Ovation Journeys to Jarson-Kaplan in First Show of Fifth Season
by Jon Vater
Following last year’s spectacular world premiere of Blake Bowden’s stage adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel Fellowship of the Ring, Ovation Theatre Company is returning to the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at Aronoff Center for the second installment of the classic trilogy. The three books in the series are collectively known as the Lord of the Rings. The Two Towers is another Bowden world premiere stage play continuing the adventures of Frodo, Aragorn, Sam, Gandalf and many other inhabitants of this legendary work.
Due to the unique technical requirements of the piece and the demand for seats, this show will be presented in the mid-sized Jarson-Kaplan Theater just as Fellowship of the Ring was last year. Tickets are already selling for this much anticipated production. As before, the stage version will premiere just ahead of the hugely popular and successful feature film series. This is an excellent opportunity to get a jump start on the Tolkien madness that will be increasing as the release date of the film approaches.
OTC Takes a Bow in the Enquirer Theatre Awards
by Jon Vater
Every year, usually around Labor Day, The Cincinnati Enquirer's resident theatre columnist Jackie Demaline announces her selections for the annual Enquirer Theatre Awards (affectionately referred to as "Jackies" by many local theatrical personnel.) This year, Ovation Theatre Company was mentioned in the column several times.
Two-time OTC actress Corinne Mohlenhoff was given special commendation as one of Cincinnati's Most Valuable Players. The very busy Mohlenhoff appeared in many productions last season. She was also cited for one of the Outstanding Performances by an Actress in a Lead Role for her work in Ovation's Crimes of the Heart.
Noted for one of the Outstanding Semi-Professional Theater Performances was frequent OTC performer Judy Malone for her work in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls. The piece was part of Ovation's From Page to Stage and Script to Screen, a collection of one act plays.
The memorable trio of Amie Elizabeth Bello, Deborah Ludwig and Corinne Mohlenhoff was awarded Favorite Threesome for their seriocomic work as the Magrath sisters in Ovation's Crimes of the Heart.
Finally, Carus Waggoner received a commendation for the inventive and striking puppet design showcased in OTC's Fellowship of the Ring. Waggoner will be displaying more imaginative puppetry in the continuation of the Tolkein story, The Two Towers, opening October 25th.
Congratulations to everyone on a job well done! It’s outstanding work like this that keeps Ovation Theatre Company an important presence in Cincinnati theatre.
‘Towers’ Director is Primed and Ready for Battle
by Jon Vater
One might expect to find a world premiere stage play, based on a much beloved, decades-old novel to be directed by someone who has lived and breathed the world of the book since childhood. In the case of Ovation's The Two Towers, one would be wrong. That does not, however, mean that Gina Cerimele-Mechley isn't the perfect person to direct the play. Though she is a somewhat new fan of the material, she has become completely engulfed by the vast world that J. R. R. Tolkien created when he wrote the Lord of the Rings trilogy. As fight director for Fellowship of the Ring, Cerimele-Mechley fell in love with the characters and story of the piece. "Examining these characters and the lands that needed to be created for the journey really motivated me. I saw so many possibilities when watching rehearsals last year", she says. "Since beginning research on these characters last summer, I have not stopped. I am in awe of the amount of information that exists", she adds.
Cerimele-Mechley is a major force in Cincinnati (and other cities) when it comes to movement on stage. Her work includes hundreds of shows as diverse as Macbeth, West Side Story and Peter Pan. She also choreographed the show-stopping swordplay of Ovation's I Hate Hamlet and the movement in You're Gonna Love Tomorrow. However, as important as movement is in a piece like this, she has not forgotten the importance of the acting and story. She sees deeper themes in the play than what appears on the surface and hopes that audiences take some of that with them. "So much of this story is about people banding together from all lands and races to save their earth. Differences are set aside to achieve that goal. How appropriate is that nowadays?", she notes.
When asked if a person who did not see Fellowship of the Ring can still enjoy this play, she states, "I absolutely think so. I have been scrutinizing the script to be sure that it can exist as a story in itself. Plus, the show begins with a prologue introducing all of the characters and the back story. " Cerimele-Mechley also finds herself in the unique situation of not only having the playwright on hand, but on stage as one of the actors! (Author Blake Bowden portrays Sam in The Two Towers.) Fortunately, for everyone, this has proven to be a benefit as the two get along famously and share a vision for the piece.
In order to keep the running time of the play at a workable level, fans of the book will note that one of the battles (The Battle at Helm's Deep) has been excised. Cerimele- Mechley explains, "In moving the immediate plot forward, we needed to focus on Isengard. I think Blake made absolutely the right choice." There is also a nod toward romance in the play in areas that were only hinted at in the novel. "You just can't have a great adventure without that romantic tension!", she exclaims.
Anticipation for this premiere is at a fever pitch, especially after the Peter Jackson film series debuted last year with such strength. Though some artistic license is needed because of the change in medium, the spirit of the novel will surely be brought to life by an author, director and cast this dedicated to the source material. Do not miss this rare opportunity to see a major fantasy novel brought to life onstage. Of her audience, Cerimele-Mechley states, "I want them to walk out with a sense of fellowship. Only in working together do we succeed. I want them to go home and call their closest friend--their Sam or Frodo or Merry or Pippin--and thank them for being there."
‘Crimes’ Paid, for Ovation
by Joe Stollenwerk
Ovation successfully closed out its fourth season with a successful run of Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart. Not only did the show garner outstanding reviews from The Cincinnati Enquirer and CityBeat, the show was a box office success and an all-around artistic achievement. I was very proud to have gotten the chance to work with so many talented people.
The uniformly strong cast was a joy to work with, led by the "Jackie" award-winning trio of Amie Bello, Deborah Ludwig, and Corinne Mohlenhoff as the three sisters. Rob Jansen, Kristin Clippard, and Patrick Downey completed the cast in supporting roles that gave the show an incredible depth. Veteran Ovation production staffers Barb Hoffmann, Eric Bardes, and Dave Budke all gave their usual 110%. It was a pleasure to welcome Gina Leatherwood back to an Ovation production: as my rehearsal stage manager, she kept the production together and kept me sane throughout the rehearsal process. The unsung hero of the production, however, was Dennis Murphy, who designed, painted, and built (almost single-handedly) the set, which is one of the largest Ovation has ever created. The authentic Southern kitchen did much to create the perfect homey atmosphere for the play.
It was a wonderful experience for me to direct this production, one I've wanted to do for many years, and to see it realized in such a satisfying manner.