Omaha Community Playhouse Announces 100th Season

Omaha, NE–The Omaha Community Playhouse has reached its centennial anniversary and announced a season full of music, regional premieres, and epic storytelling.

Jersey Boys
Sept 13-Oct 13, 2024

Tony Award®-winner for Best Musical, Jersey Boys is the jukebox sensation that takes you behind-the-scenes of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—their rise, tough times, personal clashes and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation. With greatest hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” don’t miss the regional premiere of this international musical phenomenon.

Disclaimer: Contains adult language.

Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches
Oct 4-Nov 3, 2024

The Pulitzer Prize®- and Tony Award®-winning drama Angels in America is one of the greatest American plays of this past century. In the midst of the AIDS crisis during the 1980s, six New Yorkers with interconnected lives grapple with life and death, love and sex and heaven and hell. Called “a gay fantasia on national themes,” the play examines the queerness and entity of America through various perspectives, ranging from suffering to sacredness. Angels in America reminds us that we, even in the darkest of times, can find community and comfort.

Disclaimer: Contains adult language and situations. May not be suitable for young audiences.

A Christmas Carol
Nov 22-Dec 22, 2024

It just isn’t Christmas without A Christmas Carol! Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The must-see holiday event for the entire family is filled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and magical scenery.

*Special Event – Not part of the regular season series.

Girls Like Us
Dec 6-22, 2024

It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit. Join Chicago cabaret favorites Laura Freeman, Beckie Menzie and Marianne Murphy-Orland as they sing favorite holiday tunes and spread cheer! Laugh at the stresses of the season and bask in the joy of holiday traditions with favorites such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “O Holy Night” and “Merry Christmas, Darling.”

*Special Event – Not part of the regular season series. This show will also perform on Wednesdays in the Howard Drew Theatre.

Waitress
Jan 24-Feb 16, 2025

Tony Award®-nominated musical Waitress offers a unique recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places. Jenna, an adept pie maker and waitress at the local diner, finds herself trapped in a small town and an unfulfilling marriage. Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, Jenna worries that her dream of opening her own pie shop may slip away. However, a baking contest in a nearby county and the arrival of the town’s charming new doctor provides her with a tantalizing recipe for happiness. Featuring music and lyrics by Grammy Award®- winner Sara Bareilles, this regional premiere of Waitress is a hit musical that’s “a little slice of heaven” (Entertainment Weekly).

Disclaimer: Contains adult language and situations.

Dot
Feb 21-Mar 23, 2025

The holidays at the Shealy household are always a wild family affair. This year, however, Dotty and her three adult children are exchanging more than just gifts this season. As Dotty struggles with challenges of dementia, her children find themselves in a delicate juggling act—caring for their mother while also attending to their own needs. Described as “a thoroughly entertaining comedy-drama” from The New York Times, this fresh and amusing play takes on the complexities of aging parents, midlife crises and the essence of a West Philadelphia community with a blend of wit and candor.

Disclaimer: Contains adult language and situations.

The Old Man and the Old Moon
Mar 7-30, 2025

For as long as he can remember, The Old Man has taken care of The Old Moon by climbing a ladder each night to refill its light. When a mysterious melody beckons away his wife, the Old Man finds himself torn between the familiarity of duty and routine and the allure of love and adventure. With music evoking memories of their shared history, the Old Man decides to abandon the moon and embark on a quest to bring back his wife. Highly creative storytelling allows audiences to experience The Old Man’s epic journey over land and sea. Described by Time Out New York as “a transcendent theatrical experience for all ages,” this original musical folktale speaks to the child in all of us and reminds us of the unwavering power of love and the most formidable obstacle of all—change.

Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville
April 18-May 11, 2025

Welcome to Margaritaville! Tully, a charismatic individual juggling roles as a part-time bartender and part-time singer, is convinced that he has life completely sorted out. However, his world takes a turn when a captivating career-driven tourist captures his heart, making him question everything he thought he knew. Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville is a musical comedy featuring the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics such as “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano” and many more. This hilarious, heartwarming musical is “the party you’ve been waiting for that will knock your flip-flops off” (Entertainment Weekly)!

American Mariachi
May 2-June 1, 2025

Lucha spends her days caring for her ailing mother, but longs for something more. When a forgotten record album sparks her mother’s memory, Lucha and her cousin strike upon a radical idea to defy social norms and create an all-female mariachi band. But it’s the 1970s, girls can’t be mariachis…or can they? Infused with vibrant, infectious live mariachi music, this regional premiere of American Mariachi is a “big-hearted, musical tug at the heartstrings” (Denver Post) that reminds us how the power of music and love can help overcome obstacles and make the seemingly impossible come true.

Titanic: The Musical
May 30-June 29, 2025

Titanic The Musical captures the stories of the officers, crew members and passengers of the ever-fascinating catastrophe of the most luxurious ocean liner in the 1900s. From crew in the boiler room to first-class passengers, from the poorest families who scraped together their life savings to purchase third-class tickets, to some of the wealthiest men of the Victorian age, Titanic captures the entire range of humanity aboard the ship. Showcasing the grand and majestic ship herself with moments of heartbreaking intimacy, don’t miss the regional premiere of this five-time Tony Award®-winning musical that ran over 800 performances on Broadway in 1997.

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Announces 2024 Auditions

Arrow Rock, MO—Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre announces auditions for its 2024 season. This season’s shows include:

42nd Street (June 7-16)
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (June 28-July 7)
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 19-28)
Noises Off! (August 17-25)
Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure (Sept 6-15)
Million Dollar Quartet: (Sept 27-Oct 6)
A Christmas Carol (Dec 13-22)

Local auditions, held at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock (114 High St, Arrow Rock, MO), will take place on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 from 11AM-6PM. Please email headshots and resumes and audition time preference to casting@lyceumtheatre.org. No phone calls please. All auditions are by appointment only. Please prepare 16 bars of 2 contrasting songs or a brief monologue. An accompanist will be provided. All levels of experience are welcome. A Lyceum representative will be in touch to confirm your time slot. We are not accepting video auditions at this time.

Equity Principal Audition (EPA) Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition. The Lyceum is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend. Deadline to make an appointment is February 10.

New York Casting will be handled by Jason Styres, THE CASTING COLLABORATIVE.

Christmas Spirited

A miserable Christmas-hating miser is given a chance to save his soul from eternal torment with a visit from the three spirits of Christmas.  This is A Christmas Carol and it is currently playing at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre.

I was sucked into the world of this play from the very first note.  Quin Gresham has written an excellent adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption.  Not only is his version of the story extremely faithful to the original work, but he uses moments often excised from film and stage such as the appearance of the entities of Ignorance and Want.  Gresham also adds moments that perfectly fit in with Dickens’ story and flesh out characters such as the appearance of a young Jacob Marley who played a pivotal role in the corruption of Scrooge’s soul which provides a reason of why he would be the one to set Scrooge down the path of salvation.

Gresham’s directing is every bit as good as his writing.  The pace of the show is crisp and tight with actors picking up cues on the turn of a dime.  The staging is fantastic as Gresham pulls the audience into Victorian-era England with a dank, starless, bitter English night fogged over with smog and buoyed by a somber Christmas carol which sets up the tone of Scrooge’s own internal darkness.  As Scrooge continues down his path of spiritual freedom, the town becomes lighter, brighter, and the smog clears away.  His guidance of the actors is right on the mark with detailed, nuanced performances resulting in fully developed and three-dimensional characters.

There isn’t a weak link in this entire ensemble and some of the high caliber performances come from Jo Brook who not only provides an impish take on the Ghost of Christmas Past, but is a heck of a fiddle player to boot.  Cathy Barnett provides some superior comic relief with her acid-tongued and acerbic Mrs. Dilber.  Robert Elliott is otherworldly as Jacob Marley and has mesmerizing body language with the weight of his chains.  Eliza Brielle is a jovial and magisterial Ghost of Christmas Present.

This is the first time I’ve seen a flesh and blood performer assume the role of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and Paula Danner excels in the part.  Danner exudes a fearsome presence which fills and dominates the stage.  Danner also has a good grip on the art of pantomime as her pointed, emphatic gestures and physical reactions communicate the wordless spirit’s thoughts to Scrooge and the audience.

Hayden Stanes gives a spot-on performance as Scrooge’s nephew, Fred.  Stanes’ Fred is a genuinely good man and one must respect his Sisyphean quest to get through to his cold-hearted uncle with his yearly invitations to Christmas dinner.  Stanes gives Fred an inexhaustible sense of good cheer that can’t be doused even under the bitter haranguing of Scrooge.

Daniel Harray is a true everyman as Bob Cratchit.  Harray embodies Cratchit’s decentness, but he also added a nice touch with his clear fear of Scrooge.  Cratchit constantly walks on eggshells around the man, afraid to ask for a bit of coal or make a comment lest Scrooge terminate him.  But that fear only serves to exemplify Cratchit’s nobleness as, despite his fear and his ill usage, he still sincerely toasts Scrooge and is truly grateful to the man for employing him.

Don Richard is a wonderful Scrooge and admirably carries the bulk of the play.  Richard has all of the qualities of a classic Scrooge.  He’s cruel.  He’s cold.  He’s uncharitable.  But he also added an angle I had not seen in other versions of the character.  This Scrooge is angry.  While Christmas seems to bring out the best in others, it brings out the worst in him.  Richard’s Scrooge truly hates Christmas.  Unsurprising as many of Scrooge’s saddest memories occurred on this holiday which is why he sees it as a humbug (a deceit).

I thoroughly enjoyed how Richard slowly chipped away the ice around Scrooge’s heart with each successive visit from the spirits and some of his best moments were his reactions as he observed the events of his past, present, and future such as covering his ears to drown out the memories of his failed romance and his cruel treatment of his first boss.  His joy at claiming salvation is infectious and will leave you feeling “merry as a schoolboy” too.

Ryan Zirngibl’s set is a thing of beauty.  Not only do his designs plant you in the heart of 19^th century England, but it’s also one of the most functional sets I’ve ever seen.  It easily transforms from the streets of London to Scrooge’s office to Fezziwig’s warehouse to Scrooge’s home.  The latter is particularly impressive with its fireplace and rich looking woodwork.

Garth Dunbar’s costumes suit the time with waistcoats, top hats, bustles, suit coats with tails, flat caps, and Scrooge’s famed nightshirt.  The lights of Randy Winder and Josh Hiser add so much from the dismal London night of the opening scene to the magical effects projected on the wall and the brightness of a Christmas morning at the show’s ending.  Jon Robertson’s sounds add to the magic with the vocal effects used for the ghosts, the gentle tolling of a clock tower bell, the unique effects heralding the arrival of each individual spirit, and the crackle of flames in a hearth.  Patrick Blindauer skillfully directs the music of the Christmas carols heard throughout the play and his singers are full-voiced and harmonious with their showstopper being a slowly layered version of “Silent Night”.  Kristen Nordstrom provides some terrific dance numbers for the parties at Fezziwig’s and Fred’s home.

This cast and crew provide a true Christmas present with this play.  If you’re in need of a dose of Christmas cheer, this show will give it to you in spades and then some.  Tickets are still available, but are rapidly vanishing.  Act fast before you’re forced to wait until next season to experience this holiday masterpiece.

A Christmas Carol runs at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre through Dec 23.  Showtimes are 7:30pm on Dec 17 and 19-23 and 2pm on Dec 16, 20, and 22-23. Tickets range from $20-$49 and can be either purchased here, calling the Box Office at 660-837-3311, or visiting the satellite box office located at Wood & Huston Bank (main bank on the square) in Marshall, MO (visit Michelle England, M-F from 9am-3pm). Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is located at 114 High Street in Arrow Rock, MO.

There’s a New Scrooge in Town

Cork Ramer stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in OCP’s A Christmas Carol

Three spirits of Christmas meet with literature’s most famous miser in an attempt to save his soul.  This is Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol, and it begins its 48^th year at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

I’ve long believed that Charles Dickens’ famed Yuletide tale well exemplifies the real feeling of Christmas.  There truly is something magical about the holiday season that seems to bring out the best in people.  I certainly had that feeling at last night’s preview performance as the production provided me a needed dose of Christmas cheer.

After directing this production for so many seasons, Susie Baer-Collins has this show down to a science.  Co-directing with the talented Jim McKain, the two directors brought their A game to the shaping of the story.  Once the cast started singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, I was sucked into Victorian era England.  As always, they brought out the hits of the show with the returning cast members and made some fun discoveries with the show’s new performers.  The coaching of the cast was of high caliber with each performer giving their all and they infected the audience with their enjoyment and enthusiasm.

Some notable performances from the ensemble came from Charlotte Agulla and Halaina Hunter who play the life-sized toys of Little Boy Blue and Little Bo Peep.  Both had an excellent sense of body language and were aware of their “toyness” as they never broke their painted expressions and their limb movements were so fluid yet had that mechanized motion.  Tabor Cross was perfect as Fred and I sympathized with him as he’d exude a physical sadness when subjected to Scrooge’s abuse, yet never let it dent his good nature or his attempts to reach his cold-hearted uncle.  Sarah Schrader is spot-on as the motherly Mrs. Cratchit.

I was quite impressed and taken with Jason Pandelidis’ interpretation of the Ghost of Christmas Present.  He brought an impish quality to the role that really worked especially with his teasing of giving Scrooge the milk of human kindness.  However, there could also be a bit of hardness under his joviality with his pointed reminder to Scrooge about “decreasing the surplus population” when he is asked about the future of Tiny Tim.  Pandelidis also has a beautiful operatic tenor which rang throughout the theatre when he welcomed Scrooge with “Boar’s Head”.

After watching him build a reputation as one of Omaha’s great stage villains with some fabulously sinister performances in recent years, it was a treat to watch Dennis Stessman switch gears in the role of Bob Cratchit.  Stessman shines as the genial, put-upon clerk of Scrooge.  Stessman has a grand gift for pantomime as I could read his thoughts as he wrestled with whether or not to grab some fresh coal for his fire and I loved his mouthing of “Merry Christmas” and his merriment after a group of children invade Scrooge’s counting house.

And then there’s the miser himself.  Cork Ramer becomes the third actor to assume the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and proves he is more than worthy of its legacy.  Ramer brings a real dramatic heft to the role.  His Scrooge puts the fear of God into the local citizenry with that powerful and well-modulated speaking voice combined with his sneering facial expressions.  Ramer’s Scrooge is a cold-hearted blackguard and leaves him plenty of room to slowly chip away the ice surrounding his heart as he learns the lessons of Christmas from the spirits.  Ramer finds just the right path on Scrooge’s road to redemption as he found sparks of Scrooge’s previous goodness before abruptly trying to extinguish them again as he interacted with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present.  And his youthful joie de vivre after his redemption just makes you feel good and warm all over.

Jim Othuse’s set and lights transport you into the world of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.  His quaint little shops perfectly evoke the feeling of Victorian era England.  Scrooge’s bedroom feels more like a cold, sterile prison with its somber stone walls.  The starry nights of an English sky are a thing of beauty and his lights pulsed with life whether you were enjoying a crisp winter’s night or the low fire of Scrooge’s bedroom.

Michelle Garrity’s choreography brings festiveness to the forefront especially with the dancing sequences at the parties of Fezziwig and Fred.  Jim Boggess and his orchestra nail those Christmas carols that I love so much and I closed my eyes and indulged in the musical manna of the harmonies of his singers.  Lindsay Pape’s costumes are perfect for the story with bonnets, waistcoats, vests, and Scrooge’s famed nightshirt.  Tim Burkhart and John Gibilisco team up for sound design and effects.  Voices could be heard clearly throughout the theatre and I always thrill to the supernatural, otherworldly voices of the ghosts.  Some of my favorite sound moments were the blast of wind when Marley appears on the sign of the counting house and the gentle tolling of the clock tower bell when quitting time arrives.  Darrin Golden adds some impressive technical effects with the spinning clock hands and the splitting of the wall when Marley appears in Scrooge’s bedroom being of a particularly fine vintage.  Janet Morr’s artistry adds that extra dimension especially with the painting above Scrooge’s fireplace which seems to reflect his lifeless soul with its somberness.  Andrew Morgan’s properties help paint this world’s picture with generous feasts, the wares of the vendors, and the toys.

It’s no small wonder that this show continues to delight Omaha audiences.  With its messages of love, hope, and redemption, it’s a story that can be shared time and again.  Stacked with talent and fueled by the power of Christmas, you’re assuredly in good hands when you come to enjoy the festivities.

A Christmas Carol runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse through Dec 23.  Showtimes are Wednesdays at 7pm, Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm and 6:30pm.  Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased at omahaplayhouse.com, visiting the OCP Box Office, or calling 402-553-0800. The Omaha Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass St in Omaha, NE.

Photo provided by Omaha Community Playhouse

Christmas Time is Here!! ‘A Christmas Carol’ is Near!!

Cork Ramer stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at OCP

Omaha, NE–Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. The show will run in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre through Saturday, Dec. 23, with performances on Wednesdays through Sundays.

It just isn’t Christmas without A Christmas Carol! Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The must-see holiday event for the entire family, filled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and magical scenery.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices varying by performance. Tickets may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, by phone at (402) 553-0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.

Photo provided by Colin Conces

Omaha Community Playhouse Announces Season 99

Omaha, NE.–The Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) has announced the titles to be produced during their 99th season, which will run from August 2023 through June 2024. OCP also shared that the new Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol is Cork Ramer, who has played Scrooge on the Nebraska Theatre Caravan tour for 18 years. Subscriptions for OCP’s 2023/24 season are now available for purchase through the OCP Box Office at 6915 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 or by phone at (402) 553-0800.

99th SEASON PRODUCTIONS

Clyde’s

By Lynn Nottage

August 18-September 17, 2023

Howard Drew Theatre

Fresh from Broadway, Clyde’s is serving up fire and ferocity. Famous for sandwiches and second chances, Clyde’s is where previously incarcerated individuals who are part of a transition program work with pride and resilience while showing great reverence to sandwiches. As the employees strive for redemption, the restaurant owner, Clyde, ensures they can’t leave their own purgatory. Full of dark humor, Clyde’s shows that a fresh start is attainable…if you pay the price.

Disclaimer: Contains adult language and content

Beautiful The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath, Words and Music By Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Music by Arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

September 15-October 15, 2023

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Tony Award winner Beautiful The Carole King Musical is the inspiring true story of singer/songwriter Carole King’s remarkable life, her journey to fame, and the mammoth impact she and her work had on the music industry. While not without strife and heartache, King’s story and unbreakable spirit will capture your heart. With songs like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “One Fine Day,” and, of course, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Carole King’s music is the soundtrack of a generation.

Presenting Sponsor: Mutual of Omaha Artistic Team Sponsor: Security National Bank Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor: Immanuel Orchestra Series Sponsor: CHI Health

Pipeline

By Dominique Morisseau

October 6-November 5, 2023

Howard Drew Theatre

Where does the pipeline to prison begin? A gripping, thought-provoking, harrowing drama, Pipeline is the journey of a mother and educator who tries desperately to keep both her son and her students on straight-and-narrow paths. Masterful storytelling woven with cinematic elements, Pipeline is an examination of the American education system and the obstacles that students, educators, and parents encounter to achieve success.

Disclaimer: Contains adult language and content

*A Christmas Carol

Written by Charles Dickens, Adapted by Charles Jones, Musical Orchestration by John. J. Bennett

November 17-December 23, 2023

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

It just isn’t Christmas without A Christmas Carol! Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The must-see holiday event for the entire family, filled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and crisp, wintry sets.

*Special Event—Not part of the regular season series.

Presenting Sponsor: FNBO Artistic Team Sponsor: Omaha Steaks Bakery & Special Effects Sponsor: Rotella’s Orchestra Series Sponsor: CHI Health

*Sister’s Christmas Catechism

November 24-December 23, 2023

Howard Drew Theatre

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold is a holiday extravaganza full of laughs and audience participation. A brassy and bossy nun formally known as “Sister” retells the nativity story and unwraps the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages—whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? Employing her scientific tools, assisted by a local choir and audience banter, Sister delivers a humorous and irresistible satire that will keep you on your toes.

*Special Event—Not part of the regular season series.

The Play That Goes Wrong

By Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer

January 26-February 18, 2024

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Tony Award Winner The Play That Goes Wrong is the side-splitting farce that has taken the theatrical world by storm. Called “the funniest play Broadway has ever seen” (The Huffington Post), this tour de force is filled with mayhem, pratfalls and a set that has a life of its own. A masterpiece of malfunction, The Play That Goes Wrong is the can’t-miss theatrical experience of the season.

Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor: Immanuel

Cabaret

Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Joe Masteroff

February 23-March 30, 2024

Howard Drew Theatre

Winner of 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Revival, Cabaret is one of the most groundbreaking musicals of the 20th Century. Set in Germany as the Nazi party gains power, the iconic Emcee welcomes audiences (“Willkommen”) to the seedy Kit Kat Klub where performer Sally Bowles has a rendezvous with an American writer. You’ll be transported to another time with iconic songs such as “Maybe this Time” and “Cabaret.”

Disclaimer: Contains adult situations

Orchestra Series Sponsor: CHI Health

Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

By Ken Ludwig

March 8-30, 2024

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Packed with quick changes and zany characters, Baskerville is a must-see mystery. Five actors play more than 40 characters to bring this classic novel to life. Sherlock Holmes and Watson are on a mission to solve the family curse of the Baskervilles. An energetic and thrilling rendition of a class Sherlock Holmes mystery, this classic whodunit is a complete delight from start to finish.

Presenting Sponsor: Physicians Mutual Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor: Immanuel

Chicken and Biscuits

By Douglas Lyons

April 19-May 12, 2024

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Who knew a funeral could be so fun? Laughter and love seep from this uproarious new family comedy. When the Jenkins family comes together to celebrate the life of their patriarch, skeletons in the closet are revealed. Family members at odds are challenged to accept each other for who they are – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the hilarious. Love and commitment to family is at the heart of Chicken and Biscuits.

Disclaimer: Contains mild adult language

Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor: Immanuel

Hello, Dolly!

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart, Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

May 31-June 30, 2024

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Winner of 15 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Revival, Hello, Dolly! is classic musical theatre at its finest. Hello, Dolly! is bursting with showmanship, glamour, romance, dance, humor, and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. Whether you’re new to Dolly! or you’ve seen her 100 times, this colossal production is bound to be historic.

Producing Partner: Valmont Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor: Immanuel Orchestra Series Sponsor: CHI Health

Holiday Faire

A swooning Scrooge causes Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas to linger.  A widow waits for her late husband to celebrate New Year’s Eve.  A Jewish misanthrope debates Krampus.  An elderly man deals with his failing cognitive health.  A lonely man on a lonely drive listens to the recordings of a loved one.  Is this a fever dream?  No, it’s the shorts of Holiday Lites currently playing at Benson Theatre under the auspices of Brigit St Brigit Theatre Company.

This show is the spiritual successor to the old Shelterskelter and From Shelterbelt With Love shows.  All the shows are originals, but BSB takes it one step farther as all of these shorts are written by local writers (MS Wulfgar, Moira Mangiameli, and Jason Levering).  The cornucopia of shorts varies in tone from sweet to funny to introspective to heartbreaking and the quality of the writing ranges from solid to excellent.

MS Wulfgar and Moira Mangiameli handle the directing duties of the vignettes and each does some fine work.  Mangiameli’s best effort comes in Y2K where she strikes a positively eerie and isolated tone with a man taking a lonely drive on 12/31/99.  The use of lights (or rather lack of) exude the sense of a dark and starless night and adds to the sadness of the tale.  Wulfgar shows directing versatility that matches his legendary acting chops as he shines with an introspective take on A Christmas Carol with The Old Haunts, some snarky comedy with God Jule, Shalom and heartrending honesty with Old Sy Lange.  Each director guides their actors well and pull convincing and satisfying performances from the performers.

Each member of the ensemble gets a moment to shine.  Adam Bassing has a nervous everyman quality as Neighbor in Bang the Bread while Erienne Wredt shows a real penchant for storytelling in the same short.  Jason Levering brings a real despondency to Mike in Y2K.  But some of the best work takes place in Old Sy Lange and The Old Haunts.

In Old Sy Lange, Jack Zerbe is spot on as the title character who is dealing with the declination of his mind due to Alzheimer’s.  His New Jersey accent is flawless and you can feel his sincere belief in his hallucinations and the anger he feels as he loses his independence bit by bit.  Moira Mangiameli is the rock as the understanding nurse supporting Sy.  Jessica Johnson is utterly believable as the daughter watching her father slowly fade away.

In The Old Haunts, Murphy Scott Wulfgar finds some surprising depth in the role of Jacob Marley.  He starts with the cliched ghost routine, but switches to a more introspective look as he realizes he wasn’t remembered or loved enough to be granted a chance at salvation.  Then he closes with the same ghost routine, but with a much more nuanced take that may speak more to the truth of Dickens’ vision.  Eric Griffith brings a real childlike quality to Ghost of Christmas Present as he technically is a baby as he only exists on Christmas in a perpetual cycle of birth and death.  Katt Walsh is wonderful as the Ghost of Christmas Past.  She has a little bit of denseness about her as she goes through her speech to an unconscious Scrooge and her inability to request a different card in a version of Go Fish.  But her best moment is when she becomes Scrooge’s sister Fan.  Walsh exhibits a level of vocal control I’ve rarely seen as she becomes the child on the turn of a dime.

The show had some nice effects with the lights emulating perpetually falling snow and the projections of a snowy park or Victorian England on the screen.  Costumes always suited the characters with my favorites being the period correct costumes of The Old Haunts and Griffith’s Krampus outfit with shaggy wig and horns in God Jule, Shalom.  A few minor flaws failed to dampen a charming night of holiday shorts.

Holiday Lites runs at Benson Theatre under the auspices of Brigit St Brigit Theatre Company through Dec 18.  Showtimes are Thurs-Sun at 7:30pm and matinee performances at 2pm on Sundays.  Tickets cost $35 and can be reserved here.  Benson Theatre is located at 6054 Maple St in Omaha, NE.

Tears of Christmas

It’s the story of one man’s salvation through the saving power of Christmas.  It’s A Christmas Carol and it is playing at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

OCP’s classic tradition is back on stage for the 47^th time and this marks my third year in a row reviewing it and, I believe, my fifth time reviewing a version of this show.  I’m sometimes asked why I would review a show I’ve reviewed before and the answer is simple.

It’s never quite the same show.

Actors change.  Directors change.  Crew members change.  And with every change comes a new bit of insight.  A different way of doing things that makes the show original unto itself.  Even if everything were identical from the previous year, it would still be different because new and fresh inspirations would be infused into the show.  As it happens this show had a number of changes this year beginning with a blend of the new and classic as Susie Baer-Collins returns to direct the holiday tradition along with OCP Artistic Director, Stephen Santa, and Jim McKain who were making their directing debuts with this show.  The end result was the most moving rendition of A Christmas Carol I have witnessed at OCP.

With the fusion of the three directors, you assuredly see elements and moments from past productions of the show, but you also see new and original ones as well.  You also get a crucial new element that I had never seen in any previous production:  somberness.  This show began with a very sad feeling, almost as if Scrooge’s essence was infused into every jot and tittle of this world.  I admit I was hooked and I shed a few tears along the way.  Baer-Collins, Santa, and McKain guided their performers to solid performances and had me believing in Christmas’ power.

I always enjoy watching the ensemble, especially when they’re really into their performances.  As I gazed about and saw the smiling faces and lights in the eyes of the actors, I was well and truly sucked into their world.  Some stellar performances in the supporting cast came from Cullen Wiley as Topper who is truly amusing when he gives clues as he plays Yes and No at Fred’s party.  Jacob Roman brings a real meekness to Bob Cratchit whose strong heart allows him to work with the miserly and unkind Scrooge.  Christina Rohling is a loving mother and the rock supporting her husband as Mrs. Cratchit.

Don Keelan-White unlocked the full potential of Jacob Marley with his attack on the role this season.  There was something truly haunting (no pun intended) in both the supernatural and the emotional senses of the word with his performance.  He seemed otherworldly and very human at the same time.  His regret at his failure to help his fellow man during his lifetime was palpable and sincere and I loved his scaring the bejeepers out of Scrooge as he smacked his chains against the floor and pointedly warned Scrooge about the length and weight of his own invisible chains.

DJ Tyree was the Ghost of Christmas Present I had long envisioned.  Tyree just bled majesty and regality and basked in the essence of this spirit.  He had the jovial nature needed for this generous ghost, but also gave Scrooge a pointed verbal jab or two as he threw Scrooge’s cruel words back in his face when discussing the potential fate of Tiny Tim.

For the 17^th and final time, Jerry Longe takes the reins of this show as Ebenezer Scrooge.  Indeed, I think the knowledge that this is his last go around added to some of the somber feeling of the show and certainly lent it an additional power.  Longe’s take on Scrooge this time was an angle I’ve never seen played before in any version and I really loved it.  Longe made Scrooge spiritually dead.  By that I mean, he was utterly emotionless.  Life held no joy for him and his accumulation of wealth was just something he did as it certainly brought him no happiness or comfort.  So convincing was Longe in this spiritual death that it made his Scrooge seem very old and frail.  It also had me riding along on Scrooge’s salvation train in a way I had never experienced it before.  Longe was shedding real tears at some points as Scrooge’s dead heart was slowly resurrected and I was searching for my own tissue right along with him.  His redemption had a purity I had never seen before and left me with a sense of divine satisfaction.

Longe seemed to improv asides a bit more this year, but they were fun and one aside had me doubled over with laughter. You’ll know it when you hear it. Truly, it is a fine finale for this treasure of local theatre.

Jim Boggess and his orchestra perfectly played the Christmas carols and hymns and there was an x factor this year that gave it that extra emotional punch.  Michelle Garrity’s choreography was always charming especially in the party scenes.  Linsday Pape’s costumes transport you to the Victorian era of Charles Dickens.  Jim Othuse’s set helps add to that feeling of a bygone era with the old-fashioned buildings and his lights add emotional depths with stars, the pale green of Jacob Marley, and the near total blackness while Scrooge waits for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.  Tim Burkhart and John Gibilisco’s sounds always enhance things with the ghostly voice modifications for the spirits, the gentle tolling of a clock tower bell, and the tinkling sound hearkening the appearance of Ghost of Christmas Past.  Andrew Morgan’s properties add so much with the sight of feasts, toys, and Christmas items.  Darrin Golden’s technical direction makes the supernatural realistic and Janet Morr’s artistry enhances the sets.

I think you’re truly in for a Christmas treat this year as this incarnation of A Christmas Carol is going to hit you in a way you’ve never been hit before.  You’ll truly marvel at the power of Christmas.

A Christmas Carol runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse through Dec 23.  Showtimes are Wednesdays at 7pm, Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 6:30pm.  Tickets start at $40 and may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, by phone at (402) 553-0800, or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.  The Omaha Community Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass Street in Omaha, NE.

Photo provided by Omaha Community Playhouse

Final Redemption: Jerry Longe’s Final Run in “A Christmas Carol” Begins on Nov 18

Jerry Longe (L) and Don Keelan-White (R) star in “A Christmas Carol” at Omaha Community Playhouse

Omaha, NE.–Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, will open Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP). The show will run in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre from Nov. 18 through Dec. 23. Performances will be held Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and two performances Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

It just isn’t Christmas without A Christmas Carol! Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Filled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and crisp, wintry sets, A Christmas Carol is a beautiful reminder of the power of redemption and the generosity that lies at the heart of the Christmas holiday.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $40 for adults and $26 for students, with ticket prices varying by performance. Tickets may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, located at 6915 Cass Street, by phone at (402) 553-0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.

JERRY LONGE’S FINAL YEAR

2022 will mark Jerry Longe’s final year playing Ebenezer Scrooge. He has played the iconic role for 17 seasons. The only other person to play Ebenezer Scrooge on OCP’s Hawks Mainstage is the late Dick Boyd who played the role for 30 years.

Photo provided by Omaha Community Playhouse

It’s Going to Be a Blue Christmas Carol: Jerry Longe Stepping Away From Ebenezer Scrooge After 2022 Run

Omaha, NE.– This year will be Jerry Longe’s final year as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Omaha Community Playhouse’s mainstage production of A Christmas Carol. Longe has played the role of Scrooge for 17 years. He first moved to Omaha in 1980 and toured with the Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s production of A Christmas Carol playing Marley, Ghost of Christmas Present and Jake.

For Longe, his role in A Christmas Carol has been life changing. He says, “I’ve made lifelong friends through this production, and that has been a tremendous gift to me every single Christmas.”

Over the 47 years that OCP has produced A Christmas Carol, only two people have played the role of Scrooge – Jerry Longe for 17 years and the late Dick Boyd for 30 years. When Boyd stepped away, former artistic director Carl Beck asked Longe to play Scrooge.

“I said sure I’d love to do it, and it’s turned out to be the best Christmas present anybody ever gave me,” says Longe.

Longe started the role in 2006 and said one of the best aspects of playing Scrooge is the ability to hone and refine the character year after year. While it’s a difficult decision to step away, he feels that the role demands more energy than he is able to give it anymore. Longe is also expecting his first granddaughter in the spring of 2023, with whom he’s excited to spend the holidays.

“A Christmas Carol isn’t about me. It’s about the show and what it means to the community…I felt it was time to go out on a high note,” says Longe.

Over the years, the holiday show has become so popular, it’s an annual tradition for many area families. OCP representatives say how Longe’s involvement has impacted the organization and community.

“Jerry has brought and continues to bring an enormous amount of invention, humor, pathos, and love to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. His humility and professionalism set a high bar for all of us on both sides of the stage. An extremely talented actor and a wonderful friend, Jerry leaves an indelible mark on our treasured production,” -Susie Baer Collins, former OCP Associate Artistic Director and Director of A Christmas Carol.

“Jerry has poured his heart into this role over the past 17 years, and he will be so greatly missed. He graced the show with immense humor and unmatched energy. He will probably never know how many lives he has impacted with this story of hope and redemption,” -Katie Broman, OCP Executive Director.

“Watching Jerry perform Scrooge is truly a masterclass in artistic excellence and love for theatre and storytelling. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with Jerry during his final year and he will forever leave a brilliant stamp on our production,” -Stephen Santa, OCP Artistic Director and Director of A Christmas Carol.

Longe will be honored on the final performance of A Christmas Carol on Friday, Dec. 23. The directors of A Christmas Carol will cast a new Scrooge in 2023.