'Sweet Charity' musical rom-com runs Sept. 28-30 at CCM
The musical follows a happy-go-lucky dancer who is looking for love in '60s New York
Event Information (passed)
Story by CCM Graduate Assistant Lucy Evans
UC College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM) Musical Theatre program opens its 2023-24 season with Sweet Charity, a zany romp through the ups-and-downs of the life of a dance hall hostess in New York City. The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1966 and was later adapted into a movie starring Shirley MacLaine, runs September 28-30, 2023, in Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
Charity Hope Valentine’s name gives it all away: she’s a kind-hearted, optimistic dance-partner-for-hire, and despite a string of bad luck in love, she never gives up hope that she’ll find her special someone. While her fellow dancers have a more jaded outlook, Charity never loses her chipper demeanor as she sings and dances her way through the highlife and lowlife of 1960s New York. After a series of bad boyfriends and glamorous dates, a chance encounter with a neurotic accountant named Oscar could just be her ticket to happy ever after.
The original production was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse, and starred his wife and muse, Gwen Verdon. Beloved for its music by Cy Coleman, the show also features lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a clever book by famed playwright Neil Simon. Iconic song and dance numbers like “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now” earned the production nine Tony nominations and a win for Fosse’s choreography.
A set design rendering by Sweet Charity Scenic Designer Joshua Gallagher, alumni guest artist.
“I love the music and the style of the show,” says director Diane Lala. The set, designed by alumni guest artist Joshua Gallagher (MFA Stage Design, ’21), “is reminiscent of 1960s variety shows,” she continues. “It is very colorful.”
The musical, full of laughs and show-stopping dance numbers, is brought to life on stage with performances and designs by CCM's students, faculty and staff. “Our cast is amazing,” remarks Lala. “As always, our students are positive, hard-working and full of energy.”
CCM Musical Theatre presents Sweet Charity on Sept. 28-30, 2023, at Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
Sweet Charity
Book by Neil Simon
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini.
Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Flaiano
Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Flaiano
Produced for the Broadway stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris
Conceived, Staged and Choreographed by Bob Fosse
SWEET CHARITY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
- Director and Choreographer | Diane Lala
- Musical Director | Ian Axness
- Scenic Designer | Joshua Gallagher, alumni guest artist
- Lighting Designer | Baron Leon*
- Costume Designer | Clara Cavins*
- Sound Designer | Brenden Friedel*
- Media Designer | William Meckstroth*
- Wig & Make-Up Coordinator | Claire Bonnette*
- Production Stage Manager | Kali Ashurst*
- Props Manager | Suzanne Barnes*
- Intimacy Coordinator and Dialect/Vocal Coach | Sarah Summerwell
- Fight Director | k. Jenny Jones
*CCM Student
- Charity Hope Valentine | Grace Marie Rusnica
- Oscar | Benjamin Cheng
- Nickie | Eliza Levy
- Helene | Madison Mosley
- Herman | Jackson Reagin
- Vittorio Vidal | Stanislav Przedlacki
- Ursula | Gracie Annabelle Parker
- Daddy Brubeck | Sean Polk II
- Rosie | Annika Jonker
- Fandango Dancers | Grace Capeless, Ryan Dever, Annalese Fusaro, Indya Lincicome, Tomi Newman, Makalya Shipe
- The Frug Trio | Annalese Fusaro, Coty Perno, Nick Gundrum
- Ensemble | Andy Bakun, Ryan Behan, Grace Capeless, Brian Cheung, Monique Churchill, Ryan Dever, Josh Devine, Annalese Fusaro, Nick Gundrum, Annika Jonker, Indya Lincicome, Tomi Newman, Gracie Annabelle Parker, Coty Perno, Sean Polk II, Makayla Shipe, Jackson Reagin
- Swings | Arden Allmon, Grace Baker, Gabe Raskind, Wayden Wagoner
- Tower Power | Hannah Bourgois, Dominic Carroll, Jack Haroutunian, Jonathan Hobbs, Sydney Short, Maya Sharma
- Frug Dancers | Andy Bakun, Ryan Behan, Grace Capeless, Brian Cheung, Monique Churchill, Ryan Dever, Josh Devine, Indya Lincicome, Tomi Newman, Sean Polk II, Makayla Shipe, Jackson Reagin
- Rhythm of Life | Andy Bakun, Ryan Behan, Grace Capeless, Brian Cheung, Monique Churchill, Ryan Dever, Josh Devine, Annalese Fusaro, Nick Gundrum, Annika Jonker, Indya Lincicome, Tomi Newman, Gracie Annabelle Parker, Coty Perno, Makayla Shipe, Jackson Reagin
Performance Times
- 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28
- 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29
- 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30
- Estimated run time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, plus a 15-minute intermission
Location
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets: $36 adult, $20 student, $15 UC faculty/staff, $10 UC student, $5 CCM student; group discounts available.
Experiencing the magic of CCM OnStage has never been easier! Purchase your tickets:
- Online at ccmonstage.universitytickets.com
- Over the phone at 513-556-4183
- In person at the CCM Box Office in the Atrium of UC's Corbett Center for the Performing Arts
CCM’s Box Office hours are Tue-Fri from 1-5 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain for ticketed performances. Hours subject to change based on the University of Cincinnati calendar. Our Box Office staff is always ready to answer your questions by phone at 513-556-4183 or email at boxoff@uc.edu.
UC Student Ticket Options
Current UC students can purchase up to two tickets for each CCM OnStage concert and show at the discounted rate of just $10 per ticket; the discounted rate for current CCM students is $5 per ticket. Learn more.
Student discounts do not apply to CCM development fundraising events.
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. Effective July 1, 2023, all University of Cincinnati Parking Services locations will become cashless. Pay for parking securely with your credit/debit card. All major credit cards accepted.
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.
Next OnStage
There's more to explore — view CCM's full schedule of fall major events at ccm.uc.edu/onstage.
Stay up to date on CCM news and events by subscribing to our Next OnStage email newsletter, which is published every other Wednesday. Visit ccm.uc.edu/subscribe to sign up for email updates.
Interested in early access to CCM's ticket sales? Join CCMpower and gain advanced access to spring event ticket sales in November. CCMpower members also receive 10% off general ticket prices for the full year. Learn more about CCMpower membership benefits.
All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit ccm.uc.edu/onstage.
Lucy Evans
CCM Graduate Assistant, Marketing + Communications
Lucy Evans is an artist diploma student studying Opera-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.
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