Omaha Community Playhouse

21 & Over Casts

2012-01-18T10:09:00.002-06:00

Auditions were recently held for Circle Mirror Transformation and Passion Play, part of the Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over series. More than 50 talented area actors auditioned! Below are the casts for these two shows.

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
March 12, 2012

Laura Leininger….Marty
Doug Hayko….Schultz
Bailey Newman….Lauren
Christina Rohling….Theresa
Mark Thornburg….James

Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl
June 18, 2012

Chris Fowler….John/Eric/J (Jesus)
Brian Zealand….Pontius/Foot Soldier/P (Pontius Pilate)
Suzanne Withem….Mary 1/Else (Virgin Mary)
Shannon Jaxies….Mary 2 (Mary Magdalene)
Colin Ferguson….Carpenter 1
Brendan Reilly….Machinist/German Officer/Special Effects Guy/Ronald Reagan
Randy Vest….Friar/Visiting Englishman/VA Psychiatrist
Amy Schweid….Village Idiot/Violet
Colt Neidhardt….Carpenter 2
Bill Grennan….Director/Hitler
Charleen Willoughby….Queen Elizabeth I
Katlynn Yost….Prologue

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. 21 & Over productions are intended only for a mature audience. Events are free and open to the public with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are needed.

Thank you Producing Partners!

2012-01-12T16:14:00.003-06:00

Ticket sales alone do not cover the costs of producing the high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities for which the Omaha Community Playhouse is so well known. Generous donors help make up the difference by sponsoring productions. These Producing Partners help us bring the gift of live theatre to the Omaha community.

Please join us in recognizing the sponsors of our upcoming productions. Thank these generous donors if you see them and patronize their businesses. Their support is pivotal to the success of the Omaha Community Playhouse!

On Golden Pond
Sponsored by: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska and Koley Jessen Attorneys
Guest Director Sponsor: Tom and Mary Jetton Charitable Fund through the Omaha Community Foundation
Costume Sponsor: Dr. and Mrs. Rudy Kotula
Stage Manager Sponsor: Mr. and Mrs. Hal Daub
Media Sponsor: COX

The Fantasticks
Sponsored in part by: Friend of the Playhouse
Orchestra Sponsor: The Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation
Costume Sponsor: Continuum Worldwide
Media Sponsor: COX

Altar Boyz
Sponsored by: TD Ameritrade
Orchestra Sponsor: Whitmore Charitable Trust
Media Sponsor: KXVO/KPTM

Lend Me A Tenor
Sponsored by: Woodmen of the World, Tenaska and David & Anne Rismiller
Costume Sponsor: Friend of the Playhouse
Stage Manager Sponsor: Dr. Edgar and Carol Smith
Media Sponsor: Metro Magazine

A Streetcar Named Desire
Sponsored by: Carter and Vernie Jones
Stage Manager Sponsor: Griffith and Margaret Evans
Media Sponsor: Omaha World-Herald

Hairspray
Sponsored by: Mutual of Omaha
Orchestra Sponsor: Friend of the Playhouse
Wig Sponsor: Friend of the Playhouse
Media Sponsor: WOWT

Sweets and Treats at OCP

2012-01-06T15:50:00.005-06:00

Whether your young love is far better than a metaphor or in your tried and true relationship you refer to your significant other as an "Old Poop," this special Valentine’s Day event is sure to delight!

Enjoy sugary treats paired with your favorite drinks! Learn about why certain flavors mix well with wines, beers and other alcoholic drinks. Then complete your evening with a heartfelt performance of On Golden Pond or The Fantasticks. Whether you want to wow your valentine or treat yourself, this event guarantees to make Valentine’s Day special!

Saturday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Rising Star Ticket (either show) & Reception: $25
On Golden Pond Ticket & Reception: $38
The Fantasticks Ticket & Reception: $44
Reception only: $15

Reserve your tickets before February 6 to take advantage of this special event. Reservations must be made by calling (402) 553-4890, ext. 147 or emailing lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com. Tickets for this event can not be reserved through the Box Office or through the website. You must be over 21 to attend this event.

Getting Old Isn't for Sissies: An Inside Look at On Golden Pond

2012-01-05T14:45:00.000-06:00

“You can’t beat death, but you can beat death in life sometimes. And the more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be. Your life is your life. Know that while you have it, you are marvelous. The gods wait to delight in you.”
-Charles Bukowski

In the winter of 1982, despite the ferocious winter weather and bone-chilling temperatures, the New Year brought Hollywood and one of the world’s biggest stars to Omaha. Jane Fonda attended both a fundraiser for the Omaha Community Playhouse and the premiere of her film On Golden Pond. In a tearful speech, Fonda was quoted saying, “There are no words to describe my emotions. To have the premiere of the movie here, for this cause…it’s so right.”

The Omaha Community Playhouse re-visits this timeless classic, with a cast that includes a slew of OCP veterans including Dennis Collins and Lois Nemec who play Norman and Ethel Thayer. Much like On Golden Pond movie stars, Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn, this is Collins’ and Nemec’s first time working together. Director Judy Hart (The Odd Couple) directs this coming-of-age story about a retired college professor and his struggle to accept that life is still worth living well past his prime.

“Norman starts this show ready to die, and he ends it ready to live,” Hart said. “I think we need hope. We need to see things turn around,” Hart said, when speaking about today’s relevance.

Being married for 52 years, Nemec said that she can really identify with her character. “The things people go through together when they go through most of their lives together, they get used to each other,” Nemec said. “I think when you’re with someone for that many years you kind of grow up together.”

To quote Art Linkletter, “Getting old isn’t for sissies,” Collins said. Collins is a lawyer in Norfolk, NE where he deals with trusts and estates, working with a majority of older people. Collins has a large amount of respect for this group because of the health problems and family issues that they go through. Collins went on to mention that several iconic actors have done this show, but the story itself lends a plethora of opportunities for interpretation. “I think a lot of older people would think they know this [show], but they might have forgotten it. To an older audience there will be things that are different than the movie.”

Note that this show is not obligated to a specific generation. This show is relevant to life in general, young and old alike.

On Golden Pond runs Jan. 20-Feb. 12, 2012, Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre. Tickets start at $19. On Wednesday, Jan. 25, tickets are $7 at the Box Office after 4 p.m. for that evening's performance. For tickets, visit the OCP box office, call (402) 553-0800 or click here.

Article by Chad Cunningham

Make a Difference through a TTAP® Scholarship

2012-01-04T16:44:00.004-06:00

Ron and Jean Gordon will probably tell you that what they have done for the Omaha Community Playhouse Theatre Technology Apprentice Program (TTAP®) isn’t much. We vehemently disagree.

In 2008, Ron and Jean established the first ever scholarship for TTAP® in honor of Ron’s sister, Joyce Gordon. The Joyce Gordon Memorial Scholarship is now awarded annually to a deserving apprentice entering their second year of the program and underwrites the student’s tuition at Metropolitan Community College as well as needed books and tools.

TTAP® Program Director, Steve Bross, has seen how the scholarship has affected not only the student who receives it, but the entire program.

“The Joyce Gordon Scholarship recipient has really emerged as a leader in TTAP®, serving as a role model for their peers and first year apprentices,” he states. “It’s become a highly coveted award and great learning tool for all apprentices as it teaches them the value of recognizing their own worth and reaching for their dreams.”

The Gordon family decided to establish the scholarship to honor Joyce Gordon, whose lifelong dream was to become a serious stage actress. Joyce had acting experience in New York, Chicago, California and Frankfurt, Germany and also taught drama to children. Throughout her life, Joyce’s devotion to the theatre never wavered as she performed with various theatre groups until her death at age 69. Joyce introduced her children, niece and nephews to all the arts. Now they remember and cherish their relationship with “AJ” (Aunt Joyce) and all the beauty she brought to their lives. Through the Joyce Gordon Memorial Scholarship, Joyce’s legacy lives on as she helps other young people have a successful life in the field of theater and the arts.

Past Joyce Gordon Scholarship recipients include Jamie Fields (2009-10) who is currently attending the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. She spent the summer in between semesters working for the Santa Fe Opera. The 2010-11 recipient, John Bone, is now the Omaha Community Playhouse’s house manager. Katie Harper, this year’s recipient, hopes to pursue a career in theatre in the electronics field once she completes the program.

Although humble about their participation, the Gordons are pleased to support OCP with Joyce's scholarship and hope their story may inspire others to do the same. If you would like more information on setting up a scholarship for TTAP® or other education and outreach opportunities provided by OCP, please contact the Development Director, Alena Furlong, at afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4980, ext. 127.

January Metro Arts Pass Deal

2012-01-01T11:45:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of January, you can receive $4.50 tickets and 20% off concessions at Film Streams.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz & Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

On Golden Pond Cast Announced

2011-12-09T09:52:00.004-06:00

As a snow-covered Omaha anxiously awaits the holidays, members of the On Golden Pond cast prepare for the loons at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine.

NORMAN THAYER, JR.: Dennis Collins
ETHEL THAYER: Lois Nemec
CHELSEA THAYER WAYNE: Kim Clark-Kaczmarek
BILL RAY: Michael Markey
BILLY RAY: Max Hauze
CHARLIE MARTIN: Don Harris
OPERATOR: Summer Sinclair

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

February 18, 2012, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Only $15 per child!

Is there a rising star at your house? If someone you know is dreaming about the stage, here is a perfect way to test the waters. ACT Out! Children’s Workshops invites students ages 4-13 to participate in a variety of theatre workshops featuring an array of topics. There are two sessions on February 18 at 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Students will participate in three classes tailored to their age group and take a VIP backstage tour of the Omaha Community Playhouse. The classes are broken down into age groups: 4-6, 7-10 and 11-13. ACT Out! Children’s Workshops are presented by ACT II, the support group of the Omaha Community Playhouse. ACT II is dedicated to supporting the education and outreach efforts of OCP. For more information about these workshops, or how to join ACT II, contact the development coordinator at (402) 553-4890, ext. 145 or jfry@omahaplayhouse.com.

21 & Over Presents Live Broadway Karaoke

2011-12-02T10:00:00.001-06:00

Back by popular demand, Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over program is pleased to present Live Broadway Karaoke.

Monday, Jan. 9, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Scott Lobby
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Check out clips of some of last year's performers here.

We’ve got a piano, an accompanist and a microphone. You’ve got a burning desire to perform at the Playhouse. This is the night when all your Broadway dreams will come true…

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2011-12 season is as follows:

February 20, 2012: The Encyclopedia Show (special guest artists)
March 12, 2012: Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
May 7, 2012: The Candy Project (special guest artists)
June 18, 2012: Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

21 & Over is sponsored by Omaha Steaks and the Mammel Foundation and media sponsored by Omahype.

December Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-12-01T10:00:00.001-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of December, you can receive 10% off all purchases in the Hitchcock Museum Shop at the Durham Museum.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz & Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Ring in the New Year with Yesterday and Today!

2011-11-30T14:47:00.007-06:00

At the end of the year we look forward to new beginnings and celebrate what is to come in the new year. Yesterday and Today and the music from The Beatles inspires us to do just that.

The Beatles-singing brothers, Billy, Ryan and Matthew McGuigan, share some of their New Year’s Eve traditions and memories, as well as what they anticipate for 2012:

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2012?
Ryan: My New Year’s resolution would be to read more.

Billy: To remain positive and proactive in the face of adversity!

What are you looking forward to this year? What goals do you wish to accomplish?
Matthew: Another great year with Yesterday and Today! I hope we make Yesterday and Today the most talked about Beatles show in the country.

Ryan: “I’m looking forward to the Cubs winning the World Series in 2012. As far as goals or accomplishments, I would love for my band, Moses Prey, to record and release another album this year.

You throw a pretty big New Year’s Eve party. Are you surprised at how popular it has become?
Matthew: Yes and no. I would say yes, because you never really know what to expect when performing on NYE. The fact that people want to spend their time with us is awesome! I can’t think of anything I would rather do. The reason I’m not surprised, is because the love that people have for the Beatles music. I’m sure that someone in the audience has a great memory of NYE, that has a Beatles song tied to it.

Billy: I’m completely shocked by the NYE show’s success. I remember when we approached the Playhouse about trying a NYE show in 2003. It was something that the Playhouse had never tried, but with Rave On’s success that year, we decided to give it a try. It was a huge success and here we are still doing it for almost 9 years now. I do think that Yesterday and Today is more suitable for the NYE atmosphere—the requests and open format of the show lend themselves perfectly to having a unique and exciting evening.

Growing up did you have any New Year’s traditions that you celebrated with your family?
Billy: Our main New Year’s Eve traditions always involved gathering around the television to watch Dick Clark live in Times Square. We would then talk about our goals and resolutions and about who would be the first to break them! Nothing too special, but a good memory nonetheless.

Do you think the show this year will be a better alternative to watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
Billy: No need to sit at home and watch Ryan Seacrest tell you what’s cool to listen to or watch. We’ve got a Ryan (who’s much cooler) and I’ve got the Seacrest haircut, and at Yesterday and Today, you get to tell us what song you want to hear.

Matthew: Most definitely! We give you one of the best options for celebrating the New Year. Music, dancing, champagne. What more could you ask for?

Is there a Beatles song you can think of that best sums up what 2011 was like for you? What is your 2012 Beatles anthem?
Matthew: I would say “Getting Better” would be next years anthem. Like the song says, “it’s getting better all the time. It can’t get no worse!” Great words to live by.

Billy: "The Long and Winding Road" for 2011 and "Getting Better" for 2012!

Ryan: Beatles song of this year, “Here, There, and Everywhere.” Beatles anthem of 2012, “All You Need is Love.”

Yesterday and Today runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse December 2-31, 2011 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $38 ($32 for groups of 15 or more) with two special New Year's Eve performances: 7 p.m. ($50) and 10 p.m. ($75). Both New Year's Eve performances include complimentary cake and champagne punch with a champagne toast at midnight for the 10 p.m. show. For tickets, click here or call (402) 553-0800.

Article by Natalie McGovern

Is OCP on your Gift Giving List?

2011-11-14T15:56:00.003-06:00

As you think about giving this holiday season, we hope you’ll consider a gift to the Omaha Community Playhouse or OCP Foundation. A gift to either entity received by December 31, 2011, will allow you to take any appropriate tax benefits for the 2011 year. A contribution might be a great way to support an organization you love, as well as offset a Roth IRA conversion or provide other tax benefits. Please consider a donation today!

Questions? Contact the development director at (402) 553-4890, ext. 127 or find more information here.

Metro Arts Pass November Deal

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of November, you can receive 10% off tickets to Omaha Performing Arts' "Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Nutcracker" on Dec. 9 or 10.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz & Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Don't be a Scrooge; Help Fight Hunger

2011-10-28T10:00:00.003-05:00

It just isn't Christmas without A Christmas Carol. An Omaha holiday tradition for 36 years, Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey that shows us it truly is much better to give than to receive. This year, we ask you to make giving a part of your holiday tradition.

Hunger affects more than 26,000 children in Douglas County and 92,000 across Nebraska. This holiday season, the Omaha Community Playhouse is partnering with Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha and ConAgra Foods to collect non-perishable food items for the Food Bank for the Heartland as part of Shine the Light on Hunger.

During November and December, drop off non-perishable food items at OCP or other participating locations to help fight hunger. The top food items needed are:
1. Macaroni and cheese
2. Peanut butter
3. Canned tuna or chicken
4. Canned fruit
5. Canned vegetables

For more information, call (402) 553-0800.

ConAgra Foods is doing its part to make sure child hunger ends here! Join us to help the more than 16 million* children in America, including the Omaha-Metro area, who don't have consistent access to food throughout the year.

21 & Over Presents Manouche Moustache

2011-10-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over program is pleased to present Manouche Moustache.

Monday, Nov. 7, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Manouche Moustache

Join us as gypsy jazz trio, Manouche Moustache, brings their unique brand of acoustic jazz/vaudeville standup to 21 & Over! The brothers Guy, Pierre and Julian immigrated from a gypsy caravan meandering about rural France with an occasional stop in the capital to sell their wares and play for a crowd of young professionals. They made their way to Omaha to become well-paid jazz musicians and respected U.S. citizens. (They are still working to achieve both of those goals.)

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2011-12 season is as follows:

January 9, 2012: Live Broadway Karaoke! (special event)
February 20, 2012: The Encyclopedia Show (special guest artists)
March 12, 2012: Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
May 7, 2012: The Candy Project (special guest artists)
June 18, 2012: Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

21 & Over is sponsored by Omaha Steaks and media sponsored by Omahype.

Nicodemus: A Place to Call Home

2011-10-07T16:45:00.000-05:00

“I want this town to be a place where a colored woman can be free to live her life like a human being…where a colored man can work as hard for himself as we used to work for white folks…and where a colored child can go to anybody’s door and be treated like they belong there.” –Sophie Washington, Flyin’ West

Set in the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas, Flyin’ West tells the story of four courageous, Black pioneer women who have come west to build a new life for themselves, free from the racism and oppression of the South. Director Susie Baer Collins, her husband, Dennis, and Flyin’ West actress Denise Chapman had the opportunity to visit Nicodemus, Kansas. Their travels not only took them on a historical journey but a sentimental one as well.

Each year an annual celebration is held in the town hosting festivities to honor the original settlers and descendants and preserve the tradition and culture of Nicodemus, which is now a national historic park.

Susie and Denise, who plays Sophie Washington in Flyin’ West, experienced first-hand what it was like to be a part of the rich heritage and culture of Nicodemus. They attended the celebration this past July and saw a re-enactment production of the Buffalo Soldiers Calvary Regiment and watched a ballet excerpt based on Flyin’ West by the Atlanta, Georgia, ballet company, Ballethnic.

“What really captured our hearts was witnessing the heartfelt reunions of families and the exciting discoveries of those who suddenly found themselves related to one another that still occur at this annual homecoming,” said Susie.

Flyin’ West takes a look into the historic time period after the Emancipation Proclamation when African-American settlers had begun their journey where no colored man had dared to venture. Written by African-American playwright Pearl Cleage, the story follows four women as they start their new life as free individuals.

Chapman said her character Sophie’s objective is to shelter her family from the outside world of prejudices. The characters in the play possess personal complexes and endure struggles. Amidst tensions that arise, the women unite to stay together despite their differences and keep the tradition of family morale alive.

Flyin’ West runs October 21–November 20, 2011 in the Howard Drew Theatre; Thursday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, or visit the Box Office located in the southeast corner of the Omaha Community Playhouse at 6915 Cass St.

Article by Natalie McGovern

Enjoy A Dickens of a Christmas at OCP

2011-10-05T10:43:00.001-05:00

Get your holidays off to a merry start by joining ACT II for “A Dickens of a Christmas” November 18 and 19. “A Dickens of a Christmas” will include three fabulous events to benefit the Omaha Community Playhouse and will feature Dr. Elliot Engel, a noted scholar and expert on Charles Dickens. The events are open to the public and tickets for each event are available through the OCP Box Office at (402) 553-0800.

Dr. Engel is known for his charming and humorous lectures. His lectures at the Omaha Town Hall Lecture Series have been among the most popular lectures hosted by that organization and he will certainly bring Charles Dickens alive for us all. Laugh, learn and be inspired by the life and times of Charles Dickens and his beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. Join us for one, two or all three special events as part of this fun weekend:

•On Friday, November 18 at 1 p.m., Dr. Engel will present a special lecture for area high school and college students. This is a remarkable opportunity to enhance the literature curriculum in area schools. Dr. Engel’s literary and historical programs are used in classrooms around the world and his mini-lecture series on Charles Dickens has run on PBS stations around the country. Tickets for this special lecture are only $3. Groups of 10 or more may purchase $2 tickets.

•On Friday, November 18 at 6 p.m., there will be a special meet and greet and book signing event with Dr. Engel including heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets for this event only are $75.

•On Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 a.m., there will be a special holiday luncheon featuring authentic Dickens’ era food and drink with a lecture by Dr. Engel following. Tickets for the luncheon and lecture only are $50. There will also be a limited number of Saturday lecture only tickets available for $20.

Purchase of a patron level ticket for $125 will allow you to attend the Friday evening meet and greet and the Saturday holiday luncheon and lecture.

“A Dickens of A Christmas” are fundraising events produced by ACT II, a support group dedicated to the promotion of the Omaha Community Playhouse. Event co-chairs are Judy Wickersham and Francie Prier. The events have been graciously sponsored by The J. K. Barker Foundation and Judy and Gale Wickersham. To learn more about ACT II and this very special holiday event, contact Jan Fry at at (402) 553-4890, ext. 145. We hope you can join us for these exceptional events!

21 & Over Presents Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom

2011-10-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over program is pleased to present Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom.

Monday, Oct. 24, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley

Something isn’t quite right in this quiet cul-de-sac of identical homes. Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom plunges you into a household setting where the arrival of an online horror video game begins to blur the line between what is real and what is just a game. Filled with mystery, tension, humor and the undead, be ready to get sucked into the chaos of a virtual reality where fear has a life of its own. A fun, spine-tingling, zombie-filled ride through the scariest place on earth…suburbia.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

November 7, 2011: Manouche Moustache (special guest artists)
January 9, 2012: Live Broadway Karaoke! (special event)
February 20, 2012: The Encyclopedia Show (special guest artists)
March 12, 2012: Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
May 7, 2012: The Candy Project (special guest artists)
June 18, 2012: Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164

21 & Over is sponsored by Omaha Steaks and media sponsored by Omahype.

October Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-10-01T10:00:00.001-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of October, you can sign up for a free new annual membership at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art. You can also purchase two tickets for Dracula on Oct. 28 for $50 with Ballet Nebraska.
The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz & Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Your Donation of Any Amount CAN Help the Playhouse!

2011-09-27T10:32:00.002-05:00

Although I’ve been the development director for the past four years at the Omaha Community Playhouse, I have shied away from including any personal connections in our fundraising appeals, believing it more important to focus on the great organization that is OCP. My thought was that “it’s not about me, it’s about the Playhouse.” I still believe in principle that is and should be the case.

However, as I continue to talk to our supporters, it is becoming clear to me that we DO need to be talking about contributing to the Playhouse on a personal level because the majority of people still do not understand one of our core messages: donations of every size really do matter and make a difference.

This point was driven home to me recently as my very own mother apologized to me regarding the size of her donation. She, like many of our patrons, bought a season package and rounded up with a contribution to make her check an even $200. She then was surprised (and I believe a little embarrassed) when she received a thank you letter from me and a personal thank you call from Tim Schmad, our President. She told me “It wasn’t anything; you shouldn’t waste your time thanking me.” Unfortunately, we hear something similar from many of our donors.

Here are some facts to perhaps help you understand that we really mean it when we say that donations of every amount are needed and appreciated:
•Last year, 61% of all the donations OCP received were equal to or less than $100.
•Of NEW donors who gave a gift with their season ticket package, 87% of those gifts were equal to or less than $100.

You may have heard the saying “It takes a village…” The same is true of our friends at OCP. Yes, we need donors who can give more than $100. But we also need all those donors who give at whatever level they can. Both large and “small” gifts are significant to helping us provide our community with high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities.

Will you consider making a donation, of any amount, to OCP today? Click here to complete a secure online donation or feel free to send a check to my attention to 6915 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

Alena Furlong
Development Director

Murder. Corruption. And all that jazz.

2011-09-02T16:22:00.002-05:00

Based on the real lives of two women, Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, the Tony-winning musical Chicago is a nearly identical depiction of the historical court cases of the accused women. Their real-life accounts became a source of inspiration for reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who put the murderesses in the public eye, gaining them publicity and celebrity status.

Beulah Annan, who is the inspiration for the character of Roxie Hart, was married to multi-millionaire Albert Annan. Beulah had an affair with laundry worker Harry Kalstedt whom she murdered in cold blood. Her defense took on many forms. She told stories of how Kalstedt threatened to leave her, how she shot him in self-defense and that she was pregnant. She was reported to have sat idly by, drinking a cocktail and listening to a record after his death.

Belva Gaertner was a famous cabaret singer, and the inspiration for character Velma Kelly, known for killing her lover Walter Law. The man was found slumped over the front seat of her car with a bottle of gin and a gun present. Belva claimed that he shot himself for she couldn’t remember the incident. Both women were acquitted which became a controversial issue in their day.

Years after their infamous trials, Watkin’s stories inspired her to write the storyline for the hit production of Chicago, forever immortalizing the ladies in a life of gin, glamour and jazz.

The character of Billy Flynn, a suave, cunning attorney who comes to the legal aid of Roxie, is based off of two prominent lawyers who practiced during the 1920s. Flynn and Roxie discover a way to dodge the bullet (no pun intended) and pull off a legal scheme so grandiose that it “razzle dazzles” the court. With justice on their side, Velma and Roxie ascend to new levels of notoriety as they pursue their vaudevillian aspirations.

Director Carl Beck touched upon some elements and key components of the show that make for a dazzling performance. According to Beck, the OCP production of Chicago is an “incarnation of the original Bob Fosse 1970s production,” but is divergent from the stylized Broadway concert version. The feel of this production is a hybrid of historical authenticity tinged with nostalgia. Beck said the initial Fosse concept was attributed largely to vaudeville influence. Each signature number in the show is an homage paid to a vaudeville performer of that era. For instance, the character of Roxie Hart pays homage to late singer Sophie Tucker.

A celebration of femme fatale exploits and justice for the not-so-innocent, Chicago is the razzle dazzle, roaring 20s hit you won’t want to miss.

Chicago plays in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre Sept. 16-Oct. 16, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, call (402) 553-0800, stop into the Box Office on 69th and Cass or click here.

Article by Natalie McGovern

September Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-09-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of September, you can receive $1 off admission at the Omaha Children's Museum. You can also receive a free ticket with the purchase of a ticket for The Passing Zone at The Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College on Sept. 16.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz & Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Goodbye $7 Sundays...Hello Whatta Deal Wednesdays!

2011-08-30T13:00:00.001-05:00

The beginning of the 2011-12 season marks the end of Sunday evening regular season performances on the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage. Though we're sad to see this performance go, our volunteer actors will enjoy performing only one Sunday show and having the rest of the day for themselves. The end of Sunday evening performances means the end of $7 Sundays. For years, our patrons have enjoyed $7 tickets on the first Sunday evening of a Mainstage series show. But fear not! We have a couple new (and existing) deals up our theatrical sleeves.

WHATTA DEAL WEDNESDAYS
On the first Wednesday performance for Mainstage Series shows only, patrons can purchase tickets for only $10 for that performance. Whatta Deal Wednesday tickets must be purchased with cash only at the Box Office after 4 p.m. the day of the show. This offer is not valid for A Christmas Carol or other special engagements.

TWILIGHT TICKETS
After noon on the day of a production for regular season shows, patrons can buy tickets for half price! Tickets must be purchased with cash or check only in person at the Box Office.

LUCKY 7 TICKETS
Grade school, middle school, high school and full-time undergraduate students can see an opening weekend performance of any regular season production for only $7! The Omaha Community Playhouse wants everyone to enjoy the thrill of live theatre! But we know budgets can get tight. That’s why we offer various deals throughout the season.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
OCP offers a wide variety of subscriptions throughout the year. Patrons can choose which shows they want to see or see them all and save nearly 50%!

With all these great deals available, the best way to guarantee a great seat for the show you can’t wait to see is by purchasing a ticket ahead of time or a subscription!

21 & Over Presents End Days

2011-08-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over program is pleased to present End Days!

Monday, Sept. 12, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer

Sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father, a World Trade Center survivor, hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since that fateful day. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a teenage Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all. Commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11, End Days is an enormously funny, warm and uplifting play.

End Days is performed in collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Omaha in commemoration of 9/11.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

October 24, 2011: Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley
November 7, 2011: Manouche Moustache (special guest artists)
January 9, 2012: Live Broadway Karaoke! (special event)
February 20, 2012: The Encyclopedia Show (special guest artists)
March 12, 2012: Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
May 7, 2012: The Candy Project (special guest artists)
June 18, 2012: Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164

Theatre Career Expo

2011-08-24T16:49:00.005-05:00

THIS EXPO HAS BEEN POSTPONED. FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED AT A LATER DATE.

Do you have a passion for theatre? Do you consider yourself creative? Are you a behind-the-scenes kind of person?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, explore all of the career opportunities theatre has to offer at the Omaha Community Playhouse’s Theatre Career Expo!

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse, Owen Lobby
Attend at any time throughout the day, stay for however long you like!

All Day Events

• Venue Tables: Meet representatives from regional colleges, theatres and businesses in the theatre and entertainment industry.
• OCP Tours: Tour the Omaha Community Playhouse (Teachers are welcome to schedule private tours).
• Résumé Critiques: Have your students bring their résumés to be critiqued by industry professionals.

Workshops

• Tuning In: Louder is Not Always Better: Sound basics and what makes the event you are attending audible for everyone.
• Puppetry-Bunraku to Avenue Q: The beginnings of puppetry in theatre and a demonstration in front of you!
• Dialects: Basics on how to speak other dialects with an interactive exercise in Standard British.
• Moving Light Magic: Take a look at moving lights, programming boards and the gadgets that make our stages glow with beauty (presented by Theatrical Media Services).
• Scenic Painting: Magic In Front of Your: How do you get into commercial work? How is it different than stage work? Learn how this world is so different, and yet the same in our industry.

For more information, call (402) 553-4890, ext. 135.

A Birthday Gift to Remember!

2011-08-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

What’s the best Birthday Gift you’ve ever gotten?

Some might say it’s a new car or a vacation. Others might say it was new earrings or a good book. For some, it was a card, a phone call or a home-cooked meal by someone who, lets face it, really doesn’t know how to cook. Some years it is a complete surprise, others it is sweet, but mildly generic. And then, there are those years you get a play from your husband written just for you.

Wait a minute. What was that?

Yep, you read correctly. A play. From your husband. Written just. For. You. Or at least, that was the case for theatre-loving Seattle native Benita Staadecker, whose husband Charles commissioned a play for his wife for a memorable and long-lasting 60th birthday present.

Benita and Charlie Staadecker

It was all a part of a new program launched by ACT Theatre in Seattle, where anybody could commission a play to be written as a gift. Enter, Steven Deitz, one of America’s most widely-produced and published contemporary playwrights. It took Dietz two years to write the script, but on Benita’s birthday, he sent her the first scene.

Becky’s New Car is a whirlwind ensemble comedy, which follows a middle-aged woman, who is working at a car dealership when a man walks into the shop and turns her life topsy-turvy. When the man, who just happens to be a gazillionaire, assumes incorrectly that Becky is a widow, Becky doesn’t exactly steer him in the right direction. Soon, Becky finds herself muddled up in a double-life whose families become hilariously and impossibly twisted together!

L-R: Mark Thornburg as Joe Foster, Kim Jubenville as Becky Foster, Mike Markey as Walter Flood

Now don’t start thinking this is a true story of the Staadeckers! The couple put no restrictions on the playwright, apart from keeping the play more light than dark. Dietz spun the idea from all of those “little stories” that turn up in newspapers about everyday people having secret double lives.

Enjoy Benita’s birthday present as it appears in the Howard Drew Theatre at the Omaha Community Playhouse!

Becky’s New Car runs August 19–September 18, 2011; Thursday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, or visit the Box Office located in the southeast corner of the Omaha Community Playhouse at 6915 Cass St.

Article by Deborah Trecek

Playhouse Partners (Show Sponsors) Make a Difference!

2011-08-05T09:39:00.025-05:00

Did you know that our productions and programs are not entirely paid for by ticket sales? Generous donors help make up the difference so that the Omaha Community Playhouse’s high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities can remain affordable for the community.

OCP would like to thank and recognize the following sponsors of our upcoming fall productions. Please thank these generous donors if you see them, or patronize their businesses. Their support is pivotal to the success of the Omaha Community Playhouse!

Becky’s New Car
Sponsored by: Enterprise Bank and “Friend of the Playhouse”
Media Sponsor: The Reader

Chicago
Sponsored by: Peter Kiewitt Sons', Inc. and HDR
Orchestra Sponsor: KPMG LLP
Costume Sponsor: Great Western Bank
Media Sponsor: KETV

Flyin’ West
Sponsored by: Bank of the West and University of Nebraska Medical Center
Media Sponsor: Yellowbook
Costume Sponsor: Lozier Foundation

A Christmas Carol
Sponsored by: First National Bank
Orchestra Sponsor: Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Snow and Special Effects Sponsor: Valmont Industries, Inc.
Bakery Shoppe and Baker & Wife Costume Sponsor: Rotella’s Bakery
HIACC: Southwest Omaha Sertoma Club
Media Sponsor: COX

Yesterday and Today
Sponsored by: YPO / WPO Nebraska
Media Sponsor: KGOR

If you would like more information on how you or your business can become a show sponsor, contact Alena Furlong, Development Director, at (402) 553-4890, ext. 127 or afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com.

21 & Over announces 2011-2012 Season!

2011-08-02T09:45:00.000-05:00

21 & over is a one-of-a-kind experience that features script readings and simple, suggested technical elements and moments of physical blocking. These readings showcase the best talent Omaha has to offer, including four special guest artists performing during the 2011-2012 season.

These contemporary works are free and open to the public with an opportunity for donations.

This season's line-up includes:
August 29, 2011: Red Theatre Omaha special guest artists
September 12, 2011: End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer
October 24, 2011: Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley
November 7, 2011: Manouche Moustache special guest artists
January 9, 2012: Live Broadway Karaoke! special event
February 20, 2012: The Encyclopedia Show special guest artists
March 12, 2012: Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
May 7, 2012: The Candy Project special guest artists
June 18, 2012: Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl

Most of the 21 & Over productions will be held in the Howard Drew Theatre at OCP at 7:30 p.m. 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164

The 2011-2012 season of 21 & Over is sponsored by Omahype.com.

August Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-08-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of August, you can receive $5 off a membership and 10% off any item in the gift shop at Fontenelle Forest.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Be part of YOUR Omaha Community Playhouse

2011-07-25T13:00:00.001-05:00

Enrich your Omaha Community Playhouse experience by joining ACT II! Membership in ACT II offers a wide range of fun opportunities to maximize your social and volunteer experience. For over 20 years, ACT II has been an integral part of OCP’s success helping with fundraising, community enrichment programs and educational programs.

Throughout each season, ACT II hosts several luncheons which focus on the plays in the current season. These entertaining and informative events begin this season on Monday, Sept. 12, with the Fall Kickoff Luncheon featuring entertainment from Chicago. On Monday, Oct. 10, the first Behind-the-Scenes Luncheon will give attendees a glimpse behind the scenes of Flyin’ West. A second Behind-the-Scenes Luncheon will be held in the spring on Monday, April 9 and will feature Lend Me A Tenor. ACT II will wrap up the 2011-2012 season on May 14, 2012 with its annual Spring Luncheon featuring the entertainment of Hairspray.

In November, ACT II is planning a variety of events featuring guest lecturer, Dr. Elliot Engel. Dr. Engel is an expert on Charles Dickens. Start your holiday season off by attending one of the special Dickens events Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19. Watch for more details coming soon.

The fun doesn’t stop after the holidays! In February, ACT II will once again sponsor the very popular ACT Out! Children’s Workshops. This day-long event is designed to introduce children to the excitement of live theatre. Our very popular Destination: World’s Fare Benefit will be held Saturday, March 31, 2012. Guests experience the food and entertainment of different countries around the world as only OCP can do.

ACT II has a very full and exciting year in store! Many volunteers are needed to make these events successful. As a way of saying thanks for all their work on behalf of OCP, ACT II members will receive a 20% single ticket discount for all OCP productions. If you are interested in learning more about ACT II, contact Jan Fry at jfry@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext 145 or visit www.omahaplayhouse.com.

Preserve the Tradition…Secure the Future of the Omaha Community Playhouse

2011-07-07T12:04:00.001-05:00

The Playhouse’s rich tradition in the Omaha community was made possible through the support of friends like you. Now it’s time to prepare for the next chapter of our great story. The Omaha Community Playhouse is currently in the midst of an Endowment Campaign to raise enough funds to ensure that our high-quality productions and programs are available for future generations.

Please consider making a financial contribution to this important endeavor. To learn more about why we feel it’s the right time to “Preserve the Tradition and Secure the Future” of the Omaha Community Playhouse, click here.

Your gift can make a significant difference towards our campaign goals. In addition to providing a stable source of future funding for OCP, your endowment gift will also currently help us complete a three-year matching donor challenge to receive an additional $400,000 in general operating support for the Playhouse.

There are two great ways to help…either a general endowment gift (click here to make a secure pledge online) or a gift to “Sponsor a Seat” in the Hawks Mainstage (click here for more details). Checks can also be mailed to 6915 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 to the attention of Alena Furlong, Development Director.

The Omaha Community Playhouse is still here after 87 years and relevant to our community today through your support and commitment. We thank you for your consideration and hope we can count on your continued support. Thank you for being part of the Playhouse family.

OCP Props Garage Sale: Relive the memories!

2011-07-06T10:54:00.010-05:00

For years, the props used in Omaha Community Playhouse productions have been awed and revered by actors and audience members alike. Whether the props are extravagant and outrageous or exquisitely simple and detailed, props add a unique mixture of magic and reality to any show. But often times, a prop is in one scene and out the next. Never to be seen again. Lost in closets of time and set storage.

But wait! Now is your chance to not only see them again, but to have them for your very own! That’s right, OCP is holding a properties sale, and it’s all up for grabs!

The props garage sale will be held in the Hitchcock Rehearsal Hall at the Omaha Community Playhouse on the following dates:

Wednesday, August 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, August 4, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
Friday, August 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Whether you have been in an OCP show before or have been an audience member enchanted by the magic of theatre, don’t miss out on this opportunity to relive the memory and take a piece of it home with you!

Questions? Contact the Omaha Community Playhouse at (402) 553-4890.

First Stage Summer Theatre Academy: A taste of professional theatre for students ages 12-18

2011-07-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

It’s Wednesday night and you’ve got 16 pages of lines, seven songs, and four dances to memorize before Friday afternoon. Sounds like a challenge even the most seasoned actor would find overwhelming. Now imagine you’re only 12 years old and it’s the middle of July!

The above scenario is typical for any of the students participating in OCP's popular First Stage Summer Theatre Academy. Started in 1997, the academy takes place over the month of July with two different two-week sessions offered to students ages 12-18 who want a more intense performing experience. For two weeks, students will work intensively with members of the First Stage production team in a “summer stock” setting. Each session includes daily warm-up activities, auditioning workshops, improvisation exercises, dance classes and vocal/blocking/choreography rehearsals. They work with professional directors, musicians, choreographers and technicians from OCP and become part of an original production written specifically for First Stage. On the final Friday evening, the production is presented in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre for an invited audience of friends and family.

It isn’t easy – the directing staff asks these students to stretch themselves as both performers and young adults on a daily basis. The goal (aside from having a great time!) is that these young performers gain a better understanding of the hard work and commitment needed to stage a production in only 10 days. Academy participants leave with the sense of accomplishment on a job well done and rush of adrenaline that only performing on stage can provide. It’s not uncommon for students to return year after year or to audition for future Playhouse productions.

If you know of a student who is just itching to get on stage, spaces are still available for our second session, which runs July 19-29. Students may register online at www.omahplayhouse.com or by calling the Education Office at (402) 553-4890 ext. 131.

July MAP Deal

2011-07-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of July, you can receive $1 off admission per person at Joslyn Art Museum.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

OCP is the perfect venue for your event

2011-06-29T14:00:00.007-05:00

The Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) offers a wide selection of venues suitable for company meetings and special events. Whether you’re looking to host a sophisticated soiree or a simple sit-down dinner, the venues offered by OCP are nothing short of spectacular.

Venues available for event rental include: The Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, Howard Drew Theatre, Owen Lobby, Scott Lobby, Drew Foundation Plaza, Guiou Board Room, Dance Studio, Hitchcock Rehearsal Studio, North Studio, classrooms and dressing rooms.

Whether you want the extra drama for a ceremony, comfort for a conference, magic for a wedding or pizzazz for a party, OCP will be with you every step of the way to help make your event unforgettable. OCP also has a large network of catering contacts to provide for your event.
Some past events held at OCP include wedding, group party and corporate events.

Wedding Events

Receptions
Ceremonies
Bridal showers
Bachelorette parties
Group Parties

Graduation parties
Baby showers
Dinners on stage – A Christmas Carol and other select shows
Breakfasts, luncheons and dinners
Backstage tours

Corporate Events

Large group presentations and speakers
Nonprofit fundraising events
Corporate board and shareholder meetings
Company meetings

For more information on events and rentals, contact the director of sales at 402-553-4890, ext. 147 or lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com.

Article by Deborah Trecek

Why We Do Theatre

2011-06-24T14:30:00.003-05:00

Polly Hidalgo, a backstage OCP volunteer, recently brought her young cousin to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee here at OCP, her cousin's first live theatre production. The young girl's experience was a profound one. This is why we do theatre.

As a technical theatre major with a focus in stage management at UNO and a volunteer at the Omaha Community Playhouse as well as other venues around town, my life is full to over-flowing with theatre and that has become something that I tend to take for granted.

This was brought sharply into focus for me when I took my twelve year old cousin to see the opening night of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earlier this season. She had never seen live theatre before. While I had to explain a few of the jokes to her, she really enjoyed the evening. I enjoyed watching her almost as much as I enjoyed watching the show.

When we arrived, having worked at OCP before, I pointed out a few things to her like where the live band sat, and I introduced her to some of the apprentices and John Gibilisco & Jim Othuse. We arrived a bit early and so we had the half hour wait for top of show but it gave us a chance to sit and talk and for me to give her an idea of what the theatre is like.

Once the music for the top of the show started, she was enthralled. She started out sitting back in her chair with her feet up on the railing in the balcony like a typical teenager, but as the show started, the feet went down. She was literally sitting on the edge of her seat leaning over the railing of the balcony. At intermission, she chattered nonstop about all of it: the actors, the lights, the set. Did I see this? Did I see that?

She couldn’t wait to get back to our seats for the top of Act Two. Other than asking me to explain a few things here and there, she did not speak the entire show. Her eyes were wide. She was absolutely fascinated. She cried a little at the I Love You Song.

But the part that touched me and most of the cast and crew happened afterwards. When the cast assembled in the lobby to greet the patrons, we stood in line with everyone else and I proudly introduced my cousin to all those people that I am proud to call my friends. This was the moment. My little chatterbox suddenly became mute. She was completely overwhelmed and burst into tears. She had no words for what she had just witnessed and for those who had given her this insight. I took her backstage for a quick tour and the scene continued. She managed to shake hands politely, and nod in response to the questions: “Did you enjoy it? Did you have a good time?” but she had no words and tears continued to roll.

That is why we do theatre. That reaction is it for us. Is theatre hard work? Do we love it? Do we have a passion for it? The answer for all of these questions is “Yes, absolutely.” And that reaction from that little girl, that is it for us. She is the reason why we do theatre.

Blues Brothers Duo hits the OCP

2011-06-17T09:00:00.005-05:00

When you think about it, some of the most influential people in modern history have occurred as a result of famous duos. Where would we be without the famous adventurers Lewis and Clark? Would we have ever learned to fly if not for the Wright Brothers? What would comic book lovers do without Batman and Robin? Peanut butter and jelly? Enough said.

Well there is one more famous duo that is about to bring the blues to Omaha. Yes, the Blues Brothers are coming to town…

The Blues Brothers first hit the big screen in 1980, starring another famous duo, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Together, the pair brought to life characters Jake and Elwood Blues. Jake, fresh out of prison, and his brother Elwood decide to help out their financially troubled childhood home, a Catholic orphanage where they were raised by nuns. Helping out quickly turned into raising a whopping $5,000 tax on the orphanage property in a mere 11 days. The whole feat turns out to be their own “mission from god”, reunites their old blues band and is accompanied by mayhem the whole way through.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue is a high-energy live concert show that picks up right where the hit movie left off and introduces another history-in-the-making duo, Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty, to the stage. Catania and Lafferty bring to life charisma and attitude so reminiscent of Belushi and Aykroyd that The Official Blues Brothers Revue is the only Blues Brother tribute officially sanctioned by Dan Aykroyd and The John Belushi Estate. It can’t get more official than that!

The above video is of the fully mounted Las Vegas version. The version in Omaha will be a different version.

Which brings up a good point…even dynamic duos need some help from that crucial third party person every now and then. Batman and Robin have their trusted butler Alfred, Sacagawea helped guide and interpret for Lewis and Clark and let’s face it, peanut butter and jelly wouldn’t have made it far without the bread. Likewise, Blues Brothers has immense support from Dan Aykroyd and The John Belushi Estate. Judy Belushi Pisano has even put together a script for a pilot television show that would continue her late husband's, John Belushi, Blues Brothers legacy to the small screen. Co-writer of the script is none other than Saturday Night Live writer Anne Beats.

But before the Blues Brother phenomena makes the small screen, it hits the Howard and RhondaHawks Mainstage Theatre at the Omaha Community Playhouse. The live concert show is perfect for all ages! The production runs from August 12-21, 2011.

Tickets are $30, or $25 for groups of 15 or more.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, or visit the box office located at the southeast corner of the Omaha Community Playhouse at 6915 Cass St. or click here

This duo is one you won’t want to miss!

Summer Sponsors Support OCP!

2011-06-13T15:04:00.002-05:00

The Playhouse is rocking this summer with two special musical events: Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience and The Official Blues Brothers Revue. OCP would like to thank and recognize these show sponsors who help underwrite the those costs not covered by ticket sales. Please thank these generous donors if you see them, or patronize their businesses. Their support is pivotal to the success of the Omaha Community Playhouse!

Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience
Sponsored by: Security National Bank

The Official Blues Brothers Revue
Sponsored by: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Media Sponsor: KGOR

For more information on how you or your business can become a show sponsor, contact Alena Furlong, Development Director, at (402) 553-4890, ext. 127 or afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue

2011-06-03T15:53:00.003-05:00

THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE
Aug. 12–21, 2011
Tickets on sale June 14!
Sanctioned by Dan Aykroyd and the Belushi Estate
special event in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre

In true Blues Brothers spirit, The Official Blues Brothers Revue is a high-energy live concert show that pays homage to the humor, music and mayhem of the original 1980 hit film. Non-stop fun with a whole lotta soul, these animated performers will keep you entertained as Jake and Elwood embark on their ‘mission from God’.

Sponsored by: University of Nebraska Medical Center

Media Sponsor: KGOR

Discounts for Dads!

2011-06-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

Attention all Dads! The Omaha Community Playhouse is offering discounted tickets for Father's Day, June 19, 2011.

The Father's Day performances of Guys and Dolls are opening their theatrical arms to Fathers across the Omaha community by offering discounted $20 tickets, available for both the 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. performances.

Tickets normally run $40 for Adults and $24 for Students. Groups of 15 or more can receive discounted ticket prices at $29 for Adults and $18 for Students. The discount is not valid on previously purchased tickets and may not be used with other offers.

Tickets are now available! To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800 or visit the box office.

June MAP Deal

2011-06-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of June, you can receive 15% off concessions and a free bag of popcorn at the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at lkaup@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

From Curtain to Closet: OCP Garage Sale!

2011-05-31T10:00:00.003-05:00

The Omaha Community Playhouse costume shop is running out of room! It's time to hunt through the treasure-trove!

The Omaha Community Playhouse is holding a garage sale during June to sell vintage clothing, furs, hats, accessories, fabric and miscellaneous items. See what treasures you can find!

The Garage Sale will be held at 2679 Farnam Street (not at the Omaha Community Playhouse) on the following dates:

Wednesday, June 22, 9 a.m.- Noon
Thursday, June 23, 9 a.m.-Noon
Friday, June 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m.-Noon

Questions? Contact the Omaha Community Playhouse at (402) 553-4890.

Beck looks Back...Billy McGuigan's start as Buddy Holly

2011-05-27T10:00:00.004-05:00

Carl Beck, artistic director at the Omaha Community Playhouse, remembers Billy McGuigan from a time when McGuigan was in high school, auditioning for a part in a musical at the Omaha Community Playhouse. The audition was so memorable, that even though McGuigan was not cast, Beck said to himself, “don’t forget this kid." Beck promptly wrote down McGuigan's name and stuck it in a drawer. During a passing conversation years later, Beck discovered that McGuigan had quit acting to focus on starting a band. When OCP was slated to put on a production of the jukebox musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story in 2002, director Carl Beck remembered a young man with the charisma and singing talent the character of Buddy Holly demands. He thought, “We have got to check this guy out.”

Before long, Beck found McGuigan and brought him in for a meeting, explaining the role and asking for an audition. McGuigan's band was playing a show at Dubs Pub (currently The Waiting Room Lounge) located at 6212 Maple Street in Benson, and Beck offered to use the performance as an audition. Beck knew before the set list was done that this was the man to play Buddy Holly.

Intensive training sessions began the summer before production, where Billy and the cast making up the band used their free time to come into OCP and practice in the basement, working to recreate the sound of Buddy Holly’s music. McGuigan was a perfect example of a triple threat performer, with the ability to act, sing and dance, and evolved musically throughout the entire period of production.

During one of the first performances of Buddy, a tornado warning interrupted the show and herded the audience members, reviewers and cast downstairs to the Omaha Community Playhouse’s basement. To keep the audience engaged and entertained, the cast struck up some tunes and continued the Buddy Holly show music downstairs. Beck reflected that when the warning was over, everyone went right back upstairs to “continue the party.”

McGuigan has grown tremendously since first being cast as Buddy Holly, including developing the tribute shows Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience, Yesterday and Today, an interactive concert experience that pays tribute to The Beatles and Rock Legends.

For a look at Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience, check out this promotional video!

Don’t miss Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience in the Howard Drew Theatre, June 10-26, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $38, all seats reserved. For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $32.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, or visit the box office located at the southeast corner of the Omaha Community Playhouse at 6915 Cass St. or click here.

Article by Deborah Trecek

All pictures courtesy of the Omaha Community Playhouse: 2002 production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story

Bang! Bang! Bucks!

2011-05-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a way to illuminate your Fourth of July holiday? Support the Omaha Community Playhouse by purchasing fireworks!

The city of Omaha is allowing the sales of fireworks for the first time within city limits with sales benefitting a sponsoring nonprofit organization.

Crazy Cracker Fireworks stand at 840 Saddle Creek Rd. (located in the No Frills Supermarket parking lot) will benefit the OCP. A portion of proceeds goes directly to the Omaha Community Playhouse!

Stock up on your favorite fireworks and support the Omaha Community Playhouse at the 840 Saddle Creek Rd. location!

Sales begin on June 25, 2011, and last until July 4, 2011.

OCP Education Department

2011-05-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Readers of this blog hopefully know by now that the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) offers a wide variety of educational opportunities throughout the year through its extensive class program, but did you know OCP provides quality educational opportunities outside of the usual class offerings?

Interact is the name for all of educational theatrical opportunities OCP offers to schools, community groups and various organizations throughout the year. Some examples of recent Interact programming are:

• High School Theatre Arts Residencies – a three-day workshop series which brings the theme of an OCP production to life in high school classes such as sociology, psychology, history, English and geography
• Afterschool workshops in acting, improv or dance for various elementary and middle school afterschool programs
• Free backstage tours for more than 500 students from various schools or community groups year round
• Acting, improv or dance workshops at OCP for more than 20 different schools or community groups
• Dance workshops for the Catholic Homeschool Association.
• Shakespeare auditioning technique workshop for Skutt Catholic High School
• Technical theatre demonstrations for 7th grade students from Russell Middle School

Funding for the high school residencies and afterschool workshops is generously provided by Wells Fargo Bank Nebraska, Lincoln Financial Group, UMB Bank and the Nebraska Arts Council. Without their support, OCP would not have the means to provide these schools with such quality programming.

Do you know a school or group interested in working with the Omaha Community Playhouse? Contact the Director of Education at (402) 553-4890, ext. 131 to discuss programming opportunities. Programming can be scheduled based on any budget and timeline.

Opportunities for YOU to join ACT II

2011-05-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

Just like we cannot spell community or playhouse without “u,” the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) could not operate without YOU! It takes hundreds of volunteers to ensure OCP’s success.

If you’re looking for a way to get more involved with the Omaha Community Playhouse and acting is not the route you want to take, we hope you will consider joining ACT II. This important group of volunteers helps further the mission of the Playhouse by assisting with fundraising and friendraising events throughout the season.

In 2011-2012, ACT II will host several unique events to benefit OCP. The group holds several luncheons each season, which offer a glimpse behind the scenes of upcoming productions. These are wonderful opportunities to hear the directors, meet the actors and see the sets before the shows open. In November, ACT II will be hosting a Holiday Tea Lecture/Luncheon event, which will bring in an expert on Charles Dickens to share insights into A Christmas Carol and other Dickens’ works. The ACT Out! Children’s Workshops in February will introduce young people to the stage. These were very popular last year and we anticipate an even larger enrollment this year. And of course, there is always the ACT II signature event, Destination: World’s Fare, the benefit that raises funds for OCP which will be in March.

All these activities require volunteer help and are fun and fulfilling. For more information about how you can join ACT II and participate in these events in our 2011-12 season, contact the development coordinator at (402) 553-4890, ext. 145.

Guys and Dolls features a team of musical rebels

2011-05-09T10:00:00.006-05:00

Do not be alarmed patrons, but for your information, the next Omaha Community Playhouse musical to open contains music by a man who never studied music formally.

Before you begin giving away your ticket subscriptions, take note that although Frank Loesser, musical composer of Guys and Dolls, refused to take official music lessons during his younger years, he still managed to write a score that Jim Boggess, music director of Guys and Dolls, calls, “close to perfect.”

“Loesser was a musical comedy genius,” Boggess said. “There isn’t an unnecessary word or song in the show. That’s why it’s so good. It tells the truth about these people. Good theatre and good songs tell the truth.”

As a child, Loesser grew up in a musical environment. His father was a German-born classical piano teacher and his older brother was a renowned concert pianist, musicologist and music critic. Loesser, on the other hand, was the rebel in the family.

He had no interest in studying classical music but rather was drawn to pop styles, much to his father’s dismay. He taught himself to play the harmonica in his early years and later the piano, and he started his career writing lyrics for both film and the stage. Eventually trying his hand at composing music, he opened his first smash hit on Broadway in 1948 called Where’s Charley? and followed that show with Guys and Dolls in 1950, which earned a Tony Award for Best Musical.

Boggess notes that although Loesser attempted to avoid classical idioms, hints of classical style are still detected in his works.

“It is interesting that in Guys and Dolls, and most particularly, in his musical, Most Happy Fella, he many times uses the recitative/aria form that is most closely identified with opera,” Boggess said.

A few OCP Guys and Dolls cast members have admitted they, like Loesser, have been musical rebels at some point in their lives, even though classical styles unavoidably have influenced them.

Angela Jenson Frey, who is playing Sarah Brown, noted that during her college years at Nebraska Wesleyan University, she did not want to follow the musical paths of the rest in her department. She considered herself to be the girl with the “crazy, wacky musical theatre background.”

“When I was there, Wesleyan was known as being very classical/opera-oriented, and the music and theatre departments did not mix,” Frey said. “Here, everyone was singing these art songs and opera arias in their lessons, and all I wanted to do was sing some show tunes! Wesleyan is much different now, of course . . .”

Jonathan Hickerson, who plays Nathan Detroit, also admitted that like Loesser during his early years, he was not keen about formal music lessons.

“I actually started taking piano lessons when I was eleven, but I only managed to make it through about three years of formal training,” Hickerson said. “Even though I stopped taking piano lessons, I never stopped playing or singing. I pretty much taught myself to play piano after that point.”

Hickerson believes his greatest similarity with Loesser is that their appreciation for music is evident in their work, despite their dislike for traditional music studies.

“I may not play the notes in the same way that someone with formal training would, but I have been able to accompany singers, write songs and create other compositions over the years,” he said. “[Loesser’s and my] love of music and our individual perspectives tend to come through regardless of our dedication to, or experience with the classical forms.”

Frey and Hickerson both agree Guys and Dolls is a unique piece of musical theatre. They believe it contains all of the elements necessary to be considered one of the greatest masterworks of musical theatre.

“What makes a great musical stand the test of time after so many years is a marriage of wonderful, memorable music and a great script,” Frey said.

Frey believes the stories of Damon Runyon, which Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows used for the book of Guys and Dolls blend beautifully with Loesser’s score, and Hickerson added that the big, bold characters connect the widely appreciated themes of love and the games we play on the path to it.

“THAT is what makes a masterpiece of musical theatre — the whole package,” Frey said.

Don’t miss Guys and Dolls in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, May 27-June 26, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Article by Maria Becvar

You'll Love These Odds!

2011-05-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

Alright guys and dolls! We have a sure bet for you that pays 3:1. Buy three full-price tickets and get a fourth one free for opening weekend of Guys and Dolls (May 27-29). Mention the discount in person at the Box Office or via phone at (402) 553-0800 to purchase tickets. Tickets are subject to availability and not valid for previously purchased tickets.

Guys and Dolls is playing in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre May 27-June 26, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Regular priced tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800 or visit the Box Office.

Bring Your Mama to the Drama!

2011-05-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

Give your mother the perfect Mother's Day gift: an afternoon at the theatre! Now you can celebrate Mother's Day without breaking the bank. On Sunday, May 8, 2011, enjoy either Steel Magnolias or Tuesdays with Morrie for only $20 per ticket! Mention the Mother's Day discount in person at the Box Office or via phone at (402) 553-0800 to purchase tickets. Tickets are subject to availability and not valid for previously purchased tickets.

Steel Magnolias is playing in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre through May 8, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tuesdays with Morrie is playing in the Howard Drew Theatre through May 29, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Regular priced tickets are $35 for adults and $21 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800 or visit the Box Office.

21 & Over Presents Pulitzer Prize and Tony Winner AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

2011-05-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to present the reading of 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award Winner for Best Play August: Osage County.

Monday, June 20
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard and Rhonda Hawks MainstageTheatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
One of the most bracing and critically acclaimed plays in recent Broadway history, August: Osage County is a portrait of the dysfunctional American family at its finest—and absolute worst. When the patriarch of the Weston clan disappears one hot summer night, the family reunites at the Oklahoma homestead, where long-held secrets are unflinchingly and uproariously revealed. August: Osage County is the winner of both the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony award for drama.

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

May Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-05-01T10:00:00.001-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of May, you can receive $4.50 tickets and 20% off concessions at Film Streams.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Survive Summer with OCP

2011-04-25T16:24:00.009-05:00

It’s the middle of June. Your “slightly” overdramatic eight year-old son is requesting your presence at yet another presentation of his one-man show, complete with special effects by your two year-old daughter, her bowl of spaghetti and your dining room wall. You think to yourself, “This kid needs something to do,” as you scrub away the remnants of last night’s marinara sauce.

Never fear. The Omaha Community Playhouse features a wide array of summer camp opportunities for youth ages 4-18 with focuses on acting, dance, improv and technical theatre. We are here to help.

Drama Day Camps
June 6–10, June 13–17 or June 20–24; Ages 4–13
These camps are a fun way to help children learn to use imagination, create a character and work with classmates to tell a story. The students will share their experience with an invited audience on the final day.

First Stage Summer Theatre Academy
July 5–15 or July 19–29; Ages 12–18
Students interested in musical theatre will work with professional directors, music directors and choreographers during this very popular summer camp. They will spend their days at the Playhouse working on an original musical written especially for this camp, and perform it at the end of camp in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre for a large audience of friends and family.

First Stage: Tech Theatre Edition
June 27–July 8; Ages 14–18
Students will choose one of four backstage areas: costumes, props, set design/construction or sound/lighting. They will work alongside the Playhouse technical staff to create costumes, props and sets and design the sound/lighting for the 2011 First Stage Summer Theatre Academy production.

Intro to Improv Comedy
June 27–July 1; Ages 7–13
Students will learn how to develop scenes and create characters within seconds using the basic tools of improv: focus, teamwork and miming. There will be a final showcase on the last day of camp.

Musical Theatre Dance
June 6–June 10; Ages 7–18
During this week long “strictly dance” performance camp, students will learn two musical theatre dance pieces and perform them at the end of the week in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre.

If any of these camps sound like the perfect outlet for your budding star, visit the Playhouse Education page by clicking here, or call the Director of Education at (402) 553-4890, ext. 131.

With our help, you can survive Summer Vacation 2011. Your dining room walls will thank you.

Destinations Delight Patrons

2011-04-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Almost 300 people attended ACT II’s Destination: World's Fare Benefit on Saturday, April 9 to support the Omaha Community Playhouse. Guests enjoyed “traveling” to four exciting destinations within the Playhouse, each with its own décor, specialty cuisine and entertainment. This year’s destinations included: Las Vegas with Black Jack, roulette and craps, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens with carnival games, India where guests could get a henna tattoo and Austria where desserts were served with a side of Opera! Attendees also enjoyed “shopping for souvenirs” at the silent auction and a raffle. The event was organized by the Playhouse’s support group, ACT II and chaired by ACT II President Lisa Hagstrom and Lisa Jones. The event raised $36,000 to support the high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities provided by the Omaha Community Playhouse. Food was provided by Hap Abraham Catering with the Patron (High Roller) Party by Flemings. Sponsors of the event included: KGOR, Paragon Printing, Inc., Carter and Vernie Jones, Gale and Judy Wickersham, Dr. and Mrs. Rudy Kotula, SilverStone Group, Kiewit Building Group, Lutz Financial, KPMG and Dave & Candi Kirkwood, Omaha World-Herald, First National Bank, First Westroads Bank and Quality Brands of Omaha. Additional ACT II Travel Coordinators included: Jan Boyer, Pat Durrie, Meghan Gibbons, Tami Giitter, Vernie Jones, Suzanne Kotula, Beth Kramer, Susan Lively, Jenn Locke, Sheila McNeill, Jackie Quigley, Tricia Schmidt, Dorene Sherman, Jennifer Taylor, Sherry Taxman, Courtney Vacanti-Birnstihl and Deana Walocha.

OCP Apprentices Get Cirqued

2011-04-15T10:06:00.006-05:00

The OCP apprentices got to take a backstage look at Cirque du Soleil's Dralion at the Mid America Center earlier this week.

The Cirque du Soleil professionals then came to OCP on Thursday for a question and answer session with the staff and apprentices. Just a few of the perks of being and OCP apprentice!

Life’s Greatest Lessons…in Reality and on Stage

2011-04-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

Some of life’s greatest lessons arrive in the most unusual forms, occasionally even on stage. In the Omaha Community Playhouse’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie, what once was a relationship between student and teacher becomes a life-changing friendship as the dying professor imparts profound wisdom on his former student.

Chris Shonka, an Omaha native, plays the role of Mitch Albom, a successful sports journalist and Morrie’s former student. Though he has lived in New York, Boulder and Houston, Shonka has returned to Omaha theatre, and he is no stranger to the discipline. Shonka has acted in various roles since high school, including the 1993 OCP show A Few Good Men. He has also received an M.F.A. in acting and a Ph.D. in theatre history. One of Chris’s most recent accomplishments was co-directing a production of The Good Doctor at Creighton University with two guest alumni directors and Bill Hutson, the actor who plays Morrie Schwartz. In the show, Morrie is Mitch’s former sociology professor affected by ALS (also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

In fact, not only do the actors share a stage during the play, but they also share a special bond, similar to that of Mitch and Morrie. As an undergraduate student at Creighton, Shonka was mentored by Hutson, a professor and active member of the theatre department. Shonka majored in theatre at Creighton, starring in several productions and working closely with Hutson. When asked about his relationship with Hutson, Shonka described him as a “terrific” teacher and mentor, one who created “a culture and work ethic related to the arts that naturally extended to everyday life.”

A life-long actor, Hutson first graced the OCP stage in Richard III in 1974 and Shakespeare in Hollywood in 2008. When he is not at OCP, Hutson performs in and directs other shows, travels, reads and inspires students like Shonka through his teaching. When asked about the source(s) of his inspiration, he credits professors both at the University of North Texas and Michigan State but, “In Omaha, I’ll always think of Nancy Duncan as one of the most inspirational people/directors I’ve known. She was my first director at the Playhouse.” These two are inseparable, it seems…from student and teacher to co-directors and cast mates. “I have had a terrific time in rehearsals watching him create this character…”, remarks Shonka.

Come cherish the inspiring story of Tuesdays with Morrie in the Howard Drew Theatre, April 29–May 29, Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $21 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Article by Kristin Winfrey

Steel Magnolias cast reflects on film characters, relationships

2011-03-31T10:00:00.004-05:00

After the highly successful film adaptation of Steel Magnolias was released in 1989, many actresses performing in the play version have been required to take on a challenging task. With a film that featured a cast of veteran performers like Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Dolly Parton, as well as a fresh-faced Julia Roberts, it can be difficult for others to look past these performances and for actresses to create a character of their own. However, the cast members at the Omaha Community Playhouse say they are working to avoid the identical character trap. Brenda Ehrhart, who is playing the Sally Field role of M’Lynn, remembered seeing the film when it was first released, and she also saw OCP’s first production of the play. She carries memories from both versions; however, Director Amy Lane has helped her develop a fresh interpretation of the role.

“[She] is doing an amazing job as our director in helping us to each explore our characters and their lives prior to where the show takes us,” Ehrhart said. “She has also worked with us to discover the background and interpersonal relationships of the characters. At this point in the creative process, the work Amy is doing with us is where I am gaining most of the character insight and development for M’Lynn.” Katie Kresha, who is playing M’Lynn’s daughter and the Julia Roberts role of Shelby, noted that although she is trying to make the character her own, she thinks she should not completely ignore Roberts’ performance.

“If you try to fight it for the sake of being different, you can alienate your audience,” Kresha said. “I think what makes Julia Roberts' performance as Shelby so memorable is revealed in that huge, beautiful smile that shines through joyous experiences, heartache, fear and pain. Her beauty isn't just that she is Julia Roberts; it's the inner and outer strength of character she embodies as Shelby throughout her journey and the hope that she gives to those around her.”

Jennifer McGill, who plays Annelle, noted that it is impossible not to be influenced by Daryl Hannah’s performance in the film, but she is using the script, Lane’s direction and her own personal experiences to develop her character. McGill has found connections with not only Annelle but also other characters in the play.

“I relate so well to the mother-daughter relationship between M'Lynn and Shelby,” McGill said. “I was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes at the age of 7. My mother wants me to be strong and follow my dreams, but she is still very protective of me because of what I've been through with diabetes, just like M'Lynn is with Shelby.”

It is these types of relationships in the show that make it so well-loved, Connie Lee, who plays the Dolly Parton role of Truvy, noted.

“I love the relationships in the play and the bonds these women have formed,” Lee said. “I can relate to them all … I treasure the women in my life, family members and the long-term friends who have become family. Getting together for girl time is absolutely necessary. It's like oxygen. Gotta have it!”

Don’t miss Steel Magnolias in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, April 15-May 8, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $21 students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Article by Maria Becvar

OCP London Theatre Tour Reunion

2011-03-28T13:20:00.000-05:00

You’re invited!

Omaha Community Playhouse
2003-2011 London Theatre Tour Reunion

Omaha Community Playhouse
6915 Cass St.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Join us for tea at 5–7 p.m.

Celebrate memories, relive experiences, renew friendships and share photos with fellow tour members from past London Theatre Tours. Or if you have never been on the London Theatre Tour and are interested in learning more, visit with those who have gone and learn more about the trip!

Hear details for the 2012 10th year anniversary Omaha Community Playhouse London Theatre Tour. The tour will be February 15-20, 2012 with an optional two-day tour extension to Dublin, Ireland and a performance at the Abbey Theatre, the national theater of Ireland. We’re saving a seat for you!

Over the past nine years, the London Theatre Tour has contributed more than $25,000 to the Omaha Community Playhouse! Thank you for your support of high-quality live theater in Omaha.

21 & Over Presents The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler

2011-03-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to present The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler!

Monday, May 2
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler
by Jeff Whitty

Henrik Ibsen’s tragic heroine, Hedda, last seen prostrate on a couch with a bullet hole in her head, makes a surprising return in Jeff Whitty’s (author of Avenue Q) wacky new comedy. Mired in an alternative hell where death is only possible when a fictional character is forgotten by the real-life public, Hedda faces an eternity of misery. Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler is a gleefully delirious, wildly imaginative ride as one of drama’s most tragic figures embarks on a journey to create for herself a new and improved ending.

Save the date for the final show of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning phenomenon August: Osage County, June 20, 2011.

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

Sinfully cheap tickets for Nunsense!

2011-03-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

The secret is out. The nuns are offering sinfully low ticket prices for one performance only.

On Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., come see Nunsense at the Omaha Community Playhouse for only $20! Mention the discount in person at the Box Office or via phone at (402) 553-0800 to purchase tickets for $20 each; limit four per person. Tickets are subject to availability and not valid for previously purchased tickets.

Join the "The Little Sisters of Aksarben" as they raise money to bury sisters who were accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Wacky and outrageous with a hysterical anything goes sense of craziness.

Nunsense is playing in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre March 4-April 3, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Regular priced tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800 or visit the Box Office.

Casts Announced for Remaining 21 & Over Readings

2011-03-07T22:13:00.002-06:00

As part of the Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over series, some of Omaha's top actors and actresses will be featured in three upcoming staged readings of plays considered to be some of the best of Broadway and off-Broadway in recent years.

Production: In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl

Show date: March 21, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Director: Amy Lane

Cast:

Dr. Givings: Kevin Lawler

Mrs. Givings: Ashley Spessard

Mr. Daldry: Vincent Carlson-Brown

Mrs. Daldry: Teri Fender

Leo: Tim Abou-Nasr

Elizabeth: Beaufield Berry

Annie: Mary Kelly

Stage Directions: Katie Cameron

Production: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty

Show date: May 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Director: Lara Marsh

Cast:

Hedda: Sarah Carlson-Brown

Tesman: Eric Grant-Leanna

Mammy: Denise Chapman

Woman in Pink: Rusheea Smith

Lovborg: Gage Wallace

Patrick: Stuart Stenger

Stephen: Dave Wingert

Medea: Julia Hinson

STAGE DIRECTIONS: Bailey Carlson

Production: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

Show date: June 20, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Co-Directors: Amy Lane and Lara Marsh

Cast:

Bev: Bill Hutson

Violet: Susie Baer Collins

Barbara: Moira Mangiamelli

Bill: Jim McKain

Ivy: Erika Zadina

Karen: Laura Leininger

Mattie Fae: Kim Jubenville

Charles: Randy Vest

Little Charles: Greg Jaxies

Steve: Scott Working

Johnna: Amanda Waldron

Jean: Bailey Newman

Sheriff: Eduardo Millan

Stage Directions: Sonia Keffer

21 & Over performances and events are free and open to the public with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary. The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops

2011-03-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

One of the missions of ACT II is to promote the great work being done in theatre education by the Omaha Community Playhouse. On Saturday, February 19, ACT II sponsored a brand new event designed to introduce young children to the joy of theatre and to OCP. Nearly 150 children participated in the workshop, which included sessions on acting, improv, movement and a VIP tour of the Omaha Community Playhouse. The response was enthusiastic, dramatic and at times, loud!

Watch for more upcoming ACT Out! Workshops in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012!

March Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-02-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of March, you can receive $10 tickets to Fantastic Mr. Fox at The Rose Theater.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, OCP members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Nunsense Actresses Get into the Habit

2011-02-25T10:00:00.001-06:00

There have been some transformations occurring at the Omaha Community Playhouse these days. What used to be the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage, which often showcases colorful costumes and mixed gender casts, is now the Mount Saint Helen’s School auditorium featuring an all-female cast donning only black and white…with a couple colorful odds and ends.

Some call the transformations good fortune; others call them divine intervention. Whatever the case may be, it is official the Order of the Little Sisters of Aksarben (“Little Axes”) have rehearsed tirelessly at OCP in hopes of putting on a successful fundraiser performance featuring song and dance numbers to lift the spirits.

Although the Nunsense actresses note they have enjoyed their rehearsal process, they confess they would miss the luxurious lives actresses lead if they were to really join the convent.

Meet some of the “Little Axes”:

Courtney Stein (Sister Mary Leo)

Character Background: The novice of the order — She came from a farm near Neely, Nebraska and entered the convent to dedicate her life to God through dance.
What Courtney would miss most as a nun: “I think it would be the most difficult for me to give up my wacky accessories and clothing … switching to a life of ‘penguin-coloring’ would be like losing a part of my personality. Also the shoes! They would literally have to pry my collection of shoes out of my death grip. Oh … and sweatpants. I live in sweatpants. I would miss my sweatpants most of all.”

Moira Mangiameli (Sister Mary Regina)

Character Background: The mother superior of the Little Sisters of Aksarben originally from a small county in Ireland, called Kilquirky
Most challenging aspects of the “nun lifestyle” for Moira: “I guess the community living might get to me after a while. I really value my privacy. I also wouldn't love the early rising, and I'm pretty sure my crappy knees couldn't take all that kneeling.”

Dawn Buller-Kirke (Sister Mary Hubert)

Character Background: She entered the Little Sisters of Aksarben upon graduation from Precious Blood Elementary School and currently serves the order as the mistress of novices, training new recruits with a gentle, but firm approach.
Most challenging aspect of the “nun lifestyle” for Dawn: “I would find it hard to only be around women. I love doing this show with women, but living 24/7 with only WOMEN — HOLY MOLY!”

Kim Alger (Sister Mary of Perpetual Assistance)

Character Background: The most tech-savvy of all the Little Sisters of Aksarben —She brought the order into the information age by creating the Little Sisters of Aksarben website and also established the Immaculate Internet Café.
What Kim would miss most as a nun: “I would most likely miss the material things the most. I am a collector. Books, recordings and Raggedy Ann are all scattered throughout my personal space.”

Come support the Little Sisters of Aksarben’s fundraiser performance in Nunsense taking place in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, March 4-April 3, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Story by Maria Becvar

21 & Over Hosts In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play

2011-02-24T10:00:00.001-06:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to present In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play!

Monday, March 21
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play

In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating "hysteria" in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. Adjacent to the doctor's laboratory, his young and energetic wife tries to tend to their newborn daughter--and wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. In this Tony and Pulitzer nominated play, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

Luck O' the Irish Discount for Nunsense

2011-02-23T13:00:00.001-06:00

It's your lucky day!

This St. Patrick's day, come see Nunsense at the Omaha Community Playhouse for only $17! Mention the discount for the Thursday, March 17 performance in person or via phone to purchase adult tickets for $17 each; limit four per person.

Laugh, pray and be merry!

Thank you Producing Partners

2011-02-18T11:05:00.000-06:00

Did you know that our productions and programs are not entirely paid for by ticket sales? Generous donors help make up the difference so that the Omaha Community Playhouse’s high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities can remain affordable for the community.

OCP would like to thank and recognize the following Producing Partners (show sponsors) of our winter/spring productions. Please thank these generous donors if you see them, or patronize their businesses. Their support is pivotal to the success of the Omaha Community Playhouse!

The Odd Couple
Sponsored by: Anne Thorne Weaver and JET LINX
Costume Sponsor: Pinnacle Bank

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Orchestra Sponsor: Whitmore Charitable Trust
Media Sponsor: Yellowbook

Nunsense
Sponsored by: TD Ameritrade
Orchestra Sponsor: Continuum Worldwide
Costume Sponsor: John and Vanita Lund

Steel Magnolias
Sponsored by: Union Bank & Trust Company and Woodmen of the World
Media Sponsor: COX

Tuesdays with Morrie
Sponsored by: Mutual of Omaha
Media Sponsor: The Reader

Guys and Dolls
Sponsored by: HDR, The Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation, Dundee Bank and Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P.
Orchestra Sponsor: “Friend of the Playhouse”
Harry the Horse Sponsor: Horsemen’s Park
Media Sponsor: WOWT

For more information on how you or your business can become a show sponsor, please contact Alena Furlong, Development Director, at (402) 553-4890, ext. 127 or afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com.

Quirky characters, W-I-T-T-Y night of theatre

2011-02-03T15:30:00.001-06:00

Anyone who has ever witnessed a spelling bee can vouch for the tension that can be cut with a knife in the room, but add an eclectic mix of personalities, and the results are sidesplitting.

Welcome to the Omaha Community Playhouse’s upcoming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which features an adult cast playing pre-teen characters with very eccentric personalities. While exploring their characters, many cast members have found inspiration from people and past youth experiences to use in their roles.

Meet some of the spellers:

Tim Abou-Nasr (Chip)

Character description: Athletic, sociable and a sore loser. He is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and lately has been going through some strange changes.
Inspiration for role: “I see a lot of my younger self in Chip. I was a boy scout, and I loved spelling bees.”
Tim’s pre-teen connection to Chip: “When I was a kid, I was a multi-talented overachieving model student. But it was just a phase. I grew out of it.”
Spelling bee experience: “I was in the Spelling Bee in third grade and fourth grade. I placed second both times.”

Dan Chevalier (Leaf)

Character description: Homeschooled, easily amused and severely A.D.D. “With all the new things to experience, his focus tends to wander.”
Inspiration for role: “As a teacher, I'm surrounded with inspiration for the character of Leaf every day. There are a handful of students (who shall remain anonymous) whose quirks and ticks I have borrowed for Leaf.”
Dan’s pre-teen connection to Leaf: “My pre-teen self would always play with my hair when I was concentrating very hard, like doing homework. Sometimes I would end up with a 'hair horn' jutting out of the top of my head after taking an especially difficult test. Leaf, too, tends to play with his hair when he is concentrating hard, not concentrating at all or somewhere in between.”
Spelling bee experience: “No. I was (and still am) a very, very bad speller.”

Jenn Tritz (Olive)

Character description: Only child, a word lover and shy. She lives with her dad while her mom is in an Ashram in India and is “best friends with the dictionary.”
Inspiration for role: “One of my friends, Liz, is who I look to as inspiration for Olive. Her seemingly quiet and shy persona masks an incredibly funny, smart, witty and creative person. She is just so multi-layered, and that is exactly how I see Olive.”
Jenn’s pre-teen connection to Olive: “I was very driven to succeed and participated in various contests. I was always a little shy around people…I also wasn’t a very good dresser, but I didn’t have any pink overalls like Olive. I think Olive is much more mature than I was at her age!”
Spelling bee experience: “I was in a spelling bee in fifth grade. I was one of two spellers from my school that got to go to the district-wide bee!…It was one of the most intimidating experiences from my elementary school days!”

Bailey Carlson (Logainne)

Character description: Driven, politically aware and strikes a strong presence despite her speech impediment. “The most ambitious 10-year-old you’ll meet.”
Inspiration for role: “I’m watching EVERYONE like a hawk to pick up any nervous ticks or annoying [mannerisms] that I can steal and use for Logainne.”
Bailey’s pre-teen connection to Logainne: “My mom and I were looking through pictures for the program and found that there was a particular pose I would ALWAYS strike in a group photo. I would always do the splits and throw up the peace sign…[Logainne] loves to throw the politician “thumbs up” whenever she can.
Spelling bee experience: “It was third grade, when I had my lovely boy hair cut. I think I made it four words in. But as far as the word [I misspelled], I can’t remember. There was an S and a T in there somewhere…The rest is a crap shoot, which was probably how I spelled it.”

Don’t miss The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in the Howard Drew Theatre, Feb. 18-March 27, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee contains adult content and is not intended for children.

Story by Maria Becvar

21 & Over Hosts The Encyclopedia Show

2011-02-02T13:00:00.000-06:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to host The Encyclopedia Show!

Monday, Feb. 28
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

The Encyclopedia Show
Brought to you from Omaha Spoken Word artist, Katie F-S and the minds of Chicago poets and producers Robbie Q. Telfer and Shanny Jean Maney, The Encyclopedia Show is a live variety extravaganza that commissions local and touring artists and experts from many disciplines to use their individual talents to present a different verbal encyclopedia entry each month. Get ready for a fun, interactive night; The Encyclopedia Show is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

Feb. 28, 2011: The Encyclopedia Show (guest artist)
March 21, 2011: In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl
May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

February Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-02-01T10:00:00.001-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of February, you can receive $1 off admission to El Museo Latino.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Interact: Providing educational theatre arts to the community

2011-01-26T16:41:00.004-06:00

If asked what kind of educational opportunities the Omaha Community Playhouse provides, most OCP patrons would answer “camps, classes and workshops.” Very true! But did you know OCP also offers customized theatre arts programming for schools and organizations? The OCP Interact program does just that.

The Interact program offers interested groups the opportunity to provide educational theatre arts programming led by highly qualified teaching artists for their students or members. Some examples of recent Interact programming include:

• Afterschool workshops in acting, improv, dance, puppetry and script writing for Omaha Public elementary and middle schools. (Funding provided by Lincoln Financial Group)
• Acting workshops for Millard Public School elementary students during Fall Break.
• High School Residency Projects: a three-day workshop series which brings the themes of a current OCP production to life in conjunction with high school curriculum standards. (Funding provided by Wells Fargo Bank and the Nebraska Arts Council)
• Interviewing and scriptwriting workshops for Papillion-La Vista High Ability Learners (7th and 8th graders).
• Monthly dance workshops for the Catholic Homeschool Association.
• Shakespeare workshop for Skutt Catholic High School drama students.
• Building tours for various school groups and organizations such as St. Peter Claver High School art students, Girl/Boy Scouts, Burke High School English students and Lewis Central High School music appreciation students.

The Interact program works very much “a la carte”. In other words, we can tailor programming to fit every need and budget. From a complimentary building tour to a series of workshops over an eight-week session, OCP’s goal is to fill the creative needs of any school or organization.

If you know of a group looking for an educational opportunity, direct them to Melanie Walters, Director of Education and Outreach, at (402) 553-4890, ext. 131 or mwalters@omahaplayhouse.com.

Destination: World's Fare 2011

2011-01-17T13:01:00.004-06:00

SAVE THE DATE!
Destination: World’s Fare, April 9, 2011

Where can you travel the world without ever leaving Omaha? At the Omaha Community Playhouse’s annual benefit—Destination: World’s Fare, on Saturday, April 9, 2011! Join us as we travel to fun and exotic destinations to sample the best cuisine and finest entertainment.

This year travelers will get their passports stamped in Las Vegas, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, India and Vienna. Tourists will be able to test their hand at Black Jack and Texas Hold ‘em, experience the magical lights of Tivoli Gardens and enjoy all the beauty of Austria and India. Each destination will feature its own unique cuisine and signature cocktail. The evening will culminate with a show by some of Omaha’s most talented performers.

Destination: World’s Fare is an annual fundraising event produced by ACT II, a support group dedicated to the promotion of the Omaha Community Playhouse. To learn more about ACT II and Destinations: World’s Fare, contact Jan Fry at the Playhouse, (402) 553-4890, ext. 145. We hope you can join us for this exceptional evening!

Fourth Down Discount

2011-01-10T10:43:00.004-06:00

25% off tickets for The Odd Couple on Super Bowl Sunday

As football and advertising enthusiasts watch the still undetermined two NFL teams face off in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 6, 2011, you have the chance to enjoy the thrill of live theatre at a discounted price. Carrying on with the football spirit, the Omaha Community Playhouse is offering a fourth down discount during the Super Bowl. Adult tickets to The Odd Couple are 25% off for the 6:30 p.m. show on Super Bowl Sunday. After the 25% discount, adult tickets are $26.25.

The Odd Couple is playing in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre Jan. 21-Feb. 13, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Regular priced tickets are $35 for adults and $21 for students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets to The Odd Couple, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

The Ins and Outs with Anthony and Edward

2011-01-10T10:08:00.008-06:00

Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek and Edward Cutler, the stars of the Omaha Community Playhouse’s (OCP) upcoming production of The Odd Couple, are quite different. On the surface they do indeed seem like a rather “odd couple”, but after spending a little time with them, you witness a real camaraderie, probably not unlike Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison…before they moved in together.

Anthony, who plays Felix, is an Assistant Principal at Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School. He is also a seasoned actor who has won many awards throughout his acting career—a career that began at Nebraska Wesleyan University. At Nebraska Wesleyan, Anthony was in a play directed by Judy Hart, the director of The Odd Couple. In this play, Anthony met and fell in love with his cast mate Kim. Kim, who is playing Cecily Pigeon in The Odd Couple, and Anthony are now married and have a daughter Stella. This is the first time since that fateful play that Judy will once again be directing both Kim and Anthony in the same play. Since the launch of his acting career, Anthony has starred in many productions, including his award-winning performance in Death of a Salesman at OCP last season for which he won Best Supporting Actor.

Edward hails from a different background completely. His entrance into the theatre world is a little more recent. The theatre bug bit Edward after acting in productions at the Fremont and Gretna Community Theatres and taking an acting class at OCP. He landed the role of Oscar Madison in the upcoming production of The Odd Couple, his first role at the country’s largest community theatre. Acting history is not the only area where Edward and Anthony differ. Formerly in the military, Edward works as an Anesthetist in Fremont. He resides in Papillion, NE and is married and a father of four.

Anthony and Edward may come from different experiences and backgrounds, but bring them together and throw in Director Judy Hart and the results are absolute hilarity!

Don’t miss The Odd Couple in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, Jan. 21-Feb. 13, Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $21 students. For groups of 15 or more, adult tickets are $23 and student tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.

Opening Weekend Ticket Deals

2011-01-06T15:19:00.008-06:00

Live theatre is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating types of entertainment, but sometimes our pocketbooks could use a little help. Throughout the season, the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) offers special deals on holidays or as part of a promotion, but there are some staple opening weekend discounts that you may not know about.

$7 Sundays
Enjoy $7 tickets on Sunday Nights during the opening weekend of the remaining 2010-11 shows in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre! Tickets are available in person at the Box Office window starting at 4 p.m. on the day of the show, and you might want to bring a lawn chair! Some people start camping out early to get those coveted tickets. Seats are limited and subject to availability and OCP does not accept advanced reservations for this special offer. Cash and check are the accepted forms of payment, and this offer is not valid on previous purchases.

The remaining 2010-11 shows for $7 Sunday tickets are:

The Odd Couple
Sunday, January 23, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Nunsense
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Steel Magnolias
Sunday, April 17, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Guys and Dolls
Sunday, May 29, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Lucky 7s
High school and full-time college students are eligible to see an opening weekend performance of a regular season production for only $7! Students should call the Box Office at (402) 553-0800, or visit the Box Office to purchase a Lucky 7 ticket. Students must show their school’s student ID when picking up the ticket at the will call window. Each student is limited to one ticket per production. Special events are excluded from this offer.

Educator Nights
A special event just for educators and support staff, Educator Nights feature a pre-show appetizer and cocktail reception and “meet and greet” with a member of the production team or cast when possible. Educator Nights are for the Sunday evening performance of opening weekend for mainstage shows. Educators can enjoy both the pre-show party and the show for only $15. The reception begins an hour before the show. To reserve a ticket for Educator Night, call the director of Sales at (402) 553-4890, ext. 147 or email mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com

Take advantage of these great deals and see exquisite theatre in the country’s largest community theatre!

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops

2011-01-04T16:35:00.000-06:00

One of the missions of ACT II is to promote and educate the public about all the exciting things the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) has to offer. Act II is excited to introduce a brand-new event that will be a “friend-raiser,” bringing new families to OCP through an educational program for children.

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops
February 19, 2011, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Only $15 per child!

ACT Out! Children’s Workshops invites students ages 4-18 to participate in a variety of theatre workshops featuring an array of topics. From basic acting games to improv to stage combat, there is something for youth of all ages!

There are two sessions on February 19, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Students will participate in three classes tailored to their age group and take a VIP backstage tour of OCP. The classes are broken down into age groups: 4-6, 7-10, 11-13 and high school.

To register or for more information, contact Jan Fry at (402) 553–4890, ext. 145.

January Metro Arts Pass Deal

2011-01-01T13:00:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of January, you can receive 2 tickets to Opera Omaha's Don Giovanni for only $50.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Joining the Circus

2010-12-22T16:37:00.004-06:00

What is a typical work day like for you? For John Gruber, it’s a circus. Literally. Gruber is the General Stage Manager for Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity at New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Zumanity, dubbed ‘the sensual side of Cirque’, is a cabaret-style provocative production filled with amazing acrobatics, stellar musical performances and enough nudity to make your mother blush. But what do you expect? It’s Vegas!

How did Gruber land this seemingly perfect job? He worked diligently along a career path that ultimately began at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP). After graduating high school, Gruber joined the Apprenticeship Program at OCP and was the first apprentice to ever go on tour with the Nebraska Theatre Caravan. While on tour with the Caravan, he worked on shows such as A Christmas Carol, The Ice Wolf, Forever Plaid and Romeo and Juliet. In addition to the Caravan shows, Gruber also worked on an array of Mainstage shows at OCP, the first and probably most influential for him was La Cage Aux Folles.

Gruber’s time at OCP served as a networking launching pad for him. After graduating from the apprenticeship program and a brief stint at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Gruber enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) majoring in Carpentry and minoring in Sound and Electrics. While at UNO, he began stage managing and found his true theatre passion. He even received the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Young Designer and Technician Stage Managing Award.

In addition to his education at OCP and UNO, Gruber’s career path brought him to places such as the Santa Fe Opera, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, further education in Delaware, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and to Cirque du Soleil twice.

In addition to the technical skills Gruber learned in the OCP Apprenticeship program, he developed a strong work ethic and most importantly learned to always put his best foot forward. “Every time you go to work you need to make sure your doing the best job possible because today’s day of work is tomorrow’s interview,” said Gruber—a philosophy he views as vital to the earlier theatre jobs that launched his career.

So if you’re thinking about running away to join the circus, think twice before entering clown college or being featured as the bearded woman. You may have a different career opportunity in the circus—one that can begin at the Omaha Community Playhouse’s Apprenticeship Program.

Goodbye 2010! Hello 2011!

2010-12-14T09:34:00.005-06:00

"You say goodbye and I say hello!" Say goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011 with the music of The Beatles!

Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? Spend it at the Omaha Community Playhouse rocking to The Beatles! On Friday, Dec. 31, there will be two special New Year's Eve performances of Yesterday and Today, the all-request, audience interactive Beatles experience.

7:00 p.m., $50
10:00 p.m., $75

Complimentary champagne punch and cake served prior to each performance with a champagne toast at midnight!

Every Yesterday and Today show is different. Audience members have the chance to request Beatles songs before the show and at intermission and include their special memory or dedication with their request. The McGuigan brothers and their backing band play the songs and have audience members on their feet dancing by the time the show is over.

For tickets to these special New Year's Eve performances or other Yesterday and Today performances, call (402) 553-0800.

21 & Over Presents Live Karaoke Broadway Night

2010-12-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to present Live Karaoke Broadway Night.

Wednesday, Jan. 5
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

We’ve got a piano, an accompanist and a microphone. You’ve got a burning desire to perform at the Playhouse. This is the night when all your Broadway dreams will come true…

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:
Jan. 5, 2011: Live Karaoke Broadway Night (special event)
Feb. 28, 2011: The Encyclopedia Show (guest artist)
March 21, 2011: In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl
May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

21 & Over was conceptualized by OCP’s new Resident Director Amy Lane to introduce a new type of production and, in turn, a new audience to the Omaha Community Playhouse. “This program is designed to target both a younger and more diverse audience base,” said Lane. “It also provides practical training for interns, and it challenges the Playhouse artistically in expanding a theatrical vocabulary to include edgier and more contemporary works.”

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

Interview with Billy McGuigan on Family, Influences and John Lennon

2010-12-03T12:12:00.006-06:00

Yesterday and Today, an interactive Beatles experience, returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse this year with a special focus on remembering John Lennon. On December 9, a special production in the month-long run of Yesterday and Today will be dedicated to Lennon, falling on the day after the 30th anniversary of his assassination. Billy McGuigan, the front man of the show, reflects on the influences of John Lennon in his own life and in pop culture.

Rewind to December 8, 1980. Were you alive then? What were you doing when you found out about John Lennon’s death? Billy was a mere five years old, yet he can recall that day very clearly. His father, a huge fan of The Beatles, woke him up one morning with tears in his eyes. He remembers his father trying to explain the significance of what had happened, but in his childhood he could not acknowledge it. Billy described that this experience to his father was similar to losing a family member. His family was quite poor, but his father owned every album of The Beatles, and for entertainment the family would stay at home and sing and play Beatles songs. Years later, when Billy’s father passed away, Billy and his two brothers, Ryan and Matthew, decided they would create a Beatles tribute show in memory of their father’s love of The Beatles. Yesterday and Today was born.

Lennon undoubtedly made a big impact on Billy; in fact, he said that Lennon’s influence was like that of a parent to him, musically and in his career. Billy has always been the “John” guy of his brothers, as they all found that they could relate to a certain member of the band. He especially appreciated Lennon’s fight against the status quo and his lyrical style, identifying “Come Together” as his favorite Beatles song. Billy is reading Lennon’s biography at the moment, and explained that Lennon was the first pop star who did not want to be a pop star. He said Lennon fought for peace in a time period in which it was not the cool thing to do. Lennon’s political activism defined him, and his influences can be found throughout the music world.

Billy loves that The Beatles are on iTunes now, and thinks this digital edition of classic Beatles music will be a great update to those who love The Beatles. He is even passing The Beatles tradition to his kids, as he named his daughter Cartney after Paul McCartney. He proudly mentioned that his 2-year-old son knows around one hundred Beatles songs already. Ryan and Matthew have also spread The Beatles tradition to their children: Ryan’s son is named Harrison and Matthew’s newborn son as of October is named Lennon.

Yesterday and Today is an entertaining and interactive show in which the audience members get to choose the songs they hear. With each request, audience members are encouraged to share their memories, stories and dedications. At the beginning of each song, Billy and his brothers announce the diverse requests, incorporating the audience members into the show and guaranteeing that every performance is unique.

This year, Yesterday and Today will be refreshing as well, with the addition of new band members and repertoire. Billy describes Yesterday and Today as a dream show that he’s just lucky to be a part of and hopes to share the joy of The Beatles’ music once again this December with Omaha. Yesterday and Today runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse through December 31, 2010 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $38 through December 30; the New Years Eve 7:00 p.m. show is $50 and the 10:00 p.m. show is $75. For tickets, call (402) 553-0800 or click here.

Article by Lindsay Nystrom

December Metro Arts Pass Deal

2010-12-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of December, you can receive 10% off all purchases in the Hitchcock Museum Shop at the Durham Museum.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

Year-End Giving Opportunities Abound at the Playhouse

2010-12-02T12:36:00.000-06:00

As your thoughts turn to giving this holiday season, we hope the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) is on your list! It’s the generosity of donors that helps fill the gap between ticket sales and the cost of our productions and programs. There are a number of wonderful ways to make a financial contribution this season:

Consider a general operating gift to OCP – these remain our most needed type of gift and help cover basic costs like building upkeep, staff salaries and supplies. You can mail a check to
6915 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68132
or make a secure online donation here.

Consider “Sponsoring a Seat” in our Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre! This would be a wonderful way to honor your family’s legacy with the Playhouse. Click here for more information!
Consider including the Omaha Community Playhouse Foundation in your will. It’s a good idea to regularly review your estate plans as laws change, and it would be a great time to include a gift to the Playhouse!

All gifts received by December 31, 2010, will allow you to take any appropriate tax benefits for the 2010 year. A donation to the Playhouse might be a great way to support an organization you love as well as offset a Roth IRA conversion or provide other tax benefits. Please consider a donation today! For more information, contact the Development Director at (402) 553-4890, ext. 127 or afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com.

Act II Event: Holiday Tea and Fashion Show

2010-11-23T10:28:00.001-06:00

The holidays have arrived at the Omaha Community Playhouse! A Christmas Carol opened last week in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre, and on Saturday, November 20, ACT II added to the merriment by hosting a Holiday Tea and Fashion Show. The event was organized by Vernie Jones and a committee of dedicated ACT II volunteers.

Guests started their holiday shopping early amid a tempting array of offerings in the silent auction, one-of-a-kind purses crafted by Sabrina Jones and wreaths designed for the event by area designers. After a light tea, guests moved to the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre to enjoy a fashion show set amid the street scenes of A Christmas Carol. The show featured the fashions of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Christmas Past gave us a glimpse of the fashions of yesteryear through the collection of Sue McLain of Yesterday’s Lady. The fashions of Christmas Present and Future featured the stunning designs of local designer Sabrina Jones.

The Holiday Tea and Fashion Show is just one of the many ACT II sponsored events at the Playhouse. To learn more about becoming involved with ACT II, visit http://www.omahaplayhouse.com/actii.aspx.

Buy a Mini Season Subscription and see A Christmas Carol for $10!

2010-11-18T10:19:00.004-06:00

Now until Dec. 12, if you buy a mini-season subscription for the second half of the Omaha Community Playhouse’s 2010-11 season, you can buy A Christmas Carol ticket for only $10 ($25 saving)!

Create the perfect package for yourself or for a gift this holiday season! Mini season subscription options are as follows.

Mini Star Card
All 6 remaining productions!
$150 Adult, $90 Student
The Odd Couple, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Nunsense, Steel Magnolias, Tuesdays with Morrie and Guys and Dolls.

Pick Four
Choose your favorites from our six remaining shows!
$128 Adult, $76 Student

Laughter and Tears
Three dramas/comedies in one convenient subscription.
$84 Adult, $51 Student
The Odd Couple, Steel Magnolias and Tuesdays with Morrie.

Music! Music! Music!
Three musicals with humor and warmth.
$90 Adult, $60 Student
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Nunsense and Guys and Dolls.

Rising Star
$30 for 21-35 Year Olds
Purchase up to two (2) tickets to each of the six remaining regular season productions for only $10 each. Proof of age is required.

To order your perfect package and receive your discounted ticket, call the Omaha Community Playhouse Box Office at (402) 553-0800 or download an order form here.

Discounted tickets to A Christmas Carol must be used before Dec. 17, 2010.

Yesterday and Today Discount for Young Professionals

2010-11-16T14:14:00.001-06:00

On Dec. 19, the Omaha Community Playhouse is offering young professionals $20 tickets to the 2 p.m. matinee of Yesterday and Today, the interactive, audience request Beatles show. People who fall into the Rising Star category (ages 21-35) and full-time college students can take advantage of the offer by mentioning this discount at the Playhouse Box Office. Tickets are normally $38 for Yesterday and Today, however for the Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. show ONLY, tickets will be $20 for this select group.

Yesterday and Today features Billy McGuigan and his brothers Ryan and Matthew. They play all Beatles music, take audience requests and interact with the audience, so no two shows are ever the same. The brothers started the show as a tribute to their late father who loved The Beatles and turned his children on to the band. The McGuigan brothers now tour the country with Yesterday and Today to create the ultimate living tribute to their father.

OCP offers special discounts to other shows throughout the year through the Rising Star membership. A $30 Rising Star membership allows 21-35 year olds the opportunity to purchase up to two $10 tickets per regular season show.

Call the Box Office at (402) 553-0800 or stop in today and mention this discount to receive your $20 tickets to Yesterday and Today. Not valid on already purchased tickets.

Yesterday and Today runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse in the Howard Drew Theatre, Dec. 3-31.

21 & Over Presents Mauritius

2010-11-08T13:50:00.005-06:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to present Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck.

Monday, Dec. 6
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Stamp collecting is far more risky than you may think. After their mother's death, two estranged half-sisters discover a book of rare stamps that may include the crown jewel for collectors. One sister tries to collect on the windfall, while the other resists for sentimental reasons. In this gripping tale, a seemingly simple sale becomes dangerous when three seedy, high-stakes collectors enter the sisters' world, willing to do anything to claim the rare find as their own.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

Dec. 6, 2010: Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck
Jan. 5, 2011: Live Karaoke Broadway Night (special event)
Feb. 28, 2011: The Encyclopedia Show (guest artist)
March 21, 2011: In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl
May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

21 & Over was conceptualized by OCP’s new Resident Director Amy Lane to introduce a new type of production and, in turn, a new audience to the Omaha Community Playhouse. “This program is designed to target both a younger and more diverse audience base,” said Lane. “It also provides practical training for interns, and it challenges the Playhouse artistically in expanding a theatrical vocabulary to include edgier and more contemporary works.”

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

Give the theatre experience to a child at the Child Saving Institute!

2010-11-03T16:45:00.007-05:00

A Christmas Carol is a story of redemption, generosity and selflessness. It is a tale that follows a man, Ebenezer Scrooge, on a journey of life-changing events. He is visited by three ghosts one fateful night who remind him of his past, show him a clear view of the present and what his future holds if he continues to live a life of greed. After these visits, Scrooge sees the error of his ways and creates a wonderful Christmas for a deserving family, the Cratchits, who have next to nothing in material goods, but have a wealth of love and joy as a family.

Oftentimes during the holidays, we get caught up in our own families, trying to find the perfect gift for the hard-to-shop-for parent, the most popular toy for an excited child or the right item for the office celebration. In all the holiday chaos, we sometimes forget there are children and families, like the Cratchits, who have very little and a simple gesture or gift, may be the most appreciated of all.

This holiday season, the Omaha Community Playhouse is partnering with the Child Saving Institute to bring the joy of the holidays to children and families who may be less fortunate than those who are on your shopping list. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 8, you will have the opportunity to donate a ticket to a child for the Dec. 9 performance of A Christmas Carol. Just tell the Playhouse Box Office that the ticket is for the Child Saving Institute or speak with a CSI representative at a production of A Christmas Carol. Tickets must be ordered in person or via phone through the Playhouse Box Office.

Any gift amount is greatly appreciated!

$20 will send one child from the Child Saving Institute to A Christmas Carol
$30 will pay for a chaperone to attend A Christmas Carol
$100 will allow a foster family of four to experience A Christmas Carol

Ticket Drive Event
Join us for a ticket drive event and meet Scrooge and other cast members, take a backstage tour of the Playhouse and enjoy refreshments and entertainment when you donate!
Saturday, Nov. 27
2–4 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
6915 Cass St.

Scrooge made the holidays bright for Tiny Tim Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Here’s your chance to brighten the holidays for a child in your community.

For more information, call (402) 553-4890, ext. 129.

21 & Over Hosts The New Timey Radio Hour

2010-11-01T13:24:00.004-05:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

21 & Over, the Omaha Community Playhouse's newest alternative program, is pleased to host The New Timey Radio Hour!

Monday, Nov. 8
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Howard Drew Theatre
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.The New Timey Radio Hour is a podcast for new theatrical scripts. Their goal is to get more new plays onto stages throughout the nation, while producing a professional and entertaining product. The featured script is Crash! Boom! Pow!

Crash! Boom! Pow!, is a dark and kinetic play from the minds of Ben Beck and Molly Welsh. Crash! Boom! Pow! was selected for performance in the 2009 Great Plains Theatre Festival, and will feature members of its original cast, including Nick Zadina, Erika Zadina and Deborah Krambeck. It features scenes of
comic book adventure and macabre comedy.

The remainder of the 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

Nov. 8, 2010: The New Timey Radio Hour (guest artist)
Dec. 6, 2010: Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck
Jan. 5, 2011: Live Karaoke Broadway Night (special event)
Feb. 28, 2011: The Encyclopedia Show (guest artist)
March 21, 2011: In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl
May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

21 & Over was conceptualized by OCP’s new Resident Director Amy Lane to introduce a new type of production and, in turn, a new audience to the Omaha Community Playhouse. “This program is designed to target both a younger and more diverse audience base,” said Lane. “It also provides practical training for interns, and it challenges the Playhouse artistically in expanding a theatrical vocabulary to include edgier and more contemporary works.”

The 21 & Over productions are intended for a mature audience and discretion is advised. For more information on 21 & Over and other OCP alternative programs, contact Amy Lane, Resident Director, at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

November Metro Arts Pass Deal

2010-11-01T13:05:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of November, you can receive a free annual membership to the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. This is valid for new members only.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

A Thousand Clowns: A to Z with actors Adams and Zadina

2010-10-08T10:07:00.009-05:00

If camaraderie was a prerequisite for the A Thousand Clowns cast, actors Nick Zadina and Ben Adams certainly take their characters to a whole new level off-stage. At a recent photo shoot, Adams and Zadina joked with each other, sang together and radiated a bond not entirely different from the ones their characters share. In this upcoming Omaha Community Playhouse production, Zadina plays Murray, an oddball uncle who is required to change his way of life to accommodate his nephew Nick, played by Adams. Recently, the acting pair shared their experiences as actors, their inspirations and some embarrassing stories.

Ben Adams might not have as much experience as Nick Zadina or other actors who grace the Playhouse stage, but that’s probably due to the fact that he is in 7th grade. Nevertheless, Adams has been acting for the past six years, ever since his mother “made” him audition for the Omaha Community Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol. He admits that he loves acting now, and his proudest theatre moment was landing this role in A Thousand Clowns. When asked if he can relate to his character, Adams responded, “Well, yeah, we are both twelve years old.”

Adams happily recounted various embarrassing moments in his acting career, most of which involved falling, slipping or dropping things. In a scene in A Christmas Carol, Adams was in a dance sequence where he nearly fell into the orchestra pit and split his pants open. A hero who inspires Adams is Wilma Rudolph, an athlete who beat polio as a child and became one of the fastest women in the world in the 1960s. He has the belief that everything will be all right in life if we apply ourselves like Rudolph did.

Adams attends Beverage Magnet School where he is involved in show choir. In his spare moments, he likes to build models and read a lot of books. When he grows up, Adams has endless dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, actor, director, artist and editor, among other things.

Nick Zadina has an impressive acting résumé, but didn't begin acting as a child like Adams. After admitting his lack of athletic skills, Zadina said that he found his calling when he began acting as a senior in high school. He said he felt like he fit in, and this led to his participation in over 100 theatre productions since then. His proudest moment as an actor was his starring role in the one-man play I Am My Own Wife, in which he played over 30 characters. Zadina even had the opportunity to act in front of the playwright of that production, Doug Wright, at the Great Plains Theatre Conference.

You won’t find Zadina in any old role, as he aims for roles in which he can be bold. As for A Thousand Clowns, he admitted that he can relate to his character Murray’s philosophy.

Zadina finds inspiration from his wife, Erika, and Omaha Director Kevin Lawler, who was the first person to cast him in 1997. With many years of acting under his belt, Zadina admits to many embarrassing stories, with his clumsiness on stage being his number one nemesis. He described a humorous experience where he was running on stage during a dress rehearsal, and fell not once but twice while wearing a pair of new slippery shoes.

Zadina is the artistic director of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2 Company, and is currently in school to get his Master’s degree in counseling. He also works at Boys Town National Hotline and dabbles with Magic cards in his spare time.

Adams and Zadina can be seen on stage in A Thousand Clowns at the Omaha Community Playhouse in the Howard Drew Theatre October 22-November 21. For tickets, call (402) 553-0800, visit www.omahaplayhouse.org or visit the Playhouse Box Office at 6915 Cass St.

Article By Lindsay Nystrom

Photos By Andrew Marinkovich at Malone and Company

35 Reasons to Have a Holiday Party at the Playhouse

2010-10-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Omaha Community Playhouse is the perfect place to have your holiday party. Enjoy the festive decorations and holiday atmosphere followed by a production of A Christmas Carol or Yesterday and Today—the all-request Beatles show. Need more reasons?

Here are 35 reasons to have a pre-show party for the 35th annual production of A Christmas Carol:

1) Get into the Holiday Spirit BEFORE the show.
2) Custom parties for your friends, family or coworkers.
3) You make the reservation; we’ll take care of the details.
4) Discount tickets for parties of 15 or more.
5) Reward your employees.
6) You can eat, drink and be merry.
7) Private space.
8) Our halls are already decked.

9) Themed Parties.
10) Two words: cocktail hour.
11) You can exchange gifts before the show.
12) We celebrate more than twelve days of Christmas.
13) Arrange a behind the scenes tour.

14) You can have it catered.
15) Reserve early and receive premium seating.
16) Affordable rental rates.
17) We’ll clean up the wrapping paper.
18) Hot cocoa.
19) Jack Frost is NOT invited.

20) Play games.
21) Invite Santa Claus to your event.
22) Last year, you burned the fruit cake.
23) After dinner you can walk to the show.
24) We put the Ho Ho Ho in dinner before the show.
25) Spread holiday cheer.
26) Have carolers sing to you.
27) Smaller appetite? Have hors d’oeuvres or lunch instead of dinner.
28) It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
29) We don’t have a naughty list.
30) Enjoy a night of great theatre.
31) A gift the whole family will love.
32) Our nights really aren’t that silent.
33) Wear festive attire.
34) Spend time with your loved ones.
35) Good time guarantee. After 35 years, we know how to throw a party!

The 35th year of our annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, or our Beatles request show, Yesterday and Today, will once again put you in the spirit of the season!

Select dates are available for a pre-show dinner or cocktail reception. Have your company party, family dinner or get together with friends to enjoy incredible scenery, beautiful costumes and melodious music at the show.

For reservations, group tickets and rental rates, contact Megan Karbowski, Director of Sales, at (402) 553-4890, ext.147 or email mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com.

Holiday Tea & Fashion Show

2010-10-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Get into the spirit of the season at the Omaha Community Playhouse for a fun afternoon in a festive holiday setting on Saturday, November 20, when Act II presents a Holiday Tea & Fashion Show. After enjoying a traditional tea by Liz’s Cup of Tea, guests will experience a unique fashion show in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Manistage Theatre featuring Fashion of Christmas Past, Present & Future with vintage clothing furnished by Yesterday’s Lady and original designs created by Sabrina Jones Designs.

12:30 p.m. - Social & Silent Auction
1:30 p.m. - Tea
2:30 p.m. - Fashion Show

Individual ticket: $35 (Patron ticket: $50)
Table of 10: $350 (Patron table: $500)

For information, contact Chairperson Vernie Jones at (402) 330-2384 or
vsjones3@gmail.com.

21 & Over

2010-10-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience

The Omaha Community Playhouse is excited to announce 21 & Over: 21st Century Plays for a 21st Century Audience. 21 & Over includes a line up of staged readings of contemporary works for a mature audience. The readings will include simple, suggested technical elements and moments of physical blocking. In addition to the staged readings, OCP will also host select guest artists and hold special events. The performances and events are free and open to the public with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Most productions will be held in the Howard Drew Theatre at OCP at 7:30 p.m. The 21 & Over schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

Oct. 25, 2010: Boom by Peter Nachtrieb
Nov. 8, 2010: The New Timey Radio Hour (guest artist)
Dec. 6, 2010: Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck
Jan. 5, 2011: Live Karaoke Broadway Night (special event)
Feb. 28, 2011: The Encyclopedia Show (guest artist)
April 2011: TBA
May 2, 2011: The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
June 20, 2011: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

Boom is the first production to kick off the season on Oct. 25.

Boom by Peter Nachtrieb
A graduate student’s online personal ad lures a mysterious journalism student to his subterranean research lab. But when a global, catastrophic event strikes the planet, their date takes on evolutionary significance in this epic and intimate comedy. Will they survive? What about the fish in the tank? Something is about to explode.

Metro Arts Pass October

2010-10-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Playhouse, in the month of October, you can enjoy 10% off 1200 Club tickets
at Omaha Performing Arts. Use the code ARTSPASS at Ticket Omaha.

The Metro Arts Pass is sponsored by The Reader and features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts Pass member, you only must be a member or subscriber to one of the participating organizations. Every month, Playhouse members can enjoy a discount at a different featured Omaha arts organization.

Other participating organizations include:
Omaha Children's Museum
Omaha Performing Arts
Bemis Center
Durham Museum
Opera Omaha
El Museo Latino
The Rose
Film Streams
Nebraska Shakespeare
Joslyn Art Museum
Fontenelle Nature Association

For more information about the Metro Arts Pass, contact the Director of Sales at mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 147.

ACT II Kicks off the 2010-2011 Season

2010-10-04T12:57:00.002-05:00

ACT II is off and running on what promises to be a fun-filled year of events and activities. On Monday, September 20, ACT II gathered at historic Joslyn Castle for the annual Fall Kickoff Luncheon. The highlight of the luncheon was the entertainment from Footloose, The Musical featuring cast members Paul Hanson, Bailey Carlson, Courtney Stein and Analisa Swerczek. It is these little glimpses of the productions that make so many of the ACT II events unique.

Other events that offer the same kinds of glimpses are ACT II’s Behind the Scenes Events. The first of these is Thursday, October 14, 6-7:30 p.m. for the featured play A Thousand Clowns. Join ACT II for hors d’oeuvres and wine and meet director, Amy Lane and some of the cast. The price is $20 per person. For more information about this event or any other ACT II events, contact the Development Office at (402) 553-4890, ext. 145.

$10 Tickets on 10/10/10

2010-09-30T10:57:00.001-05:00

Footloose, the Musical has received rave reviews, and now you have the opportunity to see it for only $10!

To celebrate October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) the Omaha Community Playhouse is offering:

$10 tickets
Footloose, the Musical
Sunday, Oct. 10
6:30 p.m.
Limit of four tickets per person. This offer is not valid on previous purchases. Purchase your $10 tickets through the Omaha Community Playhouse Box Office in person or by phone only. Just mention this write up. Tickets are subject to availability.

So kick off your Sunday shoes and get to Footloose, the Musical!

The Play's the Thing: Script Line Up

2010-09-29T15:53:00.007-05:00

The Play's the Thing, the Playhouse's brand new Drama Book Club, had their first meeting last night and nailed down the list of scripts they will be reading for the year. If you didn't make it, no problem! There is still time to join! The group chose to read Pulitzer and Tony nominees this year. Here is the list of plays and dates for the year:

Pulitzer/Tony Nominees
Oct. 26--In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play by Sarah Ruhl (Amazon $8.95)
Nov. 30--Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies (Amazon $11.16)
Jan. 25--The 39 Steps by Patrick Barlow and John Buchan (Amazon $8.95)
March 1--Rock n Roll by Tom Stoppard (Amazon $9.89)
March 29--Becky Shaw by Gina Giofriddo (Dramatistis $7.50)
April 26--The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow by Rolin Jones (Amazon $7.50)
May 31--Reasons to Be Pretty by Neil Labute (Amazon $7.50)
June 28--Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang (Amazon $11.16)
July 26--Dying City by Christopher Shinn (Amazon $12.56)
Aug. 30--Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts (Dramatists, not yet published)
Sep. 27--Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph (in the anthology Gruesome Playground Injuries listed on Amazon for $10.76 but not yet published.)

Meetings will be held at the Playhouse the last Tuesday of each month. This club is FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact Amy Lane at alane@omahaplayhouse.com or (402) 553-4890, ext. 164.

The Costume Shop: Making it Work

2010-09-27T12:03:00.007-05:00

Fashion design has certainly made a name for itself within the past few years. Shows like Project Runway have drawn attention to not only big name designers and up-and-coming designers, but also the art of designing and creating clothes. Locally, Omaha Fashion Week, which just completed it's third year, has highlighted Omaha's fashion scene and the craft masters within it.

But we've been creating designs far longer than Tim Gunn's signature phrase "Make it work" appeared on our television sets.

Our costume department consists of five full-time employees, multiple part-time employees and an array of volunteers. This group not only creates costumes for all the actors in our regular season productions, but they also create the costumes for A Christmas Carol and the touring groups.

There are many ways to get involved in the costume shop. Volunteer options include:

STITCHER: A stitcher requires a basic knowledge of sewing skills. Depending on the skill of the volunteer, the jobs range from buttons, hems and trim to the actual construction of a garment.

CRAFTS PERSON: The crafts person works with accessories for costumes: jewelry; shoes; hats; feathers; buttons; lace; ribbon; etc.

SHOP ASSISTANT: The shop assistant helps in setting up dressing rooms, returning costumes to stock and doing laundry for current shows.

DRESSER: A dresser assists performers with costume and wig changes during the performance.

It's true that you won't see Heidi Klum on our stage, but you'll see a variety of world-class performances, and you could be a part of it all. To volunteer in the costume shop in the nation's largest community theatre, contact the Costume Shop Supervisor at (402) 553-4890, ext. 150.

You could help us "make it work".

Footloose, the Musical: Sights and Sounds

2010-09-20T13:09:00.003-05:00

Sights and sounds from Footloose, the Musical at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Thanks to Dave Wingert, KGOR for the interview with Carl Beck. All photos were taken by Robertson Photography.

Get your tickets here!

Footloose, the Musical Commercial

2010-09-16T12:30:00.001-05:00

Here is our Cox Commercial for Footloose, the Muscial!