The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Spring musicals keep springing
Now that spring has finally arrived, we don’t have to wonder whether to call our local offerings “winter musicals.”
The weather itself may still call that into question, but I’m sticking with “spring musical” season. Here are some of this week’s local offerings featuring contributions from our area young thespians:
Fine Arts Association
The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby is presenting their spring youth production this weekend with performances of the classic musical “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 24 and 31 and April 7, and at 2 p.m. March 25 and 26 and April 1, 2, 8 and 9. Tickets are reserved seating and are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students 11 years and up, and $10 children for children 10 years and under.
“Once Upon a Mattress” is directed by Sandy Kosovich Peck with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. Call 440-9517500 for more information.
Dana Quinlan is a 16-yearold student at Bard Early College Cleveland. She was in the ensemble of “Beauty and the Beast” at the Fine Arts Association last year, and has been in numerous other productions, including “Sleeping Beauty” at Beachwood Theatre. She plays Queen Aggravain in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
“I really enjoy her spunk although her motives are questionable,” Dana says. “I love performing at FAA because it really feels like home and is an amazing environment for everyone.”
Dana started performing when she was 7 years old and is still going. Her first theater class came at age 12 and it was with Peck.
“I love the atmosphere of theater and the acceptance that comes along with it,” Dana says. “I am advancing my degree to psychology and intend on incorporating art/drama/psychotherapy into my work. It’s a comical show with a hardworking and family-like cast!”
Nick Lampert is an 18-year-old student from Mentor High School who also appeared in the ensemble of “Beauty and the Beast.” He plays Prince Dauntless.
“I love my character,” Nick says. “He has a goofy nature which I can relate to. My parents have always encouraged me to take acting classes. While taking acting classes I discovered I really enjoyed acting and playing the role of someone else. I have been taking theater classes with Sandy for a year. I want to get a degree in drama or theater. I would love to continue to doing plays and acting in any form.”
Caroline Turner is an 18-yearold student taking college classes through Mayfield High School’s college credit program who is enjoying her first FAA production after appearing in productions such as “Into the Woods” and “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” at Hawken School and “As You Like It” at Geauga Lyric Theater Guild in Chardon. She plays Princess Winnifred.
“I love her outgoing and optimistic nature and how she’s so unafraid to just be her spunky, strong self,” Caroline says. “She isn’t a typical princess! Being new to shows at Fine Arts, I feel so welcomed by the whole cast and crew and I’m so glad to be surrounded by such lovely people in this show. I took some theater classes when I was little and I’ve been acting ever since. I have learned a lot in the classes I have taken, many of which have been at Fine Arts over the years. This is a super fun show that is great for kids and adults alike!”
UpStage Players
North Collinwood’s UpStage Players is celebrating its 23rd season in 2017 with the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 24 and 25, and at 2:30 p.m. March 26. Tickets will be available at the door for $13. Performances are at the Cleveland Memorial-Nottingham Public Library Auditorium at 17109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Cleveland.
Known for its no-cut policy, UpStage Players “works for the kids” of Greater Cleveland.
Their annual spring musical is the group’s signature event. After several months of learning and collaboration, the efforts of dozens of children and adult volunteers come to fruition through the professionally-produced junior edition of a Broadway-caliber musical.
UpStage Players is the proud recipient of a 2017 Cuyahoga Arts & Culture grant, and is also supported by the Downtown Cleveland Kiwanis Club #2 and the Children’s Guild of Cleveland. Their mission is the dedication to the child performer, instilling a love of theater while building leadership and community.
The non-profit group was founded in 1994–95 with 30 children and a vision to create love and respect for the performing arts. Beyond evolving into a strong organization of nearly three times as many children today, two keys to the success of UpStage over the years have been its unwavering no-cut policy and its army of committed volunteers. The children of UpStage Players come from varied backgrounds and neighborhoods throughout Northeast Ohio, yet they all enjoy a demonstrable transformation from everyday kids into accomplished artists.
For more information, email info@upstage-players.com or visit www.upstageplayers.com.
Kenston High School
In addition to these larger organizations, there is still a local high school production out there as well. Down in Geauga County, Kenston High School under director Steven Hoffman will be presenting “Footloose” this weekend.
Performances are at 7 p.m. March 24 and 25, and at 2 p.m. March 26.
Advance tickets are $12 for the floor and $14 for the mezzanine. All balcony/student tickets are $10. Students must be seated with a parent to get student price for mezzanine or floor seating. A credit card charge of $1.50 is added to each ticket price to cover the cost of our online ticketing solution which is available through the Kenston website. All seats are $1 additional when purchased at the door on the date of performance.
Tickets may be purchased in person as well at the Kenston High School box office through March 24 from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Leave a message at 440-543-9821, ext. 5277, for more information. Wheelchair seating is also available upon request.
“Footloose” is a stage version of the popular 1984 Paramount Pictures film starring Kevin Bacon as a teenage boy named Ren McCormick. At Kenston, Ren will be played by Lukas Palumbo. Ren is forced to move from the bustling town of Chicago to the boring town of Bomont with his mother Ethel, played by Georgeanna Oxford. Once arriving in Bomont, Ren meets Reverend Moore (Nathan Wasinski), fellow students Ariel (Julia Fugedy), Willard (Jacob Spencer), and Rusty (Andrea Rengers.)
Throughout the show Ren tries to change the infamous Bomont town law of dancing being illegal. Ren faces many challenges throughout the show that he must overcome with the help of his Bomont high friends.
“It will be very exciting to see all our hard work come together in what we hope will be a memorable performance. Let’s just hope I learn how to roller skate in time,” said Lukas.
Break a leg to the Bombers this weekend.
Geauga Lyric Theater Guild
Out in Chardon, you still have time to catch “Leading Ladies,” running through March 26 at Geauga Lyric Theater.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. The historic Geauga Theater is on Chardon Square at 101 Water St.
Tickets are now on sale for $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and $8 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased through the box office at 440-286-2255 or online at www. geaugatheater.org. GLTG would like to offer special thanks to their marquee sponsor for, GEM Electric.
“Leading Ladies” is the story of two out of work, very much male Shakespearian actors. Things take a turn when they decide to fool people into thinking they are the heirs, Max and Steve, to a large fortune. Upon arriving in the town where their subterfuge will take place, they discover that Max and Steve are really short for Maxine and Stephanie.
What to do? Use their acting skills to impersonate women, of course!