CCM Announces 2007-08 Mainstage Season of Drama, Opera and Musical Theater

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) proudly announces details for its 2007-2008 Mainstage Season of drama, opera and musical theater, which takes place Oct. 24, 2007-May 18, 2008.

Headlining the season is the Midwest premiere of the daring new opera Miss Lonelyhearts by Lowell Liebermann. Commissioned by The Juilliard School and premiered in 2006, Miss Lonelyhearts marks CCM's first artistic collaboration with Juilliard and the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music. Also featured are the dramas Anon(ymous) and Rashomon, musical theater works Wonderful Town and Little Women, and closing the season, the operatic favorite La Boheme.

Please see below for production details. For information, call 513-556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.

____________________

Oct. 24 (preview), Oct. 25-28, 2007
Anon(ymous)
By Naomi Iizuka

A cutting-edge adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey by award winning dramatist Naomi Iizuka, Anon(ymous) tells the story of Anon, a young refugee on a journey to a new life in America. After surviving a boat wreck and being swept ashore, Anon survives one absurd situation after another by wit and instinct, offering a rich sensory exploration of the many different ways in which we search for home and identity in a multicultural America. Anon(ymous) had its world premiere in April 2006 at The Children's Theatre Company (Minneapolis, Minn.), which the Minneapolis Star-Tribune called "stunning" and "blisteringly contemporary." Richard E. Hess, chair of CCM's drama department, directs.

Performance dates: Oct. 24 (preview), Oct. 25-28, 2007
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
___

Nov. 15-18, 2007
Wonderful Town
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov

Returning to CCM for the first time since 1973, Wonderful Town chronicles the comic adventures of Ruth and Eileen, two sisters from Ohio in the 1930s who head to the Big Apple in search of love and fortune. As Ruth strives to make it as a writer and Eileen as an actress, the women find that, like steady work, good men are hard to find. Fortunately -- and many zany escapades later --New York proves it is indeed a wonderful town. Premiered on Broadway in 1953 and featuring delightful music by American composer Leonard Bernstein, the Tony Award-winning Wonderful Town is truly a feel-good American classic. Diane Lala directs, joined by musical director Roger Grodsky and choreographer Patti James.

Performance dates: Nov. 15-18, 2007
Location: Corbett Auditorium
___

Feb. 6 (preview), Feb. 8 & 10, 2008
MIDWEST PREMIERE OF NEW OPERA COLLABORATION
Miss Lonelyhearts
Composed by Lowell Liebermann
Libretto by J.D. McClatchy

CCM presents the Midwest premiere of Miss Lonelyhearts, a new opera based on the 1933 novella of the same name by Nathanael West. Commissioned by The Juilliard School in honor of its centennial and premiered in 2006, the work marks the first artistic collaboration between CCM, Juilliard and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

West's darkly comic work is a commentary on the breakdown of the American dream in the post-Depression era. An unnamed male newspaper columnist writes an advice column under the name "Miss Lonelyhearts," an effort that is viewed by his employer as a joke. The more letters he reads of desperation and sadness, the more burdened Miss Lonelyhearts becomes, leading him into a deep spiral of depression. His attempts to extract himself-including religion, carnal exploits and even a trip to the country-precipitate only confusion and, eventually, a state of mania from which he is unable to recover.
 
Lowell Liebermann, one of America's most frequently performed contemporary composers, has created an eclectic score evocative of the story's era that traverses jazzy moments, religious themes and sweeping sentimental moods. The librettist is accomplished poet J.D. McClatchy, who has previously collaborated with composers Tobias Picker (Emmeline), Elliot Goldenthal (Grendel) and Lorin Maazel (1984). According to the New York Sun, Liebermann and McClatchy "have achieved a success: an opera that is worth seeing, hearing and absorbing."

Esteemed opera stage director and USC faculty member Ken Cazan, who directed the work in its Juilliard and USC premieres, returns to CCM for these performances, with faculty artist Mark Gibson conducting.

Miss Lonelyhearts contains strong language, violence and sexual content and is intended for adult audiences.

Please note: Due to the scale of this production and the additional artistic resources required, Miss Lonelyhearts will be presented in two performances only in CCM's Corbett Auditorium.

Performance dates: Feb. 6 (preview), Feb. 8 & 10, 2008
Location: Corbett Auditorium
___

Feb. 28-March 2 & March 6-9, 2008
Little Women
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
Book by Allan Knee

After countless television, film and stage adaptations, Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel Little Women was reinvented for Broadway in 2005 with the debut of a new musical of the same name. This version of Alcott's timeless coming-of-age story offers a familiar yet fresh glimpse into the lives of the four young March sisters in Civil War-era America. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy discover in individual ways the importance of family, friendship and faith in oneself. New York Newsday characterized Little Women as "a richly sentimental favorite with family-friendly appeal." Guest artist Thom Warren directs with Jason Yarcho as music director and Patti James as choreographer.

Performance dates: Feb. 28-March 2 & March 6-9, 2008
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
___

April 23 (preview), 24-27, 2008
Rashomon
By Fay and Michael Kanin

Based on the story by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Rashomon was made into a classic film in 1950 by Akira Kurosawa and, in 1959, Fay and Michael Kanin adapted the story for the stage. An ancient Japanese tale of sex, deceit and death, Rashomon takes place one thousand years ago in a bamboo forest outside Kyoto. An outlaw kills a samurai and ravishes his wife-or are things really so black and white? With four conflicting versions of the story, how does one know right from wrong? A penetrating look into the human psyche, Rashomon is a timeless drama that truly proves that, in the words of the playwrights, "people see what they want to see." Wrote The New York Times, "Few works of fiction have explored the relative and elusive nature of truth with such force as Rashomon." R. Terrell Finney, Jr., head of CCM's OMDA division, directs.

Performance dates: April 23 (preview), April 24-27, 2008
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
___

May 15-18, 2008
La Boheme
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Premiered in 1896, La Boheme is Giacomo Puccini's quintessential romantic opera about love, tragedy and the bohemian life. Four free-spirited artists live together in humble surroundings in 19th century Paris. Rodolfo, the poet, meets Mimi, the seamstress, in a candlelit encounter, and sparks fly. Over the course of one year, Rodolfo, Mimi and the rest of the bohemians experience love, longing, jealousy and, ultimately, heartbreaking loss. One of the most performed operas of all time and the inspiration for the Broadway sensation Rent, La Boheme brims with intoxicating melodies, appealing characters, and a truly affecting love story. Mark Gibson conducts with guest artist Chuck Hudson directing.

Performance dates: May 15-18, 2008
Location: Corbett Auditorium
___

Ticket & Parking Information
2007-08 CCM Mainstage subscription packages include six-show, four-show and two-show combinations. Matinee subscriptions are $132 for a full six-show package, $92 for a four-show package or $48 for a two-show package. Evening subscriptions are $144 for a six-show package, $100 for a four-show package or $52 for a two-show package. Subscription renewal information will be sent to current subscribers in June 2007, and new subscriptions become available this summer.

Single tickets go on sale in October 2007 with adult tickets priced at $25 (matinees) and $27 (evenings) and, for students, $15 (matinees) and $17 (evenings). A special student rush rate of $10 is available for Saturday matinee performances. Group discounts are also available.

Performances will be held in Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium on the UC campus. Parking is available for all performances in the CCM garage or in additional garages throughout the UC campus.

For more information regarding the 2007-08 Mainstage Season schedule, subscriptions, single tickets and parking, contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.

____________________

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
2007-2008 Mainstage Season
Drama, Musical Theater, Opera

~ DRAMA ~
Anon(ymous)
By Naomi Iizuka
Performance dates:
 Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 (preview) ~ 8 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, Oct.25 & 26, 2007 ~ 8 p.m. 
Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 ~ 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

~ MUSICAL THEATER ~
Wonderful Town
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov
Performance dates:
Thursday & Friday, Nov. 15 & 16, 2007 ~ 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007 ~ 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Corbett Auditorium

~ OPERA ~
Miss Lonelyhearts
Composed by Lowell Liebermann
Libretto by J.D. McClatchy
Performance dates:
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008 (preview) ~ 8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 ~ 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Corbett Auditorium

~ MUSICAL THEATER ~
Little Women
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
Book by Allan Knee
Performance dates:
Thursday & Friday, Feb. 28 & 29, 2008 ~ 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, March 6 & 7, 2008 ~ 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 8, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 9, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

~ DRAMA ~
Rashomon
By Fay and Michael Kanin
Performance dates:
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 (preview) ~ 8 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, April 24 & 25, 2008 ~ 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 27, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

~ OPERA ~
La Boheme
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Performance dates:
Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17, 2008 ~ 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 2008 ~ 2:30 p.m.
Location: Corbett Auditorium

Season subject to change. Rights pending.

Subscription prices: Matinees - 6 shows: $132, 4 shows: $92, 2 shows: $48
Evenings - 6 shows: $144, 4 shows: $100, 2 shows: $52
Single ticket prices: Matinee: $25 adults, $15 students; Evenings: $27 adults, $17 students
(Drama previews - Oct. 24 & April 23: $10)
Student Rush, Saturday matinees: $10 (30 min. prior to curtain)

Ticket Information: CCM Box Office ~ 513-556-4183
CCM Information Online: www.ccm.uc.edu