IT'S ALIVE: CCM presents electrifying adaptation of "Frankenstein"
The gothic story comes to life Feb. 9-12; tickets on sale now
Story by CCM Graduate Student Lucy Evans
The UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Play Series brings a classic tale of ambition and alienation to life with Nick Dear’s Frankenstein, a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. The production runs from Thursday, Feb 9. through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in the Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are available now through the CCM Box Office.
A genre-defining work for both science fiction and Gothic literature, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus grapples with the moral implications and fallout from a dogged pursuit of scientific achievement. While most audience members may be familiar with the story through classic horror movies (or their spoofs), Nick Dear’s 2011 adaptation brings into focus the ethical conundrums of Shelley’s original fable.
The original London production — starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller alternating as Frankenstein and the Creature — became an international sensation when it was broadcast worldwide. Centering the action around Frankenstein’s monster, the adaptation emphasizes intense human emotions and complex relationships over shock or gory spectacle.
The dynamic between a genius creator and his rejected, confused creation is explored over the course of the play, and the audience watches the Creature struggle to find his place in a world he never asked to be brought into. “What is it to learn to be human?” asks director Susan Felder, CCM Associate Professor of Acting and Movement. “Do we have a soul? How do we determine right from wrong when all of society rejects us?”
To grapple with such massive philosophical questions requires “tour-de-force acting,” says Felder, and CCM Acting students are up to the task. “The acting is some of the strongest and most nuanced I’ve seen on any professional stage,” featuring “bold choices and deep exploration of what it is to be human.” In addition to the performances, audiences will be treated to “a feast of visual projections and moving stage elements” brought to life by CCM Theatre Design and Production students. Frankenstein is “a labor of love for anyone involved,” says Felder.
Loneliness, the desire to belong, and intellectual hubris drive this modern take on a Gothic classic. Ultimately, audiences will be confronted with a disconcerting question: in the push and pull between a genius and his creation, who is ultimately the more human, and who is the monster?
Though this version of Frankenstein is more concerned with ethical issues than it is with horror, audiences should be aware that the play contains adult content, including scenes depicting physical and sexual violence. CCM's production runs Feb. 9-12, 2023 at Patricia Corbett Theater; tickets are available through the Box Office.
Frankenstein
By Nick Dear
From the novel by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein will last approximately two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Content advisory: This production contains adult content, including scenes depicting physical and sexual violence.
All of CCM's ticketed events will have digital programs instead of printed programs. QR codes will be displayed at events to give access to the digital programs to patrons. The programs are also accessibile through the link below. Programs for events will be shared shortly before the event date.
- Director | Susan Felder
- Choreographer | Lucia Duque
- Intimacy/Dialect Director | Sarah Summerwell
- Fight Director | k. Jenny Jones
- Scenic Designer | Sean Haffey*
- Lighting Designer | Sharon Huizinga
- Costume Designer | Natasha Cox*
- Sound Designer | Corbin Hopkins*
- Wig & Make-Up Designer | Kelly Yurko
- Production Stage Manager | Sarah Patisaul*
- Props Designer | Hattie Fann*
- Media Designer | Ben Nicolson
*CCM Student
- Creature | Kevin Naddeo
- Victor Frankenstein | Hunter Trammell
- Elizabeth | Katie Kinman
- William | Gavin Duffy
- Gretel/Servant in Frankenstein Household | Hannah Toronto
- Agatha/Townsfolk | Kenny Rayborn
- DeLacey | Cassandra Reeves
- Felix/Servant in Frankenstein Household | Brandon Cook
- Female Creature | Chloe Hill
- M. Frankenstein (Victor’s father, owner of estate) | Malik Smith
- Clarice/Townsfolk | Gabi Adams
- Klaus/Serv/Rab | Nick Casey
- Ewan/Client/Servant in Frankenstein Household | Evan Kupersmith
- Gustav/Townsfolk/Serv in Frankenstein Household | Kiki Hellerman
- Constable/Townsfolk/Serv in Frankenstein Household | Madi Burnett
- Understudies | Galen Arnett and Hannah Toronto
Performance Times
- 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9
- 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10
- 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
*ASL interpreting available during Friday, Feb. 10 performance
*Traffic and parking on campus may be heavier than normal due to a UC Men’s Basketball game at 7 p.m. on February 11 at UC’s Fifth Third Arena.
Location
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets
Single tickets are $32.50. Student discounts and group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-box office.
Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.
Directions and Parking
CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.
Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus.
CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15.
Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.
For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.
- Louise Dieterle Nippert Trust
- Scholarship and Resident Artist Supporter
- The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
- CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship Sponsor
- The Corbett Endowment at CCM
- Dance Department Supporter
- All-Steinway School Supporter
- The Joseph and Frances Jones Poetker Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation, Ritter & Randolph, LLC, Corporate Counsel
- Visiting Artists & Thinking About Music Supporter
- William L. Gasch Endowment Fund for Dance Excellence
- CCM Dance Department Supporter
-
J. Brett Offenberger, MD and Mr. Douglas E. Duckett;
Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer
Greg Mathein
Jim & Linda Miller
George & Caroll Roden - Musical Theatre Department Supporters
- Gearsupply.com AV Marketplace
- Theater Design & Production Supporter
- The Estate of Genevieve Smith
- Opera Production Supporter
- Bacchus Legacy Foundation
- TAPAA Guest Director Supporter
- Rafael and Kimberly de Acha
- Opera D’Arte Supporter
- Estate of Mrs. William A. Friedlander
- Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth
- Judith Schonbach Landgren and Peter Landgren
- Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Santen
- Elizabeth C.B. Sittenfeld
- Elizabeth Stone
- Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman
- Mrs. Theodore W. Striker
- Mrs. Harry M. Hoffheimer
- Ariel Quartet Supporters
-
Friedlander Family Fund
Karl Zipser - Chamber Music at CCM
- Jan Rogers
- Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation
- Choral Studies Supporters
- Anonymous
- Classical Guitar Supporter
- Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Hirschhorn
- Philharmonia Supporters
- Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
- Starling Pre-Collegiate Supporter
- Starling Strings Supporter
- Dr. Timothy E. and Janet L. Johnson
- Thom Miles and Roberta Gary
- Organ Department Supporters
-
Keyboard Club of Cincinnati
L. Ried Schott - Piano Department Supporters
- Kevin and Nancy Rhein
- Wind Studies Supporters
- Willis Music/ Buddy Rogers Music
- LINKS Instrument Donation Supporter
- Strader Fund of the Greter Cincinnati Foundation
- CCM Innovation Supporter
Sponsors listed as of August 1, 2024
Featured image at the top: Frankenstein promotional artwork by CCM student Hunter Trammell.
Lucy Evans
CCM Graduate Assistant, Marketing + Communications
Lucy Evans is a master’s student studying Vocal Performance at CCM. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, and was recently an Apprentice Artist with the Santa Fe Opera.
Additional Contacts
Curt Whitacre | Director of Marketing/Communications | UC College-Conservatory of Music
whitaccp@ucmail.uc.edu | 513-556-2683
Tags
- College-Conservatory of Music
- Performances and Public Events
- Make-up and Wig Design
- Lighting Design and Technology
- Stage Management
- Experience-based Learning
- Student Experience
- Technical Production
- Arts & Culture
- Stage Design, Props and Scenic Arts
- Theatre Series
- Acting
- Next Lives Here
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- Sound Design
- Theatre Design and Production
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