The lecture auditorium in Hitchcock Hall, normally the venue in which engineering presentations are given, was transformed into a brightly colored, wildly patterned scene straight out of the '60s when Ohio State's Off the Lake Productions took to the stage Friday to perform "Hairspray."
From the opening number that brought a taste of morning in Baltimore to the campus of OSU to the cast's final bows, "Hairspray" created an atmosphere bursting with energy and exuding undeniable passion.
Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys And Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for 14 years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. Guys And Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong. Frank Loesser's brassy, immortal score makes Guys And Dolls a crowd pleaser.
Off the Lake Productions, the only student-run musical theatre group on Ohio State's campus, is bringing its 20th production, HAIRSPRAY, to you this spring!
Stadium Virginium V - Generation West performed at Axis Nightclub Feb 12-20th. Virginia West has rocked you through the ages, and this time was no different.... It got louder and dirtier! They 'Spiced Up the Audience Life' when Virginia took on the 90's, all the grunge and rock of what was a new breed of music! The power rockers of the 90's ain't got nothing on GENERATION WEST!
This musical was adapted from a 1952 book of the same name in 1961 and satirizes Mead's own career by depicting the rise of eager young J. Pierrepont Finch ... a window-washer who joins a huge corporation by starting in the mail room, and becomes chairman of the board two weeks later. It was a smash hit with a Broadway run of 1,417 performances and one eight Tony Awards and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for best drama.
Drag artist Charles Busch's outrageously funny melodrama about an aging Hollywood star and her twisted family relationships will bring howls of laughter to the dead of winter. This off-Broadway hit by the author of Psycho Beach Party, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and last year's smash hit The Divine Sister stars Doug Joseph as the irresistibly evil has-been heroine Angela. Cast also includes the struggling director Sol Sussman (Ralph E. Scott), his daughter (Erin Mellon), her brither Lance (Johnny Robison), former actor/country club tennis pro/humidor repairman/gigolo Tony Parker (Nick Lingofski), and keeping the house in order is Bootsie Carp (Josie Merkle)
Sunday February 7th, Imagine Productions cast members performed a cabaret/fundraiser with songs from all 18 musicals they've put on since their inception in 2011. This was their first performance at Imagine's new location at the Northland Performing Arts Center. Included in the cabaret was a sneak peek at their upcoming production of The Wild Party which will perform from March 3-6, 2015.
Actor Doug Joseph has gone from playing Cecil B. DeMille in the Short North Stage's production of SUNSET BOULEVARD to playing the very Norma Desmond-esque Angela Arden in the theatre's production of DIE, MOMMIE DIE!
Central Ohio's annual Celebration of Theatre at the Theatre Roundtable Awards was held on January 31st at the Jewish Community Center in Columbus, Ohio. The evening included the presentation of the prestigious 'Harold' Awards, given for exception commitment to Central Ohio Theatre. There was a production awards recognizing outstanding performers, directors, designers, and productions for the previous year. Last but certainly not least, special guests from the Central Ohio Theatre Critics' Circle presented their annual citations.
On Saturday, January 9th, the Columbus Children's Theatre's 2015 Summer Youth Performance Conservatory (the cast of Seussical Jr.) presented an evening of songs and scenes. The student produced showcase featured 28 of Columbus' best upcoming performers ages 10-15. This showcase served as the final fundraiser and bon voyage party for the Conservatory's trip to the Junior Theatre Festival.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Donald Margulies weaves together nostalgia, music and merriment in this new seasonal classic. A holiday show for people of all ages and all faiths, CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS introduces us to Shirley Abramowitz, a young Jewish girl who (much to her immigrant parents' exasperation) is cast in the school's Christmas pageant. As Shirley, now much older, recounts the memorable story to her great-granddaughter, the play captures a timeless and universal tale of the Jewish immigrant experience during the holidays.
Join the Westerville Parks and Recreation Civic Theatre as they take the stage this December to perform a radiocast rendition of 'A Miracle on 34th Street.'
The beloved holiday motion picture classic - the story of idealistic George Bailey as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve - comes to the stage as a live 1940s radio broadcast.
Adventure, comedy, surprise, and music blend to transport audiences to the high seas in this prequel to the iconic story of Captain Hook and Peter Pan. It explains - among other things - how Peter got his name, how Captain Hook lost his hand, why the crocodile stalks them both, and how Tinkerbell came to be. Dare to imagine, hope, and dream. Catch the stars with Pan and company in Peter and the Starcatcher.
Imagine Productions' annual fundraiser has become one of the biggest and most fun events of each year. This year Imagine's favorites took on Hollywood, from the movie musical, to the beloved soundtrack song, to the guilty pleasures of animated movies. Performances were on Saturday October 21 & 22. Direct from Hollywood Imagine's own Tim Valentine flew in to Host the extravaganza with performances by Eryn Emery Hollobaugh, John Wade, Jessica Parker, Jacob Mangia, Corrine Buuck, Mikey Sowers, Brandon Boring, Greg Zunkiewicz, Esther Stinson, Tony Ingham, Paige Meade, George Bailey, Jordan Shear, Ed Eblin, Jackie Farbeann, Corey Notman, Michael Quinichett, Brian Horne, Ryan Stem, Alexa Rybinski, and Tim Valentine.
Concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touching-and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters.
What happens when you step back and appreciate the present? 'I Can't...I Have Rehearsal,' was a relaxed, fun-filled evening of solos, duets, and collaborations performed by Cassie Gress and Michelle Weiser with assistance by Dakota Thorn, Melissa Hall, Andrew Constantine Protopapas, and Bill Hafner. Musical accompaniment by Zac DelMonte, Brian Horne, Max Kilcup, Ben Canton, and Kiffy Kokal. Performed on Sunday November, 16th at Short North Stage, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Nationwide Children's Hospital's Holiday Wish List.
Welcome to Heartsville High, set in a world where everyone is gaywell, almost everyone. The big man on campus is the chess champion and the captain of the football team is made cool by being cast as the lead in the school musical. The students write a controversial show called 'Don't ask, Don't tell' about straight people in the military, which becomes the catalyst for a young man and woman to fall in love. Enter Zanna, a magical, musical fairy who, with a wave of his wand, brings true love to one and all.
In a cottage on Chesapeake Bay, an aging and ailing man hatches an unorthodox plan to secure his family's future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. An Ohio premiere. Featuring: Sean Brinker, Dave Morgan & Eve Nordyke.
Fresh from its Broadway revival, this Tony® Award-winning tour-de-force has touched the hearts of theatre-goers since its British debut in 1978. John Merrick suffered a physical deformity that rendered his body and features grotesquely misshapen. 'Sometimes I think my head is so large because it is filled with dreams,' he says as he contemplates his plight.
