Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati: "Opus" by Michael Hollinger
PRESS RELEASE
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (ETC) presents the regional premiere of Michael Hollinger’s Opus March 14 through April 1. In Opus, violinist-turned-playwright Hollinger (who received his Bachelor of Music in viola performance from Oberlin Conservatory and a Master of Arts in theatre from Villanova University) examines the chemistry between four very distinct personalities, who must, in the pursuit of artistic excellence, synthesize with one another to create one seamless sound.
Drew Fracher will direct. Artistic sponsor: The Dr. Stanley and Mickey Kaplan Foundation.
As the fictional Lazara String Quartet prepares for the performance of a lifetime—a White House concert—their practices quickly become volatile rehearsals when tensions mount, personalities clash, and their brilliant, but unstable, founder leaves under mysterious circumstances. Left with no choice, the other musicians must seek a new violinist to perform with them. Will the brilliant young woman they select fit into a group of men with a complex and clouded history? With only days left to prepare, the four musicians must navigate the creative, yet often disharmonious, path of creating a masterpiece. This gripping drama explores the cost of perfectionism and the transformation of a struggling musician into an artist.
“Too often, musicians let their instruments serve as their voice,” ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers explains, “and their spoken voice is seldom heard. In Opus, on the other hand, Michael Hollinger presents us with an absolutely beautiful and honest voice through each of his characters.” Meyers continues that she chose this play as part of the 2006-2007 Season, because “when you look at a season of extraordinary individuals, Opus fits perfectly, as it examines the harmonies and discords between truly amazing people. Opus is by far my favorite work by Hollinger, and I am thrilled that we have composed such a wonderful artistic team for this regional premiere.”
***New York’s famed Primary Stages will present the New York premiere of Opus as part of its 2007-2008 Season. Opus is also one of six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award from the American Theatre Critics Association, which will be presented at the Humana Festival of New American Plays on March 31st.***
About the Cast
Cincinnatian Kevin Crowley (Carl) makes his ETC debut in Opus. Mr. Crowley recently performed in Playhouse in the Park’s Of Mice and Men this past fall and has appeared in Ring Around the Moon at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, and in several productions by Chicago’s Second City Theatre. Other regional credits include roles in Los Angeles Theatre Center’sThe Orange Grove and War Music (for which he won a Los Angeles Ovation Award), and Northlight Theatre’s The Rhino’s Policeman and Pick Up Ax. Mr. Crowley’s television credits include roles on CSI, Without a Trace, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Drew Carey Show. His film credits include appearances in Suicide Kings, The Fugitive, and Backdraft.
Comedy veteran David Arden Engle (Alan) returns to ETC, also having appeared in last season’s Moonlight and Magnolias. Mr. Engle has over thirty commercial, television, and film credits and recently co-starred in an episode of Law & Order. He regularly performs his “New Vaudeville” clown acts in venues all over New York and is a Clown Doctor in pediatric hospitals with The Big Apple Circus’ “Clown Care Program.” He appeared as Titus in Titus Andronicus at the SoHo Repertory Theatre, and co-produced Hunchback with Chicago’s Steppenwolf & Redmoon Theatres for the Henson Festival at the Public Theatre in New York.
Michael G. Bath (Elliot) is no stranger to Cincinnati audiences. He was an intern at ETC for the 1990-1991 season, which marked the beginning of his long-term association with the theatre. This past winter, he appeared as the Tortoise in the world premiere musical Ugly Duck and last year in the world premiere musical Cinderella as King Frederick. Other ETC credits include: The Exonerated, Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, Around the World in 80 Days, and Keeping the Faith.
Warren Kelley (Dorian) also joins ETC again, after having appeared as the famed brilliant and passionate producer, David O. Selznick in last season’s Moonlight and Magnolias. He has performed in over 175 productions in New York and regional theatres around the country and his television credits include appearances on Law & Order: SVU and the controversial Chappelle’s Show. Mr. Kelley has played leading roles in Dinner With Friends, An Ideal Husband, A Little Night Music, Present Laughter, Sleuth, How The Other Half Loves, and Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party.
Elizabeth A. Davis (Grace) returns to Ohio after recently completing her M.F.A. at The Cleveland Play House / Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Davis’ New York credits include: The World is Round (Horizon Theatre Rep), Burial at Thebes (Handcart Ensemble), Tomorrow (HB Studios), The Coffee Trees, and Domino (Ensemble Studio Theatre Project 35). Her regional credits include appearances as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, Hilda in Room Service, and understudy roles as Lisa in Well and Lotty in Enchanted April (The Cleveland Play House).
Join ETC Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 7 p.m. for a Pay-What-You-Can preview performance (final dress rehearsal) of Opus by Michael Hollinger. All proceeds from this performance benefit Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS). LINKS is a partnership between the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music Alumni Board and Buddy Roger’s Music. LINKS seeks to connect local elementary, middle, and high school students who want to learn to play an instrument but cannot afford to rent or purchase their own with donated, used instruments. For more information about the LINKS Program, visit www.joinband.com.
The 2006-2007 Season Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable. Design Sponsor: Wymore & Associates. Additional support provided by the Charles H. Dater Foundation, the Fine Arts Fund, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.
The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, a professional Equity theatre, is dedicated to the production and development of new works and works new to the region.
As the fictional Lazara String Quartet prepares for the performance of a lifetime—a White House concert—their practices quickly become volatile rehearsals when tensions mount, personalities clash, and their brilliant, but unstable, founder leaves under mysterious circumstances. Left with no choice, the other musicians must seek a new violinist to perform with them. Will the brilliant young woman they select fit into a group of men with a complex and clouded history? With only days left to prepare, the four musicians must navigate the creative, yet often disharmonious, path of creating a masterpiece. This gripping drama explores the cost of perfectionism and the transformation of a struggling musician into an artist.
“Too often, musicians let their instruments serve as their voice,” ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers explains, “and their spoken voice is seldom heard. In Opus, on the other hand, Michael Hollinger presents us with an absolutely beautiful and honest voice through each of his characters.” Meyers continues that she chose this play as part of the 2006-2007 Season, because “when you look at a season of extraordinary individuals, Opus fits perfectly, as it examines the harmonies and discords between truly amazing people. Opus is by far my favorite work by Hollinger, and I am thrilled that we have composed such a wonderful artistic team for this regional premiere.”
***New York’s famed Primary Stages will present the New York premiere of Opus as part of its 2007-2008 Season. Opus is also one of six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award from the American Theatre Critics Association, which will be presented at the Humana Festival of New American Plays on March 31st.***
About the Cast
Cincinnatian Kevin Crowley (Carl) makes his ETC debut in Opus. Mr. Crowley recently performed in Playhouse in the Park’s Of Mice and Men this past fall and has appeared in Ring Around the Moon at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, and in several productions by Chicago’s Second City Theatre. Other regional credits include roles in Los Angeles Theatre Center’sThe Orange Grove and War Music (for which he won a Los Angeles Ovation Award), and Northlight Theatre’s The Rhino’s Policeman and Pick Up Ax. Mr. Crowley’s television credits include roles on CSI, Without a Trace, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Drew Carey Show. His film credits include appearances in Suicide Kings, The Fugitive, and Backdraft.
Comedy veteran David Arden Engle (Alan) returns to ETC, also having appeared in last season’s Moonlight and Magnolias. Mr. Engle has over thirty commercial, television, and film credits and recently co-starred in an episode of Law & Order. He regularly performs his “New Vaudeville” clown acts in venues all over New York and is a Clown Doctor in pediatric hospitals with The Big Apple Circus’ “Clown Care Program.” He appeared as Titus in Titus Andronicus at the SoHo Repertory Theatre, and co-produced Hunchback with Chicago’s Steppenwolf & Redmoon Theatres for the Henson Festival at the Public Theatre in New York.
Michael G. Bath (Elliot) is no stranger to Cincinnati audiences. He was an intern at ETC for the 1990-1991 season, which marked the beginning of his long-term association with the theatre. This past winter, he appeared as the Tortoise in the world premiere musical Ugly Duck and last year in the world premiere musical Cinderella as King Frederick. Other ETC credits include: The Exonerated, Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, Around the World in 80 Days, and Keeping the Faith.
Warren Kelley (Dorian) also joins ETC again, after having appeared as the famed brilliant and passionate producer, David O. Selznick in last season’s Moonlight and Magnolias. He has performed in over 175 productions in New York and regional theatres around the country and his television credits include appearances on Law & Order: SVU and the controversial Chappelle’s Show. Mr. Kelley has played leading roles in Dinner With Friends, An Ideal Husband, A Little Night Music, Present Laughter, Sleuth, How The Other Half Loves, and Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party.
Elizabeth A. Davis (Grace) returns to Ohio after recently completing her M.F.A. at The Cleveland Play House / Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Davis’ New York credits include: The World is Round (Horizon Theatre Rep), Burial at Thebes (Handcart Ensemble), Tomorrow (HB Studios), The Coffee Trees, and Domino (Ensemble Studio Theatre Project 35). Her regional credits include appearances as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, Hilda in Room Service, and understudy roles as Lisa in Well and Lotty in Enchanted April (The Cleveland Play House).
About the Playwright
Michael Hollinger is the author of Red Herring, Incorruptible, An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grand Bœuf, Tiny Island, and Tooth and Claw, all of which have premiered at Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company, and have subsequently been staged around the country, in New York City, and in Europe. In 2006, the Arden premiered Opus, which won the Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play and is currently a finalist for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award from the American Theatre Critics Association. Mr. Hollinger has written seven touring plays for young audiences, as well as numerous short plays and the 3D Laser Show Extreme Choices. For PBS, he has scripted three short films and co-authored the feature-length Philadelphia Diary. Other awards include: the Roger L. Stevens Award from the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays; the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Theatre Artist; a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award; the Frederick Loewe Award for Musical Theatre; a commission from the EST/Sloan Science and Technology Project; and fellowships from the Independence Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Mr. Hollinger is a resident playwright of New Dramatists and an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Villanova University.Production Team
Production team includes Stephanie Schrock (Production Stage Manager), Brian c. Mehring (Resident Set and Lighting Designer), Reba Senske (Costume Designer), Fitz Patton (Sound Designer), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Assistant & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), and Richard J. Sillen (Technical Director).Special Performance Events
Pay-What-You-Can Preview—Benefits Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS)—Tuesday, March 13, 2007Join ETC Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 7 p.m. for a Pay-What-You-Can preview performance (final dress rehearsal) of Opus by Michael Hollinger. All proceeds from this performance benefit Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS). LINKS is a partnership between the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music Alumni Board and Buddy Roger’s Music. LINKS seeks to connect local elementary, middle, and high school students who want to learn to play an instrument but cannot afford to rent or purchase their own with donated, used instruments. For more information about the LINKS Program, visit www.joinband.com.
YWCA/Universal Grille Night for Opus—Thursday, March 15, 2007
Join ETC for a special wine tasting event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Universal Grille, followed by a performance of Opus at 7:30 p.m. at ETC, 1127 Vine Street. Featured drink special is a wine tasting at Universal Grille. Tickets for the performance are $22, and include admission for Opus and hors d’oeuvres at Universal Grille. Tickets are available by calling the ETC box office at (513) 421-3555. $5 proceeds of each single ticket sale also goes to benefit the YWCA of Cincinnati.Ticket Information
Individual tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for students and seniors, and $16 for children ages 12 and under. Special “Rush” tickets are also available for $15, fifteen minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability). Call the ETC box office, 1127 Vine Street, at (513) 421-3555 or purchase tickets online at www.cincyetc.com. Audio enhancement, wheelchair accessible seating, and large print programs are available with advance notice by calling the ETC box office at (513) 421-3555.
Parking and Security
Parking for evening and matinee performances is available directly across the street from the theatre in the Gateway Garage for $2. Patrons may access the garage via the 12th Street entrance. Security officers are present before, during, and after all performances.The 2006-2007 Season Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable. Design Sponsor: Wymore & Associates. Additional support provided by the Charles H. Dater Foundation, the Fine Arts Fund, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.
The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, a professional Equity theatre, is dedicated to the production and development of new works and works new to the region.
