21 & Over presents 'We Are Proud to Present a Presentation...'

Omaha Community Playhouse's 21 & Over program presents We Are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915.

Monday, March 10, 2014
7:30 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
Free and open to the public, with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

We Are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915, by Jackie Sibblies Drury

When a group of young amateur actors attempt to dramatize the first genoicde of the twentieth century, things get a bit out of hand. Exploring the potentially explosive issues of race, violence and colonialism, this group inadvertently comes face to face with demons that hit a little too close to home. We Are Proud to Present...is a unique, brave, chilling, but often hilarious new work unlike any other. This is an experience not soon forgotten and not to be missed.

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.

March Metro Arts and Culture Pass

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts and Culture Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of March, you can receive 20% off tickets to GNIT at the Blue Barn Theatre and $1 off admission (per person) to El Museo Latino.

The Metro Arts and Culture Pass features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts and Culture 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 Forest
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz and Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

Strategic Air and Space Museum
Nebraskans for the Arts
BlueBarn Theatre
Kaneko
Omaha Creative Institute

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

The Exemplary Voice of Ella Fitzgerald

As you enter the room and close your eyes, the smooth music and rhythmic feeling that resonates from the singer and band fills your mind. Her vast vocal range along with the background beats bring forth feelings of elation, mournfulness and all those alluring feelings that make you think about the complexities and subtleties of life.

Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

  Ella is the true story of the iconic “Queen of Jazz” singer Ella Fitzgerald. Her famed voice flows through and tells the audience about her life with her classic songs and a look back to her early days into one of her most challenging performances.

Kathy Tyree as Ella Fitzgerald

 In Ella Fitzgerald’s own words, she said, "I've had some wonderful love affairs and some that didn't work out. I don't want to dwell on that, and I don't want to put people down, but I think all the fabulous places I've been, the wonderful things that have happened for me, the great people I've met that ought to make a story.“

 She won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Ella could even imitate every instrument in an orchestra. Audiences will get to know who Ella was on a personal level and how she became the legendary figure we all know today.

Kathy Tyree as Ella Fitzgerald

             From an early age, Ella loved listening to jazz music and dancing, even getting the nickname, “snake hips. Through hardship in her early life, she learns to find solace through her singing. Singing was a way for Ella to relate to people from all around the world of all different religious backgrounds, race, rich and poor alike, they all loved listening to Ella.

              Jim Boggess, music director of the production, can relate to Ella’s passion of singing with his own passion for music. “Music in any aspect is a different world for me. Listening feeds my soul. Ella Fitzgerald was an incredible singer and innovator through her use of “scat” singing. Her improvisatory style never interfered with her innate understanding of the composer’s intent or the text,” said Jim. “Besides a performance that will knock their socks off, audiences should come away with a three-dimensional portrait of Ella, the woman,” said Jim. 

Kathy Tyree as Ella Fitzgerald

              Director Susan Baer Collins has had a rewarding experience working on the production. “There is nothing more fun for me than to be in the same room with talented, creative people. Rehearsing with actress Kathy Tyree and Music Director Jim Boggess is an inspiring and exciting experience,” said Susan. “Both of these musicians are exceptional collaborators and they contribute great nuance and depth to this production.”

            “The audience is in for an exceptional concert of the music of Ella Fitzgerald,” said Susan. “What makes this special is they will come to know Ella as a vulnerable human woman, with whom they will identify and come to love and admire. I am thrilled with how Jeffrey Hatcher’s script explores both Ella’s personal challenges as well as her professional triumphs,”

Catch Ella Fitzgerald’s story in Ella, Feb. 28-March 30 in the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Tickets are $40 for adults and $24 for students. For groups of 12 or more, adult tickets are $29 and student tickets are $18. For more information call (402) 553-0080, visit the Box Office or click here.

 
Story by Yoyo Ma

Go Beyond the Show - Next to Normal

Additional programming for Next to Normal is offered for the community to "Go Beyond the Show." Programs include community conversations about the show’s themes and content lead by UNMC health experts and the cast and crew of the show.

Science Café: The Science of Bipolar Disorder
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
The Slowdown

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is sponsoring Next to Normal.

Steven Wengel, M.D., a geriatric psychiatrist and professor and chair of the department of psychiatry at UNMC, will discuss symptoms, treatment and coping with bipolar disorder. The event is free and open to the public.

Post-show Discussions
At the Omaha Community Playhouse following the production. Free with the purchase of a ticket.
Join mental health experts coordinated through UNMC to discuss the themes of Next to Normal and learn more about bipolar disorder and mental health.

Sunday, February 16, 2014
Discussion lead by Rachel Labaton and Kristi Barth.

Rachel S. Labaton currently holds a doctorate in clinical psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent clinical/pediatric psychology. She has worked with diverse populations with conditions such as behavioral disorders, severe mental illness, learning disabilities, chronic health conditions, traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders and developmental and intellectual disabilities. She enjoys working with children and adolescents in underserved areas and reaching out to the communities she serves.

Kristi Barth is a mom of a son diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. She has a passion for educating people on the struggles that go along with teens having a mental illness and dispelling the stigmas attached.

Sunday, March 2, 2014
Discussion lead by Dr. Howard Liu.
Dr. Howard Liu is an assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry at UNMC. Dr. Liu maintains an outpatient practice treating children and adolescents with mood disorders, anxiety disorders and ADHD. He is a frequent commentator on media programs regarding issues in child and adolescent mental health.

Talk Back with Cast and Crew
Friday, February 21, 2014
Cast and crew lead a discussion about the show and their experiences producing it. Talk Backs begin five minutes after the performance.

February Metro Arts and Culture Pass

Enjoy the arts with a Metro Arts and Culture Pass! If you are a season subscriber to the Omaha Community Playhouse, in the month of February, you can receive one free "Jazz after 5" admission to Love's Jazz and Arts Center.

The Metro Arts and Culture Pass features various nonprofit arts organizations around Omaha. In order to be a Metro Arts and Culture 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 Forest
The Arts Center
Ballet Nebraska
Love's Jazz and Arts Center
Lauritzen Gardens
Bluffs Arts Council

Strategic Air and Space Museum
Nebraskans for the Arts
BlueBarn Theatre
Kaneko
Omaha Creative Institute

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