Broadway alumni present cabaret to mark CCM musical theatre's 50th anniversary

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary Musical Theatre program with a Birthday Cabaret at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, in Patricia Corbett Theater. Featuring the program’s first graduate Pamela Myers, our newest stars of tomorrow and star performers from Broadway and beyond, the Birthday Cabaret promises to be a tuneful and invigorating tribute to 50 years of CCM Musical Theatre excellence.

Devised and directed by CCM Musical Theatre Chair Aubrey Berg and musical theatre alumnus Scott Coulter (BFA, 1993), with musical direction by Julie Spangler, the Birthday Cabaret offers Cincinnati audiences an unforgettable performance that showcases nearly a dozen alumni who represent five decades of CCM Musical Theatre. The program includes songs from Broadway, Off-Broadway and the Great American Songbook.

Alumni guest artists include Tony Award winners and nominees, stars who have appeared on Broadway and in regional theatres, and artists who have performed with renowned orchestras in concert halls throughout the country — all of whom studied at CCM before launching careers on the world’s stage. A full list of alumni guest artists can be found below.

CCM’s newest stars of tomorrow, the Musical Theatre class of 2019, will also perform a new song, which was written by composer and lyricist Andre Catrini (BFA Musical Theatre, 2011) to mark the program’s golden anniversary.

CCM conferred the United States’ first BFA in Musical Theatre to Pamela Myers in 1969. The first program of its kind in the country, CCM Musical Theatre was used by the National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating the guidelines for the accreditation of Musical Theatre programs nationwide. Fifty years later, graduates continue to work on Broadway and throughout the nation in such productions as Anastasia, Hamilton, Waitress, The Book of Mormon, Pippin, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Kinky Boots, Big Fish, Newsies and The Lion King. During the 2017-18 season, CCM again took the No. 2 spot in Playbill Magazine’s list of “10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway,” coming behind only New York University. CCM Musical Theatre is widely recognized for its “triple-threat” approach to training. Graduates represent CCM in national and international touring productions, in dinner theatres and theme parks, on cruise ships, on television, in talent agencies, and as producers and creative artists in every facet of the entertainment industry.

Tickets for CCM Musical Theatre’s Birthday Cabaret are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online through our e-Box Office. Complete event information is below.

Pamela Myers (BFA, 1969) made her Broadway debut as Marta in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim's musical Company, introducing the show-stopping number "Another Hundred People." She was nominated at the 1971 Tony awards for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Myers has appeared with Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Herman on In Performance At The White House on PBS and guest starred on numerous TV shows. Myers has also guest starred with the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Carnegie Hall Tribute to Judy Garland.

Faith Prince (BFA, 1979) established herself as a Broadway star with her portrayal of Miss Adelaide in the much-acclaimed 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, for which she won both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards as Best Actress in a Musical. In 2001, she was again nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her portrayal of Ella Peterson in the 2001 revival of Bells Are Ringing. She was also featured in the 2008 Broadway musical A Catered Affair, for which she received Tony and Drama Desk nominations.

Jan Horvath (BFA, 1980) was in the original Broadway company of Hal Prince’s The Phantom of the Opera. Broadway credits include The Threepenny Opera, Sweet Charity, Oliver! and Stardust. Internationally, she starred as Queen Isabella in the world premiere of Encounter 500 at La Sistina in Italy, and was featured in Bernstein’s Mass at the Vatican as part of the Jubilee Celebration. She made her Carnegie Hall debut singing in Bernstein’s Mass in 2002 and also appeared there with the New York Pops in “The Three Broadway Divas” concert.

Jessica Hendy (BFA, 1993) made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Cats in 1999. She has also performed in Aida and Amour on Broadway and in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Regional credits include Next to Normal, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Miss Saigon and The Gift of the Magi, among others. Hendy has also appeared as a guest soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Modesto Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra.

Scott Coulter (BFA, 1993), one of New York’s most honored vocalists, has received five Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Awards, five Bistro Awards and two Nightlight Awards for Outstanding Vocalist. He spent a record-setting eight months Feinstein’s at The Regency performing the revue 11 O’clock Numbers at 11 O’clock, which he also co-created, directed and musically arranged. Scott was director and star of A Christmas Carol: The Symphonic Concert in its world premiere with the Baltimore Symphony and reprised his performance in the Emmy-nominated PBS production.

Lisa Howard (BFA, 1997) has starred on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, 9 to 5, the Tony Award-winning revival of South Pacific and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for which she won a Drama Desk Award. She has performed in Spot-On Entertainment Co.’s “Broadway Today,” the Kaufman Center’s Broadway Close-up Series “Stephen Schwartz: Magic to Do” and William Finn’s “More Infinite Joy” and “Even More Infinite Joy” at Merkin Hall. She has sung with the Cincinnati Symphony and with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.

Kristy Cates (BFA, 1999) made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Wicked, which won three Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the original cast album received a Grammy Award. Cates is perhaps best known for her role as Elphaba in Chicago’s production of Wicked. She also appeared in Princess Ida and in the Off-Broadway production of Boobs! The Musical. In 2016 she portrayed Ms. Basset in Broadway’s Finding Neverland. She most recently played the role of Grandma Josephine in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Liz Pearce (BFA, 2000) is an actor, singer and dancer who currently lives in New York City. She has performed on Broadway, at Radio City Music Hall, in London’s West End, in National and International tours and at countless regional theatres across the country. Her Broadway credits include roles in the original casts of Billy Elliot and Metropolis. She has also appeared in national tours of Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, Chicago, Scooby Doo in Stage Fright and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ashley Brown (BFA, 2004) originated the title role in Broadway’s Mary Poppins for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Brown starred as Mary Poppins in the musical’s national tour, where she received a 2010 Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical.” Other Broadway credits include Belle in The Beauty and The Beast. She previously played Magnolia in Francesca Zembello’s Showboat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and recently returned to star in the role of Laurey in Oklahoma.

Katie Johannigman (BFA, 2012) began her career when she was only in the eighth grade by joining the national tour of Oliver!. Her other professional credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pirates!, The Light in the Piazza, Anything Goes, Mary Poppins, Company, Cats and Chicago. Her work as a choreographer has appeared at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, The Human Race Theatre and the Broadway Method Academy, where she served as Artistic Director. She is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Musical theatre at CCM.

Raven Thomas (BFA, 2016) started her professional career in the performing arts shortly after graduating from CCM by joining the national tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, which won 11 Tony Awards in 2016. Cincinnati audiences may recognize her from CCM’s 2015 Mainstage production of Carousel, where she played the role of Mrs. Mullin. Thomas also played the role of Pilar in CCM’s 2014 Mainstage production of Legally Blonde.

PERFORMANCE TIME
6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16

Please note: Please note that the start time for CCM Musical Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Birthday Cabaret has changed due to a scheduling conflict with an FC Cincinnati game occurring in UC’s Nippert Stadium earlier in the day.

LOCATION
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

PURCHASING TICKETS
Tickets for CCM Musical Theatre’s Birthday Cabaret are $20 general, $15 non-UC students, and FREE for UC students with a valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online through our e-Box Office! Visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice for CCM Box Office hours and location.

PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.

Musical Theatre Birthday Cabaret Sponsors: J. Brett Offenberger & Douglas E. Duckett and Cincinnati Dreams Come True Inc.