CCM celebrates 50 years of excellence in musical theatre with "Guys and Dolls" performance and gala afterparty

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary BFA program in Musical Theatre with a special gala event on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Arts lovers are invited to show their saintly support and have a sinfully good time during an evening that includes a lavish production of the classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls followed by CCM’s Saints and Sinners Bash after party. Ticket proceeds support scholarships, student travel funds and master class opportunities.

The Musical Theatre program at CCM is the oldest in the country and was the first of its kind. A four-year bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program, it was used by the National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating the guidelines for the accreditation of Musical Theatre programs nationwide. CCM Musical Theatre is widely recognized for its “ triple-threat” approach to training and many of its graduates are following careers as performers and creative artists in every facet of the entertainment industry.

CCM is celebrating the golden anniversary of its Musical Theatre program with a cherished musical comedy from Broadway’s golden age. Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a gambler trying to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while eluding the authorities. Detroit turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, who ends up chasing straight-laced missionary Sister Sarah Brown as a result. Featuring iconic musical numbers like “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and more, this Tony Award-winning show takes audiences from the heart of Times Square to the cafés of Havana in a tale of saints and sinners and the lengths they will go for love.

Directed and choreographed by Professor Diane Lala, with musical direction by Professor Roger Grodsky, Guys and Dolls features the unbelievable on-stage talent of CCM’s musical theatre majors with live accompaniment by CCM’s world-class student orchestra. The performance takes place in CCM’s newly-renovated Corbett Auditorium.

After the performance of Guys and Dolls, attendees will be escorted to the Great Hall of UC’s Tangeman University Center for the Guys and Dolls-themed Saints and Sinners Bash. Guests can unwind in the Sinners Lounge, dance to music provided by the CCM Jazz Band and enjoy specialty drinks. Jeff Thomas Catering will provide themed food stations at the event, which also features a Graeter’s Ice Cream “Saints and Sinners” sundae bar.

The Saints and Sinners Bash will also celebrate the incredible history of CCM's Musical Theatre program. CCM conferred the United States’ first BFA in Musical Theatre to Pamela Myers in 1969. Shortly after graduating, Myers received a Tony nomination in the category of Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her breakout role as Marta in Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical Company. Fifty years later, CCM Musical Theatre 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 #2 spot in Playbill Magazine’s list of “10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway,” coming behind only New York University. Graduates also represent CCM in national and international touring productions, in dinner theatres and theme parks, on cruise ships, on television, in talent agencies, as producers and in many of the related entertainment fields.

Attendees are invited to get “all dolled up” in 1940s attire for a fun-filled night out benefiting CCM’s student “stars of tomorrow.” The entire evening is hosted by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group comprised of fans, advocates and alumni. The funds raised by this event enable CCMpower to “fuel the future of the arts” by awarding student scholarships and grants. CCMpower is presenting Guys and Dolls and the Saints and Sinners Bash in lieu of CCM’s popular Moveable Feast gala fundraiser. Moveable Feast will return to CCM in January 2020.

The Saints and Sinners Bash is chaired by Heather Vecellio, with Dianne Dunkelman serving as honorary chair. The fundraiser will be the first event held during the tenure of new CCMpower President Arlene Katz. The gala fundraiser also celebrates the arrival of new CCM Dean Stanley Romanstein, whose tenure officially began on July 1, 2018.

GUYS AND DOLLS AND THE SAINTS AND SINNERS BASH
A Musical Fable of Broadway
Based on a Story and Characters of Damon Runyon
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Diane Lala, director and choreographer
Roger Grodsky, musical director

Date
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018

Schedule of Events:

• Sponsor Reception at CCM’s Patricia Corbett Theater: 6 p.m. (only available for sponsors)
• Performance of Guys and Dolls at CCM’s Corbett Auditorium: 7 p.m.
• Saints and Sinners Bash at the Great Hall in UC’s Tangeman University Center: 9:30-11 p.m.

Location
University of Cincinnati

Dress
All Dolled Up (1940s attire encouraged)

Purchasing Tickets
Sponsorship and Host tickets to Guys and Dolls and the Saints and Sinners Bash are available now and can be purchased over the telephone at 513-556-2100. Sponsorship levels begin at $600, visit ccm.uc.edu/support/events for more details.

Options: 

• Saint $250 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash, one ticket to CCM Musical Theatre’s “Not Famous Yet” Showcase on March 15, 2019, valet parking and program recognition
• Sinner $175 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash, valet parking and program recognition
• General Public Tickets: $125 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash and membership to CCMpower
• CCM Alumni and Young Professional (40 and under) Tickets: $75 – price includes one ticket to Guys and Dolls performance, one ticket to Saints and Sinners Bash and membership to CCMpower

Seating is limited. Event proceeds raised by CCMpower support student scholarships for CCM’s “stars of tomorrow” and also help fund student and ensemble travel, master class opportunities and collaborative projects.

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 campus of the University of Cincinnati. 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 new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

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

About CCMpower
The result of a merger of the Friends of CCM and the CCM Alumni Governing Board, CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more. This new organization is a combination of people who love and support the arts along with graduates of CCM investing back in their school. To learn more, visit ccm.uc.edu/ccmpower.

About CCM
Declared “one of the nation’s leading conservatories” by The New York Times, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts. The school’s educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at its core since that time.

CCM offers nine degree types (BA, BM, BFA, MFA, MM, MA, AD, DMA, PhD) in nearly 120 possible majors. The synergy created by housing CCM within a comprehensive public university gives the college its unique character and defines its objective: to educate and inspire the whole artist and scholar for positions on the world’s stage.

CCM is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit us online at ccm.uc.edu.

Featured image at top: CCM Musical Theatre major Frankie Thams and Acting alumna Mackenzie “Kenzie” Clark in a Guys and Dolls promotional image. Photo/Mark Lyons, graphic design/Mikki Graff.