CCM Announces 2008-09 Mainstage and Studio Series of Opera, Drama and Musical Theater

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is pleased to announce details for the 2008-09 CCM Mainstage and Studio Series of opera, drama and musical theater. The Mainstage Series, featuring six fully-staged productions, opens Oct. 30, 2008, and runs until May 17, 2009. The Studio Series features eight productions in CCM's intimate Cohen Family Studio Theater, with performances from Oct. 23, 2008, through May 31, 2009.

Please see below for production details. For information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.
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MAINSTAGE SERIES

Spring Awakening
Written by Frank Wedekind
Adapted by Jonathan Franzen
Richard E. Hess, director

A provocative expression of the adolescent experience, Spring Awakening explores the complications and angst that exist between the border of childhood and adulthood. As it tells the stories of teenage schoolchildren, amid their struggles, explorations and natural curiosities, Spring Awakening delves into themes of sexual awakening in direct and powerful ways. Written in 1891, this forward-thinking play has much to say about society today as we raise children in what some describe as a 'toxic sexual culture.' This play inspired the musical version that is currently running on Broadway to great critical and public acclaim, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2007. For mature audiences only; contains adult themes and violence.

Performance Dates: Oct. 29 (preview), Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2008
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Based on the novel by Shepherd Mead

Aubrey Berg, director
David Gardos,  musical director
Diane Lala, choreographer

A lighthearted satire of the business world, this Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning Frank Loesser musical chronicles window washer J. Pierrepont Finch's rise up the corporate ladder after he finds a life-altering book entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Things are looking up as he earns promotion after promotion and, along the way, catches the eye of a pretty young secretary. Unfortunately, Finch's miraculous book can't help him when the boss' nephew tricks him into backing a doomed ad campaign. With livelihood and love on the line, Finch will have to rely on his own wits to come out on top.

Performance Dates: Nov. 20-23, 2008
Location: Corbett Auditorium
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The Barber of Seville
(Il barbiere di siviglia)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
Based on a play by Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais

Annunziata Tomaro, conductor
Karen Coe Miller, director

Figaro, a quick-witted barber, is recruited by the enamored Count Almaviva to help him arrange a meeting with the lovely Rosina, whose cruel and callous guardian, Doctor Bartolo, is extremely possessive. Pandemonium ensues as the determined count and his trusty sidekick are dragged into one mishap after another in Almaviva's valiant attempt to beat the odds and win Rosina's hand. One of Rossini's most beloved works, this sparkling comic opera is also among the most performed in the operatic repertoire. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Performance Dates: Feb. 12-15, 2009
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
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Two Gentlemen of Verona
Music by Galt MacDermot
Lyrics by John Guare
Book by John Guare and Mel Shapiro
Based on the play by William Shakespeare

Andrew Palermo, director and choreographer
Roger Grodsky, musical director

Based on Shakespeare's brilliant comedy of the same name, the 1971 Tony Award-winning rock musical Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the timeless tale of Proteus and Valentine, two small town friends who head to Milan to experience big city life. When the lovely young daughter of a foul-tempered duke catches both their eyes, the classic Shakespearean shenanigans ensue, from disguises to betrayal and more.

Performance Dates: Feb. 26-March 1, March 5-8, 2009
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
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Crimes of the Heart
Written by Beth Henley
R. Terrell Finney, Jr., director

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Crimes of the Heart quickly became an American classic after its premiere in 1979. A delicious dark comedy, the play chronicles the reunion of three sisters as they gather at their grandfather's Mississippi home after a personal tragedy. The sisters try to come to terms with their past "crimes of the heart" while dealing with the current situation. This hilarious and heartbreaking tale takes a poignant look at what happens when bad things happen to good people.

Performance Dates: Apr. 22 (preview), Apr. 23-26, 2009
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
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Falstaff
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Based on William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV

Mark Gibson, conductor
Robin Guarino, director

Based on Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Falstaff tells the story of one of the Bard's most vivacious characters -- the lying, lecherous, womanizing Sir John Falstaff, who pursues two married noblewomen at the same time in hopes of securing their fortunes. His plot is quickly discovered and revenge is sought, complete with mistaken identities, disguises and much more mischief. Featuring a lush and lively score, Verdi's final opera is among his most brilliant. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Performance Dates: May 14-17, 2009
Location: Corbett Auditorium
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STUDIO SERIES

Urinetown
Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann
Book and lyrics by Greg Kotis

Ashton Byrum, director
musical director TBA

A sidesplitting satire, Urinetown is an uproarious tale of greed, petty politics, corruption and, of course, love. This musical comedy tells the tale of a town suffering from a severe water shortage, which results in a government ban on private toilets. Citizens are forced to pay a fee for use of public amenities until young Bobby Strong plans a rebellion. Will the oppressed townspeople triumph over corporate greed? The winner of three Tony Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious and wickedly witty commentary on capitalism, bureaucracy and social irresponsibility.

Performance Dates: Oct. 23-25, 2008
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Mon., Oct. 20, 2008, at noon to reserve.
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On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning
Written by Eric Overmyer
Karen Coe Miller, director

A witty and imaginative time-traveling adventure by Eric Overmyer (best known as a writer/producer for Law & Order, The Wire and St. Elsewhere), On the Verge follows three Victorian-era women on a journey into 'Terra Incognita'-unknown land. Their magical odyssey leads them across decades toward the discovery of strange artifacts -- an eggbeater, a block of cream cheese, a button that declares "I Like Ike" -- and an eccentric cast of characters who serve as enigmatic signposts. Overmyer's script bends time and expectation to create a theatrical tour de force about the fantastic lives of three women.

Performance Dates: Nov. 6-8, 2008
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Mon., Nov. 3, 2008, at noon to reserve.
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Alcina
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Anonymous
Based on Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem Orlando furioso

Andrew Crooks, conductor
Robin Guarino, director

In search of her lover Ruggiero, Bradamante and her companion Melisso arrive at an enchanted island. They find that Ruggiero has been enslaved by the sorceress, Alcina, who has used magic and illusion to convince Ruggiero he is in love with her. Employing disguises and magic of their own, Bradamante and Melisso attempt to reverse Alcina's spells, open Ruggiero's eyes and escape to freedom.

Performance Dates: Jan. 23-25, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Tues., Jan. 20, 2009, at noon to reserve.
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Bat Boy: The Musical
Music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe
Story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming

Richard E. Hess, director
Steve Goers, musical director

Inspired by the stories of the mysterious "Bat Boy" splashed across The Weekly World News, this unexpected musical became a cult hit after its 1997 premiere. When a half-bat, half-human boy is discovered in the caves of West Virginia, a small town veterinarian adopts him and attempts to introduce him into society. The boy quickly adapts to his new surroundings, learning to speak and yearning for acceptance, only to be rejected and tormented by the fearful townspeople and his increasingly jealous adoptive father.

Performance Dates: Feb. 5-Feb. 7, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning  Mon., Feb. 2, 2009 at noon to reserve.
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Ariadne auf Naxos
Composed by Richard Strauss
Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

conductor TBA
Nicholas Muni, director

Set in 19th century Vienne, Strauss' comedic opera follows a wealthy patron who has planned a lavish party at his home, featuring the premiere of a new opera written especially for the occasion. To liven things up, he has also invited a burlesque troop to warm up the audience, and comic dealings ensue when "high" and "low" art collide.

Performance Dates: March 6-8, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Mon., March 2, 2009, at noon to reserve.
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Blood Wedding
Written by Federico Garcia Lorca
Sky Heussenstamm, director

Written in 1932, Spanish playwright and poet Federico Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding ("Bodas de sangre") is a classic of 20th century literature. The story is based on a newspaper fragment that told of a family vendetta and a bride who ran away with the son of the enemy family. The playwright incorporates song, chant, music and rhythm to explore repressed desire, ritual and the constraints of a rural Spanish community.

Performance Dates: Apr. 30-May 2, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Mon., Apr. 27 at noon to reserve.
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Musicals Redux: Good News
Music and lyrics by Ray Henderson, B.G. DeSylva and Lew Brown
Book by Laurence Schwab and B.G. DeSylva

Aubrey Berg, director
Roger Grodsky, musical director
Patti James, choreographer

CCM's musical theater program launches a new annual event, titled Musicals Redux, as part of the 2008-09 Studio Series. Similar to the "Lost Musicals" produced in London and New York's "Encores" series, Musicals Redux will revive a forgotten gem from the Golden Age of American musicals each year. Kicking off the series is the original 1927 version of Good News, containing such standards as "The Best Things in Life are Free" and "The Varsity Drag."

Performance Dates: May 14-16, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Mon., May 11, 2009, at noon to reserve.
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Postcard From Morocco
Composed by Dominick Argento
Libretto by John Donahue

Karl Shymanovitz, conductor
Nicholas Muni, director

American composer Dominick Argento's 1971 piece launched the composer onto the international opera scene. Set in a train station's waiting room, Postcard From Morocco offers a surrealist look at seven travelers on their way to ... somewhere, and perhaps nowhere. Each is distinguished by a possession-a hand mirror, a hat box, a cornet case. As they wait, they share their secret fantasies and inner fears, but refuse to reveal the contents of their baggage. Postcard From Morocco uses evocative imagery to reveal truths about humans' distrust of one another and our mechanisms of self-preservation.

Performance Dates: May 29-31, 2009
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: FREE, but reservations are required. Contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 beginning Tues., May 26, 2009, at noon to reserve.
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Ticket & Parking Information

Mainstage Series Subscriptions and Single Tickets
2008-09 CCM Mainstage Series subscription packages include six-show, four-show and three-show combinations. Matinee subscriptions are $138 for a full six-show package, $96 for a four-show package or $75 for a three-show package. Evening subscriptions are $150 for a six-show package, $104 for a four-show package or $81 for a three-show package. Subscription renewal information will be sent to current subscribers in June 2008, and new subscriptions become available this summer.

Single tickets go on sale in October 2008 with adult tickets priced at $26 (matinees) and $28 (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.

Mainstage performances will be held in Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium on the UC campus.

Studio Series Single Tickets
2008-09 CCM Studio Series admission is free, though reservations are required. Reservations may be made the week of each show only by contacting the CCM Box Office by phone at 513-556-4183. All Studio Series performances take place in CCM's Cohen Family Studio Theater.

Parking
Paid parking is available for all performances in the CCM Garage or additional garages throughout the UC campus.

Additional Information
Season subject to change-rights pending. For more information regarding the 2008-09 Mainstage and Studio Series, contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 or visit www.ccm.uc.edu.
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UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
2008-09 MAINSTAGE SERIES

Spring Awakening
Performance Dates:
* Wed., Oct. 29, 8 p.m. (preview)
* Thu., Oct. 30, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Nov. 1, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., Nov. 2, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Nov. 20, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Nov. 22, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., Nov. 23, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Corbett Auditorium

The Barber of Seville
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Feb. 12, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Feb. 13, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Feb. 14, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., Feb. 15, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

Two Gentlemen of Verona
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Feb. 26, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Feb. 27, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Feb. 28, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., March 1, 2:30 p.m.
* Thu., March 5, 8 p.m.
* Fri., March 6, 8 p.m.
* Sat., March 7, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., March 8, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

Crimes of the Heart
Performance Dates:
* Wed., Apr. 22, 8 p.m. (preview)
* Thu., Apr. 23, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Apr. 24, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Apr. 25, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
* Sun., Apr. 26, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater

Falstaff
Performance Dates:
* Thu., May 14, 8 p.m.
* Fri., May 15, 8 p.m.
* Sat., May 16, 8 p.m.
* Sun., May 17, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Corbett Auditorium

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2008-09 STUDIO SERIES

Urinetown
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Oct. 23, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Oct. 24, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Oct. 25, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Nov. 6, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Nov. 8, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Alcina
Performance Dates:
* Fri., Jan. 23, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Jan. 24, 8 p.m.
* Sun., Jan. 25, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Bat Boy: The Musical
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Feb. 5, 8 p.m.
* Fri., Feb. 6, 8 p.m.
* Sat., Feb. 7, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Ariadne auf Naxos/The Impresario
Performance Dates:
* Fri., March 6, 8 p.m.
* Sat., March 7, 8 p.m.
* Sun., March 8, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Blood Wedding
Performance Dates:
* Thu., Apr. 30, 8 p.m.
* Fri., May 1, 8 p.m.
* Sat., May 2, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Musicals Redux: Good News
Performance Dates:
* Thu., May 14, 8 p.m.
* Fri., May 15, 8 p.m.
* Sat., May 16, 2:30 & 8 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

Postcard From Morocco
Performance Dates:
* Fri., May 29, 8 p.m.
* Sat., May 30, 8 p.m.
* Sun., May 31, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater

For additional performance and ticket information, please visit www.ccm.uc.edu.