Cast of Singin' in the Rain

Cast

Nate Wasson* - Don Lockwood

J. Isaiah Smith - Cosmo
Tayler Lempke Plank - Kathy

Cathy Hirsch - Lina

Andrew Karolski - Young Don

Brohdi McClymont - Young Cosmo

Rob Baker - RF Simpson

Don Harris - Roscoe

Payton Alber - Ensemble

Marcus Benzel - Ensemble

Karin Berg - Ensemble

Brendan Brown - Ensemble

Lillian Cohen - Ensemble

Brianna Davis - Ensemble

Jason DeLong - Ensemble

Julia Ervin - Ensemble

Jude Glaser - Ensemble

Joseph Mokrycki - Ensemble

Kara Penniston - Ensemble

Hannah Ramsgard - Ensemble

Boston Reid - Ensemble

Nora Shelton - Ensemble

Mia Sherlock - Ensemble

Becky Trecek - Ensemble

Carrie Trecek - Ensemble

Mary Trecek - Ensemble

Debbie Trecek Volkens - Ensemble

*Guest artist

Production

Kimberly Faith Hickman – Director

Jeanne Shelton – Stage Manager

Jim Boggess – Music Director

Jim Othuse  – Scenic and Lighting Designer

Lindsay Pape – Costume Designer

Roxanne Nielson – Choreographer

Tim Burkhart – Sound Designer

John Gibilisco – Resident Sound Designer/Production Electrician

Darin Kuehler - Properties

Greg Scheer – Production Coordinator 

Modern Movies Based on Shakespearean Works

William Shakespeare’s writings are so well-known and beloved, that it’s no wonder there have been countless adaptations of his works. Movie adaptations of Shakespearean plays are no exception. 

Sure, we’re familiar with the 1998 Best Picture Academy Award-winning film version of Shakespeare in Love starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes, but you may not realize just how many modern movies are based on Shakespearean works.  They range from the obvious (think Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing and William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet) to the more obscure (10 Things I Hate About You, West Side Story and Just One of the Guys) to the downright surprising (The Lion King? Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith? You bet!) 

Here are a few lists of modern movies based on Shakespearean works:

• The 10 Greatest Shakespeare Movie Adaptations
   
• 17 Movies That Are Cleverly Disguised as Shakespeare Plays
   
• The 10 films you didn’t know were based on Shakespeare Plays 

Cast of The Mountaintop

Cast

Donte Plunkett - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Catie Zaleski - Camae

Production

Denise Chapman - Director
Gabi Rima - Stage Manager
Alfonso Lee Jones - Composer
Darin Kuehler - Properties
John Gibilisco - Sound Designer
Herman Montero - Lighting Designer
Amanda Fehlner - Costume Designer
Jim Othuse - Scenic Designer
Greg Scheer - Production Coordinator

Cast of Shakespeare in Love

Cast

Jacob J. Roman​ - Will

Alissa Hanish - Viola

Christopher Scott​ - Henslowe

Kevin Barratt - Burbage

Ron Boschult - Fennyman

Sydney Readman​ - Wessex

Alex Nilius​ - Ensemble

Bradley Alexander - Wabash

Caitlin Mabon - Sir Robert

Catherine Ann Vazquez - Ensemble

Chloe Irwin - Webster

Craig Bond - Ralph

Danielle Smith - Tilney

Dennis Stessman​ - Ensemble

Janet Macklin - Queen

Jenna Hager - Ensemble

Jeremy Earl - Marlowe

Julie Fitzgerald Ryan​ - Nurse

Michael Leamen - Ned

Olivia Howard - Ensemble

Pamela Scott - Ensemble

Samantha Johnston - Ensemble

Sean Johnson​ - Ensemble

Will Rodgers - Sam
Apollo - Spot the dog

Production

Jeff Horder - Director

Suzanne Withem - Assistant Director

Wes Houston - Stage Manager

Courtney Stein - Choreographer

Erik Diaz - Scenic Designer

Lindsay Pape - Costume Designer
John Gibilisco - Resident Sound Designer/Production Electrician
Aja M. Jackson - Light Designer
Darin Kuehler - Properties
Greg Scheer - Production Coordinator

Q&A with Maddie Smith of James and the Giant Peach

Maddie Smith

We asked Maddie Smith, who plays the role of James Trotter in James and the Giant Peach, a few questions as she prepares to open this magical show.


Q. What other shows have you appeared in at Omaha Community Playhouse?

A. I've been in A Christmas Carol for the past three years (2015: Girl with Sled) (2016 and 2017: Belinda Cratchit) and I was one of two actors to play Chip in Beauty and the Beast.


Q. This is your first lead role - how different has that been for you?

A. It's been a lot of fun - a really great experience. It's a lot of work being there at every rehearsal, but I love being at the Playhouse, so getting to be there every night is great. It is very different from other roles I've played because I am in a lot more scenes. I also know that I have been given a big opportunity and there is quite a bit of responsibility being the lead. I really want to play James as best I can. I love the character - he is afraid and lonely, but very brave at the same time. He takes chances and believes that things should be better than they are for him. It's just such a wonderful story and I am lucky to work with the most amazing people.


Q. What is your favorite part of James and the Giant Peach?

A. That's a hard question! I would say the song "Middle of the Moment" because this is when James comes out of his shell and he realizes he has the power to control his own life and the ability to take care of himself. Even though that is scary and hard and he can't predict what will happen, he can do anything and his life will be better than it is with his aunts. 


Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. That is the hardest question to answer. My favorite radio channel to listen to in the car is the Broadway channel. I love musical theatre. I've been so lucky to have seen quite a few Broadway shows such as Kinky Boots, The Lion King, Waitress, Into the Woods and Dear Evan Hansen. I love Hamilton (which I got to see in Chicago) and Dear Evan Hansen most of all... and of course, James and the Giant Peach!


Don't miss Maddie and the rest of the cast in James and the Giant Peach running March 2 - 25, 2018 in OCP's Hawks Mainstage Theatre. Ticket information here. 

Beyond Parade: Additional Historical Resources

Parade is a musical based on true events. That fact alone makes the production instantly more intriguing, however, it may leave audience members wondering, "what historical aspects were left out?"

If you've already seen Parade and are desperate to learn more or you want some preliminary information before the show, there are plenty of sources to consume.

Leo Frank's Wikipedia Page

For a quick, ground level understanding of Leo Frank and the trial, start here.

The People vs. Leo Frank

This PBS documentary from 2009 combines interviews and actor portrayals using dialogue pulled directly from historical records. The film in its entirety can be found here.

The Murder of Mary Phagan

This two part mini series from 1988 stars Jack Lemmon as Governor Slaton and Peter Gallagher as Leo Frank. Parade director Jeff Horger called it "more of a heightened dramatization than a historical portrayal," but said it was a helpful reference regarding the group scenes that take place within this world.

Books Recommended by the Director

For those looking to take a deep dive into all the gritty details that didn't make it to screen or stage.

And the Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank

An Unspeakable Crime: The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank

Parade Costumes: From Sketches to the Stage

Costume designer Lindsay Pape officially join the Omaha Community Playhouse staff as resident costume designer in the Fall of 2017 and hit the ground running with Stupid F@#%ing Bird. She now takes on a completely different production, the historical musical Parade. Set in Georgia in 1913, Parade dramatizes the real trial of Jewish businessman Leo Frank for the alleged murder of young Mary Phagan.

The most important thing to remember when working on costumes for a show like this? Lindsay says they will be inspired by the time period, but not exact historical recreations. They must suggest the time of the show but be flexible for the needs of performers.

Lindsay was kind enough to offer some additional commentary on the designing process for this show: 

Timeline

November 2017

• Director Jeff Horger begins research and creates a costume plot detailing all characters, what scenes they’re in and what costumes they require
• Lindsay tests out various patterns for items to be built.

December 2017

• Lindsay and Jeff meet to discuss costume concepts. Lindsay creates small, general renderings (sketches).
• Casting is finalized on December 13th, allowing Lindsay to create more specific renderings for each character.
• Actors come in to have measurements taken.
• Shoes, suits, dress shirts, etc. are pulled from OCP costume storage.
• Construction begins on pieces built in-house.

January 2018

• Specialty fabric and uniforms ordered online.
• Actors come in for fittings.
• Construction continues on built pieces as pulled/purchased pieces are altered.
• Costumes finalized for actors involved in the promotional photo shoot.

February 2018

• Final touches and alterations on all costumes.
• Costumes integrated into production during tech week.
• Parade opens February 9th.

Highlights

• Actors: 24
• Total costumes: 39 + a contemporary outfit for each actor
• Uniforms for guards and civil war soldiers were ordered from C&C Sutlery out of Idaho.
• Though authentic, vintage clothing exists from the early 1900's, theatrical productions rarely use these items because they are too fragile to survive multiple weeks of performances.
• The exception in this production is the robe Judge Roan wears that is from 1911.
• Lindsay’s favorite piece in the show that was purchased is Luther Rosser’s seer sucker suit.
• She could not pick a favorite piece that was constructed for this show, but adores all of Lucille Frank's pieces.
• Biggest challenge with the costumes for Parade: Getting the uniforms from the manufacturer. Thank goodness for rush ordering and great customer service!

See these phenomenal costumes in person at Parade playing February 9-March 11 in OCP's Howard Drew Theatre. Ticket information here.