OCP is the perfect venue for your event

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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.