Ian Fraser

Review: Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE at Ottawa Little Theatre
by Courtney Castelino - May 9, 2025

The world’s favourite Agatha Christie mystery, And Then There Were None, opened this week at Ottawa Little Theatre. Ten people have gathered on Soldier Island, ostensibly to attend a party, despite having no former acquaintance with each other or their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen.

Photos: First look at Bruce Jacklin & Company's DADDY'S DYIN', WHO'S GOT THE WILL?
by Jerri Shafer - Apr 3, 2025

The year is 1987 in Lowake, Texas and the Turnovers are gathering after years of estrangement for a death watch on father, Buford. These middle-aged siblings are desperate to find his will, but it’s missing, and Buford is so far out of it that he is of no help.

Photos: First look at The Alcove Dinner Theatre and Bruce Jacklin & Company’s MOON OVER BUFFALO
by Jerri Shafer - Feb 6, 2025

Moon Over Buffalo is a comedy play-within-a-play that follows the story of George and Charlotte Hay, a couple of Broadway stars who have taken their run-down touring company to Buffalo, New York. The play is set in the summer of 1953 and is rife with slapstick and situational humor, backstage shenanigans, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Charlotte and George Hay, an acting couple not exactly the Lunts, attempt to regain their former glory while on tour in Buffalo with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac 'revised, one nostril version' and Noel Coward's Private Lives.

Video: Cleopatrick Share New Single 'PLEASE' From Sophomore Album
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 22, 2025

Toronto’s cleopatrick return with a new single, “PLEASE,” also announcing their sophomore album, FAKE MOON, for a March 14 release. Watch the video now!

Photos: First look at Mount Vernon Arts Consortium’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Jerri Shafer - Nov 29, 2024

Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Join  the Knox Memorial with the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium and Habitat for Humanity Knox County for this beloved family classic live on stage! 

Photos: First look at The Alcove Dinner Theatre and Bruce Jacklin & Company’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
by Jerri Shafer - Oct 23, 2024

Get a first look at The Alcove Dinner Theatre and Bruce Jacklin & Company’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN in all new photos! Catch Me If You Can is centred around the disappearance of newlywed, Elizabeth Corban whilst on her honeymoon with her husband Daniel.

Photos: First look at Mount Vernon Arts Consortium presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
by Jerri Shafer - Nov 27, 2023

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

Chris Pinnella and 10-Piece Orchestra Set For Chelsea Table and Stage This Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 18, 2023

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.

Billy Porter to Sing John Bucchino's 'A Mama Like Mine' on Mariah Carey's CBS Christmas Special
by Blair Ingenthron - Dec 18, 2022

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.

Alt-Rock Duo cleopatrick Drop New Single 'OK'
by Michael Major - Aug 25, 2022

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.

Photos: First look at MTVart's OLIVER!
by Jerri Shafer - Jul 9, 2022

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/

Photos: First look at MTVarts' ALL MY SONS
by Jerri Shafer - May 6, 2022

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/.

Photos: First look at Bruce Jacklin & Co's THE ODD COUPLE
by Jerri Shafer - Feb 9, 2022

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/

Chris Pinnella to Perform at Manasquan High School to Raise Funds for the Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 22, 2021

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). 

Photos: First look at Bruce Jacklin & Co's WALLY'S CAFE
by Jerri Shafer - Oct 29, 2021

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/

cleopatrick Release New Single & Animated Video '2008'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - May 19, 2021

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).

cleopatrick Reveal Single-Shot Video For 'Family Van'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - May 11, 2021

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.

cleopatrick Announce Debut Album & Release Lead Single 'Family Van'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Apr 21, 2021

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.

cleopatrick Share New Single + Video 'THE DRAKE'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Mar 11, 2021

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.

cleopatrick Release New Single 'Good Grief'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 11, 2020

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