CCM Musical Theatre’s class of 2016.
Cincinnati audiences will get a sneak peek of an original showcase created by the 2016 graduating class from CCM’s Department of Musical Theatre during the annual “Not Famous Yet” Showcase, which runs on March 17 (CCMpower benefit performance) and March 19 in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater.
The March 17 benefit performance starts at 7 p.m. and features dinner-by-the-bite and a post-performance celebration. Tickets for this benefit event are on sale now. For tickets and additional information, visit ccm.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/NotFamousYetShowcase2016.
The March 19 performances take place at 4 and 8 p.m. and are free, but reservations are required. Tickets for these free performances become available at the CCM Box Office at noon on Monday, March 14, 2016.
Each year, seniors from CCM’s musical theatre program travel to New York to present a showcase for the leading agents, casting directors and managers in the business. The show takes the format of a Broadway audition, with the actors showing off their solo and ensemble skills through song and dance numbers. This year’s work is created by the students themselves under the supervision of program chair Aubrey Berg, with musical direction by Julie Spangler and musical staging by Samantha Pollino.
This year’s performance is the 24th edition of the CCM “Not Famous Yet” showcase. The annual showcase began with the establishment of the Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre in 1991. At the time of its inception, it was the only academic chair of its kind in the United States. Learn more about the Musical Theatre Class of 2016 here.
CCMpower Benefit Performance
The opening performance of the Musical Theatre Showcase on March 17 is part of a benefit for CCMpower. The event begins at 7 p.m. and includes dinner by the bite.
CCM alumna Lisa Howard.
This event also includes the presentation of the Musical Theatre Young Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding professional achievement by graduates of CCM’s musical theatre program from the past two decades. This year’s recipient is Lisa Howard (BFA Musical Theatre, 1997).
A native of Akron, Ohio, Howard began her performing career with the ETC All American Youth Show Choir and Firestone High School’s performing arts department before heading to CCM.
She has worked at prominent regional theaters across the country including the St. Louis MUNY, Kansas City Starlight, the Olney Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Barrington Stage Company. She has performed in the national touring company of Les Misérables.
On Broadway, Howard has been seen as Diva 1 in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Missy Hart in 9 to 5, Head Nurse in Lincoln Center’s TONY award winning revival of South Pacific and – most notably – as Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for which she won a Drama Desk Award for Best Ensemble Performance.
In the concert scene, Howard has performed in “Broadway Today” produced by the Spot-On Entertainment Co. and in the Kaufman Center’s Broadway Close-up Series in “Stephen Schwartz: Magic To Do” and William Finn’s “More Infinite Joy” and “Even More Infinite Joy” at Merkin Hall. She has sung with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. At Town Hall in NYC, Howard has performed in “Broadway Unplugged,” “A Night At The Operetta” and the popular “Broadway By The Year” series.
Howard’s debut solo CD, Songs of Innocence and Experience: the Music of William Finn was released in the Spring of 2011. Her TV and film credits include Ugly Betty and the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II.
Tickets for the March 17 benefit are:
- Patron Tickets: $100 each; includes a pre-show patron reception with Lisa Howard at 6 p.m. in the Baur Room of the Corbett Center for the Performing Arts, general performance seating, dinner-by-the-bite, wine and garage parking.
- General Public Tickets: $75 each; includes general performance seating, dinner-by-the-bite, wine and garage parking.
- CCMpower Member Tickets: $50 each; includes general performance seating, dinner-by-the-bite, wine and garage parking.
- Young Professional (40 and under) and CCM Alumni Tickets: $35 each; includes general performance seating, dinner-by-the-bite and garage parking.
Dinner-by-the-bite will follow the performance at 8 p.m. in the CCM Atrium. Proceeds benefit student career development grants and scholarships. Seating is limited. To reserve a ticket, call CCM External Relations at 513-556-2100 or visit ccm.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/NotFamousYetShowcase2016.
CCM Hosts FREE Performances of the Showcase on March 19
Admission to the Musical Theatre Showcase at 4 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, is FREE. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, March 14; please visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to make a reservation. Limit two tickets per order.
Performance Times
- 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17 — CCMpower Benefit
- 4 & 8 p.m. Saturday March 19
Location
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
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 UC campus. 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.
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CCM Season Presenting Sponsor and Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Community Partner: ArtsWave
