
by Christine Swerczek - May 23, 2019, Omaha

It was so fascinating speaking with Matthew Overberg, ensemble member and language consultant for MISS SAIGON, running May 28-June 2 at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha. Matthew has a special insight and expertise not only in theatre, but in Vietnamese language and culture. He has an amazing tale to tel...

Bella Fraker of SCHOOL OF ROCK at Orpheum Theatre
by Christine Swerczek - April 23, 2019, Omaha

Kids rock! in SCHOOL OF ROCK- The Musical. Don't miss Kids' Night on Broadway, Wednesday, April 24. Buy one, get one free for one adult and one child up to 18 years old. Mention code KNOB at checkout at TicketOmaha.com. The first 150 kids will also receive a show swag bag....

Layne Roate of SCHOOL OF ROCK at Orpheum Theatre
by Christine Swerczek - April 19, 2019, Omaha

SCHOOL OF ROCK is heading to the Orpheum on April 23-28. Here to talk about the musical and his personal road to touring with a hit show is Layne Roate, who plays the roommate Ned Schneebly....

Julie Johnson of COME FROM AWAY at Orpheum Theatre
by Christine Swerczek - March 25, 2019, Omaha

'I don't know when I've ever laughed and cried at the same time for an hour and forty minutes.'...

Kimberly Faith Hickman and the Double Leads of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - February 21, 2019, Omaha

Omaha Community Playhouse is trying something that hasn't been done in awhile. They have cast two sets of leads in the upcoming Jason Robert Brown musical, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. This production is not only unique in its double casting, it's based in our neighboring state, Iowa. Here is a st...

Dominic Torres of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - January 22, 2019, Omaha

Dominic Torres who plays Christopher in the show says: 'I think people should come and see the show. It's truly, truly very inspiring. The moral of the story is that the diagnosis does not describe you. Even if you are on the autism spectrum, or whatever other spectrums there are, you are still a pe...

Suzanne Withem of LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Chanticleer Theater, Council Bluffs
by Christine Swerczek - December 29, 2018, Omaha

Suzanne Withem, director of Chanticleer Theater's upcoming production of LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL, talks about character development and what makes this timeless musical a story for all....

Cathy Kurz of Brigit St Brigit Theatre Company
by Christine Swerczek - December 09, 2018, Omaha

Cathy Kurz, Artistic Director and Founder of Omaha's Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company, talks about classic theatre and what's ahead for its 26th season....

Laura Osnes Brings BROADWAY PRINCESS PARTY to the Lied Center For Performing Arts
by Christine Swerczek - November 28, 2018, Omaha

Three unbelievably talented, real ORIGINAL Broadway Princesses singing the petticoats off every beloved princess song in the book! We're throwing a magical musical event and you're invited!...

Rob Lindley of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA National Tour is Still an Iowa Boy at Heart
by Christine Swerczek - November 16, 2018, Omaha

Rob Lindley, performing the role of Monsieur Andre' in the National Tour of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has local roots. Currently based in Chicago, Lindley spent his youth in Northwest Iowa. I spoke with him this week about growing up in a small town and making it in the big city. PHANTOM is Lindley's fi...

Kimberly Hickman on A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the Nebraska Theatre Caravan
by Christine Swerczek - October 11, 2018, Omaha

Kimberly Faith Hickman is the Artistic Director of the Omaha Community Playhouse, which has a long and impressive history dating back to the 1920s. The Playhouse is not only a community theatre, it is the originator of the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, a professional touring company most well known for ...

Amanda Fehlner Designs Monsters for SHE KILLS MONSTERS at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - October 10, 2018, Omaha

This lady designs monsters! Check them out at SHE KILLS MONSTERS opening October 12 at Omaha Community Playhouse....

Brittany Merenda, Projection Designer
by Christine Swerczek - September 15, 2018, Omaha

Brittany Powell Merenda, an award winning professional projection designer based in Traverse City, Michigan, is the resident projection designer for the Parallel 45 Theatre Company in Michigan. She has worked on shows for The Rose Theater and will soon return to Omaha to design ELF THE MUSICAL....

Roxanne Wach, Director of FUN HOME at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - August 12, 2018, Omaha

FUN HOME, winner of five Tony Awards in 2015, is coming to Omaha! The Omaha Community Playhouse will run this powerfully emotive musical from August 17 through September 16, 2018. I recently spoke with the director of FUN HOME, Roxanne Wach....

LEGALLY BLONDE at The Pinewood Bowl In Lincoln
by Christine Swerczek - July 10, 2018, Omaha

I have never been to the Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln, our neighbor to the west, is a short 40 minute drive from Omaha on a good day. When the Huskers are playing, that is another story....

Camille Metoyer Moten: A Triumph!
by Christine Swerczek - May 16, 2018, Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska is teeming with talent. And once in awhile you come across a person who is more than a performer in the spotlight; she is a light. Camille Metoyer Moten is a singer, actress, author, and inspirational human being. She will appear in her own show at the Omaha Community Playhouse on Ju...

Jon Robert Hall Plays Fiyero in WICKED at Orpheum
by Christine Swerczek - May 15, 2018, Omaha

WICKED, quite possibly 'The Best Musical of the Decade' returns to Omaha's Orpheum Theatre May 16. Jon Robert Hall, who plays Fiyero in the national tour, is a man of many talents. Take a look....

Ben Michael of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
by Christine Swerczek - February 12, 2018, Omaha

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is coming to Omaha! This winner of multiple Tony Awards, based on the 1951 Academy Award winning film of the same name and adapted for stage by Christopher Wheeldon, will run February 13-18 at Omaha's Orpheum Theatre....

Billy McGuigan of YESTERDAY & TODAY at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - November 20, 2017, Omaha

YESTERDAY & TODAY, an interactive Beatles experience, returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse for the 10th year. This popular show starring Billy McGuigan and his two brothers, Ryan and Matthew, is a musical tribute to their late father who started them on this path as children. Having memorized mo...

Dr. Patricia Newman Talks About RESPECT
by Christine Swerczek - October 22, 2017, Omaha

We all need a little RESPECT. That's why educator and child psychologist Dr. Patricia Newman founded a not for profit organization with a mission to build healthy relationships using theatre and community collaboration. Theatre gets their attention....

Bill Berloni of FINDING NEVERLAND at Orpheum
by Christine Swerczek - October 03, 2017, Omaha

Bill Berloni has been in the animal training business for more than 40 years. Having trained such iconic animals as Sandy in ANNIE, and Elle's petite Chihuahua, Bruiser, in LEGALLY BLONDE, Berloni's currently working canine actors are appearing in the national tour of FINDING NEVERLAND which is comi...

Con O'Shea Creal of SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Orpheum
by Christine Swerczek - May 04, 2017, Omaha

Lincoln, Nebraska's Con O'Shea Creal has this to say about SOMETHING ROTTEN!--I would say it's such a good time for all. If you love musicals, there will be something for you there. If you grew up wondering why you were reading, "Romeo and Juliet" in high school and you just wanted to bang your head...