The first production of the 2016 Showboat "Season of American Classics" is Neil Simon's The Odd Couple. The show premiered on Broadway in 1965, and became a 1968 movie. The 1970's TV series highlighted the comic interaction of the extremely neat Felix with his very unkempt roommate Oscar.
The part of Oscar Madison is being played by Showboat Artistic Director Matthew Teague Miller. Matthew is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre at California State University, Chico. Matthew received his BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and MFA in Directing from University of North Carolina Greensboro. As an actor Matthew spent three years touring with the original Broadway Production of Les Miserables .
The role of Felix Ungar will be played by Matthew's good friend, David Coolidge . Last summer, David served as Director of My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra aboard the Showboat. David is Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Anderson University and serves as Director of the Musical Theatre Program. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM) and his MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Actors from throughout the Midwest are joining the Showboat Company this summer. Otis Jeffries (Old Deuteronomy in CATS last season) will play the role of Murray. Otis has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance from Anderson University, and will be pursuing a Double Master's Degree in Voice Performance and Music Theory. Two students pursuing Musical Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University are Jon Loya (Speed) and Holly Moss (Gwendolyn). The role of Vinnie will be played by Cash Maciel, a rising sophomore at Western Michigan University. Olivia Schaperjohn (Cecily) is currently earning her BFA in Acting at Ball State University where she will graduate in 2017. Local actor Derrick Bertram is returning to the Showboat in the role of Roy. He has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Iowa.
Directing the CAST production of The Odd Couple is Jami Witt. She received her BFA from Eastern New Mexico University and her MFA in Acting from University of North Carolina Greensboro. Jami is a theatre lecturer at California State University, Chico where she lives with husband Matthew Teague Miller. Serving as Assistant Director is Lara Tenckhoff, currently a Senior at CSU Chico completing a degree in Theatre. Stage Manager is James Kyle Davis who is returning for his fifth summer on the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. . James is currently a student at Western Illinois University pursuing his MFA in Lighting Design. He will be assisted by interns Emma and Cassie Van Zuiden. Technical Director is Aaron Kennedy who received his BFA in theatre from Emporia State University in 2007, and an MFA in scenic design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010. Returning to the Showboat for his 4th season in dual roles as Scenic and Costume Designer is Steven P House. He has an MFA in Scenic Design from Illinois State University and has taught at Northern Arizona University for the last two years. Assistant Costume Designer is Clinton native Carolyn Hopkins who is currently studying Theatre at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, with a focus in costume design and theatre ministries. Mattaea Reeves, a student at Northern Arizona University, is Costume Assistant. Lighting Design is provided by James Morrison, currently pursuing his MFA in Lighting design at Illinois State University. Sound Designer Cameron Hoffman has an associate’s degree in Theatre Arts from Butte College and is currently a student lighting and sound designer at California State University, Chico. Prop Master Catherine Pratt will be a senior Theatre Major at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD. She also serves as a carpenter, along with Jared Hansen, a recent graduate from Northern Arizona University. Members of the CAST intern company assisting as Stage Crew include: Audrey Simpson, Danica Smith, Alison Winkel and Kayla Zeimet.
The Odd Couple opens on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:30pm and runs through June 11th. On Tuesday, June 7th at 7pm "Piano Man Follies" will showcase the talents of this season's professional company, highlighting hits of Billy Joel. CAST continues its "Season of American Classics" with Meredith Wilson's The Music Man (June 16 to July 4), the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific (July 8-17), Grease ! (July 21-31), and Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie (August 4-13).
Theatre for Young Audiences will showcase the CAST intern company. You're a Good Man Charlie Brown may be seen June 18 & 25 and July 9 & 13. The second TYA production is A Year with Frog and Toad on July 23, 27, 30 and August 6.
Camp "America Sings" will take place June 20th to July 2nd. Students entering grades 1-4 will meet from 8am to 10am. Students entering grades 5-8 will meet from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Reservation forms are available on line and at the Box Office.
Two special Gala Events will be held this summer. A picnic is being held before the June 18th and 22nd performances of Music Man and a luau is being held before the July 9th and 13th performances of South Pacific. Contact the box office for more information and reservations.
For tickets and information on all shows and events, visit the Box Office, www.clintonshowboat.org, or call 563-242-6760.
